By Werner Jerling Pr Eng, Pr CPM SAICE Fellow werner@jerling.co.za INTRODUCTION Recent media coverage of appeals by SAFCEC, CESA and others to government to intervene and save our industry has caught the attention of many a Civil Engineer. We work and ply our trade in a sensitive ecosystem that is a jewel in the…
Residents in KwaZulu-Natal are still feeling the aftermath of the torrential floods. This follows unseasonable rain that hit the region earlier this week and resulted in severe damage to infrastructure and roads. Many residents have lost their homes and Government has instructed a task team to assist in the rebuilding of affected areas as well…
MEDIA STATEMENT FROM: THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING (SAICE) Date: 19 April 2019 The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) expresses its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the bereaved as well as all those involved in the tragic incident at Pentecostal Church in Dlangubo. A large brick gable wall…
ECS Associates (Pty) Ltd together with the South African Institution of Civil Engineering, (SAICE), successfully delivered the NEC Project Manager Accreditation programme in January and February, the first of its kind in Africa. ECS won the right to present the prestigious Project Manager Accreditation modules from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) London, following a…
On our recent visit to the Southern Cape we saw the wonderful human qualities of altruism and enthusiasm in full swing. In a voluntary association such as SAICE, the dedication and passion of the leaders of our Branches and Divisions are what sets us apart from many failed organisations. Even within SAICE these qualities wax…
Sometimes two weeks can seem like a lifetime, or they can pass all too quickly. It all depends on whether you are five years old, waiting for your birthday party, or 18 and swotting for your exams. For me the last two weeks have been a blur – and at the same time one of…
SAICE has added two new topics to its portfolio of training for 2019. Aimed at equipping professionals in the civil industry to communicate ideas more efficiently in reports and presentations, these workshops have been designed with the engineer in mind. Industry-based examples and practical activities based on the participants’ own work make these workshops particularly…
SAICE President Brian Downie and Acting CEO Steven Kaplan visited Cape Town from 5-6 March 2019. During the visit the delegation visited the three universities in the region namely, The University of Cape Town, The Cape Peninsula University of Technology and Stellenbosch University. The delegation met with the HoDs, lecturers, student chapter members and addressed…
The fifth instalment of the National Investigative Project (IP) Showdown took place on 7 March 2019, at the PPS Indaba Centre in Johannesburg. The competition saw seven of South Africa’s top civil engineering students represent their Universities for the title of IP 2019 Champion as well as the grand cash prize of R10 000. The…
The 2019 Presidential delegation, SAICE President Brian Downie, Acting CEO Steven Kaplan and SAICE Head of Communications and Marketing Nadeena Le’Tang kicked off the first leg of the 2019 branch visits in Durban earlier this month. The branch committee engaged in discussions around initiatives and campaigns which would push value add to its members. Their…
The Johannesburg Branch visit took place on 7 February 2019 at SAICE National Office in Midrand. Branch members attended the event to listen to Mr Brian Downie, SAICE 2019 President, deliver his presidential address entitled It’s a New World. The most salient theme in his presidential address is to uplift and assist young people in…
MEDIA STATEMENT FROM: THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING (SAICE) Date: 29 January 2019 Taps have run dry in Bethal Mpumalanga after the Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) had failed to pay Rand Water an estimated R87.7 million in water services rendered. In a bid to make the local municipality comply, Rand Water had reduced…
MEDIA STATEMENT FROM: THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING (SAICE) Date: 4 February 2019 The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) expresses its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the bereaved as well as all those involved in the tragic incident at Hoërskool Driehoek in Vanderbijlpark. Concrete elements of a pathway,…
MEDIA STATEMENT FROM: THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING (SAICE) Date: 21 January 2019 The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) notes with concern and expresses its deepest sympathy to the family of Nsuku Mhlongo, a six-year-old boy from Giyani who lost his life after falling into a trench that was left open…
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) inaugurated Brian Downie as the new President of the Institution at a ceremony held in Johannesburg on 29 November 2018. Downie is the 116th President of SAICE since the inception of the Institution in 1903. He is a consultant with Royal HaskoningDHV, where he has held a…
It isn’t often that a 37-year appointment with one company runs in parallel with one of the most exciting and visionary projects in a country. Brian Downie has been fortunate to have been in that position with the infrastructure developments on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. After graduating from Queen’s University Belfast in Civil Engineering, he…
SAICE held the first of its Gender Inclusivity Think Tank events at the Midrand Conference Centre on Friday, 16 November. The intention of the Think Tank was to begin discussions that would lead to the developing of a guiding code of practice or policy document that addresses Gender Diversity and Inclusivity in the built environment…
FROM: THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING (SAICE) Date: 14 November 2018 SAICE welcomes the Department of Water and Sanitation’s initiative to present their recommendations on future water restrictions in Cape Town and the rest of the Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS). This will help to highlight the important role played by the…
The GEC brought together over 2500 delegates from over 70 countries to the Institution of Civil Engineering (ICE) headquarters in London, which took place over 22- 25 October 2018. SAICE President 2018 Errol Kerst PrEng and ICE Country Representative for South Africa Alain Jacquet attended the GEC 2018. The most prominent speakers from around the…
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) notes Minister Tito Mboweni’s Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) presented in Parliament on 25 October 2018. The Institution welcomes Government’s focus on infrastructure development in support of economic recovery and job creation. It especially supports the development of an infrastructure fund in partnership with the private…
The issue of diversity in the engineering sector is still a burning issue, and one in which the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) is taking a critical look. Diversity in every sense of the word is key. Research from late last year indicated that diversity helps businesses to become more innovative and more…
OFFICIAL MEDIA STATEMENT FROM: THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING (SAICE) Date: 15 October 2018 The prestigious annual SAICE Awards gala event for the Most Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievements for 2017/2018 was held at the Southern Sun, Cape Sun in Cape Town on 12 October 2018. The event was responded to excellently and highlighted…
SAICE President Errol Kerst embarked on the Algoa leg of the presidential branch visits from 1 -2 October 2018 where he met with members and local industry. On day one of the visit he met with Mr Victor Felton, Director of Infrastructure, Planning and Development at Kouga Municipality in Jeffrey’s Bay. At the Algoa Branch…
The issue of the “Out on a rib” article written by Manglin Pillay has received significant interest from our membership base. We have received numerous responses from concerned members about the ramifications of the article. As an organisation, SAICE takes its members’ views and opinions extremely seriously and it would have been remiss of us…
To SAICE’s delight, the all-girls team from the Domino Servite School from Kranskop near Pietermaritzburg, reigned supreme at the International Bridge Building Competition, organised by the South African Institution of Civil Engineering and held at St Albans College in Pretoria on 31 August 2018. Not only did they win, they were the youngest team to…
This year SAICE’s Johannesburg branch hosted its third annual Women in Hard Hats (WIHH) event at the Country Club in Auckland Park, on the 24th of August 2018. The event was a great success and saw approximately 100 guests in attendance. These included; 60 students from various student chapters as well as branch members. Our…
Kindly note that corrections to the published SAICE forms of contract, their Guides and their corrected pro forma forms, can be downloaded from the SAICE website page entitled GCC: Pro-forma Templates, Corrections & FAQ at https://saice.org.za/gcc-corrections-faq/ Corrections to the following SAICE publications have been published and are available for download:- • General Conditions of Contract…
SAICE 2018 President, Mr Errol Kerst PrEng was invited by the Zimbabwean Institution of Engineers to give the keynote address at the “The Zimbabwe Infrastructure Investment & Development Conference” held at the Elephant Hills Hotel at Victoria Falls in North West Zimbabwe. His address titled “Change, Economics and Getting Involved” – where President Kerst spoke…
Youth Day on 16 June is a public holiday in South Africa commemorating the start of the Soweto Riots of 1976, sparked off by a government edict that all instruction in black schools would be delivered in the Afrikaans language. To highlight this iconic period in our history, the South African Institution of Civil Engineering…
“Nothing for mahala – nothing for nothing” (Stax, Nothing for Mahala, 1985) One may not approve of the law of gravity because of the bruising when one takes a fall. One could argue based on thinness, fatness, agility or fragility. One might even vehemently oppose gravity standing atop the 223 m high Carlton Centre in…
In my work at SAICE my energies are generally given to position civil engineering as the ‘go to’ profession for any work that requires accuracy, diligence, trust, ethical values, professionalism, reliability and integrity – so that where the task summons for the services of men and women of honour, the plea would be, “…find me a Civil…
The presidential delegation led by SAICE 2018 President Errol Kerst and CEO Manglin Pillay recently made a stop in the Bloemfontein region from 15-16 May as part of their nationwide tour. Day one of the visit saw them spend some time at the Central University of Technology, where they took the time to meet with…
Dear Trevor Balzer PrEng, Gisela Kaiser PrEng, and Peter Flower PrEng, Having engaged with you, Neil Macleod PrEng, Mike Muller PrEng, Mike Shand PrEng, Mike Killick PrEng, Kevin Wall PrEng and Musa Furumele PrEng over the past several weeks, I am proud tobe a civil engineer. I am also aware you are averse to the…
The first Civil Talk segment of the year took place on 4 April 2018 at SAICE House in Midrand. The event was well attended and centred on disaster management in South Africa and possible ideas for avoiding day zero. The panel of experts featured Professor Mike Muller PrEng (South Africa), CEng (UK), FSAICE, SFWISA. Prof.…
Dr Martin van Veelen, Sam Amod and Malcolm Pautz, three past presidents of SAICE combined their knowledge and experience to produce a guide on how to prepare an Infrastructure Report Card (IRC) which will be used internationally to aid engineering organisations to produce score cards. The guide has been submitted to the Independent Group of…
The SAICE delegation led by 2018 President Errol Kerst and CEO Manglin Pillay embarked on their third of some 23 branch visits scheduled for this year. The visit to the President’s hometown took place from 15 -16 March 2018. Branch visits are an opportunity for SAICE’s top brass to interact and engage with regional constituencies…
MEDIA STATEMENT – THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING 5 February 2018 Civil engineers from the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) and the South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE) met with the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane, and her advisory team, to offer support and advice to address the challenges…
SAICE conferred its highest honours on a few distinct members at the prestigious 115th Presidential Inauguration held on 16 November at La Toscana in Monte Casino, Fourways. Both these awards recognise outstanding individual contribution to the industry and the profession. HONORARY FELLOWSHIPS An Honorary Fellowship is awarded to p ersons of distinction whom SAICE…
A delegation led by SAICE CEO Manglin Pillay and Past President Dr Martin van Veelen are currently in Italy, Rome representing South Africa at the World Engineering Forum – WEF2017 & WFEO General Assembly. The forum which commenced on 26 November and will run to 2 December 2017 is an international event that will aim…
FROM: THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING (SAICE) Media release: 17 November 2017 The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) inaugurated the 115th president since its inception in 1903. This honour was bestowed on Errol Kerst at La Toscana in Montecasino, Fourways, on 16 November 2017. Kerst is the owner of EK &…
Obakeng Thomas scooped first prize winner of the Lafarge Photo Competition at the SAICE National Awards held in Durban on 20 October 2017. His photo titled Construction of shuttering for dome roof impressed adjudicators with its stunning display of the artistry of civil engineering and technical excellence. SAICE initiated the photo competition to celebrate the…
The prestigious annual SAICE Awards gala event for the Most Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievements for 2016/2017 was held at the Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom in Durban on 20 October 2017, attended by industry leaders and dignitaries from across South Africa. SAICE received almost 60 project entries from across the country to compete for these…
