Who is building South Africa’s infrastructure future? The answer lies not only in major projects, but in the engineers, technologists, technicians, mentors and emerging leaders behind them.
Source: Supplied. Chris Roth, 2026 SAICE president.
At its 2026 National Awards, the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) put the spotlight on the people driving excellence across the profession as infrastructure returns to the centre of the country’s economic growth, service delivery and job-creation agenda.
Hosted at the NH Hotel in Sandton on Thursday, 3 September 2026, the awards recognised outstanding individuals, institutions and project teams whose work is strengthening communities, raising professional standards and helping develop the next generation of engineering talent.
"These awards are about celebrating excellent projects, outstanding individuals, and inspiring student chapters, branches and divisions.
"As engineering practitioners, we must keep championing excellence and showcasing the great work happening across South Africa. Sustainability and environmental stewardship are now central to every branch of civil engineering. The quality on display this year has been truly exceptional," said Chris Roth, 2026 SAICE president.
SAICE chief executive officer, Sekadi Phayane-Shakhane said the profession is entering a period of significant change and opportunity.
"South Africa has placed a renewed focus on infrastructure and the role it must play in growing our economy, creating opportunities and improving the lives of South Africans. For us as civil engineering professionals, that comes with enormous opportunity, but also enormous responsibility."
She noted that engineers are increasingly expected to be more than technical specialists.
"The engineers of today are expected to be leaders, problem-solvers, innovators and trusted advisors. As infrastructure becomes increasingly central to South Africa's growth agenda, the voice of the engineering profession has never been more important."
Engineering future leaders
Throughout 2026, SAICE has continued to advocate for issues affecting infrastructure delivery and professional practice, including public procurement, water legislation, skills development and the professionalisation of the public sector.
"Our responsibility is to ensure that the technical voice of the profession is represented wherever important infrastructure decisions are being made. Infrastructure decisions must be guided by competence, quality, safety and long-term value."
A defining feature of the 2026 awards was the exceptional calibre of young professionals recognised across multiple categories, highlighting the strength of South Africa's future engineering talent pipeline.
"We need technically competent engineers, but we also need engineers who are ready to lead. The young professionals in our institution today will become the leaders making some of the country's most important infrastructure decisions tomorrow."
Phayane-Shakhane said the awards ultimately celebrate the people who make progress possible. "Behind every successful project are engineers, technologists, technicians, project managers, mentors, educators and industry leaders whose expertise and dedication make progress possible. Tonight is about celebrating those people and the institutions that continue to develop talent, raise standards and strengthen our profession."
The awards also recognised the important contribution of SAICE's branches, divisions, student chapters and volunteers in advancing professional development, mentorship and industry collaboration across South Africa.
Source: Supplied.
Strengthening industry partnerships
Phayane-Shakhane thanked Auto & General, SAICE's new Gold Sponsor and strategic partner, for its support of the profession. She noted that the partnership extends beyond sponsorship and marks the beginning of a collaborative relationship aimed at creating meaningful value for SAICE members, supporting professional growth and contributing to the long-term development of the engineering sector. Several initiatives are already being explored through the partnership, with further announcements expected in the coming months.
She also thanked the Association of Arbitrators (Silver Sponsor), Infraconsult Engineering (Bronze Sponsor), PPS for Professionals, MPAMOT, Smart Civils, Form-Scaff, SIKA South Africa and Best Training for their ongoing commitment to engineering excellence and the advancement of the profession.
In closing, she reaffirmed that the profession's greatest asset is its people.
"As South Africa enters a renewed era of infrastructure development, tonight we celebrate not only excellence in engineering, but also the leaders, mentors, institutions, future professionals and industry partners who continue to move our profession forward. The future of South African infrastructure will ultimately be shaped by the quality of the people we develop, support and inspire today."
Winners 2026 SAICE National Awards
Individual awards
ACADEMIC STAFF RECOGNITION
Samantha Miller, Technical Manager: University of Johannesburg
MENTOR RECOGNITION
Sandile Ngidi, Lecturer: University of Johannesburg
Mmatshepo Maina, Founder and Director: Chrinia Solutions
Lesetja Boshomane, Lead Civil Engineer: BEAL Africa
Roxanne Canny, Acting Area Project Manager: eThekwini Municipality
GRADUATE OF THE YEAR
Winner: Victor Chibaya, Sivest
Highly Commended: Jean Swanepoel, Knight Piesold; Hugo Kirchner, Sanral seconded to Gibb and Itumeleng Sethlabane, Nyeleti
GRADUATE TECHNOLOGIST OF THE YEAR
Commended: Vuyo Phulane, Vertis and Kuzani Setshedi, Beal
YOUNG TECHNOLOGIST OF THE YEAR
Winner: Boiki Mokobori, Central Univ Technology
Highly Commended: Prinell Naicker, Knight Piesold
YOUNG TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: Nonkululeko Makhanyela, 2MC Consulting
TECHNOLOGIST OF THE YEAR
Winner: Samantha Naidoo, managing director, Huesker
YOUNG ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Sachin Ravjee, Zutari
ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Gordon Laing, Self-employed
PROJECT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Mohamed Ibrahim, ECS
THE PPS PHOTO COMPETITION
Winner: Nashil Singh
Second Place: Bianca Robba
Third Place: Trisha Naidu
MOST SUPPORTIVE ADVERTISER OF THE YEAR
2025 Most Supportive Advertiser Winner: GeoQuest
2025 Most Supportive Advertiser Runner-Up: Sizabantu Piping Systems
Project awards
THE TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE CIVIL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Winner: N3 Upgrade Cato Ridge to Dardanelles, Sanral/Nyeleti/Raubex/Pietermaritzburg
Highly Commended: Shallcross/Blundell Road and Bridge, eThekwini City/In house
dept/Afrostructures/Durban and Lower Umkomazi Bulk Water Supply Phase 1 - Abstraction Works, Umgeni Water/Gibb/Stefanutti/Durban
