South Africa, George – GISc Practitioner employed by Eden District Municipality, Mr Salman Damons, recently complied with the requirements of the Land Survey Act 40 of 1984, and is in the final stages of registration.
The South African Council of Professional and Technical Surveyors (PLATO) mandated by Land Survey Act 40 of 1984 as a professional body, added Geographical Information Science (GISc) to its categories for registration.
GISc Practitioners can now register under one of the following categories:
- GISc Professional
- GISc Technologist
- GISc Technologist in Training
- GISc Technician
- GISc Technician in Training
GISc Practitioners are therefore governed under the Professional and Technical Land Survey Act 40 of 1984, as well as the Geomatics Profession Act 19 of 2013. Prescribed in the Geomatics Professional Act 19 of 2013, the GISc profession is being governed in the same way as accounting, engineering, surveying or law. To practice GIS in South Africa, the Practitioners must have an appropriate academic qualification, register with PLATO and complete the prescribed training under a suitably registered mentor. All registered practitioners must make use of the PLATO Continuous Professional Development program to ensure development of skills and gaining of knowledge.
Upon completion, Mr Damons will be one of three GISc Technologist employed by local government within the municipal boundaries of Eden District Municipality.