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) launched its long-awaited third Infrastructure Report Card (IRC) for South Africa on 26 September 2017 at SAICE House in Midrand. The current IRC, following on the initial 2006 and the follow-up 2011 IRCs, extended the sectors assessed to ten, comprising 29 sub-sectors. These include water supply and…
The SAICE Presidential delegation, 2017 President, Sundran Naicker PrEng and SAICE CEO, Manglin Pillay PrEng, with Mishka Khan from SAICE PR visited the Durban branch between 13-15 September where they met with various industry leaders, consultants and bright young minds who will one day lead this country. The aim of the visit was to engage…
The world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel. Horace Walpole, English politician in a letter written in 1776 Andrei Sakharov, the famous nuclear physicist who gave the world the atomic bomb, once said: “I’ve always thought the most powerful weapon in the world was the bomb and that’s…
FROM: THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING (SAICE) Media release Date: 25 August 2017 As a developing nation, South Africa’s engagement in the global economy is either advanced or constrained by the state of its infrastructural capabilities. The first ever Infrastructure Report Card (IRC) for South Africa was released in 2006 by the…
Last month, SAICE’s presidential delegation comprising of President Sundran Naicker PrEng and CEO Manglin Pillay PrEng touched down in Bloemfontein to meet with various stakeholders and industry representatives within the fraternity. The two day visit enabled the delegation to engage in interactive discussions with industry around some of the most pertinent challenges. The most prominent…
SAICE’s Johannesburg Branch celebrated Women’s Month in style with their second Women in Hard Hats event that took place on 31 August 2017. This year’s event included a magnificent High Tea and was held at the Blue Valley Golf and Country Estate in Midrand. The Master of Ceremonies was S’thandazile Ncube who represented the SAICE…
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) hosted its third annual Golf Day on Friday, 8 September 2017, at the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate in Cape Town. The event hosted various participants from a number of companies who competed against each other for the chance to win an array of grand prizes. The day’s…
As a developing nation, South Africa’s engagement in the global economy is either advanced or constrained by the state of its infrastructural capabilities. The first ever Infrastructure Report Card (IRC) for South Africa was released in 2006 by the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), which reported on the condition of infrastructure in South…
The SAICE Presidential delegation led by SAICE President Sundran Naicker and CEO Manglin Pillay visited the Drakensberg region on 18 August 2017. The delegation accompanied by members of the local branch committee went on a site visit of the Cornelius River Dam. The approximately R100 million project is scheduled to be complete in 2018 and…
I recently gave somebody a ride to Diepsloot, which is a neglected township outside of Steyn City and Dainfern, two larney, well secured, northern Johannesburg suburbs. When we arrived to where my hitchhiker was headed, I could not believe my eyes when I saw several rats the size of cats scurrying amongst the squalor. I…
SAICE’s structural engineering community recently celebrated the Joint Structural Division’s (JSD) 80th Anniversary at a prestigious event held on Friday 11 August 2017. The JSD’s 80th celebration banquet took place in the exclusive setting of the Johannesburg Country Club – Auckland Park. The history of the division, goes back to 1937 when the Transvaal Branch…
Proud sponsor and partner PPS joined forces with SAICE on 4 August 2017 at the University of Pretoria to provide insight and guidance to the civil engineering students. The roadshow titled ‘Civil Engineering Professionals of the Future’ – presented a series of talks where students were provided with insight ranging from furthering their tertiary education,…
Where there is work that requires accuracy, diligence, ethics and professionalism; where the task summons services of men and women of honour, the petition should be, “Find me a civil engineer!” Our apathy for things that affect the moral integrity of the civil engineering profession is shocking. I am talking about corruption and inappropriate interference.…
SAICE in association with McDonald’s South Africa spent 67 minutes at a homeless haven in downtown Johannesburg in honour of the life of service led by our late former president Nelson Mandela. SAICE helped spread the warmth by handing out packs consisting of winter apparel to those in need to keep them warm against the…
Becoming a student member of SAICE is your first step towards joining the biggest network of civil engineering professionals in South Africa. Not only will you enjoy all the physical benefits of membership, but you will also be benefiting your future career from an early stage. A Student Member is a person who: At the…
SA GeoTech 2017 conference and exhibition: Geo-technology systems, solutions and applications You are cordially invited to attend SA GeoTech 2017 conference and exhibition. SA GeoTech 2017 focusses on leading edge geospatial and measurement technologies for precision, planning and performance, including skills, solutions and applications for engineers (electrical, mining, mechanical, civil and consulting), technologists, technicians, surveyors,…
The SAICE Aqualibrium Schools Water Competition is aimed at creating awareness regarding the issues surrounding water in South Africa. It spreads the message that water is a precious commodity, which should be recycled, re-used and respected. The competition see’s various SAICE regions hosting their own leg of the competition – the winners of which are…
A long time ago, in a faraway country, there lived a great man. His affluence extended over lush land, bountiful sheep and cattle, all under a prolific climate. His influence was sought after by kings, queens and noblemen from around the world, because he possessed a good name, and he was famous for his breadth…
Author : Simone Rambarun
Earlier this week the SAICE Presidential delegation visited the University of the Witwatersrand
Author : Simone Rambarun
The second round of presidential branch visits saw SAICE 2017 President Sundran Naicker and CEO Manglin Pillay visit the Zululand region, over a two day tour between 3rd and 4th May 2017.
The overwhelming number of nominations for the various categories of the Awards casts a positive glow on the future of South Africa and restores faith in the efforts of companies and individuals to make the future of our children in South Africa brighter.
Author : Marie Ashpole Replying to a question from the National Council of Provinces, Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane, defended her department’s decision to continue employing Cuban technicians and engineers to exchange skills within the department’s Water Programme. The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) is perturbed that South African civil engineering…
The Vision 2030 Awards, hosted for the first time this year, has announced its 2017 finalists. The awards are a groundbreaking first for South Africa, recognising as it does the achievements and success stories of organisations, enterprises and individuals that are actively demonstrating alignment to the government’s Nine-Point Plan to boost economic growth and achieve…
Background The SAICE Johannesburg branch Committee (SAICE JHB branch committee), as part of its annual strategy session, identified the need for a platform to celebrate the engineering excellence that exists amongst our Young Professionals (Professionals who are younger than 35 years of age). It was noted that the Civil Engineering fraternity is very good at…
SUBMISSION DUE DATE: 2 June 2017 CRITERIA: GENERAL NB: The presentation: Must be made by a Young Professional (younger than 35 years of age), with a brief overview of the project The majority of the presentation must focus on their contribution to such project Must portray the art and science of civil engineering to the general public…
The background to the Seminars is that one of National Treasury’s strategic objectives is to enhance and improve procurement outcomes by designing a procurement system that is better able to deliver value for money, while minimising the scope for corruption. This has resulted in the watershed publication of the National Treasury Standard for Infrastructure Procurement…
Author : Debbie Besseling SAICE’s Membership Department is managed by Vicky Johnstone, Merriam Molefe and Merriam Sethole. Vicky Johnstone – Membership Officer Vicky started working for SAICE on a temporary basis in August 2013 and joined the permanent staff in December 2013 as a Membership Officer. Her duties include: management of the membership department and…
Author : Manglin Pillay PrEng A good name is more desirable than great riches … (Proverbs 22:1) On the morning of Ahmed Kathrada’s death, the renowned and respected cartoonist Nanda Sooben took to social media asking, “Are there any good men left?” After the recent cabinet reshuffle, I asked our members if SAICE should take…
SANRAL and SAICE drives the development behind young engineering minds Port Elizabeth, 31 March 2017: Framesby High School in Port Elizabeth was crowned the winner of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) Algoa Branch Aqualibrium Water competition, earlier this month. The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) and Labco supported the…
Author : Marie Ashpole The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) expresses deep concern on President Zuma’s unwarranted Cabinet reshuffle and the resulting dire consequences on the economy and negative impact on infrastructure development in South Africa. Seen as an ‘honest broker, non-partisan, impartial and unprejudiced voice for the civil engineering profession’, SAICE cannot…
Author : Manglin Pillay It is a misnomer that racial and related economic transformation in the civil engineering and construction sector is not happening. The numbers tell a different story. Government has consistently invested more than 7% of GDP annually on infrastructure development over the past eight years, and is promising injections of trillions of…
As we recover from last night’s shock of the ‘Cabinet reshuffle’ by our President, Jacob Zuma, we have much to contemplate about the political, financial and social future of SA. The country lost more than R89bn when former Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene was fired. When the news of the outing of Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan,…
In order to better prepare SAICE members wishing to attend the AGM on 11 April 2017, we have linked the following draft Audited Annual Financial Statements (AFS) for the year ending 31 December 2016 to this newsletter: SAICE Group Consolidated SAICE Institution SAICE (Pty) Ltd We will also communicate the Auditors Management Report and the…
Fire engineering in the professional organisation includes the skills of fire protection engineers, fire safety engineers, fire engineers, and allied professionals. The goal of establishing this division is to engineer a fire safe world, in which the Division pursues its vision by serving its members and customers through world-class information, education, credentialing and advocacy. In…
Author : Lorraine Mpofana The SAICE delegation led by 2017 President Sundran Naicker and CEO Manglin Pillay had the opportunity to meet with the Minister of Transport and Public Works, MEC Donald Grant at his offices in Cape Town during their four day visit to the Mother City. This initiative was part of SAICE’s annual…
Author : Lorraine Mpofana The SAICE delegation led by 2017 President Sundran Naicker and CEO Manglin Pillay kicked off their branch visit trail for the year with a 4 day tour of the SAICE Cape Town region. The visit itself which lasted from 6-8 March 2017, saw the delegation make a stop at various institutions…
Key players in the engineering industry are taking legal action against the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), alleging that the appointment of the new ECSA council is unlawful. ECSA’s role is vital to the quality of engineering infrastructure services, as it registers engineering practitioners and regulates their…
It is a misnomer that racial and related economic transformation in the civil engineering and construction sector is not happening. The numbers tell a different story. Government has consistently invested more than 7% of GDP annually on infrastructure development over the past 8 years, and promises of injections of trillions of Rands into future infrastructure…
CMP is an intensive middle management programme for engineers and other practitioners who have the potential for advancement into corporate management. Due to dramatic changes and degree of uncertainty in the business environment it is a most relevant professional development programme. In the context of the CMP, the construction sector includes client and owner organizations,…
Author : Lorraine Mpofana Gearing up for the first branch visit of the year, SAICE took time to find out what the shared sentiment is amongst its members in the region. The responses were very clear: they want more. More benefits, courses and regional activity. More time spent by SAICE lobbying important industry related issues,…
Author : Simone Rambarun The third annual SAICE National IP Showdown took place on 16 February 2017, at the SAICE House in Midrand, Johannesburg. The competition brought together the nation’s cream of the civil engineering student crop from the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS), University of Cape Town (UCT), University…
Author : Debbie Besseling SAICE’s Environmental Engineering Division (SEED) each year awards deserving students who participate in the finals of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists – International Science Fair. The division has recently held their first Young Movers and Shakers event to celebrate the achievements of the recipients of the 2016 – SAICE Environmental…
SAICE convened with university civil Engineering Heads of Department (HOD) on 23 January 2017 at SAICE national office, Midrand.
