As infrastructure investment gains momentum, the SAICE National Awards 2026 recognised engineers, young professionals, mentors and industry leaders shaping South Africa’s future.
As South Africa renews its focus on infrastructure as a driver of economic growth, service delivery and job creation, the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) used its 2026 National Awards to celebrate the engineers, technologists, technicians, mentors and future leaders helping to build the country’s future.
Hosted at the NH Hotel in Sandton on 3 September, the awards recognised excellence across the civil engineering profession, honouring outstanding individuals, institutions and project teams whose work continues to strengthen communities and improve the lives of South Africans.
While the awards celebrated engineering achievements, the focus of the evening was firmly on the people behind them and the institutions helping to develop the next generation of engineering leaders. “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 Dr Chris Roth, SAICE President 2026.
SAICE CEO 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.”
Throughout 2026, SAICE continued to advocate 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.
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.”
ENDS
Notes to the Editor:
The winners of the SAICE National Awards 2026 are listed below.
Individual Awards:
Academic Staff Recognition
- Samantha Miller, Technical Manager at the University of Johannesburg
Mentor Recognition
- Sandile Ngidi, Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg
- Mmatshepo Maina, Founder and Director of Chrinia Solutions
- Lesetja Boshomane, Lead Civil Engineer at BEAL Africa
- Roxanne Canny, Acting Area Project Manager at eThekwini Municipality
Graduate Engineer 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, MD 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 Award
- 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
The Technical Excellence Structural / Building Project of the Year Award
- Winner: Hunslett Road Bridge over Piesang River, eThekwini City/In house dept/Afrostructures/Durban
The Technical Excellence Maintenance or Rehabilitation Project of the Year Award
- Highly Commended: N2/R61 Emergency Slope Repairs, SANRAL/Zutari/Rumdel/Wild Coast
- Highly Commended: Emergency Repair of Mbokodweni River Bridge, SANRAL/Naidu/CSV Base Major/Durban
The Technical Excellence International Project of the Year Award
- Winner: Senqu Bridge – Polihali, Lesotho Highlands Development Agency/Zutari/WRES JV
- Highly Commended: Quaryat Water Plant Marine Works, Qurayyat Desalination SAOC/WSP Group/Archirodon SPC/International – OMAN
The Technical Excellence Community-Based Project of the Year Award
- Winner: Pierre Rd Major Culvert Demolition and Reconstruction, Johannesburg Roads
Agency/SMEC/Pule & Vic Construction
The Technical Excellence Investigative Project of the Year Award
- Winner: Jwaneng Underground Mine Flood Risk Assessment, Debswana/Zutari/Lesotho
Institutional Awards
Branch of the Year: In the category of more than 500 members
- Winner: SAICE Durban Branch
- Commended: SAICE Johannesburg Branch
Branch of the Year: In the category of less than 500 members
- Winner: SAICE Bloemfontein Branch
Division of the Year:
- Winner: SAICE Water Division
- Commended: SAICE Structural Division
Student Chapter of the Year (Universities of Science):
- Winner: SAICE Stellenbosch Student Chapter
- Commended: SAICE WITS Student Chapter
Student Chapter of the Year (Universities of Technology):
- Winner: SAICE CPUT Student Chapter
- Commended: SAICE CUT Student Chapter
For further information, visit https://saice.org.za.
About SAICE
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) is a learned society and voluntary organisation that acts as a catalyst for innovation, knowledge-sharing and professional excellence in civil engineering. With more than 15,000 members, SAICE supports the development of engineering professionals and advances the built environment for the benefit of all South Africans.
