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IMESA The official magazine of the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT • SERVICE DELIVERY • ROADS • BUILDING • MAINTENANCE • ENERGY • WASTE

INDUSTRY INSIGHT Muhammad Khan General

Manager: Traffic Systems at Syntell

The future of intelligent traffic systems

ROADS & BRIDGES

Celebrating the How Long Park Pedestrian Bridge

TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY

Unlocking value from SA’s buried infrastructure

Global Precast builds scale and reliability on AfriSam partnership

TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

IN THE HOT SEAT

Data analytics and Malawi’s Vehicle Load Control Strategy

Ground conditions don’t conveniently separate themselves into geology, geotechnics and groundwater, and many of the more difficult infrastructure problems involve an interaction between all three. So, it’s an integrated approach to formulating practical engineering decisions.” Fernando Pequenino, Principal

Geotechnical Engineer and Director at PeraGage South Africa

I S S N 0 2 5 7 19 7 8 Vo l u m e 5 0 N o . 0 9 • O c t o b e r 2 0 2 5 • R 5 5 . 0 0 I S S N 0 2 5 7 19 7 8 Vo l u m e 51 N o . 0 9 • O c t o b e r 2 0 2 6 • R 5 5 . 0 0 ( i n c l . VAT ) ( i n c l . VAT )

INSIDE

VOLUME 51 NO. 09 OCTOBER 2026

30 www.imesa.org.za www.imesa.org.za

IMESA The official magazine of the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT • SERVICE DELIVERY • ROADS • BUILDING • MAINTENANCE • ENERGY • WASTE

INDUSTRY INSIGHT Muhammad Khan General Manager: Traﬃc Systems at Syntell The future of intelligent traffic systems

ROADS & BRIDGES

Celebrating the How Long Park Pedestrian Bridge

TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY

Unlocking value from SA’s buried infrastructure

Global Precast builds scale and reliability on AfriSam partnership

TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

IN THE HOT SEAT

Data analytics and Malawi’s Vehicle Load Control Strategy

Geotechnical Engineer and Director at PeraGage South Africa

ON THE COVER Today a key supplier to South Africa’s infrastructure sector, specialist concrete product manufacturer (CPM) Global Precast is relied upon for its product integrity and competitiveness. Operating from its expanded premises west of Pretoria, the company produces a wide range of precast concrete elements for civil infrastructure and sanitation projects including culver ts, pipes, manhole chambers and other specialist units used in drainage, sewerage and stormwater systems. P6

IN THE HOT SEAT Geotechnical engineering may be a relatively small component of any civil or building project, but its foundational benefits will directly influence the end result. IMIESA speaks to Fernando Pequenino, Principal Geotechnical Engineer and Director at PeraGage South Africa, about their class leadership in this field. P14

HEAVY LIFTING

Heavy Lifting

Regulars Editor’s comment President’s comment Index to advertisers

3 5 60

Roads & Bridges

Cover Story Global Precast builds scale and reliability on AfriSam partnership

How Long: From an unsafe pipeline crossing to a resilient pedestrian bridge

Helping cities flow better. The future of intelligent traffic systems

Bitumen & Asphalt SATBinderrr 2026 – A dialogue on quality 10

Hot Seat Managing ground risk requires a holistic approach

Environment Greener homes, resilient Landscapes. Preparing for the ‘looming El Niño’ and climate change

Drones From the sky, we protect. How drones are transforming disaster management in Mozambique

Future-proofing infrastructure. Why Open BIM is necessary

JCB backhoes support Harry Gwala’s water and sanitation services

Renewable Energy & Electrification 30

Pipe Systems El Niño warning makes reliable water infrastructure a national priority

Preserving Africa’s logistics arteries. Data analytics and Malawi’s Vehicle Load Control Strategy

Vehicles & Equipment 28

Reservoirs Reimagining blueprints judiciously with structural precast

Information & Communications Technology

Hydropower Oxbow Hydropower geotechnical investigations contracts awarded

Building the Future. Why infrastructure planning is the foundation of successful government delivery

Recover before we replace. Unlocking value from South Africa’s buried infrastructure

Water & Wastewater Securing South Africa’s water future. Why infrastructure alone is not enough

Infrastructure Planning & Implementation

Trenchless Technology

Groundwater Smart instrumentation can safeguard Africa’s groundwater

Transportation Engineering

Decentralised Sanitation From construction site to classroom. Turning KwaZulu-Natal’s DEWATS plants into training grounds for municipal engineers

