South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) CEO Manglin Pillay sat down with Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Hellen Zille to discuss, among others, jobs, procurement practices and the future of engineers in Africa.

Although SAICE invited both the ruling party and lead opposition party leaders for an interview, only the DA was available

The interview

MP: The DA’s manifesto focuses on jobs ― six million jobs over the next decade. The infrastructure, construction, engineering and allied disciplines have the potential to create many job opportunities in the development of new infrastructure to achieve service delivery aspirations, operations and maintenance and stimulating socio-economic opportunities. What reforms will the DA bring to realise this potential?

HZ: The DA believes in having the correct people deployed in the right positions. It believes in infrastructure-led growth and not in cadre deployment, therefore employing the right professionals in the right places.

MP: What is the DA’s view on procurement in the public sector?

HZ: Procurement is so open to corruption and has to be properly managed. The massive challenge is to prevent corruption, no unsolicited bids. Therefore one has to go through a competitive bidding process. Unfortunately, this competitive bidding process requires a great deal of time, resources and effort from the private sector, who are bidding for tenders. The DA, however, is and would be open to new methods which can prevent collusion and corruption in the bidding and tendering process, and promote competition effectively. I would love to hear of another method, a better open tendering system.

MP: There are 80 000 engineering practitioners in South Africa. Factually about 65% of the 80 000 are white engineering practitioners. There is a perception that the DA is for white professionals and by default black professionals will be marginalised if the DA ruled. What is your view in relation to transformation in our economy?

HZ: That view is totally bizarre. To have a growing economy, there is a drastic need for MANY professionals and because we are committed to diversity, we are always on the look- out for diverse candidates for professional positions. To be excellent, you have to be diverse. However, you cannot make diversity the opposite of excellence. You have to make sure DIVERSITY is EXCELLENCE!

MP: The engineering universities in South Africa are renowned for producing world class engineers that are sought after in the UK, Middle East, etc. However, many challenges are faced in these universities with regards to salaries, attracting ‘top notch’ lecturers, resources, research and laboratories. What interventions can our engineering deans, lecturers, students and the entire education system expect from the DA should you have the opportunity?

HZ: The DA knows that we cannot have economic growth and job creation without infrastructure-led economic growth, and we cannot have infrastructure-led economic growth without engineers. For this reason the DA provides many bursaries for disadvantaged learners to study engineering. So it is a complete cycle ― it starts with a good school education with Maths and Science, and other subjects. The DA supports subventions of salaries for the scarce skills at universities, such as is already happening with actuarial science.

MP: About 40% of engineers in SA are under the age of 36. What message does the DA have for these up and coming professionals, those who are going to take us into the Promised Land, into the New South Africa?

HZ: Africa really is the continent of the future, especially for engineers. There is so much infrastructure that needs to be built and developed across Africa and if governments start serving the people and stop being corrupt and dedicate 10% of the National Budget to developing infrastructure, we will have the most incredible growth spurt on this continent over the next 50 years. That is why I think engineering is probably the best profession to choose if you want to make a future in contributing to Africa’s Renaissance. And, I will encourage all people who can and have the skills and ability to study engineering to do just that, as you will be contributing to this continent in every single way. Africa is, of course, the most exciting place to be in. But in order for you to come to your full potential as an engineer, you have to have a good government that spends money in the right places, a government that doesn’t steal people’s money and that ensures that the focus is on infrastructure-led economic growth.

Pillay’s remarks

After the interview Pillay said, “I was particularly impressed with Helen Zille. She appreciates and understands the issues that affect engineering professionals. The answers she gave are reflected in the policies of the DA, and outcomes in the management of the Western Cape. She understands the need for technical professionals in the public sector that allow for smooth project role out. When I asked her about tendering, she said that she was keen to listen to ideas and alternatives that we may wish to present. I tackled the issue of perceived racism and white dominance in the DA, and I thought she handled that question very well. She talked about how the DA achieves transformation and that the DA believes in appointments on merit.”
Watch the interview