Consulting Engineers South Africa’s (CESA) CEO Chris Campbell has welcomed growing recognition among state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that direct engagement with suppliers or original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) yields greater value than relying on third-party agents. He argues this approach should also extend to the appointment of professional service providers to ensure value, improved delivery, accountability, and return on investment.

Campbell points out that procurement processes in South Africa have long been stalled and inefficient, frustrating consulting engineers despite the available skills and capacity in the sector. Legacy relationships and outdated procurement practices dominate, often blocking fair and quality-driven selection of service providers.

“These procurement woes are a major bottleneck impacting progress in infrastructure delivery,” he says.

He believes the shift toward dealing directly with OEMs, where “there are no guarantees when working through intermediaries,” should be mirrored in the way professional service providers are engaged.

“Appointing consulting engineers or other professionals should never be a tick-box exercise. We must demand the same quality and service standards as we do from OEMs,” Campbell emphasises.

Campbell has long advocated for procurement reforms that prioritise quality and competence over cost alone adding that awarding tenders based solely on the lowest bid often leads to underperformance, project delays, and ultimately higher costs.

“Procurement should focus on value for money, prioritising quality services that are both effective and sustainable,” he says. This is especially important given that clients often lack the technical expertise to properly evaluate complex bids, underscoring the need for transparent, quality-based selection mechanisms.

CESA continues to lobby government and industry stakeholders for reforms that promote transparency, professionalism, and consistent procurement standards across all levels of government and SOEs. Campbell stresses that standardised practices are crucial to improving service delivery and enforcing accountability.

“Whether procuring equipment or professional services, the goal must remain the same: reliable delivery, accountability, and achieving intended outcomes.”

He adds: “Whereas an inclusive economy is an imperative, we owe it to those that remain unemployed to maximise the use of scarce funds by factoring in quality, risk and value for money that ensures the appointment of professional service providers with the commitment and ability to deliver effective and efficient infrastructure, necessary for the very economic growth required to provide the employment opportunities, both in the short and long term.”

Beyond policy, Campbell calls for urgent implementation of improvements to address persistent procurement inefficiencies.

“Policy announcements alone won’t fix things. We need clear commitments and practical steps to unlock stalled infrastructure projects,” he says.

By pushing for systemic reform and direct engagement with qualified service providers, Campbell adds that CESA aims to drive sustainable infrastructure development that delivers real value to South Africa’s economy and society.