Civil Engineering January/February 2021 | Vol 29 No 1

38 January/February 2021 Civil Engineering PRESIDENT’S AWARD Refilwe Lesufi The 2020 SAICE President’s Award was presented to Refilwe Lesufi (Pr Eng, IntPE (SA)) who has embraced and contributed to changing the needs and fortunes of young South Africans. In addition to her many career achievements, she has dedicated the last 10 years to encouraging learners to choose careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and provides extra mathematics and science classes to needy learners at Cosmo City schools. Refilwe is the founding owner of Prana Consulting, a 100% woman-owned, Level 1 B-BBEE Civil Engineering consulting firm which has been in operation since 2011. She holds an MSc (civil) degree from the University of Witwatersrand and is a profes- sional civil engineer, registered on the International Register of Professional Engineers. She has 20 years of experience in geo- technical investigations for dolomitic and non-dolomitic areas, pavement designs, as well as civil infrastructure design. She is a board member for CESA as well as chairperson of their Transformation and Development Committee. She is a co-opted member of the SAICE Executive Board, a SAICE Fellow and the 2020 chairperson for the SAICE Joburg Branch, which was named the SAICE branch of the year. She is also a council member at ECSA where she is the vice chairperson of the Central Registration Committee. Accepting the award, Refilwe stressed the importance of quality education and highlighted some of her work in Cosmo City. Refilwe is incredibly proud of the number of graduates who have been through her teaching programme and gone on to university where they received bursaries and have sought to give back to their communities following their successes. “I am truly honoured and so grateful for this recognition,” she said. HONORARY FELLOWSHIP Adv. Hubert Thompson Advocate Hubert Thompson was born and bred in Pretoria, graduated with a degree in civil engineering from the University of Pretoria in 1976, and later obtained BCom, Diploma Juris and LLB degrees from UNISA. He was admitted as an Advocate of the High Court in 1992, is a registered professional engineer and is married to Isa, a fellow water engineer. He co-founded the firm Thompson & Thompson in March 1992 as a consultancy providing inter alia engineering, policy, legal and institutional advice, with an emphasis on water, natural resources, and the environment. Hubert has extensive experience in water management and has national standing as a water lawyer in South Africa. He has therefore been intensively involved in preparing, drafting, and evaluating various policies, strategies, plans and legislation in this regard. This includes assisting in the processes of negotiation, ratification and implementation, dealing with contentious social, political, and culturally sensitive issues. SA I CE and profess i onal news Recognising excellence SAICE President’s Award and Honorary Fellowship Recognising South Africa’s need for men and women who actively contribute to changing the fortunes of the country for prosperity, two deserving SAICE members were presented with the President’s Award and an Honorary Fellowship at the inauguration of 2021 SAICE President Vishal Krishandutt. Refilwe Lesufi receiving the President’s Award from outgoing SAICE President Fana Marutla