Industry Insight

First Közvágóhíd railway bridge installed over a weekend

SunCentral 1 starts delivering renewable power for C&I customers

Forensic Countermeasures 32

TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

SA steps up the recovery of public funds

INDUSTRY INSIGHT Across the world and in South Africa, town and city traffic management systems are in a constant state of evolution. IMIESA talks to Muhammad Khan, General Manager: Traffic Systems at Syntell, about their turnkey approach to transpor tation engineering optimisation. P10

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EDITOR’S COMMENT

WPLG 2026 traction and housing as a socio-economic catalyst

EDITOR Alastair Currie Email: alastair@infraprojects.co.za DESIGNER Beren Bauermeister CONTRIBUTORS El Khili Lhoucine, Geoff Tooley, Ivan Reutener, Jacques Schmidt DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Asha Pursotham SUBSCRIPTIONS Email: distribution@infraprojects.co.za ____________________________________________ ADVERTISING SALES KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER Joanne Lawrie Tel: +27 (0)82 346 5338 Email: joanne@infraprojects.co.za ____________________________________________

PUBLISHER IMESA (Pty) Ltd

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P O Box 2190, Westville, 3630 Tel: +27 (0)31 266 3263 Email: info@infraprojects.co.za ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: R805.00 (INCL VAT) ISSN 0257 1978 IMIESA, Inst.MUNIC. ENG. S. AFR. © Copyright 2026. All rights reserved. ____________________________________________ IMESA CONTACTS HEAD OFFICE: Manager: Ingrid Botton P.O. Box 2190, Westville, 3630 Tel: +27 (0)31 266 3263 Email: admin@imesa.org.za Website: www.imesa.org.za BORDER Secretary: Celeste Vosloo Tel: +27 (0)43 705 2433 Email: celestev@buffalocity.gov.za EASTERN CAPE Secretary: Susan Canestra Tel: +27 (0)41 585 4142 ext. 7 Email: imesaec@imesa.org.za KWAZULU-NATAL Secretary: Narisha Sogan Tel: +27 (0)31 266 3263 Email: imesakzn@imesa.org.za NORTHERN PROVINCES Secretary: Lethale Magagane Tel: +27 (0)72 059 7444 Email: np@imesa.org.za SOUTHERN CAPE KAROO Secretary: Henrietta Oliver Tel: +27 (0)79 390 7536 Email: imesasck@imesa.org.za WESTERN CAPE Secretary: Michelle Ackerman Tel: +27 (0)21 444 7112 Email: imesawc@imesa.org.za FREE STATE & NORTHERN CAPE Secretary: Wilma Van Der Walt Tel: +27 (0)83 457 4362 Email: imesafsnc@imesa.org.za All material herein IMIESA is copyright protected and may not be reproduced without the prior written permission of the publisher. The views of the authors do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa or the publishers.

ith South Africa’s Local Government Elections just around the corner on 4th November 2026, expectations are building for a positive outcome that will drive proactive change within the municipal landscape. A landmark development in parallel is cabinet’s approval of the 2026 White Paper on Local Government (WPLG) in September 2026, which is a revision of the 1998 WPLG that sets out to reform and address gaps in service delivery. The goal is to strengthen all spheres, with a focus on accountability, institutional coherence and financial sustainability. These are factors that in the past have hampered effective implementation. There’s a key emphasis on ensuring that the right municipal leadership is in place in terms of merit-based competency and qualifications, as well as enhanced in-house capabilities. This includes areas like finance, which in the past has seen an overreliance on external consultants, with mixed results. Steering this process in the initial implementation stage will be a Transition Management Body jointly led by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the Presidency and National Treasur y. Key stakeholders like the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) will have a key role to play.

Coalition politics However, the change we need to see will take time to address and hinges on the success of what is predominately now a local government coalition framework, which at times can be chaotic. A case in point is the City of Johannesburg where constant mayoral changes over the past decade have directly and indirectly contributed to service delivery failures. In future, this makes stability and shared political outcomes a top priority for tangible 2026 WPLG outcomes. On the ground, citizens also have a major role to play, and not just in terms of election results, but in promptly paying for services like electricity and water that have left municipalities with billions in debt. That's because service delivery is a joint responsibility.

