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Contents:
Strategic partnerships are key to advancing infrastructure development |
In today’s rapidly evolving infrastructure landscape, strategic partnerships have emerged as a cornerstone for advancing development across various sectors. Collaboration between government entities, private sector firms, and community stakeholders are not only essential for project delivery but also enhance efficiency and lead to superior quality outcomes. Read More |
Building gender diversity in South Africa’s engineering sector from the ground up |
Achieving gender diversity in South Africa’s engineering industry is an ongoing imperative that requires concerted efforts not only within the industry itself but also across South Africa’s educational system. While progress has been made in recent years, the underrepresentation of women and marginalised groups in engineering roles remains a challenge. To create a truly diverse workforce, it is essential to lay the groundwork early, fostering interest and engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields among young children. Read More |
Celebrating collaboration and excellence at the 2024 CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards |
The 2024 CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards, held in Midrand, north of Johannesburg, on 14th August celebrated and honoured the outstanding contributions of South Africa’s consulting engineering sector towards infrastructure development locally and internationally. Celebrating its 52nd year, this event, supported in more recent times by platinum title sponsor Aon South Africa, highlighted the crucial partnerships and collaborative efforts driving the industry forward. Access the awards digital magazine here; click here to view the image gallery and if you missed the event, you can watch it here! Read More |
Highlights from the CESA Mpumalanga Branch Function 2024 |
Our Mpumalanga Branch Function, held on 27 August 2024 at The Capital Mbombela, successfully brought together key industry leaders to discuss the future of infrastructure in the province. Our President David Leukes, delivered a powerful address emphasising that working together is essential to secure a sustainable future. He addressed the pressing infrastructure challenges in Mpumalanga, calling on local authorities to collaborate with consulting engineers to enhance service delivery. Read More |
Addressing Infrastructure Challenges in Limpopo |
On 3 October 2024, our Limpopo Branch Function was held in Polokwane, gathering prominent industry leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue about the province’s infrastructure landscape. In his address, our President, David Leukes highlighted the necessity of diverse and collaborative leadership in addressing these issues. He stressed the importance of a multifaceted approach to infrastructure challenges, urging stakeholders to advocate for better planning and resource allocation, particularly in light of the pressing concerns surrounding water scarcity and logistics in Limpopo. The event facilitated valuable discussions focused on developing sustainable solutions for the province’s future. Read More |
CESA’s School of Consulting Engineering’s programme develops industry leaders |
Consulting engineering firms are increasingly recognising the importance of non-technical skills in shaping the future of their employees. The Business of Consulting Engineering Management Development Programme, offered by our School of Consulting Engineering , is pleased to celebrate its latest cohort of graduates. Marking a significant milestone in their professional journeys, the class of 2023 officially graduated at a ceremony, held at the Premier Hotel in Midrand, on Tuesday, 13 August. Read More |
Upcoming BCE MDP Information Sessions |
The first information session, facilitated by our School of Consulting Engineering Education and Training Manager, Brenda Lacey-Smith, was held on 27 September and proved to be highly informative. It highlighted the importance of the Business of Consulting Engineering Management Development Programme (BCE MDP). The session provided valuable insights for those looking to advance to a more senior level or grow their own businesses. The next Information Session will be taking place on 30 October. Register Now |
CESA’s YPF represented at the FIDIC Global Infrastructure Conference |
Our YPF Chairperson, Uzair Osman, attended the FIDIC Global Infrastructure Conference 2024, held in Geneva, Switzerland. The conference, which took place from 8-10 September 2024, brought together 600 representatives from 50 countries. Osman participated in both the Future Leaders Conference and the main event, where he engaged in meaningful discussions and extensive networking with engineers, clients, and legal professionals from around the world. Read More |
Young engineers will be the building blocks of future solutions |
As young engineers navigate the challenges of the future, it is crucial that they are equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge, and ethical principles to drive sustainable change. This was the overarching theme of the 12th CESA Young Professionals (YPF) Sustainability Imbizo recently held in Midrand. The PPT presentations from the event can be accessed here and you can click here to view the images from event. Read More |
Highlights from the YPF |
Our Young Professional Forum has been actively hosting events around the country, providing valuable opportunities for professional growth and networking. For more highlights from recent events. Read More |
Your Partner in Growth and Success |
Looking to excel in the competitive engineering landscape? CESA is more than just an association; we are your partner in growth and success. We offer valuable support by helping you identify lucrative business opportunities both locally and internationally and providing access to essential professional indemnity insurance. Our comprehensive resources are designed to help you make informed decisions and navigate industry challenges with confidence. Visit: https://www.cesa.co.za/membership-benefits/ to learn more about the benefits of membership. |
Enhance Quality Management, Integrity Management, and Project Sustainability Management Systems |
The FIDIC books, also referred to as Management System Declarations (MSDs), are now available for order through the CESA Bookshop. These essential resources provide valuable insights and form the foundation of the MSDs in key areas such as Quality Management, Integrity Management, and Project Sustainability Management Systems. Adopting these frameworks is mandatory for all members, ensuring adherence to best practices and enhancing project outcomes. Members are encouraged to take advantage of these informative books. Read More |
Important Reminder: Use Standard Agreements When Contracting Clients |