SAICE’s Transportation Engineering Divisional committee has started off the year with a strategic planning session held on 1 February, in order to provide a better service and maximise the division’s offerings to its more than 1800 members.
I’ve always bought into the concept of economic freedom. Economic freedom is entwined in the fabric of the Freedom Charter, which was adopted at the Congress of the People on 26 June 1955. It’s there in the South African Constitution as well. I am just waiting for Juju to get rid of the reckless race…
During 2016, SAICE offered two courses on the General Conditions of Contracts for Construction (GCC) 2015. These courses included the 2-day beginner-to-intermediate course on the GCC 2015, and the 1-day advanced course on the Differences between GCC 2010 and GCC 2015.
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) has identified the need to conduct a survey to determine levels of customer satisfaction in the province with regard to the various services administered by the GDRT.
The secured order book has shown a declining trend since 2014. A decrease in order books was observed across six of the nine construction companies analysed.
Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) regards government’s action as a regrettable development that neither fosters the management of the water resources in South Africa nor the transformation agenda of government and our people.
The prestigious annual SAICE–SAFCEC Awards gala event for the Most Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievements for 2015/2016 was held at Emperors Palace, Kempton Park on 13 October and attended by industry leaders and dignitaries from across South Africa.
The SAICE Transportation Division brings you this 3rd instalment of our vigorous discussion sessions.
SAICE Johannesburg Branch recently held the first of its kind – Avant-garde Forum. The initiative provided a platform for young professionals to showcase their present or recent projects where ingenuity was a primary catalyst for success
It is just under a month till SAICE’s President and CEO touch down in Bloemfontein, where they will be meeting with regional committee representatives and civil engineering students in the area
The SAICE delegation led by President Chris Herold and CEO Manglin Pillay embarked on the Pietermaritzburg leg of the nationwide branch visits.
You have been selected for a very special opportunity. The South African division of Turner & Townsend, a leading independent professional services company in the construction sector, has appointed Inyosi Capital (Pty) Ltd, along with Sentigol (Pty) Ltd to source black-owned professional service providers in the following categories
Very few interventions or career days have the advantage of practically illustrating what a career is all about. The finals of the very successful annual SAICE International Bridge Building Competition 2016, organised by the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), is such a competition
Call for nominations for the AWARD FOR ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Call for nominations for the AWARD FOR YOUNG ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE AWARD FOR TECHNOLOGIST OF THE YEAR
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE AWARD FOR YOUNG TECHNOLOGIST OF THE YEAR
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE AWARD FOR TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE AWARD FOR YOUNG TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR
NOMINATION DUE DATE: 9 September 2016
AIM:
To celebrate the beauty of the industry
To show the world that civil engineering can be visually pleasing
To celebrate the profession
To bring the profession to the layperson in a format that will be more readily understood
Students usually desire the “ideal” job and always look to find the right door to step into to advance their careers. However, they seldom prepare themselves to step through the door as it opens.
Exciting opportunity for a Marketing and Events Consultant to join our energetic, diverse group of PR professionals at the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE).
Where there is work that requires professionalism, accuracy, diligence, trust, reliability and ethical values; where the task summons for the services of men and women of honour, the petition should be: “Find me an engineer!”
The friendly city proved to be just that when the SAICE presidential delegation visited the Algoa branch on 12 – 13 July 2016.
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) along with its presidential delegation were warmly welcomed by SAICE on 18 July 2016. The team that comprised of approximately 20 engineers visited the Institution as part of their international technical visit itinerary.
Very few interventions or career days have the advantage of practically illustrating what a career is all about. At the finals of AQUALIBRIUM, the SAICE Schools Water Competition 2016, to be held at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown, Johannesburg on Friday 29 July 2016, you will experience exactly that
The SAICE Johannesburg branch Committee (SAICE JHB branch committee), as part of its annual strategy session, identified the need for a platform to celebrate the engineering excellence that exists amongst our Young Professionals (Professionals who are younger than 35 years of age).
OBJECTIVE:
To honour an engineer who has:
– Rendered outstanding service to the profession and
– Made a contribution of distinction to civil engineering
OBJECTIVE:
To honour a young engineer under the age of 36 who has:
· rendered outstanding service to the profession; and
· made a contribution of distinction to civil engineering.
Sarlette Vermaak, SAICE’s new Financial Manager has over 30 years of experience in the financial industry. Here’s what she had to say about this new chapter…
A recent report issued by ratings agency Standard & Poor (S&P), indicated that the outlook remained negative due to adverse consequences of the country’s low GDP growth.
Although the latest statistics released by Statistics SA indicated that jobs in the civil and construction industry were maintained, the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) is concerned about the overall loss of 15 000 jobs in the first quarter of 2016.
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) states categorically that the Constitution should be defended against those who, purportedly for the good of the nation, attack citizens’ right to know and see what is happening in South Africa, and globally.
PROJECT AWARDS
Project Award for the Most Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement – TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE
SAICE attended the Annual Career Awareness Day in Mamelodi, in Pretoria on Saturday 28 May 2016. It was held at the Evangelical Lutheran Church Pretoria Diocese and organised by the young league of the church to develop the learners from the local schools.
SAICE had an exhibition stand at the Sci-Bono Engineering Career Focus Week to promote and advance the engineering profession.
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) has appreciation for the mammoth task of the Auditor General to establish the financial status of the almost 300 municipalities in South Africa.
“There is a human resource crisis in care that is driven partly by the government’s tolerance of incompetent staff.” The South African Health Review 2016 published a report on the dismal state (pun intended) of health care in the public sector, particularly on government’s inability to attract competent healthcare professionals to work in public healthcare facilities
The meeting which was chaired by SAICE 2016 President Dr Chris Herold, was attended by a host of SAICE members who sit on the institutions panels, including chairpersons of Education and Training, Membership, Finance and Administration, Tom McKune, Bridgette Kerst and Martin van Veelen.
The Civilution movement, powered by the engineering industry, works toward removing hindrances that preclude engineering practitioners from doing what they should be doing.
AIMS
To celebrate the beauty of the industry
To show the world that civil engineering can be visually pleasing
To celebrate the profession
To bring the profession to the layperson in a format that will be more readily understood
SAICE & SAFCEC in partnership will be hosting the Annual Awards Function for most outstanding engineering achievements for 2015/2016 on 13 October 2016 in Johannesburg.
SAICE in partnership with CESA and SAFCEC have developed an industry survey to see which University and University of Technology graduates are most sought after in the civil engineering, consulting and construction industries.
SAICE President Dr Chris Herold accompanied by SAICE COO Steven Kaplan PrEng, President of the American Society of Engineers (ASCE), Mark Woodson P.E., Executive Director (ASCE) Thomas Smith and Director of Global Programs (ASCE) Meggan Maughan–Brown visited Durban on 16 May.
SAICE in partnership with CESA and SAFCEC have developed an industry survey to see which University and University of Technology graduates are most sought after in the civil engineering, consulting and construction industries.
The Presidential delegation led by SAICE President Chris Herold and CEO Manglin Pillay recently embarked on the Cape Town leg of the annual countrywide branch visits.
In a private and prestigious event held at the Cape Peninsula Hotel School on Granger Bay, in Cape Town on 12 May 2016, the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse was declared a Historical Landmark by the President of the American Society of Engineers (ASCE), Mark Woodson P.E.
Don’t forget to attend the Civilution Congress and Expo next week 9 and 10 May 2016. This Engineering Revolution is sure to bring you the ultimate experience in learning, networking, engaging and change.
Knight Piesold entered a new era of transformation and innovation celebrating 95 years of industry excellence by hosting a celebratory lunch at the Randpark Golf Club.
SAICE President Dr Chris Herold and CEO Manglin Pillay visited the North West on 21 April. The visit began with a meeting with current committee members at the offices of Bigen Africa.
John has been a member of SAICE for over 20 years and has over 35 years of experience in the industry. With retirement looming he’s grateful and honoured to have served as an engineer.
“… there are many people who feel that it is useless and futile for us to continue talking peace and nonviolence against a government whose reply is only savage attacks on an unarmed and defenseless people.
Remember this – because you exist, our people have dignity in water and sanitation, roads upon which we drive cars, buses and taxis so that, together with rail services, we are able to go to work to earn a living, to feed our families, to cook with the electricity you helped provide, and to send our children to the schools you helped build.
The SAICE Young Members Panel (YMP) convened for the second time this year on 8 April 2016 at SAICE House, Midrand.
The South African government should follow Nigeria’s example by employing reputable quantity surveyors to stamp out corruption and inflated construction costs in the building industry, the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS), has urged.
The second Civilution Congress will be taking place from 9-10 May 2016 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, giving engineers of all disciplines the opportunity to conduct business differently.
SAICE’s first council meeting for the year took place on 12 April 2016 at SAICE House in Midrand. The meeting was opened by President Chris Herold who welcomed attendees and requested them to observe a moment of silence for SAICE members who had passed on.
SAICE hosted its annual charity golf day on 7 April 2016 at the Randpark golf club. 100 players turned out and supported the charity event, playing 18 holes around Randpark’s Firethorn course.
It is that time of the year again! The SAICE presidential visit is on hand taking place on 21 – 22 April 2016. Dr Chris Herold, 2016 SAICE president, will be accompanied by Manglin Pillay, CEO of SAICE.
The latest movement in engineering history, termed Civilution, encourages engineers along a path of technical and intellectual revolution in order to achieve the development imperatives of modern South Africa.
SAICE’s Young Members Panel (YMP) has taken on the task of empowering South Africa’s future civil engineers by conducting a series of road-shows across the country.
A SAICE delegation led by SAICE President, Chris Herold, CEO Manglin Pillay, Past President Peter Kleynhans and President Elect Sundran Naicker met with NHBRC Director and Fellow of SAICE Dr Jeffery Mahachi and a number of invited engineering professionals from various sectors, including government, over a breakfast meeting to discuss the challenges associated with the transformation of SAICE structures to represent equally, black, women and young professionals.
You are entitled to these unique membership benefits…
Liaison with government by promoting the profession. SAICE creates lasting partnerships with government and nominating representatives onto statutory bodies and other government bodies and committees.
Civil Talks are a platform in which professional talks are held on controversial topics which influence our country and industry. All SAICE members are invited to join the talk, which is run by a panel of engineering professionals and government individuals who provide insight and in-depth knowledge on the relevant topics.
Despite the wave of protests and violence that has gripped most South African universities in recent days, the civil engineering students from UJ and WITS decided to rather focus on positive growth and held an inaugural Johannesburg Civil Engineering Student Leadership Conference at UJ with the goal of forming a solid alliance between the three influential Johannesburg student chapters of SAICE (South African Institute of Civil Engineering).
Engineering skills remain the most difficult for companies to fill. According to the Top 100 scarce skill occupations in South Africa list released by the Department of Higher Education and training (DHET), engineering skills occupy the first 20 spots.
The SAICE Water Engineering Division Presidential Breakfast lecture was recently held at the Bryanston Country Club in Johannesburg.
This is a proud moment for The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), with its strong tradition of developing, publishing and maintaining conditions of contract, has now released the new Guide to the General Conditions of Contract for Construction Works GCC 2015. This replaces the Guide to the GCC 2010.
SAICE 2016 President Dr Chris Herold, CEO Manglin Pillay and COO Steven Kaplan recently met with the Lesotho Association of Engineers (LAE) as well as the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) to discuss how both institutions could work together to achieve common goals.
