CONTRIBUTOR
CESA Infrastructure Indaba 2021 : Encouraging the tough discussions needed to drive SA ’ s economic recovery
By Chris Campbell - CEO CESA
Consulting Engineers South Africa ( CESA ) proudly recently kicked off its annual Infrastructure Indaba under the theme ‘ Engineering the future now ’. Held for the first time as a virtual event , the online platform boasted networking opportunities and discussions which were highly engaging amid South Africa ’ s turbulent construction landscape .
CESA President , Sugen Pillay , opened the event by engineering and politics from each other . There is a long discussing South Africa ’ s Economic Reconstruction and history of engineers working in tandem with the public sector Recovery Plan . “ This plan has created some muchneeded optimism in the country , and I must highlight the fact , engineers .” He said that since there is common ground
and some may argue that the first public servants were , in
important role of consulting engineers in this plan ,” said Pillay . in serving society with public infrastructure , engineers and “ However , while the role of engineers will be critical in the politicians must work together . He encouraged engineers to recovery process , it is also important to note all the role consider taking up professional roles within local government players and stakeholders across the entire construction value departments . “ The engineering industry is directly influenced chain who will be invaluable in the rebuilding process .” by the decisions of government . Professional engineers
In his keynote address , Cas Coovadia , CEO of Business Unity South Africa ( BUSA ) discussed some challenges facing the construction and procurement environment . “ There is a lack of urgency . Government is not making the hard decisions which are needed to create a conducive environment for infrastructure development .” Coovadia reported that BUSA has been working with Infrastructure SA but has concerns over the “ smorgasbord ” of infrastructure projects which are planned . “ Government should be focussing their efforts on four or five major , growth-critical infrastructure projects with engagement of the private sector . We are not having the tough discussions which will lead to the hard decisions we need to move our country forward in our infrastructure plans .”
The second keynote speaker for the day was Bongani Baloyi – Executive Mayor for the Midvaal Local Municipality – who discussed the relationship between engineers and the public sector . He said , “ It is impossible to dissect Chris Campbell – CESA . CESA President , Sugen Pillay .
ALL IMAGES : CESA www . saaffordablehousing . co . za NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2021 17