Our first event of the year was a resounding success! Hosted and proudly sponsored by Zutari, the CESA Young Professionals Gauteng North Branch came together to launch 2025 with energy, purpose, and powerful connections.

The event’s theme, “Building Bridges, Building Connections”, set the tone for an evening filled with meaningful engagement, practical insights, and inspiration for young professionals to step confidently into their growth journeys.

We were honoured to welcome Yankho Banda as our keynote speaker, whose powerful message challenged young professionals to:

• Network authentically and aim for mutually beneficial relationships.
• Collaborate proactively – seek opportunities to make an impact where you are.
• Remember: The future is in your hands – be the driver, not the passenger.
• Challenge yourself – connect with two new professionals this month, join a voluntary association, and invest in your personal development.

She also shared practical networking and sustainability tips that every young professional should keep in their toolkit:

• Develop a strong elevator pitch.
• Use your voice and presence on professional platforms.
• Get actively involved in your industry.
• Be a valuable resource to others.
• Step out of your comfort zone and pursue holistic development.

We were excited to have Savannah Canto, who delivered an insightful presentation on the Rehabilitation of the Sinkhole on the N1 Section 21 Route. She walked us through the project showcasing technical knowledge on:

• The development and causes of the sinkhole.
• Detailed investigation methods and collaborative design solutions to keep the N1 operational.
• The construction process: piling, lateral support, excavations, and grouting.
• The successful project, delivered through collaboration between SANRAL, Zutari, and everyday commuters, was a true testament to engineering excellence and sustainable infrastructure solutions.

To foster connection, we kicked off with fun and interactive icebreakers from crafting elevator pitches to guessing your fellow attendees with blank cards, encouraging attendees to engage beyond their comfort zones.

This event highlighted CESA YPF Gauteng North’s commitment to investing in young professionals, providing platforms for growth, connection, and leadership. A special thank you to Zutari for hosting and sponsoring the event – your continued support of YP development is what drives our industry forward.

We’re just getting started. Here’s to a year of building bridges and making impactful connections!