By now you should’ve already heard about SAICE’s Charity Golf Day, which is taking place on 7 April 2016 at the Randpark Golf Club. If you haven’t, where have you been?
SAICE held the second National Investigative Project Showdown for South African universities’ civil engineering departments on 19 February 2016, at the PPS Indaba Centre in Parktown, Johannesburg.
During November 2015, in support of the separation of the supply chain for infrastructure procurement and delivery management from that for general goods and services, National Treasury issued the following two documents…
Get excited, feel it – the countdown has begun.Taking place at Gallagher Estate on 9 – 11 May 2016 – Civilution Congress 2016 is one event that should not be missed.
Which University and University of Technology graduates are most sought after in the civil engineering consulting and construction industries in South Africa in relation to the various technical disciplines of Civil Engineering
SAICE Division chairs and vice chairs met with CEO Manglin Pillay and COO Steven Kaplan on 24 February 2016 at SAICE National Office in Midrand. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss issues pertaining to the better servicing of members using the available divisional resources and capacity.
SAICE in partnership with CESA will be issuing a membership survey to identify industry sentiment on the matter
The National Investigative Project Showdown will be taking place on 19 February 2016. This year SAICE extends a free invitation to members to be a part of this prestigious evening which brings together the crème de le crème.
We are currently in the grips of a major El Nino drought event. We are releasing around 4 billion litres of untreated, or at best partially treated sewage into our national rivers and dams daily.
The first SAICE International Panel (SIP) meeting kicked off on 16 February 2016 at SAICE House in Midrand. Panel members that were present included SAICE President Chris Herold, Manglin Pillay (SAICE CEO), Peter Kleynhans (SAICE President 2012), Tony Smith (Chairman of the Joint Structural Division), Munya Mutyora (Young Members Panel representative), Alain Jacquet (Chairman of ICE-SA) and Steven Kaplan (SAICE COO).
The Young Members Panel (YMP) convened on 12 February 2016, at SAICE National Office, Midrand. The YMP is a national forum which was established a number of years ago with the view of creating a forum for SAICE members under the age of 36 to address the needs and interests of the younger SAICE membership group.
Civilution is the largest gathering of engineering professionals, industry leaders and public servants in the country and will once again convene between 9 -11 May 2016 at Gallagher Estate, Midrand.
Lecture – The Internet of Things Wednesday 24 February 2016 First Name: Surname: Company Name: Postal Address: Code: VAT Registration No: Tel…
Mary Molefe and Sakina Mukandawire work at SAICE National Office. They are charming and friendly, and reliable like clockwork. It is their pride to keep our offices clean and impressive.
The annual Civil Engineering University Head of Departments meeting kicked off on 25 January 2016 at SAICE’s National Office in Midrand
The largest gathering of engineering professionals, industry leaders and public servants in the country will once again convene between 9 -10 May 2016 at Gallagher Estate, Midrand.
As a valued SAICE member one of your benefits entitles you to one FREE Divisional selection.
SAICE has TEN technical divisions which maintain excellence in civil engineering
Mark your calendars and book your diaries – SAICE’s Annual Golf Day will take place on 7 April 2016.
Steven Kaplan, SAICE Chief Operations Officer signed a presenter’s agreement with Royal HaskoningDHV on 29 January 2016.
SAICE in partnership with a host of generous sponsors is proud to bring you the annual National Investigative Project Presentation Showdown, on 19 February 2016 at the PPS Indaba Room, Parktown, and Johannesburg.
The civil engineering and construction industry honoured Nazir Alli for his outstanding contribution and leadership and for modernising South Africa’s national road network to world-class standards.
Concluding processes lead by past president (2004) Dr Ron Watermeyer, National Treasury (NT) published the Standard for Infrastructure Procurement and Delivery Management in terms of the PFMA and MFMA (Treasury Instruction 4 of 2015/6).
A lawyer mate of mine, in a debate about the brain drain, once said that progressive South Africa will need to embrace the necessity to slow down so that others may catch up.
An Agreement was reached by the Civilution forum on these three principal focus areas:
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) inaugurated its 113th president, Dr Chris Herold, at the SAICE Presidential Inauguration and Gala Dinner at The Private Room, Kyalami in Johannesburg on 18 November 2015.
The Civilution Congress 2016 programme planning is well underway with the Advisory Board meeting held on 27 October to thrash out the key themes of the congress.
In collaboration with Local Government Sector Education Training Authority (LGSETA) the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) has embarked on special program to assist employees within municipalities who are either registered as Candidates or are eligible to register to upgrade to Professional Status after three years.
Chris, who emigrated from England to South Africa in 1954 as a three-year-old, graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1972. His first job was with the SA Railways and Harbours where he worked for four years, attaining the position of District Engineer in Windhoek.
It is encouraging how the Gauteng public, and particularly the civil engineering community, have come together to lament the collapse of the temporary structure at the Grayston interchange that killed two people. It was also pleasing to note the cooperation between the City of Johannesburg, Gautrain, Metrobus, Putco and Uber to help relieve the traffic congestion around the interchange.
Pretoria’s presidential branch visit took place on 23 October 2015 at the Ritrovo Ristorante in WaterKloof, Pretoria. The luncheon was well attended by an extremely vibrant and energetic branch.
South Africa seems to be on a knife-edge, a time of challenge and turmoil — balancing between economic success and disaster. Faced with several challenges, the engineering profession is also at a tipping point.
The Department of Civil Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) held its Investigative Project (IP) presentation on 28 October 2015 at the Hillman Building.
SAICE 2016 president elect Dr Chris Herold stepped in for President Malcolm Pautz last week during the Pietermaritzburg (PMB) branch visit. Pautz had been attending the ACSE 2015 Convention in New York.
The University of Pretoria’s (UP) Department of Civil Engineering, hosted its Annual Projects Evening on 29 October 2015. At the event an audience of just over 200 students, lecturers, special guests and parents gathered at the Rautenbach Hall, Hatfield Campus, for an evening of showcasing and celebrating the outstanding research produced by the class of 2015.
A reputable civil engineer (Pr Eng, MSc Eng, MBL, FSAICE), with some 20 years of public and private sector work experience, attends a tender briefing meeting – dignified and portraying the ultimate professional in dress and demeanour.
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SAICE 2015 President Malcolm Pautz touched down in New York City this week for the 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Convention. The convention set the tone for a proud moment in the organisation’s history – the signing of the Agreement of Cooperation between ASCE and SAICE.
It’s all systems go as SAICE and Hypenica (Pty) Ltd finalise their partnership for the 2016 CIVILUTION Congress which is set to take place [at Gallagher Estate between 9-10 May.
A 1 day course for experienced GCC users. This course will address the revisions which occurred between the GCC2010 and the GCC 2015. A 2 day course for new GCC users. This course is aimed primarily at new GCC users who have not worked previously with either GCC 2004 or GCC 2010.
On 17 September 2015, SAICE held its 3rd Civil Talk for the year at its national office in Midrand. The discussion, entitled Accountability starts with YOU, was facilitated by eNuus anchor on Kyknet, Freek Robinson. Sharing their expert views on the topic included panelists’ Mr Tebogo Motlashuping, Chief Director of Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs and Professor Steven Friedman, a South African academic, newspaper columnist, former trade unionist and journalist.
Register today at www.soaconferences.co.za/sacpcmp/
It gives us great pleasure to introduce you to more of our impressive line-up of local and international speakers, representing the who’s who of the industry
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), with its strong tradition of developing, publishing and maintaining conditions of contract, will be releasing the third edition of the General Conditions of Contract for Construction Works (the GCC 2015) to replace the GCC 2010 – on Friday, 18 September 2015.
1 day course for experienced GCC users. This course will address the revisions which occurred between the GCC2010 and the GCC 2015. 2 day course for new GCC users. This course is aimed primarily at new GCC users who have not worked previously with either GCC 2004 or GCC 2010.
In recent weeks I seem to have lost my compass. In a modern capitalist culture where time is money and passion is the fuel of purpose, the losing of one’s compass is a dreadful thing.
The SAICE Presidential delegation led by SAICE President Malcolm Pautz and CEO Manglin Pillay embarked on the Johannesburg leg of the annual presidential visit on 20 August 2015.
SAICE recently carried out a general survey to assess the sentiment of engineering professionals wishing to explore careers in the public sector. This survey was carried out in association with the 3 largest engineering associations, namely, the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE), South African Institute of Mechanical Engineers (SAIMechE) and Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA)
Very few interventions or career days have the advantage of practically illustrating what a career is all about. The finals of the very successful annual AECOM-SAICE International Bridge Building Competition 2015, organised by the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), provide learners with this opportunity.
SAICE in conjunction with AECOM hosted the International AQUALIBRIUM Schools Water Competition Finals on 31 July 2015 at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Johannesburg.
SAICE is excited to announce its recent partnership with the South African Road Federation (SARF) for CPD accredited courses. The parties recognise the importance of providing CPD courses in order to allow engineering practitioners to remain abreast of the latest developments in their respective engineering fields and providing them with the knowledge, expertise and skills needed in their careers.
The comedy pretty much writes itself. The Minister of Water and Sanitation thinks that the Washington Accord is an agreement between Cuba and the USA. The Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport agrees with the Minister.
During the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Water Week, this exciting competition also went international with both Swaziland and Zimbabwe participating!
Being a new parent is a rude awakening. Being a new parent for the second time around leaves one feeling like a stream in a Karoo drought. As new fathers, Jason, a mate of mine, and I high-tailed it one evening to a local hang-out den for rain
The 5th Engineers Without Boarders (EWB) Conference took place last month under the auspices of the South African Federation of Engineering Organisations (SAFEO). The Conference is reflective of the growing network of multidisciplinary national engineering societies and/or institutions and was appropriately themed as “Engineering Knowledge Creation, Sharing and Collaboration”.
The SAICE delegation led by SAICE 2015 President Malcolm Pautz and CEO, Manglin Pillay visited Witwatersrand University on their most recent leg of the presidential visits.
SAICE and its sister organisations have an adverse view of the first of a total of forty Cuban engineers that have arrived in the Free State. The decision undertaken by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to go ahead with the appointment of the Cuban specialists to implement their skills capacity drive, illustrate once again the DWS’ disregard for local industry body concerns.
I don’t care whether Rhodes falls (or has fallen). It makes no difference to me. I don’t care whether he walks or stands under pigeon pooh. The narrative is a chaotic concoction of the literal over the allegorical, garnished with the ultimate spice of mob mentality.
On 9 April 2015 another of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering’s flagship in-house Civil Talk events took place at SAICE House, this time to debate South Africa’s transportation systems.
The SAICE presidential delegation led by President Malcolm Pautz, arrived in the quaint town of Harrismith, Drakensberg South, on 16 April 2015. The two day visit saw the delegation formalising the newly revived branch committee, chaired by Wade Ambler, PrTechEng at Miletus Consulting as well as local site visits to some of the town’s ground breaking civil engineering initiatives.
SAICE hosted its annual Charity Golf Day on Thursday, 23 April 2015 at Randpark Golf Club in Johannesburg. The event saw 120 participants from various companies within the industry, compete against each other for some awesome prizes.
Johannesburg, South Africa, 3 March, 2015 – While the mining industry is steadily moving towards automation, it’s comparatively slow in adopting new technology
The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre was abuzz with activity in the first week of March. The focus was youth in the civil engineering and construction industry for the future!
