CESA Young Professionals Sustainability Imbizo

Kamva Ndlala

Kamva Ndlala offers a perspective grounded in practical field experience and a commitment to infrastructure that serves both current and future communities. His methodology transcends traditional technical design by emphasizing the importance of integrating political, economic, and social dimensions into engineering solutions.

Prioritizing community engagement as a core engineering principle, Kamva leads projects that achieve compliance while recognising cultural and economic relevance. His insights challenge us to broaden our understanding of engineering, not only as a technical service, but as a collaborative partnership that fosters impactful and sustainable change.

Ntuthuko Mthembu

Ntuthuko Mthembu is a Candidate Civil Engineering Technologist specializing in structural engineering. He holds a BEng Tech in Civil Engineering from Durban University of Technology and has three years of experience in resident engineering, along with one year in structural design.

His expertise includes the design of steel and concrete structures. He has contributed to key projects such as the national sustainability initiative. Ntuthuko is currently pursuing Pr Tech Eng registration with ECSA, aiming to deliver practical and impactful engineering solutions in the built environment.

Nyari Samushonga

Nyari Samushonga is the CEO of WeThinkCode_, a South African tech academy that operates in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. As an Entrepreneur and Tech Executive, Nyari is passionate about seeing Africa take its place as a maker of cutting-edge technology.

In her role as CEO of WeThinkCode_ she has driven effective initiatives to scale the impact of the organisation. These include doubling the recruitment capacity, launching a homegrown curriculum that caters to the South African market and accelerating the recruitment of women students to the point of parity within the academy.

Key accomplishments in her tenure:

• Grew the staff contingent from a team of 11 to a team of 25 to better support organisational growth
• Increased organisational representation of women and black people by
• Strategically transited the curriculum from an out of the box solution to WeThinkCode’s own curriculum (2020 – 2021). Taking this direction led to improved student performance, higher retention rates, increased graduation rates and positive feedback from hiring partners.
• Improved graduation rate from 50% to 82% (2016 to 2022)
• In taking up the challenge to capacitate local tech skills Nyari has so far grown the annual student recruitment headcount from 250 to 450
• Introduced the WomenThinkCode= initiative to make a career in tech more accessible, and grow industry representation of women in tech. The initiative increased female representation in the cohort from 16% in 2019 to 49% in 2021, reaching gender parity two years ahead of schedule.
• Increased black student representation from 78% to 90% (2016 to 2021)
• Expanded WeThinkCode_’s footprint and scaled impact reach by launching a campus in Durban (2021)

As a Chartered Accountant, Nyari has previously operated as the Managing Director of ThoughtWorks Africa, a subsidiary of the global software development consultancy, and a Manager in Deloitte’s audit and assurance division operating in both Harare and New York. Born in Zimbabwe, she also lived and worked in Tanzania. She is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In her free time, Nyari finds sanity in cycling and strength training and makes time for these activities to help her achieve balance.

Andries Nel

Dr Andries Nel , CESA Young Engineer of the Year and  Director, MEPF Engineering, Spoormaker & Partners

Mechanical engineer that is solution driven with local and international experience. A strong project director that achieves targets and deliverables.
*Pr Eng. – Professional Engineer, *Pr CPM – Professional Construction Project Manager
*PMP – Project Management Professional, *PhD Eng. – Mechanical Engineering
*Experience on large engineering projects across the construction, industrial- and mining sectors.
*Engineering and project management qualifications and skills that add strategic business value.

Sekadi Phayane-Shakhane

A registered engineer with 20+ years of experience, Sekadi has led transformative public transport projects across South Africa.

Now CEO of SAICE, she brings Visionary leadership, global recognition, and a deep commitment to community impact and youth empowerment.

As CEO of SAICE, she brings sharp technical insight, leadership excellence, and a passion for using engineering to solve real­ world problems and improve lives.

Her work is about more than engineering – it’s about creating real solutions that move people, uplift communities, and shape the future.

Marizel Pienaar

Marizel Pienaar is a dynamic and dedicated Civil Engineer in the Water sector at Bigen’s Bloemfontein Office.

In addition to her role at Bigen, Marizel serves as the Vice Chairperson and Treasure of the CESA Young Professionals Forum (YPF).

She graduated from the University of Pretoria with a BEng (Civil) degree (2020) and a BEng (Hons) Degree in Water Resources Engineering (2021). She is dedicated to staying at the forefront of industry knowledge and has a passion for advancing water-related initiatives.

Engineer Dr Vishal Haripersad, CESA President

Ambrose Chikukwa

Ambrose is a Geomatics Engineer and researcher with over two decades of experience across academia and industry, where he has applied digital innovation to projects in water, energy, and infrastructure sectors in Africa and the UK. A PhD candidate at the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Applied Research & Innovation in the Built Environment (CARINBE), his current research focuses on digital twin technologies, integrating Building Information Modelling (BIM), the Internet of Things (IoT), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other Industry 4.0 technologies to drive energy efficiency, sustainability, and smarter facilities management.

