Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) acknowledges the recent decision by the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) to withdraw its Preferential Procurement Policy.

CEO Chris Campbell states: “We believe this move reflects a commitment to advancing our nation’s infrastructure development endeavours. It is imperative that we collectively strive for progress in this sector, as it directly correlates with reducing unemployment and enabling the essential growth of our economy.”

He adds that CESA is confident that other public entities, which have followed a similar path in altering bid criteria, will consider this development and follow suit.

“The transformational journey pursued by all stakeholders aligns with the principles outlined in the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) legislation and the various Sector Codes. It is crucial that we view this legislation in its entirety, rather than focusing solely on ownership, as this broader perspective will help to mitigate issues such as fronting and ensure widespread benefits for all stakeholders.”

Campbell explains that CESA remains committed to working collaboratively with SANRAL and other industry partners to achieve a thriving and inclusive infrastructure landscape across South Africa.

CESA is an industry body that represents and promotes the consulting engineering sector in South Africa. It has slightly more than 600 member firms employing a total of 17 000 staff across the country.