MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) in the Southern Cape announced the winners of its Regional Engineering Excellence Awards at a gala dinner at Fancourt Golf Estate in George on Friday, 31 August.
The increase in numbers this year necessitating the awards event moving to the ballroom. This is testimony to SAICE being alive, well and thriving in the Southern Cape.
The event was attended by SAICE members from local government and the industry. Cornelle Carstens, a journalist at the Mossel Bay Advertiser was the master of ceremonies.
"The Southern Cape branch takes great pleasure in presenting the region's best projects, showcasing our industry's ability to master local engineering challenges.
"We can also commend these projects as being our first projects going through to the national competition this year," said branch chair of SAICE Southern Cape, Adrian van Molendorff.
Awards
In the category, most outstanding civil engineering achievement: institutional and structural engineering project, the new 12.5Ml reservoir at the old George water treatment works, walked away with the laurels.
The George Municipality employed consulting engineers Royal HaskoningDHV on this project and Urhwebo e-Transand acted as the contractor.
Another project in George awarded for excellence was the Thembalethu pipe bridge No 5.
This project claimed the award for most outstanding civil engineering achievement: community-based project.
Aurecon was the consulting engineer employed by the George Municipality, with contractors Entsha Henra and with Urhwebo e-Transand and Freyssinet New Structures acting as sub-contractors.
Mossel Bay also claimed an equal share of awards. The Sonskynvallei phase 2 human settlement project was awarded most outstanding civil engineering project acheivement: project management and construction project.
The event was attended by SAICE members from local government and the industry. Cornelle Carstens, a journalist at the Mossel Bay Advertiser was the master of ceremonies.
The Mossel Bay Municipality involved Royal HaskoningDHV in this successful project. Royal HaskoningDHV made use of Urhwebo e-Transand and Marnol Projects as their contractors for civils and top structures respectively. The upgrading of the stormwater systems of several streets in Mossel Bay was awarded the top spot for most outstanding civil engineering achievement: technical excellence.
V3 Consulting Engineers was tasked by the Mossel Bay Municipality to take on this project. Sub-consultant ASP Technology and contractors Urhwebo e-Transand and Phambili Civils were also brought on board.
Growth and moving ahead
Van Molendorff said SAICE Southern Cape was continuing on its growth path, while making an effort to develop members and the engineering profession.
"The courses in the region have been very well received. We will be continuing on this path for the new year and strive to deliver to the region's needs.
The technical talks and site visits will develop into the future as well, to try to engage with our younger members.
"We have also started the first tentative steps in engaging with the local IMESA committee to see how our activities and resources can be developed to the benefit of both organisations."
Van Moledorff mentioned a number of notable current projects on the go, include the Gwaing Bridge upgrade, the Outeniqua WWTW upgrade, various housing projects, the extensive reworking of the old Toyota garage and extensive work on the national routes in the region, which potentially will be future region representatives.
"These again showcase that our industry best shows how our country will overcome the obstacles, by creating employment, training, infrastructure and economic opportunities for the communities they serve.
"The investment in our region continues and we see the positive growth in private development as a good sign for the future of our industry in the region."
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