Slope stability analysis is crucial to the design of every new tailings storage facility, and while deterministic methods such as limit-equilibrium analysis are the most widely used method of analysis, the safety factors produced by them are ultimately difficult to comprehend for non-engineers and are often applied unknowingly to conditions involving widely varying degrees of uncertainty.
It is a fait accompli – the Cuban engineers have landed! It is with great concern that the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) learnt of the arrival of the 34 Cuban engineers in a statement by Minister of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Ms Nomvula Mokonyane.
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) inaugurated its 2015 President, Malcolm Pautz, at the SAICE Presidential Inauguration and Gala Dinner at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg on 12 February 2015. Pautz is the youngest ever president in the 113-year history of SAICE.
SAICE’s first Education and Training (E&T) meeting for the year kicked off on 9 February 2015. In attendance, was Tom McKune (E&T Chair), Francis Legge (Council Member), Oliver Rowe, Kobus du Plessis (IMESA), Philip Marsh (Mentoring 4 Success), Fannie Matumba (Protec), Vishal Krishandutt (Nyeleti), Alain Jacquet (ICE–SA Secretary), Steven Kaplan (SAICE COO), Cheryl-Lee Williams (SAICE E&T Officer), Dawn Hermanus (SAICE E&T Officer), Margie Rigby (Section 21), Fridah Mahlangu (SAICE Career Guidance – SPEBS) and Willandri Louw (SAICE Marketing).
I wish to convey my sincere appreciation to the Institution for electing me as President for this year. My election is a departure from precedent, as I have followed a somewhat unusual route in the value chain of engineering.
The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) is a multi-billion Maloti/Rand bi-national project which was established by the Treaty of 1986 signed between the Governments of the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa.
Professor Kobus van Zyl, SAICE’s Water Division former chairman and founder of Aqualibrium, presented the benefits of the competition to an American delegation who recently visited SAICE. The delegation, headed by Jamal Nagamiah and his team are looking into expanding this innovative and educational initiative in the United States of America. The aim of this…
Earlier last month, delegates from the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE) received a warm welcome from the SAICE Durban branch committee members. Mr I.O Ijirotimi, chairman of NICE, was part of the group of engineers and was the main liaison during the visit to Durban. The delegates were transported to the Electron Road Waste…
The SAICE National IP Showdown, which was held at the University of Pretoria on 1 December 2014, was a runaway success seeing many high-profile industry players come to support and encourage the next generation of civil engineers as the best student teams from six universities across the country presented their final-year research projects while competing…
SAFCEC has noticed that project notice board templates specified by the consultants generally includes the provision of the SAFCEC logo next to the contractors names, regardless of whether that contractor is in fact a member of SAFCEC. SAFCEC has now had occasion to write up two contractors who used the SAFCEC logo even though they…
SAICE held its last Civil Talk of the year on 23 November 2014 at SAICE House, Midrand. The discussion, which was titled: Who wears the Hat? Can a technician/technologist do the work of an engineer?, was led and facilitated by SAICE CEO, Manglin Pillay. The panel of experts who shared their views on the…
SAICE recently hosted a group of engineers from Abuja in Nigeria when they visited Gauteng as part of a study tour to South Africa. The group consisted of eight civil engineers and one electrical engineer. Day one of their visit saw the delegation visit the Daspoort Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW), where they were addressed…
It is with concern that the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) learnt of Minister of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Ms Nomvula Mokonyane’s announcement of the signing of an agreement with her Cuban counterpart in Havana to pave the way for 37 Cuban engineering specialists to come and fill the existing critical technical gaps…
The prestigious annual SAICE Awards gala event for the Most Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievements for 2013/2014 was held at the Durban International Convention Centre on 16 October. It was the first time in many, many years that the event has been brought to Durban and the Durbanites responded excellently by turning up in numbers – approximately…
The South African National Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) announced that engineering skills dominate the top 20 most sought after scarce skills – civil engineering features second on the demand list behind electrical engineering. This view is endorsed by the Department of Labour (DoL). In South Africa, a scarce skill is a qualification…
He is not the traditional professional civil engineer who is reserved and introvert and just wants to get on with the technical project! Manglin Pillay breaks the mould with his outgoing personality, creative energy, and his passion to encourage through verbal and written communication. In his spare time, he writes short stories, composes and plays…
The Department of Civil Engineering at the Witwatersrand University held its Investigative Project (IP) presentation on 1 October 2014 at the John Moffat Building. IP is a part of the national curriculum for final year civil engineering undergraduate students. At the event, students who were paired in teams presented their researched work which was conducted…
The death of more than eighty South Africans and the many injured during the collapse of the guesthouse of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) in the Ikotun District of Lagos in Nigeria, has shocked fellow South Africans. The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) expresses its sincere sympathy with the families of…
Gaia is groaning and the world is going mal. Planes are falling out the sky, the usually quiet earth has begun to grumble, the sea is swallowing people up in their thousands, men are slaughtering children, brotherly friction continues to feudal proportions, and amidst the savannahs of this lunacy, a deadly viral infection inconspicuously postures…
Africa, together with the rest of the world is faced with an ongoing dilemma – a shortage of engineers. This has been a major concern given that; there has been a declining interest in the profession. Engineering is vital in addressing basic human needs, improving the quality and standard of living as well as providing…
WITS University hosted the CIOB NOVUS CONSTRUCTION SUMMIT between 8-9 September 2014 at the Science Stadium. The theme focused on the built environment chain. The following schools were invited to attend this event: Construction Economic and Management, Civil engineers and Architecture, urban and regional planners. The Council for the Built Environment (CBE) talked about how…
Stacey, 25, is a Technician-in-training from Pietermaritzburg currently on a mentorship programme at the municipality. Stacey is frustrated by quite a number of things regarding industry. On top of her list is industry’s lack of focus on some seemingly evident issues which affect an engineer on a day to day basis. For instance, industry is…
The Richards Bay branch has been the latest region to have been visited by SAICE’s top structure. The presidential delegation led by President Stanford Mkhacane and CEO Manglin Pillay visited Zululand between 19 and 20 August 2014. During the visit the delegation met with stakeholders’ representative of the region’s industry. The delegation was warmly received…
The SAICE Railways & Harbours Divisional meeting took place on 28 July at 10h00 at the TNPA House in the Western Cape. Mr Keith Mackie opened the meeting by welcoming all attendees and honoured Professor Emeritus (Tony) Kilner, a doyen of South Africa’s coastal and harbour engineering, as patron for the day. Mr Johan De…
The influential SAICE presidential delegation led by SAICE President Stanford Mkhacane and Manglin Pillay visited the Polokwane region between the 14 and 15 August 2014. During this visit the delegation had an opportunity to engage with branch members and structures in an attempt to reignite a once thriving SAICE structure. Day one of the visit…
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) expresses its deepest sympathy and horror at the senseless murder of a colleague, Geoff Sylvester, who spent much of his career bringing water to the poorest of the poor. Condolences to his family, and the institutions of which he was a member, i.e. the Institute of Municipal…
Mark your calendars…They’re coming! SAICE’s 2014 President Stanford Mkhacane and CEO Manglin Pillay will be visiting Zululand from the 19 – 20 August 2014.
On 7 August the visiting president of The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) in the United Kingdom, Nick Russell, accompanied by Tony Smith, chair of the SAICE Joint Structural Division (JSD), and Spencer Erling, education director at the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC), met with Stanford Mkhacane, 2014 SAICE president, Malcolm Pautz, SAICE…
The SAICE presidential delegation led by President Stanford Mkhacane and CEO Manglin Pillay made their way to the Bloemfontein region between 30 and 31 July 2014. During their visit they met with various stakeholders representing the engineering industry. At a breakfast meeting, the presidential delegation and committee members engaged in discussions around some of the…
Who planned, designed and constructed Hitler’s gas chambers? Being an avid amateur musician, I have been fortunate, on occasion, to engage with world-renowned musicians at an intimate level. A few years ago I befriended one – Ricky Lawson. Grammy award winning Lawson collaborated with artists like Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins and Whitney Houston.…
The finals of AQUALIBRIUM, the exciting SAICE-Rand Water Schools Water Competition 2014 was held at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown, Johannesburg on Friday, 25 July 2014. It never fails to excite the teams, spectators and everybody involved! This competition strengthens initiatives to encourage learners to take mathematics and science to enable them to choose…
The University of Cape Town Civil Engineering Department along with the SAICE UCT Student Chapter are proud to have hosted the local and regional stages of the 11th annual SAICE Aqualibrium competition. Both rounds were held in the teaching laboratory of the recently developed UCT New Engineering Building. On Saturday 3 May, the 100 Grade…
Leon, 33, is a PrEng, working for XYZ Consultancy which is based in Bloemfontein. Leon is a member of SAICE and various other voluntary organisations in the industry. Whilst he recognises the role each of these membership organisations have to play in industry, he cannot sometimes help to think how his memberships to these organisations…
“Clients are using engineers who are not professionally registered.” “Why doesn’t anyone do anything about corruption?” “There’s no strategic planning for infrastructure.” “Online courses for CPD accreditation would help greatly.” “There’s no volunteer spirit in the branch.” SAICE members in the North West Province Can you identify? Are you waiting for someone else to…
Every year, on Mandela Day, people around the world celebrate the legacy of a phenomenal man by devoting 67 minutes of their time – one minute for every year of Mr Mandela’s public service. Madiba frequently stated that he does not want a legacy cast in copper, concrete or marble, no monuments or highways, but…
Very seldom has the death of anyone grabbed the soul of a nation the way the untimely and horrific death of Taegrin Morris did! The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) expresses its deepest sympathy and horror at what has happened. Why would SAICE, a Civil Engineering Institution, do so openly and without hesitation?…
The 16th National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-BHP Billiton Awards took place earlier this month, at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg, Gauteng. Outstanding contributions within the fraternity of science were acknowledged and celebrated amidst 600 attendees, including special guest of honour, Minister of Science and Technology, Ms Naledi Pandor. Amongst many of the country’s leading science and…
The SAICE Young Members Panel (YMP) is a voluntary committee which comprises of young engineers from within the industry. They function to create an environment which encourages up and coming civil engineers to develop a relationship with SAICE. The latter is achieved through involvement, training opportunities and networking activities for young aspiring professionals. The YMP…
Earlier this year, SAICE opened up a platform for public comment and invited members to share their thoughts on the draft Built Environment Policy (BEP) 2014, as set out in Government Gazette No. 37653, Board Notice 370 of 2014. We would like to extend our gratitude and thank those members who responded with comments via…
Throughout the year, SAICE hosts a number of CPD accredited courses at SAICE House in Midrand. With facilities to accommodate 100 people, SAICE sees great attendance at its many courses it hosts. Last week, over the course of three days (2–4 July 2014), Prof Zvi Borowitsh, an expert with over 30 years of experience in…
You will be aware that her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has instituted a biennial prize for exceptional advances in engineering. The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering is a global £1 million prize that aims to raise the public profile of engineering and inspire young people to take up the challenges of the future and become…
The 2014 finals of AQUALIBRIUM is sponsored by Rand Water, the naming-rights sponsor, without which this competition would not have been possible! This worthwhile competition never fails to excite the teams, spectators and everybody involved! The finals will be held: Date: Friday 25 July 2014 Time: 09:30 Venue: Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Miriam Makeba Street, Newtown, Johannesburg The interesting…
I like Gwede Mantashe – for entertainment purposes. I like him for his political rhetoric and talent for charm, camouflage and counterfeit intelligence. But sometimes his rudder abandons him. And the tongue is already a slippery place. At the ANC’s NEC meeting at Luthuli House a few weeks ago, Mantashe flaunted the ANC’s humility over…
