About CESA

Background

The South African Association of Consulting Engineers (SAACE) was established in 1952, as a voluntary association of independent consulting engineers in private practice. In August 2008 the Association transformed from the South African Association of Consulting Engineers (SAACE) to Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA). CESA membership has, over the years, grown from 30 individual members in 1952 to 460 firms in 2008, which employ more than 18,000 people in total.

CESA represents, for its members, a body which promotes their joint interests and, because of its standing, provides quality assurance for clients.

• The quality assurance implicit in membership is underwritten by a programme of internal peer reviews, adherence to quality management systems, and the basic tenets of commercial viability, on which CESA members' businesses depend.
• Member firms are committed to continuous education, and to the upliftment of their staff and the communities they serve. Many firms have affirmative action programmes, contribute to bursary schemes and assist emerging professionals and construction companies to grow. CESA has recently adopted a Strategy for Empowerment to assist member firms in their endeavours in this regard.
• Members carry a required level of professional indemnity insurance, which provides clients with financial recourse in the event of non-performance, insufficient design, failure or neglect caused by the engineer.

Mission statement

The Consulting Engineers South Africa is committed to:

• enhancing the professional and business interests of its members
• improving the quality of life for all South Africans by the promotion of engineering excellence
• serving clients with professionalism, integrity and independence of judgement

CESA's objectives and major functions

The Association is committed to the upholding of engineering and professional standards and the maintenance of quality by its members. It seeks to promote the interests of its members and their clients by:

• Regular liaison meetings
• Publication of documents relating to the profession
• Advisory notes to members
• Guidelines to members on professional practice matters
• A peer review and quality management programme
• Publication of the Directory of Firms and newsletters
• Organisation of seminars, workshops and conventions
• Membership of FIDIC (International Federation of Consulting Engineering Associations)

CESA Structure

• The activities of the Association are managed by a well-structured organisation and annually a President and Council are elected.
• An Executive Committee meets regularly to organize and oversee activities.
• Administration is executed by a full time Directorate based in Bryanston, Johannesburg.
• Branches are active in each of the nine provinces throughout South Africa.