“It’s been a hard year.” This statement seems to be doing the rounds at the moment, and is hastily followed by the relief that it is nearly over and soon we will begin again. It’s not easy pin down exactly why this feeling is so commonplace. Despite a weakening rand and political uncertainty, business has been growing and the constructions sector is getting busier. The last two months have been filled conferences for the South African engineering sector and despite very definite problems, an upward trend seems to be in the offing. So what has made it such a challenging year?

In the four months I have been back in the editor’s seat on IMIESA magazine and this newsletter, I have had the privilege of engaging with readers from a wide variety of backgrounds and disciplines and the conversations all seem to go in a similar direction: the problem of corruption and graft. At the bottom of most people’s “difficult year” is the sense of being drained by the continual dishonesty and corruption that has become so commonplace  – mostly in the public sector, but the private sector as well.

The passing of Nelson Mandela last Thursday evening has brought so much into perspective. His large spirit walks amongst again and reminds us of the integrity it takes to hold values and live by them. A recent quote in the media recently suggests that values only become real until they have cost you something. The question is which values and what price? Within engineering’s most prominent institutes, calls to action are being made. Sustainability, Asset Management, Accountability – and in one case, Activism. Engaging actively with government at the level of procurement – including tendering – is high on the agenda and the more engineers who involve themselves in this, the better, and you can find out more at http://saice-congress.co.za/.

3S Media would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge an incredible year. We have been actively tracking projects and sentiment and concludes that although 2013 might have felt tough, it was actually a very good year. We wish all our readers a safe and peaceful holiday and a prosperous and meaningful 2014.

Nicholas McDiarmid,

Editor