South African Engineering Skills Are Top Notch

The shortage of engineering skills in South Africa is not news to anybody in the industry. In the past, South Africa had a reputation for delivering high-quality Engineering candidates that are sought after in the world. Many ask if this is still the case.

The South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors hosts an annual awards event showcasing the most outstanding engineering projects in the country. You only have to look at the list of projects delivered and the challenges faced and overcome in the last year with varying levels of complexity to realize that South African engineering skills are still top-notch.

Old Mutual Basement
The basement for the new Old Mutual building on the corner of West and Rivonia streets in Sandton turned out to be an extremely challenging project for the engineers. The three main challenges were the extensive diabase dyke on the southwest side of the site, the presence of the Gautrain tunnel, which runs directly under the site, and the integration of the adjoining Sandown Mews development.

All three challenges were successfully overcome and the handover of the site has been completed to ensure that the rest of the construction can continue.

Kirstenbosch Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway
Inspired by a snake skeleton, the walkway is a curved steel and timber bridge that winds and dips its way through and over the trees. It takes the visitor on an awe-inspiring journey through nature, rising up from the forest floor into and through the trees and bursting out above the canopy, giving spectacular panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountain

The project is completely unique. Nothing like this has ever been done before. About 20 tons of steel and five-and-a-half kilometers of steel bar had been used to make the R5 million walkway. One of the biggest challenges had been working around all the trees and shrubs in the area.

The careful application of civil engineering methods in materials consideration and composite design resulted in a good end product that blended with the natural environment.

Acid Mine Drainage Witwatersrand Central Basin
Acid mine drainage (AMD) in the Witwatersrand basin is the result of a legacy of environmental mismanagement of water resources by mines and lax enforcement of regulations by the government.

The reality of the negative effects of AMD decanting in the Witwatersrand Central basin is that it will run off into the water system and directly affect and pollute groundwater, fields, and rivers.

The Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority implemented a short-term emergency project to elevate the problem. They constructed an abstraction pump station at a shaft in Germiston to convey the acid mine drainage from deep in the mine void to the surface where it will be treated and made safe for the environment.

Aspects of the technology used on the project involved tried-and-tested systems, but were innovative due to the size of the project. Making this use of the technologies and systems in the project some of the largest examples in the world.

The South African engineering industry has scarce resources in a rapidly developing economy where engineering skills are vital, experiencing a shortage of talented engineering candidates but an increasing number of engineering projects.

Communicate Recruitment is a specialist engineering recruitment agency which can assist you in finding suitable engineers in various technical fields. If you are a company recruiting top talent or an engineering professional wanting career growth, we can put you in touch with the right people in the industry.

We focus on civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, electronic, engineering sales, production, and trade. Contact us today.