BUILDING FUTURES AND CELEBRATING ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AT THE 2024 SANRAL SAICE NATIONAL AWARDS

It was a night of glitz, glamour, and groundbreaking achievements as the visionaries and innovators who are transforming the world of civil engineering were honoured at this year’s SANRAL SAICE National Awards on Thursday, 5 September at Montecasino, Johannesburg.

For 121 years, the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) has fostered the civil engineering fraternity, promoting growth, excellence and sustainability within the industry and serving as a testament to the excellence and innovation of civil engineering in South Africa.

It was a celebration of the best in the industry, acknowledging the peers at the forefront of advancing civil engineering in South Africa – the people, the projects, finalists and winners, as their hard work, innovation and dedication set them apart.  These individuals and organisations promote high standards of professionalism, ethics, and quality in civil engineering practices and are integral in shaping the nation’s current and future infrastructure.

“These awards represent the epitome of civil engineering excellence, recognising the remarkable achievements of our members, the companies, clients and contractors who have worked tirelessly over the past year to push the boundaries of our profession. The projects and people honoured reflect not just skill and dedication, but the heart and passion that drive civil engineering forward. From 1903, we have celebrated civil engineering excellence and committed to the advancement of the industry one project at a time,” remarked Andrew Clothier, 2024 SAICE President.

SANRAL was the Naming Rights Partner for the 2024 National Awards for the 4th year running. With a mandate to finance, develop and maintain the national road network of over 24 000 km, SANRAL is at the forefront of driving economic recovery through infrastructure development.

SANRAL CEO, Reginald Demana shared with the audience, “At SANRAL, we are the heart and veins of human society, connecting communities, connecting regional neighbours, connecting rural with urban and connecting our provinces together.”

“As a trained mining engineer, we share a common passion for designing infrastructure with civil engineers.  Each bridge, road and building built is a realisation of a dream and commitment to progress as a nation,” he added.

Demana went on to say that SANRAL is proud to be part of advancing professional knowledge as this resonates strongly with SANRAL’s commitment to South Africa.

More than winning, SAICE’s hope is to inspire excellence and reignite the passion that led all members to dedicate their lives and talents to this great profession.

Owetu Matshaya, a prominent figure in the financial services industry, currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer at AlexForbes, was the guest speaker for the night.  He challenged the audience with his talk on Pushing Through, Being Resilient in What You Do.

Matshaya illustrated the power of resilience, using two South African-grown stories – the rise of the Springboks over the past few years, and Eskom, portrayed as the dark horse emerging, being down and out for so long but beginning to turn things around in providing electricity to South Africans.

“Getting things done, getting the right people and doing the hard work – ultimately reigniting the spirit through diversity and energy is the secret, and that energy becomes the foundation for a resilient story”, Matshaya shared.

Quoting Steve Jobs, he went on to remind the audience that time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.  Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out their own inner voice. Have the courage to follow your heart and your intuition.

Matshaya finished by reminding that “People will rise to your own level of expectation.  If you raise them up, people will go the extra mile to thrive. So find out what your inner drive is and go for it”.

Gold Sponsor BMK Group speaker, Pradheep Dhanee went on to say, “The BMK Group has a long-standing association with SAICE and we have always applauded and supported SAICE on their initiatives for promoting our industry and being at the forefront of transformation.  As SA engineers we always shine brightly even through the toughest of storms.”  He was referring to the recent storms South Africa has faced as a result of climate change.  BMK Group is an industry leader driving innovation and shaping the future of infrastructure.

The awards Silver Sponsor Mariswe speaker, Zainul Shiekh, shared an old African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far, go together.  This encompasses the very spirit of civil engineering where most of what we do is about collaboration and working together to build a better future.”

Mariswe, a leading South African-based project management, infrastructure planning and consulting engineering practice with more than 50 years of experience, is committed to driving innovation and delivering advanced infrastructure solutions that contribute to South Africa’s development.

Sekadi Phayane-Shakhane, SAICE’s CEO, thanked all of the sponsors, SANRAL (naming rights partner), BMK Group (gold sponsor), Mariswe (silver sponsor), PPS for Professionals, Leica Geosystems, iX Engineers and Reinforced Earth for their vital contribution and support.

