Civil Engineering January/February 2021 | Vol 29 No 1

CEO’s Corner This article, my first for the new year, was an especially difficult one to frame. My intention is always to make a positive difference in our lives and existence, as well as create an overall positive purpose in our existence. Such positivity is all the more necessary in the midst of extreme adversity to enable us to shift towards greater prosperity. I believe a positive perspective assists with seeking out opportunities to grow, adds value, and reinforces a belief that we will rise. If we exude a positive mindset now, we will extend our capacity to deal with more challenges down the line. EMBRACING CHANGE We must remember that, like all things, Covid-19 is temporary and will pass. An intense focus on what we have and can control, versus what we don’t have and cannot control, broadly affects how we see and experience the world. A short time spent reflecting can assist in developing re- newed thinking patterns that create a sense of hope. Positivity is enhanced by adopting a concerted effort in adjusting towards positive thoughts and language when we gather in our spaces. As for many of our existing para- digms and frames of reference, perspec- tives on issues including our realities remain in flux. The associated implica- tions of having to deal with uncertainty will change how we engage within our families, communities, workplaces, and in public generally. Upon reflection, I recommend adopting a hardened sense of patriotism, even if it may be blind. It has the potential to bring a sense of op- timism while asking the question: ‘How can I contribute positively in a space, perhaps, occupied by negative rhetoric?’ Civil engineers may find it easier to be patriotic as we find our joy in serving mankind and the value of our work is very visible and has longevity. SOCIETY FIRST So how do we respond to what is becoming a new world order? How do we make an improved difference in ourselves that leads to improvement in the society we serve daily? The concept of change must be embraced with the knowledge that we are to respond to change. Such knowledge makes the dif- ference to our sense of hope as it applies to our families, society, and country. The success of our goals will be deter- mined by our concerted effort, extreme focus, and dedication in our response to the many tasks we have at hand. We must acknowledge that our cultures have changed in the last year on the back of the historical changes related to the pan- demic. We must strive for greater levels of commitment and perfection across all that we do, while accepting that we must always lend a helping hand to another. In so doing we can reconnect purposefully with our fellow South Africans and de- velop shared humanity while progressing our quest for a fair and just society. As civil engineers, we have a huge task at hand – the country is looking at us for the solutions. This fact may not appear to be clearly evident, but I can assure you civil society is! We have to deliver our value as effectively and efficiently as possible. In times of need, Continue the good fight for South Africa 12 January/February 2021 Civil Engineering As civil engineers, we have a huge task at hand – the country is looking at us for the solutions. This fact may not appear to be clearly evident, but I can assure you civil society is! We have to deliver our value as effectively and efficiently as possible. In times of need, we may need to go the extra mile, as many of us have been doing in the last few years. It may appear unfair when we look around, but remaining steadfast and convicted in the belief of our value proposition will make the much-needed impact we require to improve the quality of life in our country.