Staff Division: Executive Office

The SAICE website has been nominated as one of 2014’s global top 20 engineering websites by The Grid. On average the website generates 50 128 page views and 9 729 unique visitors per month.



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!

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.

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.