Civil Engineering January-February 2022 | Vol 30 No 1

Civil Engineering January/February 2022 9 Delft University of Technology while working full time. During this time, on a business trip to London, she met Angus, who would one day become her husband. A South African, Angus moved to the Netherlands, but experienced difficulties with the language and cultural differ- ences. Although she had never considered living in South Africa, Marianne was offered a job at UCT and ended up moving to Cape Town and marrying Angus in 2000. Marianne has been at UCT ever since and now holds the posi- tions of Professor in Transport Planning and Engineering, Deputy Dean of Social Responsiveness and Transformation, and DSI-NRF/CSIR Co-funded Smart Mobility Research Chair. Marianne believes that her Dutch heritage has had an influence on her work, her participation at SAICE, and how she interacts with colleagues. “The Netherlands has a very collegial, flat cul- ture. As a student, we never called anyone professor – it was all on a first name basis, without being disrespectful. I think it’s quite different and it has helped me in my work to remember that we are all equal, i.e., accommodating all road users, not just those in cars. It has also helped with mentoring students and being able to see their perspective,” she says. “In addition, the Dutch culture is very efficient, and I believe this helped me to survive the huge challenges and work pressures that came with the Covid-19 pandemic.” CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Marianne sees her election as President of SAICE as one of her biggest career high- lights. She joined the Institution in 2002 and went on to serve as the Western Cape branch chair in 2008 and 2009 before eventually serving on National Executive Board and Council and becoming an Office Bearer. “The promotions I have achieved during my time at UCT are definitely career highlights. It takes a long time to fulfil the many requirements to be promoted,” adds Marianne who was appointed as Deputy Dean in 2018 and promoted to full Professor a year later. Marianne was also awarded the DST-NRF/CSIR Smart Mobility Research Chair, part of the South African Research Chairs Initiative, late last year. The chair is co-funded by the Department of Science and Technology, the NRF and the CSIR, and is designed to attract and retain excellence in research and innovation at South African public universities through the establishment of Research Chairs, with a long-term investment trajectory of up to fifteen years. “This is a huge honour; these Chairs are difficult to get,” says Marianne, ex- pressing gratitude to all those who helped her achieve the appointment. More recently, Marianne was named a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). “This, as well as previously being named a SAICE Fellow, is a big achieve- ment. It is quite an honour to be part of a small group of people that is recognised for what they have done for society and for the institution. It validates the choices I’ve made in trying to balance doing some- thing for society while at the same time building my academic career,” she says. Other proud moments for Marianne include getting her PhD in Intelligent Transport Systems from the University of Twente in 2006, as well as publishing a book in 2007 titled Non-Motorized Transport Integration into Urban Transport Planning in Africa . Although academia in the Netherlands is often informal, the awarding of PhDs is the ex- ception, and marked by a very formal and festive ceremony. This made the achieve- ment all the more special for Marianne. Marianne receiving her PhD from the University of Twente Marianne at the launch of her book, Non-Motorized Transport Integration into Urban Transport Planning in Africa