Construction gains and housing rollouts For the construction sector, which has continued to contract in size over the past five years, the effective execution of the 2026 WPLG, backed by realigned leadership post

UN World Cities Day Ultimately, it’s all about creating prosperous towns and cities, underscored by the significance of UN World Cities Day, celebrated annually on 31st October. The objective is to foster sustainable urban development and an equitable living environment. The 2026 theme is “Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All”. It’s a rallying call for countries worldwide to find solutions for the estimated 3.4 billion people who “lack access to adequate housing, secure tenure, basic services or affordable living conditions”. Going forward, we know that the key to South African infrastructure delivery hinges on world-class local government performance, fully aligned with national government policies and funding support. Housing provision is a core part of that equation, along with sustained employment. Otherwise, election results may not filter through to everyday citizens who need a solid stake in the economy.

Alastair

To our avid readers, check out what we are talking about on our website, Facebook page or follow us on Twitter and have your say. www.imesa.org.za

IMESA

imesa_za

imesa

www.imesa.org.za

The official magazine of the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT • SERVICE DELIVERY • ROADS • BUILDING • MAINTENANCE • ENERGY • WASTE

INDUSTRY INSIGHT Muhammad Khan General Manager: Traﬃc Systems at Syntell The future of intelligent traffic systems

ROADS & BRIDGES

Celebrating the How Long Park Pedestrian Bridge

TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY

Unlocking value from SA’s buried infrastructure

Global Precast builds scale and reliability on AfriSam partnership

TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

The ABC logo is a valued stamp of measurement and trust. IMIESA is ABC audited and certified.

the 2026 Local Government Elections, should also see an uptick in tender activity as infrastructure backlogs are steadily cleared. Within the mix, affordable and rental housing remains one of the most pressing issues, alongside national government’s free Breaking New Ground (BNG) programme for qualifying low-income households. Currently, according to the 2022 Census, approximately 12% of South Africa’s population live in informal dwellings, and while great progress has been made in terms of BNG initiatives, the waiting list for formal housing is substantial. Alongside this is the affordability gap for mainstream middle-income earners who need access to homeownership or rental accommodation near their places of work. However, the high price of property and land values in leading metros makes this a major obstacle. In response, a renewed focus on faster state land release allocations for lowercost homes, and greater national and provincial funding assistance for municipal housing rollouts is needed. The latter specifically centred on the municipal responsibility for supporting infrastructure service provision. In parallel are the opportunities for greater private sector affordable housing development within an enabling framework.

IN THE HOT SEAT

Data analytics and Malawi’s Vehicle Load Control Strategy

Cover opportunity In each issue, IMIESA offers advertisers the opportunity to get to the front of the line by placing a company, product or service on the front cover of the journal. Buying this position will afford the advertiser the cover story and maximum exposure. For more information on cover bookings, contact Joanne Lawrie on +27 (0)82 346 5338.

Geotechnical Engineer and Director at PeraGage South Africa

IMIESA October 2026

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IMESA ORGANISER

THE INSTITUTE OF MUNICIPAL ENGINEERING OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (IMESA)

PRESIDENT’S COMMENT

IMESA

Urgent steps are needed to combat river health degradation As my 2024-2026 presidential term draws to a close, I would like to finish with a message about an initiative that’s in its early infancy but has the potential to make a lasting difference throughout South Africa, namely the National Urban Catchment and Rivers Management Platform (NUCRMP).

he NUCRMP is a municipality-led endeavour designed to address the growing crisis facing our urban rivers and catchments. It builds on pioneering municipal programmes such as eThekwini’s Transformative Riverine Management Programme (TRMP), Cape Town’s Liveable Urban Water ways (LUW), Johannesburg’s Jukskei rehabilitation projects and several others. These initiatives have already attracted international recognition, including an award in 2024 from the International Federation of Municipal Engineering (IFME). The challenge now is to build on the successes and strengthen collaboration. That’s where the NUCRMP platform seeks to unify fragmented efforts, strengthen governance, and create a national community of practice for transformative catchment management.

Environmental threats South Africa’s rivers and wetlands, especially in urban areas, are under increasing threat. Here many of the challenges are symptomatic of wider and more complex issues, compounded by intensive urbanisation, deteriorating infrastructure, and informal settlements. The downstream impacts include declining water quality due to pollution, including untreated sewage discharges; a surge in invasive alien vegetation; flood and stormwater-induced erosion; littering and illegal dumping; and inappropriate development within wetlands, floodplains and river corridors. All of this results in worsening ecosystem health and biodiversity loss. Without urgent intervention, the escalating downstream implications are potentially catastrophic at a time when local government finances are already under strain to implement ef fective remediation countermeasures. Therefore, these challenges demand a new approach. In response, a coordinated municipal platform can help standardise methodologies, advocate for policy reform, unlock funding opportunities, and create shared monitoring systems. Most importantly, it can provide a collective voice for

municipalities working to restore and protect South Africa's waterways as ecological assets.

