The absence of technical expertise in the procurement of infrastructure is starting to have an increasingly adverse effect on the quality and sustainability of our country’s infrastructure. Representing over 600 South African Consulting Engineering Firms employing more than 17 000 people CESA believes that we need to be building quality and sustainable infrastructure that stands the test of time keeping the health and safety of our population as the critical success factor and not placing them at risk.

“The 3rd phase of this campaign highlights the importance of STEM subjects – focused on changing young people’s perceptions of maths and science including why English is critical to succeed in a STEM career. CESA has the potential to shape young people and in particular graduates into the skilled, accountable, and ethical professionals we need. We have the ability to influence the next generation and to guide them into their chosen career path as consulting engineers”, states Chris Campbell, CESA CEO. 

Now in its’s 3^rd year this successful campaign’s focus will continue to be on the community at large – the end-users of the infrastructure but with a particular focus on promoting STEM careers for scholars. To compete globally and develop locally South Africa needs engineers. The reality is that engineers are in short supply. Engineers are the designers and developers of both social and economic infrastructure making a major impact on society through projects that result in economic growth and job creation improving the lives of citizens creating:

• Economic corridors for trade
• Retail – shopping malls, logistics
• Buildings – schools, hospitals, commercial and residential property development 
• Transportation – roads and bridges, rail, aviation
• Water – Water Treatment, Dams
• Energy – Traditional and Renewable
• Mining – 
• Communications
• Operations and Maintenance – providing long-term employment

In order to achieve this, we need engineers and lots of them! The role that engineers and specifically consulting engineers play in Protecting the Lives and Livelihoods is often hidden and not fully understood by clients and stakeholders but more so by the general public. The campaign has been  undertaken to educate these target markets as to what a consulting engineer is and the value they bring to society.

In view of the current depressed state of the South African economy, even pre-Covid, and the impact that the development of value-for-money infrastructure can make on the upliftment of communities and improvement in service delivery, CESA undertook this campaign to raise the profile of the industry and the positive impact it has in underpinning economic growth and development. 

We encourage members to volunteer their time and become a part of this important industry initiative: visit https://www.cesa.co.za/protecting-livelihoods to learn more.