{"id":18182,"date":"2025-03-19T09:16:16","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T09:16:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swmcommunications.co.za\/press-office\/?p=18182"},"modified":"2025-03-20T09:17:24","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T09:17:24","slug":"cesa-infrastructure-indaba-calls-for-urgent-public-private-partnerships-to-rebuild-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swmcommunications.co.za\/press-office\/cesa-infrastructure-indaba-calls-for-urgent-public-private-partnerships-to-rebuild-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"CESA Infrastructure Indaba calls for urgent public-private partnerships to rebuild South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

19 March 2025<\/em><\/strong>: Consulting Engineers South Africa\u2019s (CESA) Infrastructure Indaba underscored the critical role of collaboration and partnerships in addressing South Africa\u2019s infrastructure challenges. On the second day of the Indaba, being held in Gauteng, industry leaders from across sectors emphasised that unified efforts between public and private entities are essential for rebuilding and modernising the country\u2019s transport systems and broader infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Prof Dirk<\/strong> Kotz\u00e9<\/strong>, from the University of South Africa\u2019s Political Science Department, stressed the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in driving infrastructure projects. \u201cThe idea that the state can do everything on its own is long over. As engineers, you are the private partner – the opportunity is for you,\u201d Kotz\u00e9 said. He highlighted that infrastructure is the foundation upon which quality of life and economic progress depend.<\/p>\n

Dr. Vishal Haripersad<\/strong>, Managing Director of Knight Pi\u00e9sold Southern Africa and Vice President of CESA, emphasised collaboration, innovation, and legacy as key to rebuilding South Africa\u2019s aging systems. Haripersad noted that while government investment is vital, private sector expertise and agility are equally critical to meeting the country\u2019s infrastructure needs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe private sector \u2013 approximately 580 CESA firms and 17 000 engineers – brings capital, expertise, and agility. Imagine private finance rebuilding SANRAL\u2019s highways, employing thousands, while government ensures equitable access. Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson\u2019s delivery drive aligns here, and CESA\u2019s push for PPPs can make it real. Look at Lesotho\u2019s water projects – Africa proves it works,\u201d Haripersad noted.<\/p>\n

Hishaam Emeran<\/strong>, Group CEO of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), echoed a similar sentiment on collaboration, stating, \u201cPartnerships are key, including with CESA, to help restore and rebuild South Africa\u2019s rail network.\u201d Emeran shared PRASA\u2019s progress in recovering rail corridors, noting that with passenger trips projected to exceed 60 million this year, partnerships are essential to achieving PRASA\u2019s target of 116 million by 2025\/26 and 600 million by 2030. Emerman was speaking during a session on: \u201cMandates for Economic Growth: Role of State-owned Entities\u201d facilitated by Logashri Sewnarain: CESA Board Member and CEO of SMEC South Africa.<\/p>\n

Emeran further emphasised PRASA\u2019s vision to position rail as the backbone of an integrated transport network. \u201cWe are not just rebuilding; we are modernising the system to serve as a foundation for economic growth and social development,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Progress Hlahla<\/strong>, Regional Manager transitioning to Provincial Head for Gauteng at SANRAL, encouraged professionals to view infrastructure challenges as opportunities for innovation. \u201cAll the challenges surrounding infrastructure development in South Africa are opportunities for professionals, including engineers, to solve together,\u201d Hlahla remarked.<\/p>\n

Sandile Magenuka<\/strong>, General Manager for Network Asset Maintenance at Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM), called for stronger collaboration to combat theft and vandalism in the rail sector. He acknowledged progress but stressed the urgent need for more effective law enforcement. \u201cWe need more crime intelligence as we track how this criminal activity shifts from one community to another and from town to town. We have seen improvements, but there is still a long way to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, other key sessions included a focus on: \u201cTechnology and Engineering Innovation!\u201d, facilitated by Dr Gift Mphefu, co-chairperson of the CESA Transformation & Development Committee and MD at Med-TechEngineers; and included Devesh Mothilall, Head of Digitalisation – Smart City Office at theCity of Johannesburg; and Richard Matchett: Founding member of BIM CommUnity Africa.<\/p>\n

A dedicated session, focused on \u201cInfrastructure and Water & Energy Security,\u201d was facilitated by Sechaba Kou, a CESA Board member and MD at Isao Consulting; and included industry experts Mzila Mthenjane, CEO of the Minerals Council South Africa; Geoff Tooley, President of IMESA; and Aubrey Jabulani Nxumalo, Senior Manager Master Planning at Rand Water.<\/p>\n

Chris Campbell<\/strong>, CEO of CESA, concluded: \u201cThe Indaba has made a clear call to action: collaboration is not just beneficial – it is imperative. By leveraging partnerships between government entities, private firms, engineers, and communities, South Africa can unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth and modernisation in infrastructure development.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

ENDS<\/strong><\/p>\n

About Consulting Engineers South Africa<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) is a voluntary association of consulting engineering firms with a member base across the country totalling in excess of 580 companies. CESA is the custodian of the well-being of the industry supported by member firms who employ approximately 17 000 people. For more information, visit: www.cesa.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Media Contact<\/u><\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Brindaveni Naidoo | SWM Communications<\/p>\n

Tel: 084 566 7459<\/p>\n

brindaveni@swmcommunications.co.za<\/p>\n

\n

CESA Contact:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Bonolo Nkgodi<\/p>\n

Marketing and Communications Manager<\/p>\n

Tel: 011 463 2022<\/p>\n

bonolo@cesa.co.za<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

19 March 2025: Consulting Engineers South Africa\u2019s (CESA) Infrastructure Indaba underscored the critical role of collaboration and partnerships in addressing South Africa\u2019s infrastructure challenges. On the second day of the Indaba, being held in Gauteng, industry leaders from across sectors emphasised that unified efforts between public and private entities are essential for rebuilding and modernising the country\u2019s transport systems and broader infrastructure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":18183,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[62,60],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18182","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cesa","category-press-releases"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swmcommunications.co.za\/press-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18182","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swmcommunications.co.za\/press-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swmcommunications.co.za\/press-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swmcommunications.co.za\/press-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swmcommunications.co.za\/press-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18182"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/swmcommunications.co.za\/press-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18182\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18184,"href":"https:\/\/swmcommunications.co.za\/press-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18182\/revisions\/18184"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swmcommunications.co.za\/press-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18183"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swmcommunications.co.za\/press-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18182"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swmcommunications.co.za\/press-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18182"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swmcommunications.co.za\/press-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18182"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}