Inaugural workshop: Leadership and administrative support However, a platform like this cannot succeed without leadership and administrative support and in February 2026 IMESA’s Exco agreed in principle to support a secretariate role subject to further engagement on partners and funding options. In turn, WISA agreed to support the hosting of an inaugural workshop as part of its July 2026 Biennial Conference. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the C40 Cities Finance Facility (CFF) – who have been involved in funding the business cases for various transformative riverine management programmes – also agreed to fund the WISA workshop, plus the attendance of municipal officials nationwide. This led to the attendance of 86 participants from 13 municipalities, national departments, research institutions, and funders. Key challenges identified by the participants included fragmented institutional responsibilities and mandates; capacity and skills shortages; chronic underfunding; limited political support; pollution; informal settlement pressures; and managing river systems that cross municipal boundaries. Delegates also shared valuable lessons learnt from successful projects. Integrated planning, cross-departmental collaboration and meaningful community engagement emerged as key ingredients for success. At the workshop, 38 participants pledged to share knowledge, to advocate for resources, and to connect communities. These pioneers of the platform agreed on several immediate priorities: developing Terms of Reference; initiating a Theory of Change process; commissioning a national status quo assessment; and reconvening at the 89 t h IMESA Annual Conference during October 2026 in Durban. This second workshop is intended to expand participation, refine design principles, and advance concrete

Geoff Tooley, Pr Eng Hon FIMESA, IMESA President: 2024-2026

outputs such as a resourcing plan and a long-term institutional home for the platform, with GIZ and CFF providing financial backing. A key achievement is bringing together municipal and water sector practitioners across South Africa under a shared platform for the first time. Strong partnerships have emerged between practitioners, professional institutes, funders, researchers, and government stakeholders. Most importantly, there is now broad consensus that a coordinated and transformative approach to urban catchment management is both necessary and achievable. In the meantime, IMESA and WISA are continuing discussions to solidify their relationship and define how both organisations can further support the sustainability of the NUCRMP going forward.

The vision for this platform For the NUCRMP to work in practice, we need a comprehensive review of institutional, regulatory, financial and technical gaps, potentially led by the Water Research Commission. Standardised indicators (building on Circular 88 – National Treasury) are also required to track ecological health, resilience and socio-economic benefits. Furthermore, we need the development of GIS dashboards, real-time monitoring and knowledge repositories. Sustainable financing will be equally impor tant. Additionally, the introduction of a “Rain Drop” regulatory mechanism akin to the Blue/Green Drop programme would incentivise municipal compliance. Ultimately, the platform will assist municipal practitioners in changing municipal spend patterns, but we also need to leverage national and international funds for resilience projects. Private sector involvement through corporate social investment, stewardship initiatives, and resilience-focused investment programmes will be equally essential. To date, the NUCRMP has progressed from concept to action, and the platform now stands at a pivotal moment: moving from vision to implementation. If momentum is sustained, the NUCRMP can become the cornerstone of resilient, transformative urban catchment and river management in South Africa. This will be the South Africa that I wish to live in. One where we all recognise that water connects us all regardless of race, colour, wealth or education and that together we can truly transform our urban catchments and rivers to ensure growth, equality and equity in our society.

IMIESA October 2026

COVER STORY Precast concrete spigot-and-socket pipes manufactured at Global Precast are engineered for strength, durability and reliable performance in demanding infrastructure applications

Global Precast builds scale and reliability on AfriSam partnership Today a key supplier to South Africa’s infrastructure sector, specialist concrete product manufacturer (CPM) Global Precast is relied upon for its product integrity and competitiveness.

perating from its expanded premises west of Pretoria, the company produces a wide range of precast concrete elements for civil infrastructure and sanitation projects including culverts, pipes, manhole chambers and other specialist units used in drainage, sewerage and stormwater systems. According to Operations Director Bruce Pieters, the ability to manufacture these components at scale depends heavily on reliable inputs – particularly cement. “The quality of the cement we use is imperative,” Pieters explains. “If something goes wrong with the mix, you only see it days later when the cube tests fail and by then you may already have produced hundreds of tonnes of product.” This is why Global Precast has relied on AfriSam cement since its earliest days. Initially focused on sanitation infrastructure for municipal

6 IMIESA October 2026

housing programmes, Global Precast began expanding into broader civil infrastructure markets around twelve years ago. From left are WD van Dyk, Sales and Marketing Director of Global Precast, and Adele Wentzel, Sales Manager Cement Manufacturing Gauteng at AfriSam

“We realised that the sanitation sector alone would not carry us into the future,” Pieters explains. “We decided to build our business into the infrastructure sector and start manufacturing pipes, culverts and manhole chambers.”