Beyond his academic and consulting work, Ambrose also serves as the official agent and distributor for CYPE in Sub-Saharan Africa, a leading provider of software solutions for architecture, engineering, and construction. In this role, he actively supports the adoption of advanced digital tools and ensures that engineers, designers, and facility managers in the region are empowered with world-class technologies—such as those being showcased through CYPE’s sponsorship of the YP Imbizo.

His work exemplifies the spirit of the CESA Young Professionals Sustainability Imbizo, blending academic rigor with practical innovation, and offering a compelling vision of how digital transformation can reshape Africa’s built environment.

Uzair Osman

Uzair Osman is a 33 year old father of a toddler. He is a proud South African who hails from the small town of Estcourt, but now based in Durban. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering (BSc Civil) at The University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard Collage in 2013. He continued to attain his Masters in Engineering (MSc Eng) in 2014. His MSc Eng dissertation topic was based on the treatment of Landfill leachate using vegetable and garden refuse.Uzair joined Bosch Projects in 2015, where he works in the Roads and Developments team as a design engineer and project manager. He has worked on a variety of projects in collaboration with other disciplines. He is currently a Civil Engineer and Project manager.

He currently serves as the National Chairperson of the Consulting Engineers of South Africa’s Young Professionals Forum (CESA YPF). He has served the organisation for 9 years.

Pearl Masia

Pearl Masia is a driven Civil Technologist currently pursuing her master’s degree at the Tshwane University of Technology. with a research focus on promoting non-motorised transport as a sustainable solution to urban traffic congestion in the City of Tshwane.With extensive experience in project management, Pearl has contributed to major infrastructure projects across South Africa. She has held roles at Delta BEC, Department of Environmental Affairs and FUBU Africa currently serves at SMEC South Africa within the Urban Development Department, where she is actively involved in technical urban designs and technical report writing.

Pearl is passionate about sustainable engineering solutions and committed to continuous professional growth in the global civil engineering landscape.

Elandri Boshoff

Theasha Naidoo

Theasha Naidoo is a Process Engineer at Talbot with experience in the water and wastewater industry. Passionate about sustainability, she is committed to driving innovative, resource-efficient solutions that support a just transition.Her work focuses on optimising water use in industrial processes with an emphasis on environmental stewardship. She is currently pursuing a PhD at Stellenbosch University, researching integrated water resource management for green hydrogen production in South Africa.

Theasha’s academic and professional journey reflects her dedication to aligning technical expertise with sustainable development goals.

Prinell Naicker

Prinell Naicker is a professionally registered Senior Structural Technologist at Knight Piésold. Her career began at WSP in 2012, followed by roles at Bosch Projects and, most recently, Knight Piésold in May 2025. A passionate advocate for BIM, she won the 2024 “Extraordinary Women in BIM” competition by Baker Baynes, earning a trip to Autodesk University in the USA.

Prinell also serves as Secretary of the CESA YPF Western Cape committee. Grounded in her core values, she enjoys family time and Cape Town’s lifestyle with her two dogs.

Treasure Mngadi

Tshilidzi Mukwevho

Tshilidzi Mukwevho is a Candidate Natural Scientist (Environmental Science) with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) who holds a BSc, Honours and MSc.She currently works for the National Department of Public Works & Infrastructure (DPWI) in South Africa. Ms Mukwevho is responsible for Green and Greening Infrastructure, with the focus being on improving the quality of the air inside the selected National Government Facilities. She was also involved in the investigations and planning of using sustainable measures in one of the construction Projects.

She established the environmental status quo of the site using Geospatial data and site visits to identify environmental factors in the area and provided recommendations for integrating scientific principles with innovative designs to create environmentally responsible and resource-efficient structures.

Unam Qomiyana

Zinhle Setati

Tahseen Raiman

Terrence Mlimi is an Electrical, Control & Instrumentation Engineer with over 6 years of industry experience and a BEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He specializes in supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), distributed control systems (DCS), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), industrial and substation communication networks, and instrumentation design.

Terrence has been involved in the full project lifecycle — from feasibility studies and cost estimation to detailed design, procurement, construction supervision, commissioning, and operations. He is driven by a passion for delivering reliable, efficient, and future-ready engineering solutions that integrate advanced control systems with robust electrical infrastructure.

Dr James Cullis is a water resources engineer and environmental scientist with nearly 20 years of experience working on water resource and climate change related studies across Africa and internationally. He is a Technical Director at Zutari in the Water Resource group based in Cape Town and the Expertise Leader for Sustainability. For two years he served as the global service group leader for water for Aurecon before the demerger of Zutari from the global Aurecon group in 2019. James has a BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Cape Town, an MA (oxon) in Politics Philosophy and Economics and an MSc in Environmental Change and Management both from Oxford University in the UK. He obtained his PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder in the USA in 2011.

James is technical advisor to the Greater Cape Town Wate Fund and assisting Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning with a review of the Western Cape Sustainable Master Plan. He is an Honorary Research Associated with the African Climate and Development Initiative at UCT and has published several papers on a range of hydrological, climate change and water resources related topics. He was also a contributing author to the water section of the Africa Chapter of the IPCC’s 6^th Assessment Report.

