What we’ve been up to

We are united by a shared vision and a commitment to excellence.
Together we deliver exceptional results and can be independent decision-makers who aren’t afraid to meet any challenge head-on.

Celebrating Excellence:
A Milestone for SAICE-PDP

SAICE-PDP wins the Standard Bank Top Women Award in the category Top Women Business in Construction, Infrastructure, Resources and Mining 2025

We are thrilled to announce a significant achievement in our journey toward industry excellence. On December 2, 2025, at a prestigious gala held at the Sandton Convention Centre, SAICE-PDP was honoured as the winner of the Standard Bank Top Women Award in the category:

Top Women Business in Construction, Infrastructure, Resources, and Mining 2025

This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to driving transformation and professional development within the engineering and built environment sectors. Being named a leader in such a competitive and vital category underscores the impact of our work across South Africa.

https://www.topbusinesswomen.co.za/standard-bank-celebrates-women-leaders-driving-south-africas-economic-future-at-the-top-women-awards-2025/

Kibiti Ntshumaelo (SAICE-PDP Chairman) with Award Certificate

Leadership Excellence

We are incredibly proud to announce that Siphathisiwe Masimirembwa was named a finalist for the prestigious Top Women Leader in STEM award at the 2025 Standard Bank Top Women Awards. This recognition celebrates her outstanding leadership and commitment to driving technical excellence within the South African engineering sector.

At SAICE-PDP, Siphathisiwe continues to be a driving force in mentoring the next generation of professionals and enhancing technical capacity across the industry. Her achievement as a finalist in these national awards reflects her dedication to professional development and her role as a vital advocate for women in STEM.

A Night to Remember

SAICE-PDP Marks 20 Years of Impact:

Celebrating Service Excellence and Candidacy Programme Achievements.

The 20th anniversary of the SAICE Professional Development Programme (SAICE-PDP) was marked by a spectacular gala event held on 25 October 2024. Over two decades, SAICE-PDP has played a pivotal role in advancing professional development through its diverse programmes, which include structured candidacy pathways, mentorship initiatives, and technical capacity building. This milestone was celebrated alongside the achievements of candidates who attained professional registration through these initiatives.

Behind every successful candidate stands a mentor—an unsung hero providing guidance, expertise, and encouragement. The gala paid tribute to these mentors, whose tireless dedication was instrumental in preparing the candidates for professional registration. Mentors not only impart technical knowledge but also provide moral support, helping candidates navigate the often-daunting path to registration. Their contribution reflects the spirit of SAICE

The highlight of the evening was the recognition of the candidates who, through persistence and commitment, achieved professional registration. Their journey through the structured Candidacy Programmes showcased the value of targeted development, with technical training and mentorship tailored to meet the standards of the engineering profession. As SAICE-PDP aims to empower the engineering workforce, these successes underline the program’s significant contribution to both individuals and the broader engineering sector.

The gala included a special acknowledgment of Dr Allyson Lawless. As she steps into retirement, her efforts in empowering engineers across South Africa and advancing professional development were recognized.
Dr Lawless's work has laid a foundation that will continue to influence and inspire the next generation of engineering professionals.

Dr Allyson Lawless with Mandla Mthimkhulu Pr Tech Eng (civil) from Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality

As part of the evening’s celebration, enlightening speeches were delivered by the CEOs of SAICE, MISA, and ECSA. These addresses highlighted the collective efforts required to uplift the engineering profession and inspired attendees with a vision of continued progress. It was more than an event—it was a reflection of what is possible when individuals, mentors, and institutions work together to uplift the profession. As SAICE-PDP looks to the future, the evening underscored its commitment to nurturing the next generation of engineers and addressing South Africa’s infrastructure challenges. The candidates, mentors, and leaders celebrated at the gala embody the values of excellence, resilience, and collaboration—qualities that will continue to drive progress in the engineering sector.

Keynote Speaker, Dr Bridget Ssamula, ECSA CEO.

The gala also recognized the long-standing dedication of SAICE-PDP staff members through the presentation of the Service Excellence Awards and Certificates of Long Service. This acknowledgment underscored the importance of sustained effort and collaboration in achieving the organisation’s goals. We invited our candidates to submit articles detailing their Registration Journey as part of a special competition. This initiative not only provided an opportunity for self-reflection on their professional experiences but also gave participants the chance to win fantastic prizes!

We were thrilled to announce the winners of the competition: Congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding submissions and for sharing their inspiring journeys! Here’s to the remarkable achievements of this year’s honourees and the legacy of leaders in the engineering profession. The SAICE-PDP Gala was not just a recognition of what has been accomplished, but an inspiration for what lies ahead.

Winner: Vhutshilo Rambevha, Pr Eng (Civil), from the Railway Safety Regulator
1st Runner-Up: Nomvula Nyambose, Pr Tech Eng (Civil), from Transnet
2nd Runner-Up: Millicent Ramopai, Pr Techni Eng (Electrical), from City of Tshwane Metro Municipality

This Women’s Day, we honour the trailblazers, innovators, and quiet heroes in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. To every woman challenging norms, shaping ideas, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible — we see you, we celebrate you. Your journey lights the path for future generations. Keep rising, keep building, and keep believing in the power of your voice and vision.