Member firms are advised to ensure that they use a standard form of agreement when contracting with clients. These agreements, which can be obtained from CESA’s Bookshop, include the CESA Forms of Agreement, the FIDIC White Book, and the cidb Form of Agreement available on the cidb website. This recommendation arises from recent instances where members relied on letters of appointment from clients that lacked essential terms and conditions. Such omissions can lead to issues regarding ownership of documents and copyright, postponement or cancellation of works, modifications to designs, governing law, disbursements and expenses, limits of liability, and dispute resolution. To mitigate these risks, utilising standardised agreements is crucial for protecting both parties involved in the contract. For more information, contact Wally Mayne: wally@cesa.co.za. |
Cyber Risk Paradigm Shift |
The rapid pace of technological change is creating expanded attack surfaces and exposing massive new cyber vulnerabilities, according to Aon South Africa’s latest article “Cyber Risk Paradigm Shift”. |
Security Access for CESA Practice Notes |
An important Benefit of CESA Membership is access to our extensive library of Practice Notes. In order to ensure that this repository of information remains secure we have implemented a security measure to protect unauthorised access. When accessing our Practice Notes a 4-digit PIN will be emailed to you at your member firm email address. This underscores the importance of member firms regularly informing CESA of members of staff who have left their employ and of email addresses that are no longer valid. |
FREE – Easy to Use Guideline for Preparing RFPs |
We are delighted to announce that we are now providing FREE access to our Procurement of Consulting Engineering Services (PCES) Guideline, and we encourage you to share these resources with your clients. This guide reflects what is considered best practice for clients and consulting engineers in ensuring an optimal outcome to the contractual agreement between the parties. It incorporates the requirements of the National Treasury Framework for Infrastructure Development and Procurement Management (FIDPM) published under Instruction 03 of 2019/2020 and the Local Government Framework for Infrastructure Delivery and Procurement Management (LGFIDPM) published under MFMA Circular No. 106 of 01 October 2020. Access the link for the Word RFP here. You can access the full PCES (Parts 1 and 2) is available on the public section of the CESA website here. We are also pleased to provide access to the PCES Webinar that is recommended viewing for anyone using the PCES and the RFP. Click on this link to access it on the CESA You-Tube channel. |
Workshop Focuses on the Importance of Completing your MSD! |
During July this year CESA hosted a highly successful workshop focused on the mandatory Management System Declarations (MSDs). This half-day event provided member firms with the guidance and support needed to complete their MSDs while enhancing their understanding of how effective management systems can benefit their operations. The workshop welcomed four emerging member firms, all committed to refining their management systems. CESA’s experts in Quality, Integrity, and Sustainability, who are part of our Quality, Risk, and Sustainability Committee, offered invaluable insights and assistance to the attendees. The participants engaged enthusiastically, impressing reviewers with their maturity and calibre. This workshop was provided as a complimentary benefit of membership, and similar events are being planned in the future. We encourage all firms to participate. For more information, please contact gillian@cesa.co.za. |
AI in Engineering Webinar |
We hosted the CESA Technology and Engineering Innovation Forum webinar on ‘AI in Engineering’ on 1 August 2024. It delivered powerful insights into how artificial intelligence and machine learning are reshaping the engineering and built environment in South Africa. Facilitated by Nomkhosi Dlamini of Eyethu Consulting Engineers, the webinar began with Dr. Gift Mphefu, Managing Director at Med-Tech Engineers and member of our CESA Transformation & Development Committee, setting the scene with a thought-provoking discussions. Read more |
Gender Mainstreaming Webinar – Technical Women |
We remain committed to enhancing gender diversity in South Africa’s male-dominated engineering industry – our Gender Mainstreaming Webinar focused on technical women in the industry, explored how successful women in technical environments can inspire and advance careers. Hosted on 29 August 2024, Swesha Machere, Engineer at BVi Consulting Engineers, facilitated the session. Our Board Member and Director at Jones & Wagener Engineering and Environmental Consultants, Jabulile Msiza emphasised the importance of creating a solid foundation by building technical expertise before pursuing management roles. Read More |
Take Your Brand to the Next Level with CESA |
At CESA, we don’t just strive for excellence; we embody it. As your dedicated partner in consulting engineering, we understand the importance of visibility, engagement, and growth for your brand. That’s why we’re excited to unveil a host of sponsorship and marketing opportunities tailored to take your brand to new heights! Contact us today to discuss these opportunities – email: bonolo@cesa.co.za. Click here to learn more. |
CESA Annual Golf Challenge 2024 |
Get ready for our upcoming Our Annual Golf Challenge, taking place on 10 October 2024, at Randpark Golf Club. This exciting event brings together industry stakeholders and member firms for a day of networking, friendly competition, and spirited play. Teams of four will compete for the top prize, making it an excellent opportunity for both professional connections and enjoyable competition. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Read More |
SAPOA Annual Convention 2024 |
We represented our members at the SAPOA Annual Convention 2024, held from 3 to 5 September 2024 at Sun City. During one of the Q&A sessions, our manager for stakeholder Liaison, Branches and YPF, Godfrey Ramalisa, emphasised the importance of selecting consulting engineering firms that are members of reputable organisations like CESA. |
The Role of Consulting Engineers |
We actively participated in the Institute for Local Government Management (iLGM) Conference 2024, held at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban from 19 to 20 September. This year’s theme, “Attractive Towns and Cities: Making a Difference,” guided key discussions on the future of local governance. Our Stakeholder Liaison Manager, Godfrey Ramalisa, delivered an insightful presentation titled “The Role of Consulting Engineers and the Impact of Effective Procurement, Design, Execution, and Maintenance.” More details on this in the next edition of CE-news. |
LHDA’s Annual Women in Construction |
Our Marketing & Communications Manager, Bonolo Nkgodi, represented us at the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority’s (LHDA) Annual Women in Construction Event, held on 14 September 2024, in Lesotho. The event, which brought together over 200 women working on Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, honours and empowers women in the male-dominated construction industry. This gathering celebrated the achievements and contributions of women in construction and highlighted the importance of gender inclusion and professional support in shaping the future of the industry. Read More |