SAICE Staff

SAICE Staff

Sekadi Phayane-Shakhane

CEO

Sekadi Phayane-Shakhane

Sekadi Phayane-Shakhane is a professionally registered engineer with over two decades of experience in the field of transportation planning and engineering.
Having recently been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), she brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience gained from a diverse and seasoned career in the civil engineering industry.
Her professional journey saw her gain experience in several eminent organisations, including Ninham Shand, SMEC South Africa and GA Engineers before going on to become a Non-Executive Director at Gateway Airport Authority and a Director at Refilwe Engineering Solutions. During this time, she worked on numerous high-level projects in the transport planning and public transport space, including the City of Tshwane’s integrated rapid public transport network.
These roles provided her with invaluable opportunities to refine her leadership and project management capabilities, coordinating large teams of engineering professionals and building
rapport with clients in both the public and private sectors.
Armed with a Master of Engineering in Transport Studies from the University of Cape Town, Sekadi has authored numerous national guidelines and papers, as well as a presented on public transport issues at both national and international conferences.
Her remarkable contributions have garnered widespread acclaim, with accolades such as the SMEC Young Professional of the Year award in 2013 underscoring her transformative influence within the organisation. Furthermore, her dedication to research and transport policy development was acknowledged through the prestigious Charley V. Wootan Award at the 2020 Transport Research Board conference in Washington DC.
Sekadi remains deeply dedicated to empowering communities, and particularly the youth, and is resolute in her commitment to making a difference in the lives of South Africans. She hopes to drive positive change, address societal challenges, and enhance the engineering profession’s impact through her work at SAICE.

SARLETTE VERMAAK

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

SARLETTE VERMAAK

Sarlette joined SAICE in July 2016 as its Financial Manager. She has over 30 years of experience in the financial industry, and will be supporting SAICE by providing real-time financial management information in order to support and enhance senior-level decision-making for a strong, dynamic and stable Institution.

Oliver Rowe

Head of Membership

Oliver Rowe

Oliver joined SAICE in July 2023 after serving as a volunteer since March 2009. He served on many committees and panels during his years of service both within the SAICE Pietermaritzburg Branch as well as SAICE National office. He was a lecturer at the Durban University of Technology, within the Civil Engineering department for 23 years. He joins SAICE as Head of Membership and will be supporting the membership department and providing support and innovative benefits to our existing members and endeavoring to increase the SAICE membership base.

TOM MCKUNE

HEAD OF TRAINING

TOM MCKUNE

Tom McKune is a registered technologist that has spent almost 49 years working in the Civil Engineering industry. He started his career working for the NPA Roads Department (now KZN DOT) where he was involved in all aspects of roads, but particularly Geometric Design. He then spent thirty years as an academic teaching various subjects in the Transportation field. Tom has always had a passion for education and training and brings a wealth of experience to the SAICE family!

NTHABELENG LENTSOANE

HEAD OF MARKETING & PR

NTHABELENG LENTSOANE

Nthabeleng has a seasoned analytical background and is responsible for SAICE’s Strategy development and implementation, digital marketing execution, public relations management and project management.

SHARON MUGERI

PA to the CEO

SHARON MUGERI

Sharon Mugeri joined SAICE in January 2006 as an Education and Training Officer where she was involved in organising and coordinating SAICE’s training courses and administering the Continuous Professional Development programme. Sharon holds a National Diploma in Tourism Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management.

Following the appointment of the CEO, Sharon was promoted to the Role of Executive Assistant to the CEO In November 2010 where she has effectively served since. Here she manages the CEO’s Diary and is also the Secretary for SAICE Executive Board and the F&A Committee.

PAULA VAN NIEKERK

PA TO CFO & TRAVEL COORDINATOR

PAULA VAN NIEKERK

Paula joined SAICE in February 2012 as Executive Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer.

Added to her duties as PA, Paula also assist the Finance department in a procurement capacity and raises al purchase orders for SAICE NPO and SAICE (Pty) Ltd.

She also acts as travel coordinator for all domestic travel arrangements required by SAICE and its Branches and Divisions.

CHERYL-LEE WILLIAMS

EDUCATION AND TRAINING CO-ORDINATOR

CHERYL-LEE WILLIAMS

Cheryl-lee joined SAICE in February 2011. She has been appointed as the Education & Training Coordinator where she is involved in the management and administration of the Continuous Professional Development portfolio. Apart from the CPD activities, she is also responsible for the coordinating and execution of SAICE’s training programme. She also serves as Secretariat to the Education & Training Panel.

MERRIAM SETHOLE

MEMBERSHIP OFFICER

MERRIAM SETHOLE

Merriam Sethole joined SAICE in 2009. Her duties include updating returned emails of mailing lists from Branches/Divisions and dealing with student applications and fee exemptions. Merriam also prepares monthly updated membership reports, graphs and statistics for YMP and maintains the membership database, certificates requests and returns.

MERRIAM MOLEFE

MEMBERSHIP OFFICER

MERRIAM MOLEFE

Merriam started working for SAICE in 2004. Acknowledge receipt of membership applications, confirm and sent login details, proof of membership, preparation of minutes of the Membership meeting, fee exemptions, senior status admission, retired members, resignations and members’ queries. Provision of monthly updated membership Branch and Division reports, graphs and statistics.

Dealing with member surname’s N-Z

Sibongile Mamatu

Marketing Specialist

Sibongile Mamatu

Sibongile has a strong background in brand management, strategy development and implementation as well as project management. She will be working closely with the Head of Marketing to provide extensive brand and strategy alignment for the SAICE brand.

