Civil Engineering December 2022 | Vol 30 No 11

From the Pres ident ’ s desk T he most obvious change that oc- curred during the course of this year is that we no longer have to wear masks. In fact, it seems as though we have forgotten about them altogether. I think for us as human beings, being able to come out of our cocoons and regain a sense of normality is welcomed. I am especially happy for learners and students. As an academic I can attest to the fact that, despite all the opportunities that online systems provide, being with peers in a classroom is a special experi- ence. I am also glad that economic activity has increased, although it is not at the pace we would have hoped for. The year has seen many challenges. We watched in horror as the war in the Ukraine unfolded, weeping for the loss of lives and infrastructure. We were faced with the same feeling of dismay when we watched parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape wash away. My prayers go out to the residents of those areas, where the impacts of the floods are still felt today. I cannot take your pain away, but I hope that reminding you of the words of the late Nelson Mandela will give you some comfort: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela PRESIDENTIAL TERM My year as President of SAICE has been incredible, and I cherish the memories of visits to branches, divisions, companies, universities, and the many other engage- ments I had the privilege of being part of. In October, during the last branch visit in Pretoria, I met one of my predecessors, Prof. Elsabe Kearsley. We agreed on how incredibly special it is to visit the facilities at other universities around the country. Thank you to all the HODs who opened their doors for her and for me; South Africa has world-class educational facili- ties and impressive research is conducted in their laboratories. I called for volunteerism during my inaugural presidential address, asking all members to give 67 minutes of their time every month, not only the month of July as requested by our late former President Nelson Mandela. In doing so, we would be collectively donating over 200 000 professional hours to this nation. Visiting the SAICE structures this year, I was delighted to witness that volunteerism. Members, thank you for all the hard work you do. You are undoubtedly making a difference that will be felt by genera- tions to come. INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT CARD In an issue dedicated to the Infrastructure Report Card (IRC), it would be amiss to not mention the fourth edition that was launched on 11 November. Since 2006, SAICE has published an IRC every five years under the leadership of Sam Amod and Prof. Kevin Wall. Gentlemen, thank you for your leadership. Thank you as well to all the volunteers who contributed to yet another IRC. I am incredibly proud of the product produced and feel privileged to have been part of the team. To the incoming SAICE President, Steven Kaplan, I wish you all the best for your year ahead! Enjoy the interaction with members on all levels and the opportunity to see the incredible work done around the country. I hope that you succeed in your mission to take the IRC to new heights. More so, I hope that all stakeholders take note of its contents and identify ways to improve infrastructure delivery and maintenance. As indicated, you have my full support, and you are always welcome to call on me if you feel the need. Last but not least, I would like to wish all SAICE members and built environ- ment stakeholders a restful festive season. Thank you for the difference you are making. We are at the dawn of a new year – a new season with new opportuni- ties. I hope that 2023 will bring peace and prosperity to all, not only in our industry, but to the citizens of the world. Prof. Marianne Vanderschuren SAICE President 2022 marianne.vanderschuren@uct.ac.za Reflections As 2022 draws to an end, it offers us the opportunity to reflect on the events of the year that has passed. Civil Engineering December 2022 1