The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) inaugurated its 112th president, Stanford Mkhacane, at the SAICE Presidential Inauguration and Gala Dinner on 13 February.

The event was attended by various high-profile guests, including members of the infrastructure industry, government officials, engineering clients from both the private and public sectors, and SAICE members.

Mkhacane discussed seven hindrances to the delivery of services in his address titled Taking civil engineering to the remote and marginalised areas of South Africa and beyond – forward with Civilution. These include diminishing technical capacity specifically in state institutions, quality of engineering education, corruption in the engineering profession, engineers’ effective participation in the National Development Plan, technical leadership and learned society, awareness of what engineering professionals actually do, and career guidance schools.

“These days it is a common thing to see communities toy-toying to register unhappiness with poor service delivery. You may ask, what are we doing wrong? I say we because as civil engineering professionals, how can we dissociate ourselves from infrastructure provision, especially when a six year old child dies in one of the pit latrines still used in 11 450 of the 26 000 schools across the country? In the eyes of society civil engineering may be seen to be failing,” Mkhacane said.

He suggests that individuals or groups of professionals should adopt schools and spend time influencing learners’ early subject choices towards engineering. Mkhacanebelieves that with careful planning and commitment this should be possible. “Think about it, how much time do we spend chasing unproductive bidding for work per annum?” he asks.

Mkhacane concluded, “I am calling upon all civil engineering professionals…. Let us together embrace the spirit of Nelson Mandela; let us intone the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi; let us emulate the spirit of BeyersNaude; let us follow the courage of FW de Klerk; let us put our thoughts and energies together and take civil engineering to all the corners of our country and beyond – forward with CIVILUTION.”

Mkhacane’s background

Mkhacane previously served as the chairpeson of Nyeleti Consulting (Pty) Ltd, a director of Jordaan&JoubertInc, the chairperson of African Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd, and the vice-chairperson of GIBB Africa (Pty) Ltd. He has been involved in the design and construction of roads, and the implementation of labour-intensive and community-based public works projects.

SAICE Civilution Congress 2014

Civilution is a new era for engineering professionals, motivating engineers of all disciplines to conduct business differently. It aims to highlight the important role of engineers and will direct engineers along a path of intellectual revolution where they have the power to impact communities and create awareness of the need for pivotal engineering skills.

The 2014 SAICE Civilution Congress will be held at Emperors Palace from 6 to 8 April. It will address many of the issues facing engineering, including those raised in Mkhacane’s address.