Civil Engineering June 2021 | Vol 29 No 5

Le t ter to members Civil Engineering June 2021 1 T he South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) has a priority to create an environment that enables the growth of our civil engi- neers. This involves, but is not limited to, providing the opportunities to grow per- sonally from training and development, and professionally to implement such development in the solutions we provide to members, employers, and clients alike. As many of our engineers work to provide solutions to society, mandated by government-led projects, it is expected that government, in keeping with its broader mandate, also exercise the same trajectory of commitment to growth for the engineering fraternity. However, the recent news of the deployment of 24 engineers from Cuba to South Africa has reflected the opposite for many of our members who may feel a sense of aban- donment, in addition to other emotions on the matter. SAICE has made comments to various media over the past few weeks and while the greater details of their deployment are not known, we are aware that our Cuban colleagues will work with the South African government at a municipal and provincial level to assist in the water infrastructure environment and as part of a mentorship programme over a two- to three-year contract. While we acknowledge that the rela- tionship between Cuba and South Africa is significant, as both countries have had strong relations pre-democracy – forged in the common struggle against apartheid and colonialism on the African continent – SAICE has also advocated that at this time, the rationale for the deployment and subsequent comments as it pertains to local civil engineers is concerning, to say the least. Given the state in which this matter has unfolded, we want to assure our members that the issues arising out of the said deployment are being investigated further with the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). SAICE, together with other key engineering organisations in South Africa, will make representation on the concerns of the engineering fraternity with the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation. We have requested an urgent meeting and we hope to be able to resolve possible misconceptions and misunderstandings while reaffirming our sincere commitment to the mandate of the department in addressing all aspects related to the provision of infrastructure. There are various comments that we do not support, including that our engineers are not willing to travel to rural areas and that local engineers lack the skills required to provide local solutions. It remains unclear as to how such a perception has been derived and we will engage with the DWS on the matter. Our reality is that our engineers work in a global community, including the African continent, where we are well received. The announcement also comes at a time when South Africa’s unemployment rate remains high, and our economy is under significant strain. With the high level of graduates who remain unemployed, and a diplomatic agreement being prioritised over an internal focus on affording our people the opportunity locally, citizens can be left feeling dis- gruntled and confused. SAICE has a wealth of experience from which we have always strongly indicated that the DWS would be able to draw from as a means to solicit possible infrastruc- ture solutions. Our approximately 15 000 South Africa-based membership remains a formidable base of knowledge ranging from youth to mature engineering profes- sionals. Through our divisions, which hold vital technical and industry-related knowledge, we can without any obligation provide support on topics of technology, implementation processes, quality of solu- tions and training and development for technical capacity building. We are able to partner with govern- ment to close the many gaps hindering the growth of the engineering fraternity and infrastructure development in South Africa. With this wealth of experience, SAICE advocates for partnership between the public and private sectors. Meaningful partnerships and collaboration will assist our intentions to professionalise the public service. We support the notion of effective social compacting to grow our economy inclusively on the back of pro- viding much-needed infrastructure. Social compacting supports the convergence, or multi-dimensional approach, encouraging multiple stakeholders to participate in our economic journey. Multiple dimensions allow for politicians, scientists, engineers, technology providers and academics to work as a collective. SAICE would like to reassure its mem- bers that their voices are being heard, and we will, to the best of our ability, continue to support and create an environment that enhances growth and prioritises our local engineers. Vishal Krishandutt SAICE President vkrishandutt@nyeleti.co.za Vishaal Lutchman SAICE CEO vishaal@saice.org.za SAICE addresses concerns over Cuban engineers