On 28-29 July 2025, Dr Ronnie McKenzie presented the Pressure Management and Pressure Reducing Valves 2 day course on behalf of the SAICE-PDP Candidate Academy to officials from the Zululand District Municipality in Ulundi, “The City of Heritage” in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

“Zululand District Municipality sincerely thanks you for the incredibly insightful and practical Water Pressure Management Training.
The knowledge and skills shared during the sessions were not only valuable but also directly applicable to our daily operations.
The training deepened my understanding of pressure regulation, leak detection, and sustainable practices, and I especially appreciated the case studies. Your expertise and engaging delivery made complex concepts easy to grasp. This training will undoubtedly enhance our team’s ability to improve efficiency, reduce water loss, or optimize systems. We’re excited to implement these strategies and contribute to more sustainable water management practices.
Thank you again for your time, dedication, and the impactful learning experience. Please extend our gratitude to everyone involved in making this training a success.

Thulani Mabika, Zululand District Municipality"

“Thanks a lot to Lizelle and Dr Ronnie McKenzie, the course was very enlightening, and it will assist us in our workplace from now on.”
Mfaniseni Mpungose, Bavulele Engineering (Pty) Ltd

Caroline Shilubane
Pr Tech Eng Civil HOD Civil and Structural Engineering, 2BLN (Pty) Ltd

The Candidate Academy’s Road to Registration course facilitators go out of their way to support delegates on their journey towards professional registration.
Caroline Shilubane attended the Road to Registration for Candidates course in March 2023 and received detailed feedback from Allyson Lawless on the draft documentation she submitted for the course. She recently registered as a Pr Tech Eng Civil. Here is her success story:
"Good day, Allyson and Lizélle,
I’m excited to share some wonderful news with you — today, I am proud to say that I am officially registered as a Professional Civil Engineering Technologist. Your support and encouragement through my application journey played a significant role in this achievement, and I’m truly grateful. I still recall one of the “Road to Registration for Professionals” training sessions, where you challenged us to build a tower using any reusable material. That seemingly simple exercise left a lasting impression on me. It taught me valuable lessons about resilience and vision — that even when we build and fall, we must continue striving and never give up. Please continue to be a guiding force in our profession, uplifting and inspiring us as young engineers. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed; your trainings have been instrumental in helping us understand our direction and purpose in this industry.
I sincerely thank God for your presence and impact in our field.
Caroline Shilubane"

"My Road to ECSA Registration." ~ Nduvho Tshirangwana, Pr Eng

“I once believed that consulting experience was necessary for ECSA registration, particularly in responding to Group A outcomes Engineering problem solving. However, attending the SAICE-PDP Candidate Academy’s Road to Registration course in September 2023 changed my perspective.
Guided by Dr. Allyson Lawless, I gained clarity on the registration process and realized that competence—not job title—determines success.
The course helped me identify and address Group A outcomes from my own experience on various sites, focusing on problem identification and solving complex engineering challenges. Working on-site, I developed practical solutions in dynamic environments, demonstrating professional competence outside of traditional consulting roles.
From March 2024, I refined my reports using the guidance of Dr. Allyson Lawless, ensuring each ECSA outcome was met. Stewart Gibson further reviewed my reports before submission, providing valuable feedback that strengthened my application. By June 2024, I submitted my application with confidence, leading to a successful registration outcome.
This achievement would not have been possible without the encouragement of my wife, Molebogeng, whose unwavering support motivated me to start this journey.
My experience reinforced that professional registration is achievable across different disciplines—whether in consulting, construction, or government. The Road to Registration course was instrumental in demystifying the process, replacing uncertainty with confidence."

For future candidates, my advice is simple:

Congratulations, Nduvho!

Are you a Mentor, Supervisor or HR Practitioner? Attend our upcoming ONLINE course on 25 June and learn the mentoring and coaching techniques to engage with and develop your candidates from novice-stage to competent professionals. Understand the ECSA expectations in terms of the complexity of work, completing the forms and the professional review. SAICE and CESA members qualify for the discounted member rate. Register online via the SAICE or CESA website links below: SAICE: https://store.saice.org.za/training-courses CESA: https://www.cesa.co.za/sce Enquiries: [email protected] #SAICE #CESA #ECSA #Mentoring #Coaching #CandidateAcademy

Are you a candidate engineer/technologist/technician and you would like assistance with Professional Registration? This is an opportunity for you! Bookings close 30 May 2025.

SAICE-PDP Needs Mentors!

We seek experienced registered professionals to mentor aspiring candidates towards professional registration with ECSA and SACPCMP.

Mentors are welcomed from across all provinces, and will be linked to candidates within their geographical location, as needed.
Mentors are expected to commit to 1-3 hours per candidate per month, to guide and support the professional development of aspiring engineers. Interaction will be online and in-person.
A reasonable hourly rate, including travel costs, is offered.