Full Name

Evashan Maistry-Thavar

Position

Training Manager-African NDT Centre/ Vice Chair – SPBNDT

What sparked your interest in NDT?

 My uncle worked for an NDT company in Durban. When I was younger I would go to his offices and play with a UT machine, I had no idea what was happening but the echoes looked really cool.

  1. How did you begin your career in NDT?

I started as a UT assistant under Kurt Selling at High Profile Inspection Authority in Durban.

  1. Person who has the biggest influence on your life?

My mother, my father passed away when I was 20 and my mother has kept me on the right path ever since.

  1. Person who has the biggest influence on your NDT career?

This is a toss-up between my uncle Raj Kistiah who introduced me to NDT, Kurt Selling who took the time to teach me when I first got into NDT and Hannes Barnard who inspired me to pursue my level 3s.

  1. What are your current qualifications?

MT/PT/UT/VT PCN L2 and 3.

RT/PAUT/TOFD SNT-TC-1A L2.

  1. Which method do you enjoy most and why?

UT, it is what I started with and with the continuous advancements in the advanced methods it seems as if we will always have even more to discover and learn about.

  1. What industries or sectors have you been involved in?

I have predominantly been involved in the Petrochemical industry, after joining ANDTc I have been exposed to the Aviation sector and as a consultant I have the opportunity of getting involved in every sector that my clients are involved in.

  1. What major projects have you been involved in?
  • Various major shutdowns
  • Transfer lines project (IVS)
  • Construction of an LNG plant in Angola
  • Specialist and member of the Working Group at the BRICS world skills development challenge.
  1. What are your biggest challenges in NDT?

Trying to mould the minds of every student that enters through our doors and show them that NDT is about more than chasing shutdowns and getting hours, if done correctly it can become a wonderful and rewarding career.

  1. Most humorous NDT incident that you can remember

Calling my supervisor just after 12 in the morning on Christmas day and screaming “the source is out and we’ve lost it” then joke and say, “tomato sauce, go back to bed”, it was just a joke, there was no incident, it was payback for having to work Christmas eve.

Disclaimer: Radiation is not a joke and safety should be our number 1 priority.

  1. What legacy would you like to leave in the industry?

My students going out into the industry, working hard and correctly and making a legacy of their own IS my legacy.

  1. Hope for the future

That NDT will be recognised in South Africa for the vital role it plays in almost every key sector.

  1. A must-visit NDT website that you recommend?

 www.andtc.com obviously 😉