The SAICE National Awards was a night dedicated to celebrating the excellence, innovation and leadership that define civil engineering and the built environment.  Held at The Galleria, Sandton, Johannesburg, these awards not only honored engineering professionals who are responsible for changing civil engineering but also was a time of reflection for their shared responsibilities as leaders in shaping the future of our country, through infrastructure, sustainable development and professional excellence. 

The SAICE National Awards, held on 18 September 2025 at The Galleria in Sandton, was a special night dedicated to pause and acknowledge the professionals, projects, and ideas that are shaping South Africa's present and future.  Their contribution offers hope, opportunity and a better tomorrow for all. These individuals and groups showed strong professionalism, ethics, and quality in their work, playing a key role in building the country’s infrastructure now and in the future.

For 122 years, The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) has fostered the civil engineering fraternity, promoting growth, excellence and sustainability within the industry and serving as a testament to the excellence and innovation of civil engineering in South Africa.

“Together, we are building more than infrastructure – we are building a stronger, more sustainable and inclusive South Africa,” remarked Friedrich Slabbert, 2025 SAICE President in his welcoming speech.  

“From our young engineering professionals, experienced professionals, and organisations and teams that exemplify leadership and excellence, 2025 has been a year of momentum and collaboration.  Throughout this year, we have placed strong emphasis on collaboration, but even more on accountability. These themes came to life most recently when we launched the latest GCC, General Conditions of Contract 2025, and was a reminder, a statement, that we work together as an industry, in collaboration with government and other professional bodies,” Slabbert added. 

“SAICE has deepened its collaborative engagements with key partners in government, the private sector, academia, and civil society, enabling us to launch critical initiatives, strengthen professional training, and contribute meaningfully to national policy dialogues,“ noted Sekadi Phayane-Shakhane, SAICE CEO.

“Our investment in professionals and students remains a top priority, and those we celebrate today, are the innovators and leaders of tomorrow. By nurturing their talent, we are investing in a South Africa that is capable of solving its most pressing challenges with ingenuity and excellence,” she added.

Phayane-Shakhane went on to remark “South Africa’s infrastructure challenges are complex, requiring a multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral approach. Civil engineering doesn’t stand alone; and as an organisation, SAICE is committed to being a convener of thought leadership – bringing together government, business, academia, and professionals to co-create strategies that deliver sustainable impact. Tonight, as we celebrate our award recipients, we are also celebrating the spirit of collaboration that underpins progress in our sector.”

SANRAL was the Gold Sponsor for the 2025 SAICE National Awards  and as the custodian of South Africa’s national road network, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has been at the forefront of building connections since 1998.  With a mandate to finance, develop and maintain the national road network of over 27 000 km, SANRAL is at the forefront of driving economic recovery through infrastructure development. 

SANRAL Regional Manager: Northern Region Progress Hlahla, in his speech, asked the audience to consider if “as a collective, we’ve led or are leading well in the country? Is our voice heard? Does our voice matter? And what have we influenced in a positive way to make sure we achieve our collective dream as a people?”

Hlahla went on to challenge those in the room that “as you also play your role in society, to reflect on the impact you’ve had and the role you continue to have in society.”

More than winning at the awards, SAICE’s hope is to inspire excellence and reignite the passion that led all members to dedicate their lives and talents to this great profession.

SAICE thanked all the sponsors, SANRAL (gold sponsor), Bell Equipment (silver sponsor), Infraconsult Engineering (silver sponsor), PPS for Professionals, SKI, Form-Scaff and SIKA South Africa for their vital contribution and support.  

“This coming year calls for us to work together to invest in our professionals, strengthen their development, and build an industry that attracts, nurtures, and retains the talent South Africa needs,” Phayane-Shakhane added.

In closing, Phayane-Shakhane thanked all of the stakeholders, including the consulting firms, industry bodies, public sector, state-owned enterprises, and academic institutions, all of whom provide vital support for the industry.  