Siyabuka Markeni

Marketing Coordinator

Siyabuka Markeni

Siyabuka joined SAICE as a Marketing Intern in 2023 and has swiftly advanced to the role of Marketing Coordinator. Her dedication and proficiency have led to the position she is currently in

Naledi Sikwane

Graphic Designer

Naledi Sikwane

Naledi is an award-winning graphic designer with over 8 years of experience in the industry. Armed with a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and an Advanced Diploma in Branding Innovation, she excels in the end-to-end design process, from conceptualisation to execution. Her dedication to creative excellence was recognised when she received the PRISM Award for Graphic Designer of the Year in 2022.

 Naledi joined Saice as a graphic designer, where she continues to apply her passion for design thinking that drives organisational growth.

MEMORY SCHEEPERS

SPECIAL PROJECT & CAREER GUIDANCE

MEMORY SCHEEPERS

Before joining SAICE in 1997, Memory worked as a teacher and then a credit officer in the retail environment. At SAICE she started as the membership officer and has worked in Human Resources, building operations and general SAICE administration. She now heads up the Special Projects Department in the Institution.

ANGELENE AYLWARD

SALES ADMINISTRATOR

ANGELENE AYLWARD

Angelene joined SAICE in January 1999 as Sales Administrator for the bookshop. She has seen the bookshop transformed from small beginnings, with only a few titles, to the beautiful facility at SAICE House where she manages an annual turnover of about R2.6 million. Part of her daily duties include customer service, stock control and the website’s store.

KHANYISILE NKUNA

ACCOUNTANT

KHANYISILE NKUNA

Khanyisile joined SAICE on 11 April 2018 as Junior Accountant. She was awarded a B Com degree in 2013 and is studying towards an Advance Diploma in Accounting Science at Unisa.

She is responsible for the following duties in SAICE NPO and SAICE (Pty) Ltd: Accounts Payable, Cashbook Payments, Cashbook Reconciliations, various month-end Journals, Balance Sheet Recons and maintaining the Asset Register.

ROSE MAGAGULA

Debtors Controller – Membership

ROSE MAGAGULA

Rose joined SAICE in January 2009 as an intern and was promoted to her current position in 2012.

She handles membership accounts of members with surnames starting with N to Z and is responsible for invoicing of membership fees, implementing approved monthly schedules, updating of member details and dealing with member queries.

Rose is also responsible for raising revenue invoices for SAICE’s Branches & Divisions

MAGDA SMITH

CASHBOOK CONTROLLER – RECEIPTS

MAGDA SMITH

Magda joined SAICE in 2013 as a Bookkeeper for debtors and cashbook receipts. Her focus was concentrated on Cashbooks receipts from January 2018.

She is responsible for the correct processing and allocation of all cashbook receipts in SAICE NPO and SAICE (Pty) Ltd, including payments received for membership fees and all other non-member invoices.

ERIKA MARAJ

Debtors Controller – Membership

ERIKA MARAJ

Erika joined SAICE in February 2012 as an intern and was promoted to her current position in 2014.

She handles membership accounts of members with surnames starting with A to M and is responsible for invoicing of membership fees, implementing approved monthly schedules, updating of member details and dealing with member queries.

HELEN JOHNSTONE

SENIOR DEBTORS CONTROLLER – GENERAL & COURSES

HELEN JOHNSTONE

Helen joined SAICE in March 2007 as a debtors clerk and later took on the responsibility of handling the financial side of the Education & Training Department. On a day-to-day basis, Helen is responsible for the invoicing and reconciliation of all courses presented by SAICE.

She also assists by handling escalated queries from members and other customers, reviewing accounts receivable batches for posting and coordinating distribution of bulk invoice and statement batches.

Thembisile Mathebula

Thembisile Mathebula

“Thembisile Mathebula is a recent addition to the SAICE finance team. She is responsible for all financial transactions in SAICE’s Branches and Divisions, including Cashbooks, Accounts payable, Payments and Cashbook Reconciliations and ensuring that good governance and internal control procedures are adhered to at all times.”

DANIELLE PETTERSON

EDITOR: CIVIL ENGINEERING

DANIELLE PETTERSON

Danielle joined SAICE in 2021 as the editor of Civil Engineering magazine. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Pretoria and has a strong background in magazine publishing for the built environment.

VERELENE DE KOKER

EDITOR: JOURNAL OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

VERELENE DE KOKER

Verelene joined SAICE in 1998 as a receptionist. She moved to the Communications Department in 2001, and in 2008 became the editor of Civil Engineering (SAICE’s monthly magazine) and the Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE’s technical journal). She now (since the start of 2021) focuses on the Journal.

MARY MOLEFE

RECEPTIONIST

MARY MOLEFE

She joined SAICE in February 2012 as a janitor and is currently being groomed to assist with the SAICE switchboard. Prior to joining SAICE she worked in a publishing company focusing on customer assistance.

DANIEL MOTSIRI

GENERAL ASSISTANT

DANIEL MOTSIRI

Daniel Motsiri joined SAICE in 2005 as a part-time worker who assisted in renovating SAICE House. He was promoted to driver responsibile for SAICE deliveries and collections, posting, banking and maintenance work. Currently he is involved in the dispatch department assisting the Inventory Clerk.

SHAKINA MUKANDAWIRE

CLEANING LADY

SHAKINA MUKANDAWIRE

Born and bred in Zimbabwe, Shakina moved to Johannesburg to start working at SAICE to improve herself and the life of her 4 kids. Currently employed as a cleaning lady she aims to further herself through courses which will enable her to one day be the receptionist at SAICE.

PEARL MOANAKWENA

CLEANING LADY

PEARL MOANAKWENA

A mother of 1 and a keen athlete from Rustenburg – Pearl works along-side Shakina to maintain cleanliness around SAICE. She is an extremely motivated individual who is currently working on building herself a career at SAICE.