Industry organisations Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) and professional services and management consulting firm Aon South Africa have announced the finalists for the Cesa Aon Engineering Excellence Awards 2024.

The organisations also highlight the critical importance of engineering excellence to develop resilient infrastructure that can withstand climate change effects and natural disasters, and which ensures safety, sustainability and stability for communities and economies.

“The Cesa Aon Engineering Excellence Awards are about celebrating innovation and excellence in our country’s infrastructure projects. Every finalist is an acknowledgement of and appreciation for the foundational role that our consulting engineers play in society's progress and economic development,” says Aon South Africa CEO Dr Nolwandle Mgoqi.

The awards recognise and celebrate South Africa-based consulting engineers who are members of Cesa and the difference they make in the country.

The Cesa Aon Engineering Excellence Awards, which is in its fifty-second year and will be held on August 14 in Midrand, highlight the quality of engineering design, ingenuity, originality, innovation, business excellence and outstanding leaders in the industry.

“By fostering innovation and collaboration, we are not only enhancing the longevity and reliability of our projects, but also contributing to the overall stability and growth of our economy. The finalists for this year's awards showcase a diverse range of projects across the board,” says Cesa CEO Chris Campbell.

Mgoqi congratulated the finalists and said their achievements are a testament to the transformative power of engineering excellence.

“By creating innovative solutions to complex problems, improving infrastructure and fostering sustainable practices, you significantly enhance the quality of life and contribute to the stability, growth and resilience of our economies in South Africa and around the world,” she says.

“As you forge ahead and shape new engineering feats, we, as Aon, stand ready to support your business to make better decisions around all aspects of risk and opportunity, as we lay the foundations for a more optimistic future for our communities, businesses and the economy.”

FINALIST PROJECTS
Infrastructure engineering firm Zutari was selected as a finalist for the Engineering Technology and Innovation: Water Sanitation and Hygiene Design Excellence Award for its Coegakop Wellfield and Water Treatment Works project.

Zutari, for its Anglo America Carbon Neutrality Energy Storage project, and engineering consulting firm Knight Piésold, for its Kikagati Hydropower Plant project, were announced as finalists for the Engineering Technology and Innovation: Renewable Energy Systems Design Excellence Award.

Further, multidisciplinary engineering firm Spoormaker & Partners was announced as a finalist for the Engineering Technology and Innovation: Smart Building Systems Design Excellence Award for its NuMeRI Main Centre project.

In the category of R250-million to R1-billion, the joint venture between black women-owned infrastructure engineering consulting firm MPAMOT Africa and engineering professional services firm WSP for their Southern Corridor Phase 1 – Farm 694 Kosovo Housing Development project has been announced as a finalist.

Additionally, multidisciplinary engineering firm BVi Group was also announced as a finalist in this category for its Widening of National Route R22 Section 5 through Kwangwanase Town project.

In the Mega-projects greater than R1-billion category, MPAMOT Africa for its Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Office Accommodation public-private partnership project was announced as a finalist.

Also in this category, Zutari was selected as a finalist for the Upgrading of the Zandvliet Wastewater Treatment Works project.

“Engineers and innovation in the industry have played a critical role in increasing the quality of life in South Africa,” adds Campbell.

“The resilience of the projects that are enhancing water supply, providing healthcare facilities, building reliable electricity infrastructure, fixing natural disaster-ravaged areas, building transportation systems and developing agriculture solutions is a testament to the ingenuity of the industry, and is changing the infrastructure narrative in South Africa.”