There is an urgent need for a proactive and resilient approach to infrastructure maintenance in KwaZulu-Natal, especially given the recurring floods that have exposed significant vulnerabilities in the region’s roads, bridges and water systems, Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) president David Leukes said during the industry body’s recent branch visit to the province.

"Across the country – and more especially here in KwaZulu-Natal – the recurring floods over the past several years have underscored the urgent need for a more proactive and resilient approach to infrastructure maintenance, embedded within a comprehensive lifecycle framework.

“Much of our infrastructure was designed for historical weather patterns and is now overwhelmed by the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, which continue to be exacerbated by climate change,” Leukes explained.

He warned that ageing infrastructure and deferred maintenance had significantly increased vulnerability, noting that blocked culverts, eroded pavements and low-lying bridges – such as those in Pinetown – had failed under pressure during recent flooding episodes.

“Clogged stormwater systems and outdated bridge designs cannot cope with the current volumes of water, and, in many cases, this has led to catastrophic damage. We, as a nation, are still struggling to gain control over the situation and implement effective mitigation measures,” he pointed out.

Cesa KwaZulu-Natal branch chairperson Sagren Narasimulu echoed these concerns.

“Our province faces significant infrastructure challenges that demand our expertise. The increasing frequency and severity of flooding events have placed enormous strain on our infrastructure.

“A 2024 report by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs revealed that flood damage in recent years has cost our province billions [of rands]. This underscores the urgent need for resilient, future-proof solutions,” he said.

Narasimulu added that the challenge extended beyond flood damage.

“The maintenance and upgrade of our transport networks – roads, bridges and ports – are critical to keeping KwaZulu-Natal connected and supporting economic growth. The question we must ask is: Are we doing enough to ensure that our infrastructure is built to withstand evolving climate challenges?”

Leukes emphasised that by adopting a lifecycle approach, government and stakeholders could build an interconnected ecosystem where each infrastructure project contributed to long-term sustainability.

“We need to rethink how we design, build and maintain our systems – not as isolated projects, but as part of a cohesive, climate-adaptive strategy,” he averred.

Leukes also stressed the importance of collaboration between government, the private sector and communities to improve disaster preparedness and response.

“Clear communication channels and well-coordinated action plans are essential to minimising damage and accelerating recovery efforts,” he stressed.

Narasimulu added that systemic inefficiencies also hampered progress.

“Procurement bottlenecks remain a major hurdle, affecting project timelines, budgets and, ultimately, the quality of service delivery. These inefficiencies affect not just engineers – they affect every business and community relying on well-maintained infrastructure.”

Leukes further noted that skills development was an integral part of this effort.

“Addressing KwaZulu-Natal’s ageing water infrastructure, for example, requires a concerted focus on enhancing the technical capabilities of our water professionals – from leak detection and treatment optimisation to the deployment of smart technologies in water management.”

Cesa CEO Chris Campbell emphasised that resilient infrastructure was not just an engineering imperative, but a national priority.

“The time for piecemeal solutions is over. What we need is a coordinated, long-term commitment to infrastructure planning, funding, and maintenance.

“This is how we protect lives, livelihoods and the economic potential of provinces like KwaZulu-Natal. Cesa and its members stand ready to support all spheres of government with the technical expertise, project oversight, and professional integrity needed to build a future-ready South Africa,” he emphasised.