The new format of virtual CESA Branch Presidential Webinars has resulted in more people joining in from different branches as they discover what’s happening in other parts of the country. Attendees contribute greatly to the development of an inclusive holistic “way forward” for the implementation of the economic reconstruction and recovery plan through the provision of services infrastructure.

CESA Southern Cape Presidential Webinar
On Tuesday, 31 August, we hosted the CESA Southern Cape Presidential Webinar, a lively affair featuring a great speaker line-up and engagement from the attendees. Welcoming attendees and speakers was CESA CEO Chris Campbell followed by recently elected CESA Young Professionals Forum national chairperson, Renee Petersen presenting ‘Growing our own timber’, a topic highlighting the benefits of joining the YPF and also highlighting the need for mentoring of young professionals.

Up next was Charles Rowe, CESA Southern Cape Branch Chairperson and director of Rowe and Associates who presented on ‘Best practice procurement – engineering services. Rowe was followed by Melanie Kemp Hofmeyr, the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works, Roads Branch chief director for Road Design. She is also the acting chief director for Road Programme Management, and in her topic, she discussed the ‘Western Cape Government - Transport and Public Works: Rebuilding Journey’.

The final speaker in the Southern Cape Presidential Webinar was CESA president Sugen Pillay presenting his topic ‘Rebuilding with Purpose”: The importance of quality, integrity, and accountability in South Africa’s road to recovery’.

The CESA Southern Cape Presidential Webinar recording is available on CE-Tv.

CESA Gauteng Presidential Webinar
The Gauteng Presidential Webinar was held on the 15th of September and also featured a powerful line-up of speakers. On hand to welcome attendees and introduce the speakers was CESA CEO, Chris Campbell. Aon South Africa senior legal risk advisor in the Professional Risks division, Sam Varela was the first speaker and her topic touched on ‘Sound Risk Management – Insurance Placement ensuring Quality and Integrity’. Discussing ‘Best practice procurement – services infrastructure’ was CESA Gauteng chairperson, Gift Mphefu.

We had two speakers presenting the topic ‘Growing our own timber – Gauteng YPs’ perspective’. First up was CESA YPF Gauteng South chairperson, Neelam Parbhoo who was then joined by CESA YPF Gauteng North chairperson Saiuree Nayager. Both speakers delved into the journey of a young engineering professional and the importance of mentorship in the pursuit of professional registration.

CESA president Sugen Pillay provided the final topic at the webinar where he discussed ‘The importance of quality, integrity, and accountability in South Africa’s road to recovery.’

CESA KwaZulu-Natal Presidential Webinar
The final Presidential Webinar event for 2021 saw CESA president Sugen Pillay host the KwaZulu-Natal branch on Wednesday, 22 September. The event was kicked off by CESA CEO Chris Campbell whose task included welcoming attendees and introducing speakers. The first presentation was delivered by Rudi von Fintel, CESA KwaZulu-Natal Branch chairperson, who discussed ‘Best practice procurement – engineering services’.  He was followed by Tevan Govender, CESA YPF KwaZulu-Natal chairperson discussing the topic ‘Growing our own timber – KZN YPs’ perspective’.

Theresa Mjenge from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works also joined in by delivering an insightful presentation on ‘Public Works – Government’s implementer of choice’. Her topic was hugely popular, resulting in a lot of engagement with the attendees who joined in the discussion. CESA president Sugen Pillay once again provided the final discussion of the day when he presented his topic ‘The importance of quality, integrity, and accountability in South Africa’s road to recovery.’