She went on to share that the awards “celebrate the best in our industry, the people and project entries, finalists and winners. Our winners embody the values that make for a progressively successful sector… excellence, accountability and the kind of tenacity that does not stop till the job is done.”

Phayane-Shakhane went on to add that SAICE is, “Extremely proud of you and the impact your work has had.”

Through their divisions, branches and committees, SAICE aims to advance professional knowledge and improve the practice of civil engineering in South Africa, providing members with opportunities for professional development through continued learning opportunities and industry networking.

This year there was a total number of 19 finalists for the individual award categories and 21 finalists in the project award categories.

In closing, Phayane-Shakhane thanked all the stakeholders, including the consulting firms, industry bodies, public sector, state-owned enterprises, and academic institutions, all of whom provide vital support for the industry.

The winners of the SANRAL SAICE National Awards 2024 are as follows:

Individual Awards:

Graduate Engineer of the Year

• Winner: Kevin Mthethwa, Knight Piesold
• Highly Commended: Game Magogodi, Mariswe

Young Technician of the Year

• Winner: Grant Jepthas, Department of Agriculture Overberg District Western Cape

Young Technologist of the Year

• Winner: Lemohang Monyatsi, Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)

Young Engineer of the Year

• Winner: Shiren Kasipersad, SKI Civil and Structural Engineers (Pty) Ltd
• Highly Commended: Mitchelle Murigo, Royal Haskoning DHV

Engineer of the Year (in this category, there were two winners)

• Winner: Professor Richard Walls, Stellenbosch University
• Winner: Sumith Kasserchun, The South African Roads Agency (SANRAL)

The PPS Photo Competition

• Winner: Marié Moolman “Montrose B0571D – Using shapes inspired by nature to support infrastructure”
• 2nd Place: Morne Rosenblatt “Clamwilliam Dam”
• 3rd Place: Sheldon Temlett “A good day for concrete”
• Commended: René Steenkamp “Montrose B0571A&D – Not all gaps are meant to be bridges to let the light through”

Most Supportive Advertiser of the Year

• 2023 Most Supportive Advertiser Winner: Afrisam
• 2023 Most Supportive Advertiser Runner Up: Reinforced Earth

Project Awards

The Leica Geosystems Technical Excellence Civil Project of the Year Award

• Winner: Montrose Interchange Upgrade TRAC N4/SMEC/WBHO
• Commended: Riverwalk Roads Phase 3 Baldwin Properties/Civil Concepts/ Kwa-Mhlanga Construction

The Leica Geosystems Technical Excellence Structural Project of the Year Award

• Winner: Repairs to Mhlali River Bridge on N2 SANRAL/Naidu Consulting/DT Mlangeni Projects
• Commended: Bridge Remedial Work Monaghan Farm Road Clewer Development Trust/SCIP Engineering Group/M2 Building

The International Category for Most Outstanding Civil Engineering Project

• Winner: Beit Bridge Border Post Modernisation Zimborders /MPAMOT/Raubex
• Highly Commended: Kikagati Hydropower Project Kikagati Power Company/Knight Piesold Consulting/Knight Piesold Consulting

The Community-Based Project of the Year Award

• Winner: Amaoti Pedestrian Bridge eThekwini Municipality/eThekwini Municipality Inhouse Engineering Unit/Kumkani SPD JV
• Highly Commended: Pothole Eradication Programme (PEP) Department of Community Safety, Roads & Transport – Free State/CiviLab@CUT – Civil Engineering Department/ CUT Research Partners

The Investigative Project of the Year Award

• Winner: Climate Resilient Water Safety Planning – Azerbaijan UNICEF Azerbaijan/JG Afrika (Pty) Ltd

Institutional Awards

Branch of the Year: In the category of more than 500 members

• Winner: SAICE Durban Branch

Branch of the Year: In the category of less than 500 members

• Winner: SAICE Bloemfontein Branch

SAICE’S Division of the Year: In the category of more than 500 members

• Winner: SAICE Project Management and Construction Division (PMCD)

Division of the Year: In the category of less than 500 members

• Winner: SAICE Fire Division

Student Chapter of the Year

• Winner: UJ Civil Tech Forum