Civil Engineering October 2022 | Vol 30 No 9

Civil Engineering October 2022 55 present and the future to help solve the challenges we face.” The SAICE Bridge Building Competition has been a catalyst for many students to pursue a career in civil engineering. Throughout the years, many qualified engineers have indicated that their first exposure to civil engineering was through the SAICE Bridge Building Competition. Owing to its practical and hands-on nature, this event is SAICE’s most suc- cessful initiative in attracting learners from previously disadvantaged rural schools, previous model C schools and private schools to civil engineering, as well as promoting a general awareness of the profession. This competition provides a career guidance opportunity and provides pupils with the chance to build bridges between people. “This competition has a life-changing impact on students and the communities in which they live. The purpose of the initiative reaches all of South Africa, including rural areas, and highlights the importance of the civil engineering profession in developing infrastructure to enable a better life for future generations,” says Memory Scheepers, Project Manager – Special Projects at SAICE. She explains that, with a deep focus on schools located in rural areas, the aim is to provide the necessary exposure to civil engineering as a profession. “This is important so that when students decide to choose a career as a civil engineering professional, they can hopefully return to their homesteads and contribute to their communities, and also better understand the practical improvements they or other civil engineers can or have made.”  “This competition has a life- changing impact on students and the communities in which they live. The purpose of the initiative reaches all of South Africa, including rural areas, and highlights the importance of the civil engineering profession in developing infrastructure to enable a better life for future generations.” Getting innovative Judging underway Bridges are tested to destruction to determine their loadbearing capacity