Consulting Engineers South Africa's (CESA) prestigious CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards held at the Vodadome in Midrand on the 17 August this year are a celebration of innovation, quality, outstanding workmanship and professionalism in the industry. CESA is proud to host this annual event, sponsored by Aon, as a platform to showcase the important role that infrastructure plays in the sustainable development of our country. The event is the highlight of the year in the Organisation's calendar and is a spectacular networking opportunity for leaders in industry as they celebrate the cream of South Africa's Consulting Engineers. The Awards focus on consulting engineers and their clients who participate in or initiate projects that promote the advancement of our nation and the people of the continent.

The category of Engineering Excellence with a value greater than R250-million was won by The Braamhoek Consultants Joint Venture, comprising GIBB, Knight Piésold and SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants for the Bedford Dam - Ingula Pump Storage Scheme for ESKOM with Golder Associates receiving a commendation for the Optimum Colliery Mine Water Reclamation Project for Optimum Coal.

The category of Engineering Excellence with a value between R50-million and R250-million was won by SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants for the Mossel Bay 15 Ml/day Sea Water Desalination Plant for Mossel Bay Municipality. Aurecon South Africa received a Commendation for the Granger Bay Boulevard and Green Point Traffic Circle for the City of Cape Town: Roads and Major Projects Division. GIBB also received a Commendation for the Rhodesfield Project for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa.

The category of Engineering Excellence with a value less than R50-million, was won by SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants for the Blackburn Pedestrian Bridge for SANRAL. Two Commendations we handed out, one to KAYAD Knight Piésold for the Demise of the Athlone Cooling Towers for the City of Cape Town; and the other to Vela VKE for the Markgraaf Pedestrian Bridge for the City of Bloemfontein.

In the category of Best International Project, sponsored by the Built Environment Professionals Export Council (BEPEC), BKS was announced the winner for the Omdurman Water Treatment Works for Biwater, with Golder Associates receiving a Commendation for the Amoma Pit Infrastructure Detailed Design and Engineering for Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd.
Bigen Africa Services received an Accolade in the Business Excellence category sponsored by Business Report and in the Young Company of the Year category ERO Engineers were announced the winner.

In the Visionary Client of the Year category, CESA nominates candidates for the award, who must then consent to their nomination. Nominees in this category can be from the public, parastatal or private sectors, and are judged inter alia on their contribution to sustainable economic job creation in South Africa and or Africa. Creating sustainable development in communities through skills and knowledge transfer is an equally important factor. The judges also look at the opportunities provided for the growth and expression of professionals, including those from formerly disadvantaged communities. Projects should also have embraced innovative designs that highlight the ability of South Africans in the technological field. CESA this year gave recognition, in the category of Visionary Client of the Year, to eThekwini Municipality.
The winner in the category of Young Engineer of the Year is Mpho Ramphao from Aurecon.

In an effort to promote mentorship of young engineers CESA recognises the contribution Mentors make to the industry and the future of the profession. SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants won the Mentoring Company of the Year category and Ric Snowden from ARUP won the category of Mentor of the Year. In recognition of the role that the media plays in the industry, Brooke Pattrick Publications received recognition for Publishing Excellence: Trade Media and Independent Newspapers received recognition for Publishing Excellence: Daily Newspapers.