THE South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) hosted its annual awards ceremony recently, in a hybrid event both online and in-person at the Hilton Hotel in Johannesburg.
The SANRAL SAICE 2021 National Awards celebrate and reward the outstanding individuals and projects that are a catalyst for innovation and good practice in the development of civil engineering. They also aim to create an awareness of the contribution made to the civil engineering industry by SAICE members.
“Through these awards, we hope to create role models for students and young civil engineers, and encourage leadership in the industry,” said SAICE President Vishal Krishandutt, in his opening address. “As civil engineers, technicians and technologists, we have a responsibility to society and the power to shape the future. At SAICE, we hope this evening inspires you in your role in this very crucial industry.”
This year, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) partnered with SAICE as the naming rights sponsor. Louw Kannemeyer, representing SANRAL, delivered some good new to an Industry still In recovery mode from COVID-19.
“In the next few weeks, I believe there are nine major contracts for construction that we will be awarding, and this means, we will be committing over R30 billion to those major projects that have been going through the tender process, the adjudication process, and legal processes,” Kannemeyer said.
The keynote address for the evening was delivered by Professor Adrian Saville, Investment Specialist at Genera Capital and Professor at the Gordon Institute of Business Science. Prof Saville discussed the state of South Africa’s economy.
“We have to turn policy promise into economic confidence by getting out of the business of talking, and into the business of evidencing,” Saville said.
“We have a lot of hard work around us that has to be done. We are in a tough environment but this is not a failed state. This isn’t a broken economy. It is an environment that is stumbling and stuttering and it needs help.”
All the winners
The individual awards honour a person who has rendered outstanding service to the profession or one who has made a contribution of distinction to civil engineering:
- Young Engineer of the Year, sponsored by FNB: Ching-Chiao (Alice) Chang from Zutari.
- Technologist of the Year: Teniel Ramjogi from BMK
- Graduate Engineer of the Year, sponsored by PPS for Professionals: Michael Mhlanga, Chairperson of the SAICE Young Members Panel
Project awards are for projects which portray the art and science of civil engineering to the public and display how the profession find solutions to challenging requirements:
- Most Outstanding Civil Engineering Project, sponsored by Maccaferri SA:
- Winner: Ezimbokodweni Pipe & Pedestrian Bridge, Josh Padayachee, Naidu Consulting.
- Highly commended: Crossing the Magaliesberg – The new Pampoen Nek Highway, Raelize du Plooy, Zutari.
- Highly commended: Expansion of the King Cetshwayo Highway-Westwood Interchange, Jitesh Harripershad, eThekwini Municipality – Engineering Unit – Roads Provision Department.
- Commendation: Xhora Off Channel Dam, John Petzer, Hatch Africa.
Most Outstanding International Civil Engineering Project
- Winner: Port of Maputo Traffic Study, Avinash Menon, Koleko.
Next were the institutional awards, which awards excellence within SAICE’s operations across the country. The winners are:
- Branch of the Year, joint winners:
- SAICE Durban Branch
- SAICE Western Cape Branch
- Division of the Year:
- SAICE’s Transportation Division
- Student Chapter of the Year, sponsored by PPS for Professionals:
- UJ Civil Student Society
Next, the awards turned to the highly appraised Zutari photo competition which looks for the creative portrayal of civil engineering activities or projects. The following winners were announced.
- First place: Maphole Loke, Lesotho Highlands Water Project PhaseII – Base repairs: Insitu recycling
- Second place: Gaelen Wright, Ashton Arch Reflected
- Third Place: Ightishaan Groenewald, Oyster Bay Wind farm turbine Assembly with Kouga Wind Farm in the background.
Finally, the award for the Most Supportive Advertisers of 2020 was presented. SAICE is grateful to every advertiser that supports the industry and there are two organisations that were awarded this year.
- Winner: Reinforced Earth
- Runner-up: Standard Bank
