Civil Engineering September 2022 | Vol 30 No 8

60 September 2022 Civil Engineering road network. Kerisha’s responsibilities include developing and updating strategic transport models used to assess toll feasibility strategies, traffic forecasts used in the design of large freeway expansion works, and the economic analysis of future network expansion options. Her previous roles include working as an assistant resident engineer on the Mount Edgecombe Interchange Upgrade Project and as a design engineer with experience in geometric engineering, transportation engineering and project management. One of the highlights of her career was updating the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Plan Strategic Transport Model; and devel- oping a strategic transport model for the N2 Wild Coast Model, which is currently the biggest project in the country. Kerisha enjoys that every project in her career as a transport engineer is unique, making every day different and exciting. There are new challenges daily, which helps her to use her skills and knowledge as well as expand on existing knowledge. Transportation engineering focuses on the operation of the road network and system which means that she has the opportunity to provide input into other engineering disciplines such as geo- metric design, traffic accommodation and traffic engineering. Retshepile (Tshepi) Khabo Tshepi has 10 years’ post-graduate experience, most of which is as a geometric designer for roads and railways. In her current position she is a planning design engineer who undertakes project planning and design for roads, sewer, stormwater, and water supply. She holds a BSc in civil engineering. One of the biggest highlights in her career was the construction supervision of the 96 m long, 5 m high Armco game underpass as part of the Pampoennek road project. Apart from the fact that the underpass provides the animals in the Magalies mountain with access underneath the road, the complexity and challenges she expe- rienced and learned from have influenced her day-to-day designs. When asked about what she enjoys about her profession, Tshepi says the joy of providing infrastructure to people so that they can travel to work, to see friends and family or just be able to move goods and services on roads, in the air, in water or on railways. Tshepi is part of the marketing and communications as well as the student outreach subcommittees. Rantshonyane John Kololo Pr Eng Rantshonyane has 22 years’ experience as a transportation, roads and contracts (documentation) engineer, including project management. He holds a BSc (Civil) from the University of Durban-Westville and is currently the Managing Director of Makone Consulting Engineers. On completion of his studies Rantshonyane joined Fongoqa Skade Toyi & Associates Consulting Engineers as a junior design engineer in their roads division. It is here that he was a member of the design team for both the Maputo Development Corridor, sec- tion 8c of the N4 toll road, and wet services at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Durban. In 2001, after spending just over one year with Mza Consulting Engineers, Rantshonyane was promoted to the position of Associate Director for the transportation and project management divisions. His responsibilities included overseeing both divisions and ensuring profit maximisation. He went on to join MRD Consulting Engineers in November 2003 as Managing Director until 2004 when Makone Consulting Engineers was born. Rantshonyane says transportation engineering is vast and can be applied in roadways, waterways, railways, air and more. What is fascinating about the field is that one plays role in developing faster, safer, and more efficient means of transportation that brings about better life (economically and socially) for communi- ties when applied correctly. Mutondi Khumi Makhado Mutondi is a junior transport engineer with a BSc (Civil) whose experience lies in the geometric design of roads and highways. One of the highlights of her career was when she delivered multiple solutions to either upgrade, rehabilitate or strengthen roads to an updated design that enhanced the safety and travel experience of motorists and pedestrians across the Western Cape province. Mutondi assists with the events portfolio and was part of the team that assisted the Western Cape Events Committee to organise the Western Cape luncheon held in May 2022. Alexandra Newlands Alexandra holds a BSc Eng (Civil) and is currently a full-time student in her second year of a master’s in civil engineering at the University of Cape Town (UCT), specialising in transportation engineering. Her dissertation relates to road safety in South Africa, specifi- cally developing a road safety desert methodology for the country. Aside from her master’s research, she works as a research assistant at UCT’s Centre for Transport Studies. Alexandra has been involved in some fascinating research projects, such as VREF’s bibliometric analysis and researcher network mapping for informal transport and shared mobility, VREF’s research into the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on future urban transport in sub-Saharan Africa, and UKAid’s Empower Project, developing a web-based decision-making tool for stakeholders targeting sexual harassment on public transport. Working on these projects has been a highlight of her career. She enjoys the ability to make an impact by researching, plan- ning, and designing infrastructure that has the potential to improve people’s standard of living and quality of life. Alexandra assists with student outreach and events planning for the division. Ronald Pillay Pr Eng Ronald is the director of his own engineering practice called Ronald Pillay and Associates Consulting. He holds a BSc Eng (Civil) and is a professionally registered civil engineer. Ronald has 13 years of experience in traffic engineering, transport planning, and project management, with specialised expertise in the field of public transport. He also participates in academic research and writing and is involved with mentoring young professionals.