INFRASTRUCTUREEngineeringSouth Africa’sfutureCollaboration is key to sustainable development,according to Consulting Engineers SouthAfrica (CESA) President, David Leukes.Coherent policy frameworks will greatly helpin delivering sustainable infrastructure.Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) President,David Leukes, has outlined a strategic framework forinfrastructure development, emphasising collaboration,sustainability and ethical leadership as key drivers forSouth Africa’s future.Speaking under the theme “Collaborating for the future we want:Mobilising for sustainable development”, Leukes highlighted thecritical role of infrastructure in achieving the country’s economicgrowth targets, referencing the South African Reserve Bank’sprojected 1.8% growth for 2025 and the government’s commitmentof R940-billion for infrastructure over the next three years.“We stand at a defining moment. The choices we make todaywill dictate whether we can realise our ambitious aspirations forschools, hospitals and essential infrastructure,” he said. Leukesexplained the importance of a lifecycle and integrated approachto development, urging stakeholders to move beyond silos andembrace collaboration across disciplines and sectors.“In today’s interconnected world, infrastructure developmentcannot operate in silos. We must embrace a collaborative approachthat brings together diverse stakeholders – engineers, planners,policymakers and communities – throughout the entire lifecycle.”He also stressed the urgent need for policy clarity andconsistency, particularly regarding the interplay between keylegislative instruments like the Broad-Based Black EconomicEmpowerment Act and the Public Procurement Act. He made astrong appeal for translating policy into action, calling for a clearway forward in policy implementation.“Our ability to deliver sustainable infrastructure hinges oncoherent policy frameworks that enable rather than hindercollaboration,” Leukes stated. He highlighted how public-privatepartnerships can drive innovation and knowledge transfer, pointingout that collaboration between sectors also opens avenues forcapacity building within public institutions.Leukes underscored that: “The path to sustainable developmentmust be paved with integrity.” He advocated for strengthenedprocurement processes, transparency and ethical leadership tocombat corruption and ensure accountability.David Leukes, President of Consulting Engineers South Africa,and Chris Campbell, CEO of Consulting Engineers South Africa.Upgrading of the Zandvliet Wastewater Treatment Works. Zutariwas a winner in the CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards 2024.Meanwhile, he reiterated the importance of driving STEMeducation and increasing the number of artisans in the country. Interms of skills development, Leukes also emphasised the importanceof “soft skills” and highlighted that the CESA School of ConsultingEngineering’s Business of Consulting Engineering ManagementDevelopment Programme as a key initiative.The address emphasised several key priorities for advancingcollaborative infrastructure development:• Strengthening procurement processes to ensure transparencyand fairness• Implementing robust mechanisms for cross-sector collaboration• Leveraging private-sector expertise to enhance public-sectorcapacity• Ensuring community engagement throughout project lifecyclesLeukes announced that these themes would be central todiscussions at CESA’s Annual Infrastructure Indaba where industryleaders would gather. He concluded, “Engineering the future wewant is within our grasp. Let’s build it together. One project, oneinnovation, one collaboration at a time!”About Consulting Engineers South AfricaConsulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) is a voluntary associationof consulting engineering firms with a member base across thecountry totalling in excess of 580 companies. CESA is the custodianof the wellbeing of the industry supported by member firms whoemploy approximately 19 000 people.CESA contact details:Bonolo Nkgodi, Marketing and Communications ManagerTel: +27 11 463 2022Email: bonolo@cesa.co.zaWebsite: www.cesa.co.za30 | www.opportunityonline.co.zaPHOTO: Stefanutti Stocks
INFRASTRUCTUREAn LNG Import Terminal is to bebuilt at Richards Bay.Infrastructure South AfricaSince 2020 South Africa has had a coordinating body for infrastructure known as InfrastructureSouth Africa (ISA), which reports to the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission.The biggest event in ISA’s calendar is the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium of South Africa(SIDSSA). A highlight of the 2024 symposium, the third holding of the event, was the first publication and release byISA of a construction book which lists all the infrastructure projects to be initiated by government and state-ownedcompanies (SOC) during the 2024/25 fiscal year. Other highlights of SIDSSA were the unveiling of the InfrastructureFund Pipeline and updates on the progress of the Strategic Integrated Projects as Gazetted in 2020 and 2022.ISA Top 12 priority projects:• Healthcare Infrastructure Programme (national)• Education Infrastructure Programme (national)• Ngqura Port Liquified Natural Gas (LNG),Eastern Cape• Project Ukuvuselela (high-capacity rail forautomotive sector), Gauteng-Eastern Cape• Amatola Bulk Water Augmentation,Eastern Cape• Nkomazi Special Economic Zone, Mpumalanga• Namakwa Special Economic Zone,Northern Cape• Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) ImportTerminal (Richards Bay), KwaZulu-Natal• Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 1, KwaZulu-Natal• Eskom Tubatse Pumped Storage Scheme, Limpopo• Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works Phase 2, Gauteng• Reinstatement of Mossel Bay GTL Refinery,Western Cape, pictured at nightPHOTO: PASAwww.opportunityonline.co.za | 31
