As South Africa grapples with failing infrastructure and growing service delivery challenges, the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA) is accelerating its drive to develop young talent through its nationally expanding Young Professionals Portfolio. This initiative is geared towards growing and empowering the next generation of municipal engineers.
Launched in IMESA’s KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) branch, the programme, which has been dubbed YP², is now rolling out nationally under the leadership of Bhavna Soni, IMESA operations director for Young Professionals and Membership. With over 27 years of experience in eThekwini Municipality’s water and sanitation division, Soni understands the urgency of investing in skilled professionals capable of addressing real-world infrastructure challenges.
“As a young engineer, once I found my way into the municipal planning division, I realised that I could have a real impact, especially in water infrastructure where the needs are urgent and continuous,” says Soni. “YP² is about equipping our young professionals to be the change-makers this country desperately needs.”
Municipal engineering is one of South Africa’s most critical professions. It offers the opportunity to not only build cities but to serve communities by ensuring reliable roads, clean water, sanitation, urban mobility and sustainable infrastructure. Jeanine du Preez, IMESA operations director of Marketing and Communications and a district head for Urban Mobility at the City of Cape Town, adds: “Municipal engineering offers a wide spectrum of career opportunities where you can make a difference and serve local communities, especially if you opt to join a local Council or Metro.”
As infrastructure in many municipalities faces collapse, IMESA is calling on graduates and young professionals to see engineering not only as a career path but an opportunity to help shape South Africa’s future. “Municipal engineers are on the frontlines of urban resilience, and the country needs a new wave of talent ready to lead, innovate and rebuild,” the institute stresses.
According to professional engineer and YP² member and co-ordinator Roxanne Canny, the YP² initiative is more than a development programme - it’s a movement. “Through mentorship, technical training, leadership development and social impact initiatives, YP² provides a well-rounded foundation for professional growth. Through the programme, IMESA’s young professional members are assisted through the process of ECSA (Engineering Council of SA) registration, they are offered CPD-accredited workshops and participate in impactful, hand-on engineering challenges that are organised, such as the ‘Engineers’ Amazing Race’. There are community outreach projects, including Mandela Day events and our calculator drives for under-resourced students. Leadership skills are honed when young professionals get to participate in planning and organising IMESA regional events. To ensure that learners are aware of the exciting opportunities in municipal engineering, we undertake school engagement projects, including the upcoming ‘Who Wants to Be an Engineer?’ campaign.”
Canny notes that the portfolio is committed to enhancing gender diversity and inclusion, with YP² members leading high-profile events like the KZN Women’s Day Breakfast and supporting social causes like the Children’s Survival Centre Christmas Drive.
Initially established in KwaZulu-Natal, YP² is now being rolled out across all IMESA branches, with the 2026 goal of having YP² representation in every province. A mini-conference, leadership workshops and inter-branch collaborations are planned. Canny reports that membership numbers are growing steadily. “What began as a small group of passionate individuals has become a national platform for young engineers to lead and learn,” she states.
Looking ahead, the YP² strategy includes deeper partnerships with the private sector, enhanced outreach to high schools and universities and tailored professional development opportunities that align with industry needs.
“At a time when South Africa’s infrastructure demands innovation, leadership and technical expertise, municipal engineering offers young professionals a chance to directly contribute to the country’s progress. We’re not just building roads and pipes, we’re building futures,” says Soni. “We need passionate, driven young people to step forward and become the engineers who shape the next generation of service delivery.”