DWR Distribution had a fantastic time hosting Eric Laanstra and William Voskuil from Prolyte Group in South Africa in October. Eric Laanstra, a seasoned professional in the rigging and live events industry generously shared his vast knowledge at the Prolyte Basic Rigging campus held at DWR Distribution’s offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

With over two decades of experience in the field, Eric’s Laanstra journey began in the 80s as a DJ, eventually transitioning into roles as a roadie, stage set builder, and later, a lighting designer and operator. His expertise expanded into rigging and truss work, accumulating 15 years before joining Prolyte in 2000.  For the past 23 years, he has been an integral part of the manufacturing side, emphasizing the ever-evolving nature of his work.

Together with DWR’s Robert Izzett, Eric conducted the training course which covered the basics of trusses, rigging, chain hoists, and the South African regulations when it comes to setting up structures.  The sessions also catered for newcomers, offering insights into terminologies, technological aspects, and the crucial “dos and don’ts” in rigging.

Eric’s workshops are renowned globally for their interactive nature. This two-way exchange of information fosters a dynamic learning environment, where even seasoned professionals gain new insights due to the diverse challenges encountered in the entertainment industry.  Eric’s dedication to knowledge–sharing is underscored by this belief that continuous education is essential, particularly in a post–COVID landscape that has welcomed an influx of new talent.  He stresses that understanding the philosophy behind rigging equipment is as crucial as its practical application in events to ensure safety.

For Prolyte’s William Voskuil who was back in SA after four years, the trip was all about visiting clients in Johannesburg and Cape Town.  William primarily works on the commercial side of the business at Prolyte, and he emphasises the importance of continuous learning in the fast-changing rigging industry.  He commended the well-organized arrangements during his visit which allowed him to meet over 15 customers in three days!  The catchups, laughter, great food, and friendly people made the trip an even more enjoyable experience. William expressed his passion for the live events industry, describing it as a way of life that never stops, with opportunities to meet people and experience cultures worldwide.

The trip ended on a high with a spot of sightseeing thrown into the mix. Eric concludes, “My experience of my first trip to South Africa was amazing and and all the people I met were so friendly and welcomed me with open arms. The nature is beautiful, and I saw things which I had never seen before. On the last day, we had a day off, took the opportunity to visit Table Mountain and drove along the coastline to the Cape of Good Hope where we were met with amazing views. A special thanks to Robert for taking us around. During the campus days in Johannesburg and Cape Town, we had great attendees, and everybody was in to learn something and be part of the interactive discussions. It was great to learn from each other. It is indeed all about the people and we would like to thank everybody who attended, not to forget the DWR team for their hospitality.”