The 2017 CESA Seminar and AGM which was held on the 7th November 2017 at the Southern Sun Hotel OR Tambo Airport was a resounding success. The Seminar comprised of two sessions dealing with ‘The funding and delivery of Infrastructure in times of political uncertainty’, and ‘The Transformation of the Consulting Engineering Sector’. The calibre of the speakers was excellent and the sessions were thought-provoking and interactive allowing for heated debate on a number of crucial industry-related topics.

Programme Director for the Seminar was Chris Campbell, CESA CEO with the keynote address entitled, ‘CESA Strategic Intent: Let’s Talk Transformation’ presented by Lynne Pretorius, CESA President from ITS Global. This was followed by a panel discussion on ‘Financing and Delivery of RSA Infrastructure’ facilitated by Chris Campbell. Panelists included Mahendra Dedasaniya, Associate Director Deloitte who presented ‘The African Infrastructure “Economy” Environment’; Dondo Mogajane, Director-General National Treasury, providing a ‘Public-sector infrastructure update’; and Political analyst, Professor Susan Booysen, School of Governance, Wits University, debating ‘Public Service Delivery beyond the December African National Congress Conference’.

The second session entitled ‘Let’s Talk Transformation’ was facilitated by Lynne Pretorius, CESA President from ITS Global. Panelists included Paul Kgole, BBCBE President and Paul Kgole Projects & Quantity Surveyors; Abbas Jamie, Director - Innovation & Transformation, Africa at Aurecon; Mbulelo Kona, Group CEO, Phunga Consulting Engineers; and Amanda Masondo-Mkhize, CESA YPF from Mott McDonald.

Neresh Pather, CESA Deputy President from Mott MacDonald wrapped up a very successful seminar by providing the closing remarks.