Farai Chikopfa

Senior HVAC&R / Refrigeration Technician

Talent

MidrandMember since September 27, 2026

Commercial & Industrial Refrigeration - HVAC&R Installation & Commissioning - AiIndustrial & commercial refrigerationHVAC&R service and maintenanceChillers and chilled-water systemsVRV / VRF systemsCRAC systemsAHUs and FCUsRooftop DX systemsSplit and ducted air conditioningHeat pumpsCommercial & industrial ventilationCold rooms and freezer roomsBlast freezer roomsSupermarket refrigerationBulk milk tank chillersReefer containers and refrigerated trucksRefrigeration compressors and condensing unitsHVAC&R controls and electrical systemsBMS monitoringMechanical & electrical fault findingCommissioning and breakdown responsePreventative and reactive maintenanceHVAC&R equipment installationDucting installationSite supervision and technician leadershipProject coordination and facilities maintenanceHVAC&R power supply installationHVAC control distribution board wiringCompressor electrical and control circuitsRefrigeration controls

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Commercial & Industrial Refrigeration - HVAC&R Installation & Commissioning - AiIndustrial & commercial refrigerationHVAC&R service and maintenanceChillers and chilled-water systemsVRV / VRF systems

About

Senior HVAC&R and Refrigeration Technician with 30+ years of combined apprenticeship and post-apprenticeship experience across commercial and industrial refrigeration, air conditioning, HVAC&R maintenance, installation, commissioning, fault finding and site supervision. Experienced across industrial refrigeration, chillers, VRV/VRF systems, CRAC units, AHUs, FCUs, rooftop DX systems, split systems, heat pumps, ventilation systems, cold rooms, freezer rooms and supermarket refrigeration. Strong practical mechanical and electrical background, including HVAC&R controls, compressor systems, single- and three-phase motors, DOL and star-delta starters, electrical fault finding, BMS monitoring and HVAC&R power/control installations.

Experienced in planned preventative maintenance, reactive maintenance, breakdown response, commissioning, technical reporting, subcontractor coordination and supervision of maintenance teams. Holds a South African Red Seal Trade Certificate – Refrigeration Mechanic (Industrial) and a Zimbabwe Class 1 Journeyman qualification in Refrigeration & Air Conditioning.

Experience

REFRIGERATION & AIR CONDITIONING TECHNICIAN - Self-Employed - South Africa

(2025-12)

Perform planned and reactive maintenance on HVAC&R systems.
Service and maintain Trane, Carrier, Climaveneta and York chillers.
Maintain CRAC units, AHUs, FCUs, rooftop DX systems, split systems and heat pumps.
Service commercial and industrial ventilation systems.
Carry out mechanical and electrical fault finding.
Install ducting and HVAC&R equipment.
Monitor HVAC systems through BMS.
Install and maintain HVAC&R power supplies, controls, compressors and motors.
Perform general facilities maintenance.

AIR CONDITIONING SENIOR TECHNICIAN / SITE SUPERVISOR - GSK Group CC - Eskom Megawatt Park, South Africa

(2025-03 - 2025-11)

Performed planned and reactive HVAC&R maintenance.
Maintained Trane, Carrier, Climaveneta and York chillers.
Maintained CRAC units, AHUs, FCUs, rooftop DX units, split systems and heat pumps.
Performed mechanical and electrical fault finding.
Installed ducting and HVAC equipment.
Monitored HVAC systems through BMS.
Supervised technicians and maintenance activities.
Performed HVAC&R electrical and general facilities maintenance.

AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION MECHANIC - Masston Group CC - Eskom Megawatt Park, South Africa

(2022-11 - 2025-02)

Planned and reactive HVAC&R maintenance.
Chiller maintenance covering Trane, Carrier, Climaveneta and York equipment.
Maintenance of CRAC units, AHUs, FCUs, rooftop DX systems, split systems and heat pumps.
Ventilation system maintenance.
Mechanical and electrical fault finding.
HVAC&R equipment and ducting installation.
BMS monitoring.
Electrical installation and maintenance associated with HVAC&R equipment.

