COVID 19 Impact Advisory Note 1
Dear Members
CESA is acutely aware of the situation regarding COVID-19, the effect that it has had globally and in the country, but more importantly the short and long term effects that it will have on our Member Firms and on the Industry. There is no doubt that all Members firms will be impacted by this situation, and that it is certainly not going to be “business as usual” over the coming months. CESA had deliberately delayed communicating with our Members, until there was more clarity on the numerous impacts that the lockdown will have. We convened an Emergency Board Meeting this morning, at which the Board reconfirmed that CESA must continue to be as helpful as possible during these trying and uncertain times.
To this end, you will be receiving several communiques in the next week with various elements of information which may be helpful as we all navigate our way through this process. We are gathering more detail that could be shared with you on all the issues at hand, such as, but not specifically in that order:
Our Clients’ approach to managing the situation, and the impact that it will have of Project Delivery, and in particular, on Member Firms;
The Solidarity Fund mentioned by the President; CESA’s contribution to the Fund; Individual Members contribution to the fund; and how Members in distress access the Fund;
SME Assistance initiatives linked to Point b or any other sources;
The UIF process as source of support for employees and Members in distress;
Information on managing Business Continuity, Business Risk, Financial Capacity, etc.
Membership specific issues such as subscriptions, events, non-payment by Clients and any other queries;
HR & Remuneration insights as we obtain such information as they relate to the current crisis situation (which due to the sensitivity, will be limited to the Mandated Principals of each company)
Any other relevant urgent information,
We will disseminate this information as we have more to share with you through a series of communiques over the next few days. Please look out for these and should you have any further queries do not hesitate to contact us at general@cesa.co.za or on the office number 078 740 2795 as our office switchboard is currently closed, so that your query may be appropriately directed.
We have taken note of the decision by Moody’s to downgrade SA’s Sovereign Debt rating to junk status and whilst the impact of this downgrade will only be felt in the weeks to come, CESA will continue to engage with the relevant decision makers to try to fully understand the impact that this will have on the investment in infrastructure delivery and subsequently on the industry.
Kind Regards
Christopher (Chris) Campbell Pr. Eng.
Chief Executive Officer