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.”
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