HVAC&R SENIOR MECHANIC / SITE MANAGER - GSK Group CC - Eskom Rosherville & Megawatt Park, South Africa

(2017-10 - 2022-11)

Managed and performed planned and reactive HVAC&R maintenance.
Maintained chillers, AHUs, FCUs, rooftop DX systems, split systems, heat pumps and ventilation systems.
Performed mechanical and electrical fault finding.
Installed HVAC&R equipment.
Monitored HVAC systems using BMS.
Supervised technicians and maintenance activities.
Acted as Project Manager for approximately 12 months.
Oversaw conversion of the chiller BMS network to a wireless network at Eskom Rosherville.
Oversaw projects involving replacement of data-centre and comfort-cooling chillers at Eskom Megawatt Park.
Coordinated maintenance and project activities while ensuring quality, safety and timely completion.

HVAC SENIOR TECHNICIAN / SITE PROJECT MANAGER - Tola Technical Solutions - SARS Head Office, Pretoria, South Africa

(2016-05 - 2017-09)

Managed the SARS Head Office HVAC maintenance contract in accordance with SLA requirements.
Performed routine and reactive maintenance on chillers, FCUs and HVAC&R equipment.
Managed smaller refrigeration maintenance contracts.
Supervised technical work and maintenance activities.
Assisted with client relationship management and development of maintenance contracts.

HVAC&R TECHNICAL OFFICER - TFMC / Bidvest Facilities Management - Marburg Satellite, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

(2008-07 - 2016-04)

Performed multidisciplinary HVAC&R, mechanical, electrical and facilities maintenance.
Installed and commissioned air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.
Installed and commissioned air conditioning and water-reticulation equipment at Telkom telephone exchanges and sites.
Performed electrical installation and maintenance.
Maintained standby generators and associated electrical systems.
Installed and maintained air compressors and dehydrators.
Inspected HVAC&R equipment and facilities and identified technical risks.
Managed and inspected subcontractors.
Conducted SHEQ inspections and monitored compliance.
Prepared quotations, safety files, manuals, technical drawings, maintenance reports and progress reports.
Managed materials requisitioning and job documentation.
Supported staff training and monitored work performance.

SUPERVISOR / SENIOR TECHNICIAN - GVD Electrical - Ladysmith, South Africa

(2005-12 - 2008-06)

Maintained split and packaged air conditioning systems.
Performed refrigeration maintenance in supermarkets, hotels, shops and commercial facilities.
Maintained underfloor heating and humidifiers.
Performed mechanical and electrical fault finding.
Supervised service technicians and supported technician training.
Performed general electrical maintenance.

SENIOR REFRIGERATION TECHNICIAN - Refrigeration Engineering - Gaborone, Botswana

(2003-07 - 2005-11)

Installed, maintained and repaired commercial refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
Serviced refrigeration and HVAC equipment in supermarkets, convenience stores, factories and commercial facilities.
Performed mechanical and electrical fault finding.

AIR CONDITIONING TECHNICIAN - Delta Air-Cons & Refrigeration - Gaborone, Botswana

(2001-11 - 2003-06)

Installed, maintained and repaired refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.
Performed commercial refrigeration and air conditioning servicing.
Conducted mechanical and electrical fault finding.

COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION MECHANIC / APPRENTICE - Commercial Refrigeration (Imperial/Ajax) - Harare, Zimbabwe

(1995-08 - 2001-10)

Completed a four-year apprenticeship from August 1995 to July 1999.
Qualified as an artisan in refrigeration and air conditioning.
Installed, maintained and repaired commercial refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.
Worked on systems in supermarkets, banks, shops, factories, butcheries and mortuaries.
Performed mechanical and electrical fault finding.
Supervised the domestic refrigerator repair division.