THE South African Institution of Civil Engineering (Saice) calls on industry bodies, the engineering fraternity, and the private sector to support efforts to relieve the humanitarian disaster in KwaZulu-Natal following widespread flooding.
“We have a responsibility to do our best to help rebuild the affected parts of the province, as well as aid citizens in need. Saice has contributed to the Gift of the Givers Foundation, and we encourage the private sector to support reputable and well-established aid and relief organisations,” says Saice president Professor Marianne Vanderschuren.
“We are aware of the impact of this disaster on people in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. Many people have lost their loved ones and their homes, apart from the significant damage to critical infrastructure, including bridges, roads and schools.
“The need is great and we should come together, mobilise resources and demonstrate our compassion as South Africans,” she says.
Saice has the technical expertise and know-how to work with government and provide guidance to help rebuild the province.
“Saice is a significant role-player in the infrastructure development environment. We have industry experts that are seasoned in technical and strategic competencies to help innovate and rebuild the province.
“However, we advocate that maintaining and rebuilding KwaZulu-Natal’s infrastructure must be done through collaborative partnerships, which should be underpinned by trust, good governance and, importantly, transparent procurement processes,” Vanderschuren emphasises.
Saice members in these regions have also been affected. Saice has two key branches in Durban and Pietermaritzburg and sympathises with members who have been affected in the region and across the country.
The institution further supports government’s decision to declare this crisis a National State of Disaster.
“We agree with President Cyril Ramaphosa, who said that this declaration was necessary in order for all spheres of government to coordinate and manage the disaster to enable the mobilisation of more resources, as well as the necessary technical expertise to assist with relief, recovery and rehabilitation,” says Vanderschuren.