SAICE Railway and Harbour Division hosted a networking breakfast lecture at the Bytes Conference Centre in Midrand last week. President Stanford Mkhacane opened up the lecture by thanking the division for the efforts they make within the industry and also reiterated that they should continue pushing forth as the engineering “salt and light” of South…
Since 1903, members of SAICE’s forerunner congregated monthly to share knowledge and technical papers which were documented in the form of meeting minutes. Throughout its long history (which included various name changes), the organisation has continued to publish technical papers in its monthly magazine, until 1993 when it created a separate journal for the publication…
Clever black people, like the obtuse politician, shall always be among us. Over the past few weeks I contemplated the intrinsic disposition of engineers. The premise upon which Civilution is founded, assumes that all engineers are ethical, professional, innovators, are servants of the disenfranchised and are custodians of the natural environment – that we are…
The SAICE Transportation Engineering Division held their Annual Chairman’s Award Luncheon on Thursday the 29th of May 2014, at the Accolades Boutique Hotel, Midrand. The event was well attended by more than 120 engineers from the leading transportation engineering companies in the country. Manglin Pillay, SAICE Chief Executive Officer, Steven Kaplan, SAICE Chief Operating Officer,…
Kimberley is the latest region to have been visited by the SAICE delegation as part of the presidential expedition. Between 26 and 27 May, SAICE President Stanford Mkhacane and CEO Manglin Pillay visited six vested stakeholders who represented the spectrum of local private and public sectors in the region. Interactions with the engineering industry in…
The Durban leg of the 2014 Presidential visits took place between 13 and 15 May. This 3 day tour of Durban saw the Presidential delegation, led by President Stanford Mkhacane and CEO Manglin Pillay, visit no less than six vested stakeholders, who were representative of all spheres of the civil engineering industry. This vast list…
Announcing a one-day industry workshop on the revised suite of engineering qualifications in South Africa. ECSA and the HEQC have approved comprehensive changes to the structure of engineering diplomas, and introduced an entirely new three-year Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree. These changes will directly affect engineering industries, particularly in terms of post-qualification training and implications…
"A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle." – James Keller Tom McKune, Chairman of SPEBS recently sat down with SAICE to give us insight into what SPEBS is really about. WHAT IS SPEBS? SPEBS, which stands for ‘SAICE Patrons of Engineering Bursary Scheme’, is a financial assistance scheme administered by the Institution to assist…
The University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN), Howard College Campus, recently hosted the SAICE Presidential delegation led by President Stanford Mkhacane and CEO Manglin Pillay. The visit provided a much needed platform for UKZN Head of Departments and staff to address some of the challenges and issues facing the civil engineering faculty. President Mkhacane and Mr…
Being an engineer is like being South African – we don’t stop being South African if the crime rate is high or if our rugby team loses. Likewise, by virtue of being engineers, we should not stop innovating because of being paid less. In fact, if you are not innovating, you shouldn’t be calling yourself…
SAICE met with Frank Stevens CEO of the Institute of Municipal Engineers of Southern Africa (IMESA) during its Durban leg of the presidential visits. IMESA, which looks after the individual interests of municipal engineers’, forms part of SAICE’s extensive network of Voluntary Associations dedicated to upholding the principles of the engineering fraternity and protecting the…
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) delegation, led by President Stanford Mkhacane touched down in Durban on 13 May 2014 for the next round of presidential branch visits. The day began by visiting one of the region’s top technical university’s, the Durban University of Technology (DUT). President Mkhacane and CEO Manglin Pillay sat…
SAICE has just learnt that the competition has once more been chosen as a finalist in the annual BHP Billiton-National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) Awards. The annual awards function of the BHP Billiton-NSTF is the highlight on the South African science, engineering and technology (SETI) agenda. The standard is extremely high, making it an exceptional…
Welcome back to another addition of ‘THE HOW TO GUIDE ON ALL THINGS AWARDS.’ This week we will focus on the PHOTO COMPETITION. What is it? The Photo Competition was initiated by SAICE to celebrate the beauty of the industry and to show the world that Civil Engineering is visually pleasing. How to submit…
On 15 April 2014, the South African Institution of Civil Engineering’s second Council meeting for the year took place at SAICE House in Midrand. During the Council meeting the Office Bearers for 2015 were elected and SAICE is pleased to announce the 2015 presidential team. Malcolm Pautz: President Malcolm is an Associate Director at KPMG…
“Catch SAICE CEO Manglin Pillay as he sits down with Premier Helen Zille in an all exclusive one on one interview”
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to submit your projects and nominees for the SAICE-PPS Annual Awards 2014 The closing date for the Project award category is 26 June 2014 Technical Excellence Community-Based International The closing date for the Institutional nominees is 31 July 2014 Engineer of the Year Young Engineer of the Year…
The Civilution Forum met on Wednesday 30 April 2014 at The Concrete Institute in Midrand. The purpose of the meeting was to deliberate and reflect on the grounds gained after the Civilution Congress. The Civilution movement’s objective is, to encourage engineering practitioners to act and think differently with a view to contributing positively and constructively…
SAICE DURBAN Branch Visit 13-15 May 2014 Really now – is there value in being a SAICE Member?
What is SPEBS? SAICE Patrons Engineering Bursary Scheme. SPEBS is a bursary scheme administered by the South African Institution of Civil Engineers (SAICE) to assist financially needy and academically deserving students studying toward a National Diploma or a Degree in Civil Engineering. Bursaries are granted per semester and are awarded on merit, based on the…
It is a misnomer that engineers are poor communicators. Sure we can do with a little more animation and expression, but I have found that we are obnoxiously clear and concise in both the written and spoken word. We have certainly mastered articulation in cantankerous pessimism – complaining. Featured prominently in the murmurings are the…
GLITZ, GLAMOUR, PRESTIGE, ACHIEVEMENT… Find out how to get your projects and yourself that well deserved recognition from the industry. Over the next few weeks SAICE will be taking you through a step-by-step process on how to enter projects and nominate individuals for various SAICE award categories. But first, what is an Award? According to…
South Africa has an opportunity to achieve a similar result to that of China, which has lifted hundreds of millions of its citizens from poverty to prosperity, but the challenge is to develop world-class customer-focused engineers. This was according to South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) president Pat Naidoo, who delivered his address, titled…
Address by Public Protector Adv. Thuli Madonsela during the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) at Emperor’s Palace in Gauteng on Monday, April 07, 2014. President of the SAICE, Mr Standford Mkhacane; President Elect of the SAICE, Mr Malcom Pautz; Vice President, Mr Tom McKune; Past Presidents and other members of the Executive Board;…
The second SAICE Council meeting of 2014 took place on 15 April 2014 at the SAICE National Office, Midrand. Still hinged on the success of the first interaction in January council members once again engaged in discussion and debate, chaired by the SAICE President Stanford Mkhacane. Issues on the agenda included amendments of the SAICE…
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) has a longstanding tradition where the President of SAICE recognises individuals who have made a considerable contribution to the civil engineering profession. This year SAICE conferred the award on Tom McKune, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at the Pietermaritzburg Campus of the Durban University of…
While the National Development Plan and its emphasis on infrastructure development provides significant opportunities for engineers that opportunity comes with great risk, Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela said on Monday. She noted that, in his 2014 Budget Speech, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan announced that government would be investing R847-billion in infrastructure projects over the next three years. “[However], with that opportunity…
The first ever Civilution Congress concluded last night (8 April 2014) in high spirits and with a common verdict: a great success. With opening day speakers such as Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and Minister in the Presidency, National Planning Commission, Trevor Manuel, the atmosphere was charged with expectation. Despite being the first iteration of the Civilution movement’s congress, the conference…
South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) CEO Nazir Alli this week confirmed that Sanral remained firm in its intent to seek restitution from the local construction industry for collusion on a number of road projects, although the form of this restitution was “still to be discussed”. “We will not leave it. We will pursue the matter.” Alli emphasised that the constructionindustry must…
CEO of PPC Ketso Gordhan has called for the reform of South Africa’s infrastructure procurement processes and proposed the creation of professional oversight bodies to fast-track infrastructure projects. Existing processes were cumbersome, expensive and "frustrating" for both the public and private sectors, he said. They also allowed corruption to flourish, as well as black economic…
South Africa’s engineers have to rethink their identity and be more conscious of their actions to help put the country on a sustainable path, Minister in the Presidency responsible for the National Planning Commission Trevor Manuel said on Monday. Speaking at the 2014 Civilution Congress, in Kempton Park, he pointed out that most engineering work…
The regional Dispute Resolution Board Federation (DRBF) Conference took place from 27–28 February 2014 with various presentations and panel discussions exploring the application of contemporary Dispute Boards in southern Africa. Frik van der Merwe, consulting engineer and member of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) attended the Conference which drew many interested DRB…
Incompetence, mismanagement, collusion, negligence, non-delivery and a side-stepping of rules and regulations are some of the reasons that the infrastructure industry has come under the spotlight in recent times. From poor RDP housing to the most recent Tongaat Mall collapse which claimed two lives and injured 26, the infrastructure engineering industry appears to not be…
Dear Steering Committee It gives us great pleasure to announce that the draft Identification of Engineering Work Regulations was approved by the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) at their Council meeting held on 17 March 2014. Subsequently the CBE has applied for an exemption with the Competition Commission (CC). The next step would be…
The presidential delegation led by SAICE 2014 President Stanford Mkhacane and Chief Executive Officer; Manglin Pillay visited the University of Witswatersrand and the University of Johannesburg in March. Universities are an important part of the civil engineering industry for the continuity of the profession in future. During these visits SAICE had the opportunity to meet…
SAICE President, Stanford Mkhacane and Chief Executive Officer, Manglin Pillay made their way to a rather cold and wet Secunda on 11 March. The duo reiterated some of the benefits of being a member of SAICE – ranging from mentorship to young engineers, to networking with a vast database and tapping into SAICE’s international network. …
The prize aims to stimulate, celebrate and reward innovation and entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa. Applications are invited from engineers affiliated with a university or research institution in sub-Saharan Africa who have developed innovations that can provide scalable solutions to local challenges. Engineers from sub-Saharan Africa and from all engineering disciplines are eligible to enter. Shortlisted applicants…
The Eastern Cape leg of the annual presidential visit took place between 3rd to 6th March 2014. A significant event on the SAICE calendar, the presidential visit sees the organisation touch base with its 19 branches situated around the country. The aim is to bring the institution closer to its members in an attempt to…
An influential engineering delegation led by President Stanford Mkhacane of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), arrived in the Western Cape on 25 February 2014 for a whirlwind visit. SAICE CEO, Manglin Pillay, accompanied President Mkhacane during the four-day visit to some of the region’s leading universities, engineering consultancies, as well as prominent…
It was with much fanfare and celebration that Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) opened the doors to the SANLAM/SAICE office at its Civil engineering faculty on 3 March 2014. The office is proudly sponsored by SANLAM and only the second in the country, with another having been opened a few years ago at the University…
Corruption, tenderpreneuring and ethics in the infrastructure engineering sector Advocate Thuli Madonsela Public Protector of South Africa Thulisile Madonsela has developed a reputation for being an adversary for unethical practices at the highest level. She is also a human rights lawyer and an equality expert. Madonsela is one of the eleven technical experts who helped…
Dear Stakeholders, Draft Identification of Engineering Work Regulations. On the 22 November 2013 the Engineering Council of South Africa approved the draft regulations which were submitted to the CBE approval. The South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Profession(SACPCMP) and The South African Council for the Quantity Surveyors Profession(SACQSP) raised overlaps issues which…
Watch Stanford Mkhacane deliver his presidential address as the newly inaugurated SAICE President of 2014. His speech titled “Taking Civil Engineering to the remote and Marginalized areas of South Africa and beyond-Forward with Civilution” lays out his plan of taking engineering to the people. Click here to download the full speech.
