South Africa - For Namibian-based technical supply company, dB Audio, the past two decades have been all about training, growth, and getting even better at what they do.
Over the years, dB Audio has sent over 15 teams to DWR Distribution in South Africa for International Rigging and Basic Rigging courses, the most recent training having taken place earlier this year and presented by Ruud de Deugd of T&E Support. This is over and above attending workshops like Absen Certified Engineer training, roadshows, and open days that keep their crew sharp and ready to tackle anything.
Founded in 2004 by David Benade and Manu Jacobs, the company has always been about staying ahead of the game. “I can still remember the old days in 2004 like it was yesterday,” says Manu. “Back then I was excited, it was all about analogue gear, and suddenly there was digital. Training is key; it's about giving the next generation the skills and knowledge they need to move things forward. We can’t keep it all to ourselves!”
Ernst Steynberg, client service executive at dB Audio Namibia since 2005, shares: “We’ve made it our mission to invest in training, even when Namibia’s event sector doesn’t have set regulations for health and safety. From day one, we benchmark international standards because we believe our clients and our team deserve the best.”
For the International Rigging Training, the company was represented by Rivaldo Mbekele, David Beukes, and Titus Augustinus. Rivaldo Mbekele, a lighting technician at dB Audio for almost a year, shared his journey, “I started as a box pusher and quickly developed a passion for what I was doing. One day, I approached one of the lighting HODs, and after a few months, I noticed he was interested in helping me grow. From there, I began learning about the entertainment industry, and it felt similar to filmmaking, with just a few tweaks since it’s live. I’m eager to keep learning.”
The training superhero behind the scenes is Char-Ann Husselmann, dB Audio’s lead project manager. “Char-Ann’s on a mission to find every single training opportunity for the team, and once she’s set her mind on something, there’s no stopping her! We can be halfway across the world, and if she says it’s a go, we’re all in – budget and resources, no questions asked,” says David Benade.
Besides the training, dB Audio Namibia has to invest in transport, accommodation, and everything in between to make sure its team can attend courses at DWR Distribution, which is about 1,600km away. In return, DWR has expanded its training offerings over the years, offering everything from lighting workshops to product knowledge and mentorship from international experts.