Renee Petersen is employed by SMEC South Africa (Pty) Ltd in the Roads and Highway division as a Civil Engineering Technologist. She holds Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech Transportation), as well as a Master’s in engineering from Stellenbosch University. Over the past 9 years, she has gained on-site, design and project management experience of various infrastructure projects.

Through her active involvement in the industry, Renee has volunteered at Consulting Engineer of South Africa (CESA) Young professional Forum (YPF) since 2016. She served in various roles on a provisional and national level. Since 2016, Renee represented YP’s on various CESA committees and currently serves as the YPF National Chairperson.

Cheree Janse van Rensburg works at Zutari, within one of the largest groups of professional water engineers in South Africa.

At Zutari she has learnt first-hand about the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She has also gained experience in working with large groups of people from various walks of life. Here the projects are large scale and as diverse as the team she works with. Cheree’s work ranges from hydropower plants to water reticulation through water master plans and wetland rehabilitation work.

Being a member of Zest, the Young professionals’ group, she has been involved in numerous community out reaches as well as recently joining the CESA Transformation & Development Committee. Cheree has additionally taken part in the First Study Programme 2021/22 on Nuclear Safety and Arms Control. This also showcases Cheree’s passion for diversity in all aspects of her life and connects her passion for varying interests.

Tshepo Moabelo is an Engineering Technician for the Department of Police, Roads and Transport, in Free State.

His career started at SMEC prior to his training at KBK Engineers. During his career he worked for Housing development Agency and Zencon Engineers.

He holds a Civil Engineering National Diploma and Bachelor of Technology from the Central University of Technology. He is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration at the University of the Free State.

He is passionate about youth development and in he volunteers his time for various organizations in order to promote Engineering profession and to give back to the community.  Tshepo consider himself as future leader in a making.

Swesha Machere, BVi Consulting Engineers & Vice Chairman of the CESA YPF Gauteng South Branch

He obtained degrees in B.Eng. Mechanical Engineering and a B.Eng. Honours in Engineering and Technology Management from the University of Pretoria. Swesha was awarded the 2022 BVi Young Engineer Award, an award that recognises young engineers who have excelled and shown immense potential as future leaders in the industry.

Kgopotso Makondo, Worley RSA

Kgopotso is a Civil/Structural engineer with design and construction experience mainly in the mining sector on various EPCM projects. She joined her current company, Worley, as a graduate in 2019 and has since completed the graduate program and registered as a candidate engineer with ECSA as she intends to pursue her PrEng registration in the coming years. He main passions outside of engineering design have included creating awareness around diversity and inclusion in the workplace. She is the Co Ordinator of Kuumba MEA, a  global network within Worley that enables and supports the experiences of people or color.

Ms Yankho T. Banda, Professional Engineer, Traffic Engineering and Transportation Planning Engineer

• Traffic and Transportation Planning Engineer.
• GP FMS Project Manager at Tolcon Group (Pty) Ltd.
• Education:
  • Undergraduate: BSc Eng (Civil), WITS (2011)
  • Postgraduate: M. Eng (Transport Studies) candidate, UCT (2021).
• 10+ years’ professional experience – private sector.
• Professional Engineer with ECSA (Mar 2021).
• Volunteerism:
  • CESA YPF (Feb 2012-Nov 2021): Served in various positions at Branch and National level. Immediate Past National Chairperson.
  • SAICE Student Chapters (since WITS: Aug 2016 & UJ: Jan 2021) and St Stithians Girls’ College (since Aug 2020): Industry mentor and support.
  • ECSA (since Sept 2021): Support on various campaigns and initiatives.
  • Peer mentor (ongoing): review unemployed graduates CVs; assist candidates with report writing & presentation preparations and dry-runs for ECSA interviews.

Tshwari Ramagofu, is young professional with 15 years’ experience in the Electrical field. She is a passionate, performance driven individual who continuously strives to develop her leadership skills and learn how to improve and develop others.

She started her career in Eskom Distribution as a design engineer, responsible for designs of HV substations, HV lines and reticulation networks. She later joined Transmission as HV Plant Manager ensuring that High Voltage Plant is operated and maintained in a safe and effective manner. Currently, Tshwari has been appointed in Asset Management Business Unit within Transmission and responsible for Operating Strategies.

Tshwari currently serves as ECSA Council member for the second term since 2016 to date.

For the first term council, she was the chairperson of Investigating Committee and currently a member of Training & Academics Development and Research, Policy & Standards Committees.

In addition, Tshwari is also a council member for South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) which is a voluntary association. The vast business and Council experience has equipped her with an understanding of good corporate governance, strategy, annual performance, compliance and risk mitigations.

Sizakele Mofokeng Bio

I am a civil engineering technologist at GIBB (Pty) Ltd in the Transportation Department. My experience is the design and supervision of roads and stormwater.

I am passionate about motivating others and making a difference. I lead the GIBB Transportation Knowledge Sharing programme that, besides improving efficiencies, upskills the younger professionals.

Education & Registration/Membership

• BTech – Civil Engineering from the University of Johannesburg
• Professional Registration with ECSA
• SAICE Member