The first Council Meeting for the year took place on 22 January at the SAICE House, Midrand. A significant event on the SAICE calendar, Council Meetings are where major decisions are made regarding policies and strategies governing the institution in line with its mission and objectives. Council members along with SAICE office bearers engaged in…
Manglin Pillay, CEO of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) visited the University of Johannesburg (UJ) on 28 January 2014, to address our future young engineers. The talk gave students a glimpse into the world of engineering, its benefits, challenges and delivered some creative tips on how to have fun whilst remaining focused…
At the beginning of each year most of us eagerly compile a list of New Year’s resolutions. Achieving these goals require a clear and realistic plan, accompanied by the appropriate skills and knowledge. Online registrations are now available at SAICE starting this year! Register today for one of SAICE’s beneficial courses, presented by industry experts…
“… It matters not how strait the gate How charged with punishments the scroll I am the master of my fate I am the captain of my soul.” Invictus, a poem by William Ernest Henley Several months ago, I asked my staff at SAICE National Office why they work at SAICE. At the end of…
The annual Civil Universities Head of Department Meetings (HOD) hosted and facilitated by SAICE will be held on Monday, 27 January 2014 at the SAICE House, Midrand. The meeting will once again provide a platform for prominent HOD’s to engage in discussions about the future of the civil engineering profession, which rests squarely on the…
Alphose Zingoni, Professor of Structural Engineering & Mechanics in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Cape Town, was invited by the Royal Society of the UK in February last year, to present his work on symmetry and applications of group theory in structural mechanics, at one of the themed meetings of the…
2014 has dawned upon your fledgling start up engineering company and somewhere at the back of your mind you would like to roll out a marketing campaign to boost visibility but you are not certain on where to begin. Well, here are some tips on marketing your company in the industry: It’s a fallacy to…
Floods are acts of God, droughts are acts of government – Fred Munro On 2 December 2013 the South African Institution of Civil Engineering’s Civil Talk event took place at SAICE House, this time to debate South Africa’s drought preparedness and drought management. Rand Water, an industry leader and partner of choice in sustainable bulk…
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” — Nelson Mandela This great man brought a nation together, and today that nation mourns the death of its greatest…
For the first time a bridge building competition for high schools was organised in Swaziland. The Swaziland Bridge Building Competition was held at the University of Swaziland (UNISWA) in the Science Laboratories on Saturday 26 October. This was a joint effort between the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), Swaziland Association of Architects, Engineers…
From 8 to 10 October the Youth in Construction initiative had considerable success in Kimberley in the Northern Cape. Twenty one schools from Kimberley, Delportshoop, Groblershoop, Barkley-West and Warrenton attended the exhibition which was well-supported by the Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DED&T) and the…
The Southern Africa Federation of Engineering Organisation (SAFEO), its Executive Committee Members and Staff are saddened by the passing of one of the 20th and 21st centuries great leaders and visionary, His Excellency President NelsonMandela. To us in the Engineering fraternity, His Excellency President Nelson Mandela will always be an inspiration and he stands tall…
A close friend and colleague in the industry chided me over my views of our government. And because the wounds of a sincere friend are faithful and can be trusted, I took his reproach to heart. After some days of pondering and introspection, I have come to the conclusion that I may need to refocus,…
An overwhelmed Marzanne Griesel whisked her way into the SAICE building excited about being the winner of a brand new iPad. Marzanne bought three books from the online SAICE bookshop and her name was entered into a lucky draw. She smiled while saying, “I have not won anything in all my life”. The 24 year…
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) is not surprised at the findings of Auditor-General (AG) Terence Nombembe on the underspending of R172 million on the budget of the Gauteng Province Department of Roads and Transport as this does not only occur at provincial level; it is rife in national departments and in local…
On 17 September 2013, SAICE’s Algoa branch members together with Esorfranki visited the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). Esorfranki proudly sponsored this roadshow to create awareness about the civil engineering industry, SAICE and its benefits. This roadshow, much like all the others aim to guide students through the SAICE network and assist them in becoming…
SAICE explicitly condemns corruption in any form. When the companies were found guilty of collusion by the Competition Commission, it was clear that individuals from these companies were involved. SAICE approached ECSA to take action against such individuals. ECSA provided documentation on procedures to be followed. ECSA will not initiate an investigation before someone submits…
Over a period of about ten years the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre made this venue available for the finals of AQUALIBRIUM, the SAICE-WRC Schools Water Competition. The centre’s equipment that brings home the principles of Maths and Science while playing the ‘games’, never failed to amaze the finalists that came to Johannesburg. With the opening of…
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) had the honour of handing over certificates and prize-money to the winning team from the Eqinisweni Secondary School in Ivory Park where the learners assembled to applaud their team. They came first in the finals of the AQUALIBRIUM, SAICE-WRC Schools Water Competition 2013. Teams that won the…
“The Romans The moment humans put up a building, nature starts trying to take it back down again. Wind, rain and frost eat at the stones and the stuff that binds them.”…continue reading
We are born free and with different talents and our success in life depends on how well we utilise them. Education helps us to do just that. The SAICE Young Members Panel (YMP) and CESA Young Professionals Forum (YPF) recently joined other groups on an educational road show for scholars in Attridgeville, north of Pretoria,…
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) is appalled at the current levels of pollution in the following three water sources, the Grootbrak River, in Evander/Embalenhle, the Waterval River, in Leandra/Lebogang, and the Blesbokspruit in Bethal/Emzinoni. It is a shocking state of affairs if an opposition party deems it necessary to act on behalf…
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) reiterates its abhorrence of any form of corruption, especially in the engineering community. In all such instances the need for justice and recompense is paramount and, although deeply saddened by it, SAICE stands by the punitive action that has been taken against many of the biggest contracting…
Good news! The long-dormant Vaal Branch of SAICE is formally active again! During the presidential visit of Peter Kleynhans, 2013 SAICE president, and Manglin Pillay, SAICE CEO, to the Vaal Branch a number of members put their names forward to participate in the branch activities. A democratically elected committee consisting of a chairperson, chairperson-elect, secretary,…
The finals of the very successful annual BKS-SAICE International Bridge Building Competition organised by the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) were held at St Albans College in Pretoria. AECOM, formerly BKS, has once again provided the major sponsorship for the event – for the fifth year running! RiChem provided the glue for the…
The technique is designed to extend the life of structures by mixing limestone-producing bacteria with the concrete. The work is being carried out under a new research project financed by the EU and led by the University of Ghent in Belgium. By adding an endolithic bacteria, which can live inside stone, to the concrete mix…
Motivated by what Peter Day calls curiosity, he followed a career in geotechnical engineering practice during which he contributed extensively to the advancement of the field. The exceptional nature of his contributions was recognised by the University of Stellenbosch when Peter was awarded the senior doctorate degree DEng in March this year. The degree is…
Highly respected former Cape Town City Engineer Arthur Clayton passed away at the age of 77 on 29 September 2012, while on Municipal Pension Fund business in London. Arthur was born in 1935 in Windhoek and grew up there. He loved the bush, and it taught him the importance of trustworthy relationships – such as…
On Wednesday 30 July at the inaugural South African Water, Energy & Food Forum (SAWEF) Gala Awards hosted at Montecasino in Fourways, Professor Kader Asmal, was posthumously awarded the first ever SAWEF Order of Leadership by Deputy Minister of Water Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, and SAWEF co-founder and noted environmentalist Professor Anthony Turton. The award was…
Everything great that has ever happened to humanity since the beginning has begun with a single thought… Yiannis Hryssomallis known as Yanni Greek pianist, keyboardist, composer and music producer The inspiration of Civilution seems to be occupying that subliminal space in the minds and consciences of our engineers. Have you constructed your own definition and…
To quote a very clever man, Einstein: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result. We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. Civilution is a call to do things differently. We have an urgent and pressing need to…
The finals of AQUALIBRIUM, the exciting SAICE-WRC Schools Water Schools Competition 2013 was held at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown, Johannesburg on Friday 16 August 2013. This worthwhile competition never fails to excite the teams, spectators and everybody involved! The launch of the new streamlined equipment, developed by Professor Kobus van Zyl of the…
President of the Republic of South Africa His Excellency President Jacob Zuma Minister in the Presidency: The National Development Plan Honourable Minister Trevor Manuel Minister of Public Works Honourable Minister Thulas Nxesi Minister of the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs Honourable Minister Edna Molewa Minister of Economic Development Honourable Minister Ebrahim Patel Minister of…
Ideally, engineering teams should reflect the accepted international municipal and utility ratio of six engineering professionals per 100 000 inhabitants. However, in South Africa’s best case scenario – larger cities and towns – municipalities had access to three engineering professionals for each 100 000 inhabitants. “This is not nearly enough to address our country’s service…
I AM not one of those people who bad-mouth South Africa. In fact, as an African I have spoken up for this continent at many academic and civil society events in Europe and the US. After travelling for two weeks in France, Switzerland and Germany, there is, however, one aspect of this country that really…
Companies find it hard to fill engineering posts where between ten and fifteen years’ experience is needed, according to the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE). On the other hand many newly graduated engineers are struggling to find employment. When one takes into account the unhealthy position that face local authorities in South Africa,…
No sooner had Civil Engineering magazine reported in the June 2013 edition on the fact that SAICE’s AQUALIBRIUM schools water competition had gone international than we learnt that the competition has been chosen as a finalist in the annual NSTF-BHP Billiton Awards. The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) and BHP Billiton hosted their annual…
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) emphatically denounces the occurrence of corruption, called by another name in this case, collusion, anti-competitive behaviour and any unethical behaviour. The 15 construction firms that reached a settlement for collusive tendering may be called firms/companies, but a company consists of people. A company cannot collude, only its…
The Contract Price Adjustment Schedule indices published in GCC 2010 are unfortunately subject to changes at any time by Statistics South Africa. Such changes can be in the base year for the index, the basket for a particular index, deleting old indices and/or adding new indices. SAICE has no control over such changes. Such a…
AQUALIBRIUM, the SAICE-WRC Schools Water Competition regional competition 2013 for the Johannesburg Branch was held at SAICE House last week. DRA sponsored the competition where eight schools from Ivory Park and Tembisa participated for a spot in the finals of this worthwhile competition. The winning team was Eqinisweni Secondary School, Ivory Park in MIdrand. They…
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) is perturbed to see that National Treasury has set up a task team which consists of financial services only “to find new ways to improve the funding and efficiencies of government’s ambitious fiscal and state-enterprise three-year R827bn infrastructure rollout”. According to Nicky Prins, director of capital projects…
German-based manufacturers Kann and NightTec have collaborated to develop glow in the dark concrete pavers called NightTec Leuchsteine. Designed for industrial use, the pavers use sunlight to power their lighting, reducing the need for artificial light in dark environments, making them an eco-friendly energy source. Phosphorescent crystals are embedded into the concrete surface that captures…
Human Rights Day has come and gone, and it was interesting to learn that over the past two years, 144 complaints concerning water, water quality and related problems, were lodged with the Human Rights Commission – thus directly linked to service delivery or the lack thereof. The increasing restlessness of communities resulting in toy-toying and…
