CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards 2025 celebrates innovation shaping South Africa’s future

Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) proudly hosted the CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards 2025, last night at Vodacom World, in Midrand. This prestigious annual ceremony recognises the projects, people and partnerships that are shaping South Africa’s infrastructure landscape, while underscoring the fundamental role of consulting engineers in driving sustainable economic and social development.

CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards 2025 celebrates innovation shaping South Africas future

Now in its 53rd year, the awards remain the pinnacle of recognition in the engineering industry, highlighting not only technical excellence but also the collaborative spirit and innovation that underpin long-term development.

Speaking at the awards, Chris Campbell, CEO of CESA, noted that the event was about more than infrastructure: “Tonight, we gather to honour excellence, not just in infrastructure, but in the people, partnerships, and purpose that power our industry. The projects we celebrate remind us that when engineers are enabled to lead, when collaboration is prioritised, and when excellence is the standard, we see meaningful impact.”

He emphasised that: “Each project is a catalyst for jobs, investment, and opportunity. The 2025 awards highlight the power of collaboration and innovation in engineering. As our industry embraces integrated lifecycle approaches and sustainable design, this year’s finalists and winners showcase those who are not only building infrastructure but embracing a forward-thinking vision that will drive South Africa’s infrastructure transformation.”

Dr. Nolwandle Mgoqi, CEO of Aon South Africa, which has been a platinum sponsor for the awards for over three decades, stated: “Congratulations to distinguished recipients of the 2025 CESA Engineering Excellence Awards. These accolades serve to acknowledge the visionary individuals shaping our built environment and infrastructure, contributing to the advancement of our economy.”

“Our longstanding partnership with CESA is a testament to our unwavering commitment to supporting the engineering sector and to celebrating excellence in the accomplishments of every awardee and finalist. These awards underscore the profound impact of engineering excellence and the fundamental role that consulting engineers play in driving societal progress and economic growth,” Dr. Mgoqi added.

Recipients of the CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards 2025

The CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards 2025 honoured winners across multiple categories, from groundbreaking mega-projects to young engineers, recognising the vision, skill and teamwork of consulting engineers across the country.

Lifetime Industry Achievement Award

Ralph Heath from WSP

Best International Project

Winner: BIGEN for Upgrading of the Railway Line between Walvis Bay and Kranzberg in Namibia for the Ministry of Works And Transport Namibia
Commendation: Knight Piésold for the Karowe Diamond Mine Fine Residue Deposit Project in Botswana for Lucara Botswana
Commendation: SMEC South Africa for the Upgrading of Ha Mpiti To Sehlaba-Thebe Road in Lesotho for the Lesotho Roads Directorate

Mega Projects with a Value Greater than R1 billion

Winner: WSP for the delivery of battery energy storage systems for phase 1 for ESKOM
Commendation: Zutari for the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone Phase 1 & 1a Platforms, Roads & Bulk Services for the COEGA Development Corporation

Projects with a Value between R250 million and R1 billion

Winner: Bosch Projects for the Vlakfontein Reservoir and Associated Infrastructure for Rand Water
Commendation: Zutari for the N2 Slope Stabilisation Project for SANRAL

Projects with a Value between R50 - R250 million

Winner: Zutari for the N1 Sinkhole Repair Project for SANRAL
Commendation: Jones & Wagener for the Rehabilitation of the Sinkholes on National Road R21 Section 2 Northbound for SANRAL
Commendation: Nyeleti Consulting for the Rehabilitation and Strengthening of National Road R504 Section 4 for SANRAL

Projects with a Value less than R50 million

Winner: Maninga Engineering for the Wits - Roy Mcalpine Adult Burns Unit
Commendation: Knight Piésold for the Cooling Tower Structural Assessment and Repair Methodologies Project for Palabora Mining Company
Commendation: Naidu Consulting for the Canelands Pipe and Pedestrian Bridge for the eThekwini Municipality
Commendation: Pienaar & Erwee Engineers for the Radley Landgoed Microgrid and Hybrid PV Installation

Engineering Technology and Innovation: Water Sanitation and Hygiene Design Excellence