Sustainability, resilience and net zero – these were the themes that defined the inauguration of the 2025 president of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE). As Andrew Clothier, 2024 SAICE president, reflected on his tenure over the course of 2024, he defined it as a year of reimagining and rethinking the civil engineering sector as SAICE has prioritised greener energies, net zero carbon emissions and climate resilience. These priorities reflect the ongoing challenges within the country and the importance of investing in infrastructure to address challenges around water, waste, energy, and transportation.

“South Africa is one of the 30 driest countries in the world, and we are rapidly moving from water scarce to water stressed,” said Clothier.

“Demand will outstrip supply by 2030, and this is further affected by ageing infrastructure. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) is losing 25% of water due to leakages and 90% of the 824 wastewater treatment plants across the country have reached capacity.”

Another challenge is the construction mafia which has impacted projects worth more than R69 billion and hindered their progress. It has become crucial for organisations to tackle this issue alongside the Auditor General and the DPWI. This is further complicated by fee discounts which have become a pressing issue and ask that the sector return to established guidelines regarding fee structures to eliminate unsustainable discount arrangements that can potentially impact safety and quality.

The lack of expertise in managing tenders is also a key issue. Often institutions issue tenders without the skills required to adjudicate or manage them once awarded and is a situation that needs to be managed effectively in 2025.

There is also a shift towards deeper professionalisation of our industry with many education institutions prioritising the Identification of Engineering Work (IDW) qualification that is anticipated to require compliance by April 01, 2025. While there remain concerns, this is set to have a positive impact on the industry.

Fortunately, there has equally been an influx of good news. Infrastructure South Africa has listed investments for rail utility and ports at around R30 billion. The rail sector is improving with an increasing number of tenders and anticipated developments over the next few years. Eskom has prioritised more than 100 energy projects valued at R240 billion alongside 40 green energy projects worth R300 billion for financial year (FY) 2024/25. These initiatives are anticipated to create around 500,000 jobs and make significant inroads towards achieving net zero carbon emissions.

“My presidential year was marked by extensive engagement across various sectors within civil engineering and I am optimistic about the future of our industry and the opportunities for growth and sustainability,” said Clothier as he introduced 2025 SAICE president, Friedrich Slabbert.

“Last year, I was advised by 2023 SAICE President, Steven Kaplan that it was important to enjoy the role as you have the entire SAICE office and past presidents supporting you, and I would like the incoming president to remember this as he steps into this position – embrace the opportunity and enjoy the year ahead.”

Clothier’s final act was to present the prestigious Presidential Award that recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to civil engineering. The 2024 recipient was deeply involved with SAICE and inspired others with their commitment to driving progress in the field. SAICE believes that recognition is important to fostering motivation and excellence within the community and Takalani Netshipale did just that. She served as a committee member for the Maselulekane programme, was a representative for the SAICE Future Leaders Panel in Pietermaritzburg, co-championed the SAICE diversity and ethics pillars, completed the 2024 SAICE Women in Leadership Programme, was awarded the 2024 Big Five Impact Rising Star Award, was a finalist for the Gender Mainstreaming Positive Role Model award, and was the 2022 SAICE Graduate Engineer of the Year.

“This award simply reinforces my sense of belonging within SAICE,” she said. “It has given me a sense of value and appreciation and has inspired my contributions to SAICE. I encourage everyone to motivate others to find their sense of belonging within this profession. Every person has a story to tell, and we need to share these stories so future generations can learn from our experiences and become better engineers and individuals.”

The inauguration of the incoming president also highlighted the experience that Slabbert was bringing to the table. Analytical, capable of breaking down complex issues into manageable components to find solutions, quick to think out the box and bring new perspectives, Slabbert brings intellect and compassion to the role. He has the ability to analyse and resolve chaos by collaborating with his teams and leading by example.

“The theme for 2025 is ‘From Mowing the Lawn to Shaping the Future’ which underpins the critical role SAICE plays in developing infrastructure within the country and our goal to advance professionalism, advocate for sustainable and resilient infrastructure and champion excellence,” said Slabbert.

“Infrastructure forms the backbone of society – the roads we travel, the power we use and the water we access – and its impact goes beyond convenience and into economic growth, societal strengthening and sustainable development.”

Just as a lawn requires ongoing care, so do the projects under SAICE’s care which asks that the work done by the organisation maintains steady commitment, active participation, and a willingness to address challenges head on. It is time to be proactive.

Slabbert highlighted how SAICE is the steward of progress and that, through a culture of continuous improvement and responsibility, brings sustainable change. He emphasised the need to move away from the idea of ‘What’s in it for me’ towards the values of serving others and accountability. He identified five key lessons relevant to civil engineering today, and that should shape SAICE and its values in the future: the value of growth beyond first impressions; integrity and ethics; resilience in the face of obstacles; the power of humility and self-reflection; and the strength of partnerships and collaboration.

“We must continue our efforts in education, professional development and inclusivity,” he concluded. “This includes mentorship programmes, workshops, and online networking opportunities that bring about genuine engagement and involve communities. Looking ahead we need to commit to improving engagement within SAICE and our communities by fostering collaboration and focusing on shared goals to enhance our impact and advance the field of civil engineering.”

While the sector faces challenges such as ageing infrastructure and asset management, the future is one built on partnerships, collaboration and finding solutions. South Africa will face severe water shortages by 2040 and other environmental challenges if nothing is done to change these challenges, and SAICE is committed to leading with confidence and purpose to change this narrative sustainably and ethically. Headline partner Gautrain, represented by CEO Mr Tshepo Kgobe, delivered a compelling address highlighting the organisation’s commitment to advancing South Africa’s transportation infrastructure. Kgobe emphasised the importance of sustainable mobility solutions and innovation in the rail sector.

The event was made possible through the valuable support of inauguration partners and sponsors, including Gautrain, SMEC, TRACN4, and Trans-Africa Projects, whose contributions have been instrumental in driving excellence and progress in the industry. Their collaborative efforts continue to shape the future of transportation in the region.

For more information, visit https://saice.org.za