Business, like water, is lazy and cowardly. Both gravitate via paths of least resistance, finding gaps and loopholes, weaknesses and fissures, to achieve their ends. But one to acquire its moksha, and the other to acquire socio-economic benefit – economic nirvana. However, like water, despite its lazy and cowardly status, if business is not closely…
SAICE is delighted to welcome our new COO, Steven Kaplan, to our national office. He brings with him more than 30 years of consulting engineering experience. He has taken office as of 2 April 2013. Steven is a graduate of the University of Cape Town, holding a BSc (Hons) in civil engineering. His experience includes…
In my 50 years in electrical engineering I have never heard of engineers collectively striking. I have also not experienced engineers marketing themselves by educating the community about how engineering impacts on their everyday lives. Engineers never charge for consulting on telephones in answer to queries or requests for advice, and generally underrate themselves to…
It’s a grand affair talking to a Minister – all suited up, hands clasped in front, nodding more than usual and creasing the forehead every so often to appreciate the depth of the conversation. I recently had a conversation with a Minister from one of our leading infrastructure ministries. He said to me, “.…so you…
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) is in its 110th year, an achievement of which we can all be proud and for which we, as well as South Africa, owe a debt of gratitude to those who have gone before us. Each decade in SAICE’s history can be characterised by a dominant focus…
The year 2013 is ablaze, and Civilution is proliferating like a consuming fire. It is time for engineers and engineering to redeem their esteem, prestige and respect; to take back what rightly belongs to us – excellence, ethical business practice, sustainability, and making a difference. Like you, my first passion was to improve the quality…
SAICE acknowledges Esorfranki Construction’s generous sponsorship for the SAICE Young Members Panel Roadshows during 2013. Without such sponsorships from industry, the Young Members Panel would not be able to reach and equip civil engineering students with the necessary tools to present and carry themselves into the working world once they qualify. Through the Panel’s anti-corruption…
I am an engineer, I am a South African Engineer, I am an African Engineer, and in my profession I take deep pride. Civilution is an era As an example, when we contemplate the world at war – we have a sense of a period between 1900 and the early 1940s. We have an appreciation…
REFLECTIONS There are pressing short-term imperatives, which dominate our thoughts and actions, and there are long-term adaptations we need to make to protect our own futures together with the inheritance we leave for generations to come. By their very nature short-term imperatives take precedence over long-term adaptations. Examples of short-term imperatives that impact on civil…
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) inaugurated its 111th president at the SAICE Presidential Inauguration and Gala Dinner at Montecasino in Johannesburg on Tuesday 12 February 2013. The event, attended by various high-profile guests, including environmental professionals, champions of the infrastructure industry, government officials, engineering clients from both the private and public sectors, as…
In the spirit of recognising talent and research at the CSIR, the coveted 2012 JD Roberts Award recently went to CSIR Built Environment’s Dr Kevin Wall, for his leading role in developing innovative solutions for alternative housing, infrastructure asset management and the maintenance of sanitation systems. The celebratory event was held at the CSIR Conference…
If in general conversation we were asked to name prominent modern world leaders, we inevitably mention the names of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. I was reminded by Professor Mitch Gohnert, the Head of the Wits School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, that both these famous leaders were groomed on South African soil. This is…
Is your organisation in the engineering industry where marketing and advertising are only referred to annually towards the end of August when the annual report is hastily being compiled for EXCO so that the greedy shareholder can catch a glimpse of who’s running the show and how the company share is performing – with a…
Based on articles written for the conference, “The Engineering Skills Summit”, and due to my overseas engineering experience, I have learned that in most countries, a combination of long- to medium-term structured project plans can be used as an effective tool to create and sustain engineering jobs for graduates and professional engineers within the industry,…
The CEO of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), Manglin Pillay, is an incorrigible optimist but believes the spending of trillions of rands in infrastructure the government promises, including R840-billion by the end of next year, is not going to happen any time soon. The government simply does not have the capacity, he…
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) was dismayed to learn that the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality could soon be without its only remaining professionally registered city engineer. According to The Herald, Walter Shaidi’s five-year contract comes to an end this month and his contract has not yet been renewed. How can this be…
1) The pace of government infrastructure delivery. Has it failed to live up to expectations in 2012? How so? It hasn’t started yet, has it? No, it has definitely not lived up to expectations. The commitment was made at the top, from the president, the Minister of Economic Development, the Finance Minister and other infrastructure…
It is with great sadness that the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) has learnt of the recent tragic collapse of advertising scaffolding and ensuing death and injuries, outside the Cape Town stadium before the Linkin Park concert. The incident brings to the fore the importance of strict standards and regulations as far as…
The SAICE International Panel (SIP) is looking at establishing relations with the BRICS countries, and we are happy to report that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between SAICE and the Institution of Engineers India (IEI) when delegates of both institutions attended the conference of the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO) in Slovenia…
“Sustainability begins and ends with construction, the materials used, the waste produced and the final built environment,” states the 2012 KPMG Global Construction Survey. The 2012 Infrastructure Sector Research Survey carried out by Landelahni Business Leaders Amrop SA covers a few relevant topics taken from the South African Institution for Civil Engineering (SAICE) Infrastructure Report…
The Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) has bestowed an honorary fellowship on Allyson Lawless. The ceremony was held at their offices in London on Monday 5 November 2012. Later during the black tie 'New Fellows' Dinner' at Draper's Hall in London the new fellows signed the 'Roll', and Lord Browne of Madingley FREng FRS, proposed a…
Like many of our readers, I am proudly South African – I acknowledge the struggle and the long road to the freedom and equality we enjoy today. Whenever I travel internationally, particularly in the US and Europe, I am asked questions about apartheid, and about our inspirational leaders like Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. I…
THE CURRENT PROBLEM Virtually every city in the world today has a major problem with congestion caused by the ever increasing volume of cars on the road. Congestion results in delay, cost, unpredictability, frustration, road rage, crashes and the need to build more roads. Cars, mostly carrying one person, weigh tons more than, and take…
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) held its 142nd annual conference from 18 to 20 October 2012. This year the theme of the engineering conference was “Civil Engineering in the new Global Economy”. The ASCE conference, which took place in Montreal, Canada, united representatives of academia, consulting, government and industry from across the globe…
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) receives requests from civil engineering professionals for assistance in finding jobs on a regular basis – this in a country where civil engineering is a priority scarce skill. South African engineers are experiencing unemployment. Despite living in South Africa where “job creation” and “unemployment” appear in everyday…
When a provincial legislature’s portfolio committee on public works throws in the towel and calls on central government to take over the province’s public works , roads and transport department, civil engineers need to put up their hands and be counted. The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) is greatly concerned about the situation…
For the past two years SAICE’s Young Members Panel (YMP) has been hosting, nationally and internationally, road-shows that have yielded great success in reaching the young minds in preparing them for the working world. The aim is to provide the student in their third and final years with the necessary tools, skills and mind-set to embark…
The Committees and Executive Council of the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO) met in Ljubljana, Slovenia from the 16 to 20 September. The WFEO standing committees met to review and discuss their activities during the current year, as well as forthcoming programmes. Simultaneously, the World Engineering Forum (WEF) with the theme “Sustainable Construction for…
The Botswana Institution of Engineers (BIE) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and its Annual Gala Dinner on 15 September 2012. BIE invited SAICE to attend these to celebrate the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BIE and SAICE. Peter Kleynhans, SAICE President-elect and Theo Jacobs, SAICE International Officer attended the event, where…
The prestigious SAICE Awards gala event for the Most Outstanding Civil Engineering Project Achievements for 2011/2012 was held at the Emperors Palace in Gauteng on 11 October. There are three categories for technical excellence in civil engineering. The winners of the 2011/2012 Most Outstanding Civil Engineering Project Achievements are: ·Community-based projects The joint winners: eThekwini…
"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good thing, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” Stephen Grellet (Quaker Minister) 1773-1855 In a…
The finals of the very successful annual BKS-SAICE International Bridge Building Competition organised by the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) were held at the St Albans College in Pretoria. BKS has once again provided the major sponsorship for the event – for the fourth year running! This exciting competition attracts the participation of approximately…
SAICE National Office, in close corporation with the SAICE Branches, organises presidential visits to all the Branches around the country, as well as to all the Technical Divisions. SAICE has 18 Branches and 9 Technical Divisions. These visits afford the SAICE President and CEO the opportunity to engage with members and with SAICE student chapters…
Everyone has a landmark day or event that defines a breakthrough moment or turning point in their professional or personal lives. Interestingly, I have never learned the distinction between professional time and personal time; as though the transition between the two was triggered by the flick of a switch – when living becomes a resolute…
Despite being in my mid-thirties, I still dread visiting the dentist where, on a recent visit, I noticed that the other teeth and gum conscious citizens, together with the receptionist, liberally referred to the dentist as ‘doctor,’ sometimes in the presence of the dentist herself. Is a dentist a doctor – in the traditional sense?…
Civil engineering in South Africa We are constantly confronted with the news that civil engineering is one of the priority scarce skills that South Africa needs to ensure the creation, maintenance and development of infrastructure that would lead to social and economic growth. Simultaneously, South Africa is losing qualified engineers to other countries and disciplines.…
I find recent calls for Benni McCarthy and Siyabonga ‘Bhele’ Nomvethe to be part of the national football team again, quite interesting. Their recent performance records at Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows have shown their spectacular abilities. McCarthy’s goal, a classic overhead kick, against Maritzburg United in the PSL recently tells you that he old…
National Development Plan (NDP): “A plan is only as good as its delivery mechanism is viable” This gathering of minds happened at SAICE House in April. Piroshaw Camay chaired the meeting and introduced the panellists. They were Trueman Goba (National Planning Commissioner, Executive Chairman of Goba Consulting and President of SAICE in 2002), Malani Padayachee-Saman…
INTRODUCTION On 11 November 2011 the National Planning Commission (NPC) unveiled the National Development Plan: Vision for 2030. The core objective of the Plan is to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by creating opportunities. The Diagnostic Report that preceded the Plan, and that was published by the NPC in June 2011, identified nine challenges, namely:…
I share a relationship with my mother that I think our readers may identify with. I am allowed to criticise and complain about her, but God protect you if you aim criticism in her direction, and you are not her off spring. I share the same relationship with South Africa. I am allowed to complain…
A lack of sustainable project work in South Africa is forcing civil engineering companies to release a number of their engineers back onto the market, leaving some to explore international job opportunities and others to look into alternative work options, says SAICE CEO Manglin Pillay. He says some companies with better management and administrative skills…
The Awards event took place at the Premier Hotel OR Tambo on the evening of 11 October 2011. We announced our winners to a ballroom packed to capacity with civil engineering guests, clients and dignitaries. For more info contact Zina Girald at SAICE National Office on +27 (11) 805 5947 or e-mail: zina@saice.org.za The SA…
