Celebrating its 52nd year, this event, supported in more recent times by platinum title sponsor Aon South Africa, highlighted the crucial partnerships and collaborative efforts driving the industry forward. 

Reflecting on the evening’s significance, CESA CEO, Chris Campbell, remarked: “The CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards celebrates not just the achievements of our industry, but also the spirit of collaboration,  innovation and partnership that defines our profession.”  

He drew a parallel to the Olympic Games, emphasising the importance of teamwork and the relentless pursuit of excellence. “Just as our athletes push their limits to achieve gold, we too must aim for excellence in our projects and endeavours.” Campbell noted that the awards recognised more than just successful projects; it represented a commitment to contributing to enhancing the quality of life for all citizens.  

Aon South Africa CEO, Dr Nolwandle Mgoqi, added that the awards honoured and celebrated the exceptional achievements, hard work and unwavering determination in the various infrastructure projects that are fundamental to shaping the world and livelihoods for the better. “Aon has had the privilege of witnessing and supporting the critical role that infrastructure plays in the sustainable development and delivery of basic services to society.”  

As the industry continues to evolve, the 2024 CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards serve as a reminder of the impact that collective efforts have in building a sustainable future for all South Africans. 

Winners of the 2024 CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards 

In the Young Engineer of the Year category, Dr Andries Nel from Spoormaker & Partners was the winner, while Erika Braune from AECOM and Istiaan Lubbe from Zutari both receiving a commendation in this category. 

SCIP Engineering Group was the winner in the category of Projects with a value less than R50 million for the Monaghan Farm Road Bridge Remedial for the Clewer Development Trust. A commendation was awarded to Naidu Consulting for the SANRAL N.002-270-2022/1: For Repairs to B999A Mhlali River Bridge on National Route 2, Section 27, km 15.42. 

The Lifetime Industry Achievement award recognised Alan Chemaly’s lifelong dedication and substantial contributions to dam engineering and safety, spanning over 50 years.  

Bigen Group was the winner of the Mentoring Company of the Year Award.  Isak Frederik Malherbe from AECOM was the winner in the Mentor of the Year Award. This year’s winner in the Business Excellence Award is the BVi Group, while Bigen Group received a commendation in this category. The winner of the Small/Medium Company of the Year was AvenirHoldings.  

SMEC South Africa was the winner in the category for Projects ranging from R50 million to less than R250 million for the N4 Montrose Interchange Upgrade project for Trans African Concessions. While WSP Group Africa received a commendation in this category for Rejem-Linton JV’s MediMix Ancillary Building.  

In the Engineering Technology and Innovation category, Knight Piésold won the Renewable Energy Systems Design Excellence Award for the Kikagati Hydropower Plant for Kikagati Power. Zutari received a commendation for the Water Sanitation and Hygiene Design Excellence Award for the Coegakop Water Treatment Works project for the Mandela Bay Municipality. In the Smart Building Systems Design Excellence Award, a commendation was awarded to Spoormaker & Partners for the NuMeRI Main Centre. 

MPAMOT & WSP JV were the winners in the category for Projects with a value ranging from R250 million to less than R1 billion for the Southern Corridor Phase 1 – Farm 694 Kosovo Housing Development for the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure.  

The Publisher of the Year – Trade was awarded to Creamer Media, while Independent Online received the Publisher of the Year –  Daily News award. The winner of the Job Shadow Initiative & Poster Competition was Mariswe, with Zutari as the first-runner up followed by BVi Consulting Engineers and Ensync Engineers both as second runners-up.  

In the Best International Projects category, Zutari was the winner for the PAIX DKR1 Senegal 21 project in Senegal for PAIX. The company also won in the category for Mega Projects greater than R1 billion for the Upgrading of the Zandvliet Wastewater Treatment Works project for the City of Cape Town. 

“On behalf of Aon, I congratulate all of the winners and entrants for the tremendous accomplishments they have achieved. Stay committed to excellence, raise your business resilience, invest in building a better society through your deliberate actions,” said Dr Mgoqi. 

Campbell concluded: “Congratulations to the finalists and the winners of the 2024 CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards! Each award reflects your success in delivering projects that make a difference in enhancing the quality of life and the value of infrastructure development in driving economic growth in South Africa and beyond. We celebrate your achievements and the standard you have set for engineering in this country.”