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Associations
professionals can thrive internationally without necessarily leaving South Africa .
Q : CESA has raised points about the necessity for government to address barriers to investment and establish a robust procurement framework – gaining for itself a seat at the discussion table . Has CESA engaged with the government on these matters , and what has been the government ' s response ? A : Securing a seat at the table hasn ' t been a straightforward process for us . Rather than being offered this opportunity by the government , we ' ve had to proactively navigate our way into these discussions . However , we must admit that the outcomes haven ' t always been as successful as we hoped . For instance , we were involved in advocating for our interests within the public procurement bill , a process that highlighted significant flaws . Despite our efforts , including public consultation and input from our members , many of our recommendations were disregarded by the government . This experience underscores the challenges we face in influencing policymaking in areas crucial to our industry .
It ' s important to emphasise the need for collaboration across various engineering organisations , such as SAICE ( also in attendance at the briefing ) which play complementary roles . By aligning our efforts and advocating collectively , we can amplify our impact and effectively address shared challenges , such as project lifecycle considerations and the training of young engineers .
Collaboration between organisations is essential to maximise influence and effect meaningful change . We ' ve seen the benefits of joint advocacy efforts , particularly in raising awareness about infrastructure issues and advocating for solutions . By working together , we can ensure that the government recognises the vital contributions of the engineering sector and prioritises initiatives that support collective goals .
Our industry ' s challenges require a united approach , and by pooling our resources and expertise , we can better advocate for policies and initiatives that benefit both our profession and the broader community .
Additionally , it ' s crucial to address systemic issues like the ‘ feast and famine ’ syndrome , which impacts the stability of our industry and hampers long-term planning and investment . We must continue to engage with government and industry stakeholders to foster a conducive environment for sustainable growth and development .
For instance , this isn ' t merely a commercial transaction where you purchase a commodity and move on , there are significant consequences to discounting professional fees . One such consequence is the inability to secure sufficient financing for training investments . It ' s crucial that this message is conveyed not only by us but collectively with our partner associations . Any scope for collaboration is welcomed .
Q : What is CESA ’ s advice for urban planners considering new cities in South Africa ? A : Consulting engineers must recognise their role within the broader framework of urban planning . While we may not be the primary decision-makers , our expertise is invaluable in assessing factors like proximity to essential services and infrastructure feasibility . It ' s essential to ensure that new developments consider existing infrastructure and communities , preventing further disparities and ensuring inclusive growth .
We must not overlook existing infrastructure and communities in our pursuit of new developments . The challenge lies in balancing the need for expansion with the responsibility to address existing shortcomings . For instance , while developing new infrastructure is essential , we mustn ' t forget about improving and maintaining infrastructure in areas that are already established . Moreover , we must consider factors like traffic congestion and accessibility , which are often overlooked in urban planning discussions .
The issue of traffic congestion underscores the importance of comprehensive urban planning that accounts for various factors , including transportation infrastructure and population density . As consulting engineers , we must advocate for holistic approaches to urban development that prioritise sustainability and inclusivity , ensuring that no community is left behind in the pursuit of progress . RACA
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RACA Journal I March 2024 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za