As part of his visit to the province, President of Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) Neresh Pather addressed members of the Limpopo branch of the organisation at a function at Pietersburg Club last Tuesday evening. The event was followed by the CESA golf day and to also aid CANSA at the Polokwane Golf Club on Wednesday.
The theme of Pather’s address was ‘Reshaping our future together’. He opened his presentation by quoting the Dalai Lama’s well-known words: “We cannot change the past, but we can reshape the future. Young people have the opportunity to create a happier, better future”.
Pather alluded to some of the challenges facing the engineering profession, being the low level of work and opportunities, the reduced level of technical skills and capacity in the public sector and the often inconsistent generic approach to procurement. He also cited the lack of regulation of consulting engineering practices, tender entrepreneurship and sub-consulting to agents, a diluted effort in representing the profession through fragmented organisations and the lack of interest in addressing the issues as matters of importance.
The golf competition was played in better ball scramble format and the winners were Francois Lewis and Dirk Botha with 29 points followed by Mias Nolte and Neville Steyn with 28 points. Riaan Jooste and Sean Harmse were third with 25 points.
Story and photos: BARRY VILJOEN
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