Construction World March 2016

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Mapping a SUSTAINABLE PATH for consulting engineers

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Consulting Engineers South Africa’s (CESA) president, Lynne Pretorius, recently presented her presidential message and theme for the year at a function held at Hyatt Regency, in Rosebank, with the theme of ‘Mapping a Sustainable Path for Consulting Engineers amid Growing Economic Challenges’.

The state of affairs in South Africa At the recent CESA Infrastructure Indaba in a presentation about the current South African outlook negative sentiments, low GDP and load shedding curtailing economic growth were mentioned. In addition, a backlog of R850-billion planned infrastructure spend over the next three years and a further R4-trillion required over the next 15 years as well as a lack of good governance, labour strikes and water restrictions were discussed as challenges facing the SA economy. However, it was stated that all is not lost. The country is making strides in the achieve- ment of the National Development Goals with significant infrastructure investment to date planned in key sectors such as transport, power, water and ICT. Although the South African government has accomplished much in the last few years, there is not enough money to meet the growing infrastructure challenges. At the CESA’s Indaba, three possible avenues were explored to meet these challenges: • Private sector should increase its investment in public infrastructure development • Maintenance of existing infrastructure to ensure that the existing infrastructure

Consulting Engineers South Africa’s (CESA) president, Lynne Pretorius.

Pretorius stated that this year CESA will be focusing on how the organ- isation can support the industry to deliver more with less; form

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strategic partnerships; remain active and vigilant advocates for the industry; and focus on transformation of the profession. Pretorius began her presentation with an overview of the ever growing challenges being faced that are having a significant impact on consulting engineers and their role in society. She stated, “Our country is challenged by social instability, ever increasing unemploy- ment, failing economic infrastructure and a depreciating rand. “All of these external influences have a profound impact on society at large and with all of these constraining elements, it appears as if consulting engineers have to do more with less.”

CONSTRUCTION WORLD MARCH 2016