News


SAACE changes identity

3 September 2008 News

The SAACE (South African Association of Consulting Engineers) used the Annual Engineering Excellence Awards, held on 6 August, as the platform to launch its new identity as CESA (Consulting Engineers South Africa).

The SAACE (South African Association of Consulting Engineers) used the Annual Engineering Excellence Awards, held on 6 August, as the platform to launch its new identity as CESA (Consulting Engineers South Africa).

Over the past year, the association identified a need to differentiate its contribution to society. According to Felix Fongoqa, president of CESA, “Instead of talking within our industry to ourselves, we need to talk to a broader audience. South Africa is in a crisis, the shortage of engineers is acute, with more leaving every month.” Fongoqa goes on to state that CESA needs to speak to government to find ways of retaining the country’s intellectual capital.

(Left to right) Zulch LÜtter, deputy president; Felix Fongoqa, president; Graham Pirie, CEO of CESA at the association’s launch
(Left to right) Zulch LÜtter, deputy president; Felix Fongoqa, president; Graham Pirie, CEO of CESA at the association’s launch

CESA aims to talk to schools and universities in order to create a greater awareness of engineering and elevate public perceptions of engineering as being the career of choice. Existing services need to improve to be more environmentally conscious and actively support the fight against HIV/Aids. Through involvement in organisations such as the Green Building Council, the association intends to take the lead against the threat of global warming and engage every possible means of reducing the current generation’s carbon footprint for its children, and their children.

CESA will further enhance its solution orientation and continue to interact with local government to facilitate greater service delivery. To this end, the association, in conjunction with the Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), has established the Project Development and Facilitation Alliance (PDFA), a Section 21 company, to enable CESA and its members to assist local government with service delivery by making available desperately needed skills, to ensure that projects are implemented in accordance with best practices and against the highest international standards in engineering excellence. As such, the PDFA has been appointed an official implementing agent for the DWAF. The PDFA will require permanent capacity to execute its mandate and CESA’s participation in the PDFA will enable it to build the necessary business and engineering capacity and help unlock project delivery.

Fongoqa believes that consulting engineers play a vital role in the development of any economy, and in South Africa this role has never been more important than it is right now. As the country surges ahead to become globally competitive he believes that we need to ensure that vital infrastructure requirements are implemented to meet the ever-growing demands of industry, business and communities.





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

DMASS 2024 results
News
The semiconductor business faced a severe downturn, with a 31,9% decrease compared to 2023 and a 30,3% drop in Q4 2024 compared to the same period last year.

Read more...
Using satellite comms to end copper theft
News
According to Transnet COO Solly Letsoalo, the scourge of copper theft could be a thing of the past by eliminating the use of copper cabling and switching to a satellite communication system.

Read more...
Strategic merger: Etion Create and Nanoteq
Etion Create News
Reunert has announced the successful merger of two business units within the Applied Electronics Segment, namely Etion Create and Nanoteq, effective 1 October 2024.

Read more...
Securex South Africa 2025
Specialised Exhibitions News
Securex South Africa 2025 is co-located with A-OSH EXPO, Facilities Management Expo, and Firexpo to provide a time-saver for visitors looking for holistic solutions for their facilities.

Read more...
Chinese AI causes Silicon Valley stocks to tumble
News
Many stocks took a downward spike, with Nvidia being the hardest hit, losing 16,9% after one day’s trading.

Read more...
Silicon Labs 4th quarter results
News
Silicon Labs has reported financial results for the fourth quarter with highlights including a total revenue of $166 million and Home & Life revenue up 11% to $78 million.

Read more...
Comtest Group celebrates 20 years!
Comtest News
The Comtest Group is proudly celebrating 20 years of successful trading in the southern African test and measurement, communications, equipment, solutions, and specialised systems markets.

Read more...
World’s first wood-panelled satellite launched
News
Developed by researchers at Kyoto University, it is hoped that wood can be used in future designs to replace certain metals.

Read more...
IIE receives full accreditation from ECSA
News
The Independent Institute of Education (IIE) has received full accreditation from the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) – the first private higher education provider in the country to be recognised in this manner by the industry authority.

Read more...
AMCOM product selection guide
RFiber Solutions News
AMCOM Communications, who specialise in a wide range of MMIC components, has released its 2025 semiconductor product selection guide.

Read more...