Civil Engineering December 2021 | Vol 29 No 11

CEO’s Corner T his reflection is a summary of themes covered during the 2021 calendar year which include, but are not limited to, sustainability, the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, National Infrastructure Plan 2050 (NIP 2050), unemployment, and profes- sionalisation of the public service. These represent some of the themes of signifi- cance during the year. SUSTAINABILITY There is a growing urgency to act now to make progress on sustainability and achieve sustainable development goals. There is a need for transformation to be able to achieve sustainability and that requires shifting from the use of non- renewable energy sources to renewable energy sources. This, for example, means moving away from the use of coal and sul- phur. An expanded national sustainability approach would drive policy changes and, most importantly, commit us all to imple- mentation. Achieving sustainability will assist in realising the objectives outlined in the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan as well as NIP 2050. ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY PLAN To be able to address socio-economic concerns, we require the cooperation of business, academia, labour, government, and civil society on the developmental agenda. We need to hold on to the belief that we can only succeed as a collective. Pursuing better recovery demands successful rollout of vaccines, which is the most important driver of recovery from the pandemic. The climate commission must integrate with infrastructure development and execution to ensure that we encapsulate the constructs of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Social compacting, profes- sionalising the public service, implementing the identification of engineering work regulations, structural reforms, stabilising our state- owned companies, and improving our ability to hold public officials accountable are some of the initiatives that must deliver results in a new world order through the adoption of technology. There is a funda- mental need for political will and effective leadership to deliver on the promises we make for ourselves. NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN 2050 The main objective of NIP 2050 is to grow our ailing economy while addressing our worsening socio-economic circumstances. Implementing NIP 2050 requires us to make contributions towards advancing our strategic objectives. We have to mentor others as a way of building capacity, work extended hours to help sustain our institu- tions, embrace academic study, promote youth engagement, and make patriotism the purpose that drives our thoughts and actions. Leadership and strategy are pivotal for successful implementation of NIP 2050 and to make it sustainable. Another important aspect is that project pre-feasibility and feasibility must be completed. Feasibility studies should include new concepts such as the promo- tion of relevant SDGs, technologies to be adopted, and opportunities for learning and knowledge creation, including re- search and development. UNEMPLOYMENT Both the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan and NIP 2050 are a way in which the government is creating spaces for employment and entrepreneurship oppor- tunities. We need to think more broadly and deeply as underpinned by the SDGs. Unemployment is a major concern in South Africa. About 30% of people in South Africa are unemployed, or more than 40% if we include discouraged workers. The situation of unemployment is worsened by lockdowns necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic as well as au- tomation as part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. To fight unemployment there must be upskilling and reskilling of the population to ensure that inequities and inequalities are reduced by levelling the playing field so that technology does not become a discriminatory barrier. There should be a change in both basic and higher education to teach learners and students the knowledge and skills of the 21 st century and close the gaps that exist between school and the world of work. There should also be implementa- tion of mentorship support to reduce unemployment as well as to encourage knowledge and skills transfer. Higher education institutions should solidify relationships with the public and private sectors as well as civil society to be able to roll out work integrated learning. PROFESSIONALISATION OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE Professionalisation is critical as it enables all of government’s plans to be achieved and will lead to much-desired economic growth. It is about getting the right people in right roles to help reduce government’s inefficiencies to solve the complex chal- lenges of poverty, unemployment, and in- equality. Getting the right people as part of the professionalisation drive means getting people with the right skillsets, knowledge and experience required to complete tasks. Professionalisation will play a key role in South Africa’s economic growth, more so in the development and delivery of infrastructure. SAICE supports the view that professionalism should apply to everyone in the performance of their daily tasks, particularly within the construction sector. To achieve professionalisation, there should be collaboration of stakeholders which include government, private sector, academia, and professional services. These reflections are to serve as a reminder to reflect on what should moti- vate us as engineers in the new year as we take stock during quite moments during our festive break. The work that remains for engineers is growing daily, and our industry should be able to effectively connect with the task of building our beautiful nation. I am sure we will be able to say job well done! Vishaal Lutchman SAICE CEO vishaal@saice.org.za Reflections from 2021 8 December 2021 Civil Engineering