The winners of the 2025 SAICE National Awards are as follows:

Individual Awards: 

Academic staff recognition 

●          Sandile Ngidi, Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg 

Mentor recognition

●          Lesetja Boshomane, Lead Civil Engineer at Beal Africa (Pty) Ltd 

●          Mpoti Machaba, Supervisor at MG Bluhray Engineers

●          Sekadi Phayane - Shakhane, SAICE CEO 

Graduate Engineer of the Year

●          Winner:  Pretty Sibiya, Elwatini

●          Winner:  Zuzile Makhubu, WSP

●          Highly Commended: Hugo Kirchner, SANRAL

Graduate Technician of the Year   

●          Winner: Mawande Khawula, SMEC

Young Technologist of the Year 

●          Winner: Noel Dube, Skyhigh Consulting

Technologist of the Year

●          Winner: Sinenhlanhla Chamane, CEO of M&C Consulting

●          Highly Commended: Letshego Sehume, MISA

Young Engineer of the Year

●          Winner: Bradley Pather, SENET

●          Highly Commended: Imraan Akhalwaya, WSP

Engineer of the Year

●          Winner: Jocelyn Evans, MD of Hofman Evans

The PPS Photo Competition

●          Winner: Sebastian Whitward

●          2nd Place: Tebogo Thembo

●          3rd Place: Sheldon Themlett

Most Supportive Advertiser of the Year

●          2024 Most Supportive Advertiser Winner: Sizabantu Piping Systems

●          2024 Most Supportive Advertiser Runner Up: AfriSam

Project Awards

The Technical Excellence Civil Project of the Year Award 

●          Winner: Rehab and Strengthening of National Rd R504 SANRAL/ Nyeleti Consulting/ Actophambili Roads-Imvula Roads JV/North West

●          Highly Commended: N12 Beaconway Intersection Upgrade SANRAL/ AECOM/ Martin & East/ Southern Cape

●          Commended: Flood damage repairs on various roads Grabouw Western Cape Government/ AECOM/ Amandla Construction/ Western Cape

The Technical Excellence Structural / Building Project of the Year Award

●          Winner: Canelands Pipe and Pedestrian Bridge, Ethekwini Municipality/ Naidu Consulting/ Afrostructures/ Durban

The Technical Excellence Maintenance or Rehabilitation Project of the Year Award

●          Winner: Van Rhyns Pass Rehabilitation, Western Cape Govt/ AECOM/ Roadmac Road Surfacing/ Western Cape

●          Highly Commended: Delivery Tunnel North Maintenance, TCTA/ Hatch/ Raubex/ Drakensberg

The Technical Excellence International Project of the Year Award

●          Winner: Upgrading of Ha Mpiti Road, Lesotho Roads Directorate/ SMEC/ Qinjian Group/ Lesotho

●          Highly Commended: Polihali Village Construction, Lesotho Highlands Development Authority/ Polihatse Infrastructure Consultants JV/ Polihali Village JV/ Lesotho

The Technical Excellence Community-Based Project of the Year Award 

●          Winner: Cliff Path Link at Poole’s Bay, Cliff Path Action Group/ AVDM Consulting Engineers/ ABC Civils/Western Cape

●          Highly Commended: Labour Intensive Water Supply Maintenance Mangaung area, Mangaung City/ SMEC/ SMEC with local labour/ Bloemfontein

The Technical Excellence Investigative Project of the Year Award

●          Winner: Thulamela LM Roads and Stormwater Master Plan, Thulamela Local Municipality-DBSA/ Infraconsult Engineering/ Limpopo

Institutional Awards

Branch of the Year: In the category of more than 500 members 

●          Winner: SAICE Western Cape Branch

Branch of the Year: In the category of less than 500 members

●          Winner: SAICE Bloemfontein Branch

●          Highly Commended: SAICE Lowveld Branch

Division of the Year: In the category of more than 500 members:

●          Winner: SAICE Project Management & Construction Division

Division of the Year: In the category of less than 500 members 

●          Winner: SAICE Fire Division

Student Chapter of the Year (Universities of Science):

●          Winner: SAICE UKZN Student Chapter

Student Chapter of the year (Universities of Technology):

●          Winner: SAICE Civil Forum Student Chapter

●          Highly Commended: SAICE VUT Student Chapter