Our members have been at the heart of every advocacy effort this year, with procurement reform remaining central to our collective agenda. The strength and expertise of over 600 consulting engineering firms and approximately 17 000 engineers in South Africa drive our commitment to shaping an infrastructure environment that values quality, integrity, and sustainability.

Yet, critical questions persist: How do we translate policy commitments into real, sustainable infrastructure delivery? Why do procurement processes so often fail to recognise the strategic value of consulting engineering services? What more must be done to institutionalise reforms that unlock the full potential of our industry and support South Africa’s growth?

Addressing these questions is more urgent than ever. According to National Treasury’s 2025 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, the country plans to invest in excess of R1 trillion in infrastructure over the next three years, underscoring the scale and urgency of national efforts.

However, delivering on this promise requires confronting persistent challenges: cumbersome procurement systems, delays in payments, limited public sector capacity, and the scourge of corruption and inefficiency. For South Africa – where unemployment remains stubbornly high at around 32% according to Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey for Q2 2025 – inefficient infrastructure delivery only deepens economic hardships.

To overcome these barriers, our advocacy has focused on promoting a ‘total cost of ownership’ approach – recognising that the intellectual and design services consulting engineers provide are essential investments, not mere commodities. Experience shows that lowest-cost procurement models frequently fail countries like ours by compromising infrastructure quality and longevity. Real value comes from embracing a holistic view that encompasses design, construction, operation, and ongoing maintenance.

Partnership across sectors is vital. Public-private partnerships, as demonstrated in various successful projects, show how capital and expertise from private entities can accelerate service delivery and create jobs. In South Africa, harnessing such partnerships while maintaining clear custodial responsibility by government is essential to ensure equitable and sustainable infrastructure outcomes.

Beyond reform and advocacy, we are committed to industry capability-building. Our webinars – hosted by CESA, our Young Professionals Forum (YPF) and our Practice Notes series this year – have focused sharply on leadership development, management excellence, technology, mentorship and gender diversity – all critical for preparing consulting engineers to lead tomorrow’s complex projects and helping our members enhance their organisations.

Adding to this vision is our Business of Consulting Engineering Management Development Programme from our School of Consulting Engineering (SCE). Engineers are trained not only in technical expertise but also in strategic thinking and leadership – skills vital as automation and artificial intelligence increasingly shape engineering workflows. We have 30 spots available for the 2026 intake, so I encourage to take advantage of this career-changing programme. Human insight, ethical judgment, and inspired leadership remain irreplaceable.

At the recent FIDIC GIC, we were also encouraged by the strong interest shown in our SCE. Delegates from across the world expressed admiration for how the SCE is structured and managed, and many were eager to learn more about our model. This international recognition reaffirms the importance of our investment in developing skills and capacity for the profession.

However, progress demands more than consultation and capacity building. We urge government to implement stronger consequence management to curb corruption and wasteful expenditure – issues repeatedly highlighted in the Auditor-General South Africa’s Annual Report, which notes billions of rands lost annually due to governance failures. Transparent and accountable governance is crucial to rebuild investor confidence and safeguard public funds.

Payment delays must be streamlined and standardised. Chronic cash flow disruptions impact all firms, particularly small and medium consulting firms, jeopardising their participation and the overall sector’s health. Reliable, timely payments sustain industry stability, support job creation, and enable the timely delivery of essential services – from classrooms to clinics to roads.

Technology offers great promise. The industry has seen technology adoption in areas like Building Information Modelling (BIM) and smart asset management increase by roughly 30 percent annually, as reported in the Smart Cities Africa Report 2025. Yet technology cannot replace the nuanced judgment, ethical stewardship, and collaborative leadership consulting engineers bring to infrastructure challenges.

Looking forward, standards and regulatory frameworks dramatically improve infrastructure investment efficiency and development outcomes – a critical insight for South Africa as it works toward procurement reforms that enhance quality and inclusivity.

The road to transformative infrastructure will be complex amid economic headwinds and governance challenges. Still, South Africa’s engineering community is resilient and ready. Success depends on moving beyond plans to decisive, coordinated implementation – with collaboration at the heart of it all.

To our members, I issue a clear invitation: your active involvement in our initiatives, forums, events, webinars, townhalls and advocacy efforts, as CESA, is vital. Our collective strength and voice drive the sector’s momentum and ultimately shape South Africa’s infrastructure future.

This year, we have significantly strengthened our presence and influence, both locally and internationally. Through active participation in high-level platforms such as the B20, G20, and the FIDIC Global Infrastructure Conference (GIC), we have positioned South Africa’s consulting engineering sector on the global stage. These engagements have not only raised our profile as a trusted representative of the industry but have also opened doors to new partnerships, collaboration opportunities, and greater visibility for our members.

The moment to translate intent into impact is now. With your expertise, commitment, and collaboration, we will build the South Africa our country deserves.