Civil Engineering April 2022 | Vol 30 No 3

Civil Engineering April 2022 49 The extent to which municipal officials became highly competent “professional client-engineers” (to use Tony’s terms), to which consultants were selected based on known competence rather than price competition, and to which trust formed the basis of many a successful coopera- tion, is apparent from a reading of every page – as is the emphasis on service de- livery above all other considerations. To enable this, the municipalities employed large numbers of engineering graduates. For example, in the 1980s the Divisional Council of the Cape, by no means the largest municipal authority, had 26 fully qualified engineers on its payroll. Finally, and this is not a criticism – the omission is understandable in the light of the book’s publication history – it is a pity that Tony was not able to update the book before publication. For example, where the history of the many Table Mountain springs is told, it would have been useful to read of the renewed interest in them, and in groundwater generally, triggered by the so-called “Day Zero”. The book is amply illustrated with sketches and photographs of the period. The many maps are essential, even for someone who thinks they know Cape Town well. An ideal present for a loved engineer or someone who lives (or wishes they lived) in Greater Cape Town. Heartily recommended!  ABOUT THE BOOK Much Water Under Many Bridges describes the history of the Cape Metropolitan Area’s rivers and details the work that has been undertaken in the wake of urbanisation. However, as Cape Town’s history is inevitably bound with water supply, the book is actually an insight into the growth of the city itself. Author Tony Murray has gathered information which had been lying in the files of municipal engineers for years, found delightful anecdotes, interviewed several practitioners and detailed information from his own experience. All of this is woven into a story which will fascinate engineers and laymen alike. Visit the SAICE bookstore to order your copy: store.saice.org.za/book-store/ much-water-under-many-bridges The Elsieskraal River in Pinelands Prepared by Prof. Kevin Wall Pr Eng, FSAICE kevin.wall@up.ac.za Railway Access a wide selection of Railway Engineering short courses from leading experts at the University of Pretoria and stay on track with the latest industry developments to get a head start with integral knowledge and skills in a highly competitive industry. Short Courses in Railway Engineering APRIL - NOVEMBER 2022 APRIL 01 - 23 Apr Introduction to Multi-Disciplinary concepts in Railway Engineering 01 - 23 Apr Management of Continuously Welded Rails MAY 03 - 20 May Track Geotechnology 23 May - 03 Jun Rolling Stock Technology JUNE 06 -24 Jun Railway Infrastructure Maintenance Management 20 - 01 Jul Introduction to Railway Projects and Processes JULY 19 - 29 Jul Transnet Freight Rail Operations 4 - 15 Jul Railway Safety Audits, Investigation and Reporting AUGUST 01 - 19 Aug Introduction to Multi-Disciplinary concepts in Railway Engineering 02 - 04 Aug Technical writing and presentation skills 15 - 26 Aug Railway Safety Investigation SEPTEMBER 01 - 23 Sep Management of Continuously Welded Rails 29 Aug - 09 Sep Introduction to Railway Projects and Processes 19 - 30 Sep Train Movement Control Systems OCTOBER 03 - 14 Oct Law, Risk, Economics and Environment 03 - 21 Oct Introduction to Multi-Disciplinary concepts in Railway Engineering 10 - 28 Oct Railway Safety Audits, Investigation and Reporting NOVEMBER 01 - 18 Nov Track Geotechnology 14 Nov–02 Dec Railway Infrastructure Maintenance Management 14 - 25 Nov Wheel-Rail Interaction Railway Engineering short courses are registered with ECSA for CPD. Key: Online Course Virtual Course Contact us today for more information or to book your space. Client Information Centre Tel: +27 (0)12 434 2500 | info@enterprises.up.ac.za Shifting knowledge to insight