The teams of engineers and planners involved in the development of Richards Bay should be proud of their achievement over the past 40 years - the city has been recognised by the SA Institution of Civil Engineering as a "Project of the Century".

The awards were attended by Mathuze's CEO, Tonie Heyneke, city engineer Frik Bosman and his deputy, Bert Kirsten.

The SAICE said Richards Bay was home to an aluminium plant, a coal export terminal, a pulp and paper mill, a wood chipping facility and a fertiliser plant.

What nature could throw up against engineers was and still is true: humidity, corrosion, amazing geotechnical features, swamps, flora and fauna.

Mayor Denny Moffatt said the award was a feather in the cap of all who had contributed to building Richards Bay. - The Mercury