Industry body Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) CEO Chris Campbell emphasised the significance of the Cesa Infrastructure Indaba, which was held in Cape Town on March 19 and 20.

“As we navigate the complexities of infrastructure development, it is imperative to prioritise sustainability, innovation and inclusivity. The Infrastructure Indaba serves as a platform to exchange ideas, share best practices, and drive positive change,” Campbell stated.

Cesa explained that the yearly Infrastructure Indaba always promises high-level engagement, as it gathers key stakeholders and clients from the private and public sector, as well as the engineering fraternity, “under one roof”.

The organisation stated that thus year, it arranged for a dynamic agenda focused on critical themes shaping the infrastructure landscape, ensuring that the event featured sessions led by prominent figures in the engineering field as well as esteemed panellists from South Africa, the rest of Africa and around the globe.

“The Infrastructure Indaba is a vital platform for fostering collaboration and innovation within the engineering community. We are proud to bring together leading minds to tackle pressing challenges and explore opportunities for sustainable development,” Campbell added.

The conference started with a “thought- provoking” session titled ‘Engineering the future – protecting lives and livelihoods’, aimed at addressing the crucial role of engineering in ensuring the safety and prosperity of communities.

Following this, attendees were able to attend sessions delving into topics such as transformation and capacity building, infrastructure upgrade, and ‘Investment and development in an era of climate change’, among others.

These sessions provided invaluable insights into navigating the complexities of infrastructure projects in an evolving landscape. Another highlight of the event was a panel discussion on ‘Leadership, technology, and mental health – a balancing act’.

This session underscored the importance of fostering a supportive environment for engineers. Additionally, the conference featured a session dedicated to water and energy security that addressed critical issues surrounding these essential resources.

The event drew a diverse audience, including government officials, engineers, industry leaders, academics and young professionals, facilitating meaningful dialogue and collaboration across sectors.