Product diversification and volume ramp-up This strategic shift proved transformative. From a handful of pipe moulds, the company has steadily expanded both its production capacity and product range. Today, Global Precast manufactures interlocking joint pipes, spigot-and-socket pipes, culverts, manhole chambers and a variety of specialised precast components for civil engineering projects. The growth in product offering has been matched by a sharp rise in production volumes, with infrastructure products now forming the core of the business.

COVER STORY

AFRISAM – A TRUSTED PARTNER TO CONCRETE PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS The quality and consistency of raw materials play a critical role in the performance of concrete products. Variations in aggregate and sand quality can directly impact strength, durability, surface finish and production efficiency. As one of South Africa's leading construction materials suppliers, AfriSam

An AfriSam bulk cement storage solution supports efficient, reliable material supply across one of Global Precast’s busy production lines

provides concrete product manufacturers with high-quality aggregates, sands and cement products supported by stringent quality control processes. Its extensive supply network ensures reliable access to materials produced to consistent standards. Sand quality remains a key challenge for many manufacturers. Differences in grading, particle shape and fines content can affect workability, compaction and finished product quality. Through rigorous testing and process control, AfriSam helps customers maintain material consistency and reliable production outcomes. Beyond supplying materials, AfriSam offers technical support to assist with material selection and production optimisation. This combination of quality products and technical expertise helps manufacturers improve efficiency, reduce variability and consistently deliver high-quality concrete products to the market. With a longstanding reputation for quality and reliability, AfriSam continues to support concrete product manufacturers across South Africa’s construction and infrastructure sectors.

Pieters notes that the company has doubled its production in the last year. With this scale comes increasing pressure on production performance, placing even greater emphasis on the consistent quality of cement. Precast manufacturing relies on tightly controlled processes, with strict cycle times that allow components to be removed from moulds and recast within defined periods.

“As a precast manufacturer you rely on repeatable production processes,” Pieters says. “We cast today, demould tomorrow morning and cast again. That cycle repeats every day, and in some cases, we even cast a mould twice a day.” Early strength development is therefore critical. If the concrete does not achieve sufficient strength within the required timeframe, moulds cannot be reused efficiently, which leads to

production delays. For this reason, AfriSam’s Rapid Hard Cement 52,5R class is well suited to the application.

Repeatable quality is paramount Pieters adds that inconsistent cement performance can disrupt demoulding schedules and slow the entire manufacturing process. Consistency is therefore essential not only for structural

Global Precast specialises in the manufacture of a comprehensive range of high-quality precast concrete products for mining, infrastructure and civil engineering applications

IMIESA October 2026

COVER STORY

1 1 Global Precast manufactures high-quality penstock rings for use in mining slimes dam applications, delivering reliable performance in demanding operating environments 2 Global Precast manufactures high-quality rectangular portal culverts designed for efficient stormwater conveyance and long-term structural performance 3 Finished precast concrete products from Global Precast are carefully prepared and transported to customers for efficient delivery to site 4 Global Precast’s skilled workforce ensures precision, quality and consistency throughout every stage of the manufacturing process 5 High-quality manhole mould solutions, manufactured by Global Precast, deliver precision, durability and consistent performance in precast concrete production

integrity, but also for operational efficiency. He also highlights the ease of use of AfriSam’s cement in mix designs. “It’s an effortless cement to work with,” he says. “For the people on the factory floor that makes a big difference.” For a high-volume operation, a reliable cement supply is as critical as product quality. Global Precast consumes significant volumes each month and depends on steady deliveries to maintain output. Weekly in-house production planning meetings align manufacturing with demand, while close coordination with AfriSam ensures supply continuity, even when orders need to be adjusted at short notice.

2 This longstanding relationship with leading construction materials supplier AfriSam has evolved beyond a traditional supplier arrangement into a close operational partnership that underpins Global Precast’s production reliability. According to Adele Wentzel, Sales Manager Cement Manufacturing Gauteng at AfriSam, collaboration is essential in such a dynamic environment. “Operations at precast facilities can be dynamic, and cement supply must be flexible enough to respond to changing production schedules,” Wentzel explains. “As production requirements change from week to week, we need to understand the customer’s operations and adapt deliveries accordingly.” Wentzel adds that AfriSam’s role extends beyond simply supplying cement volumes, encompassing technical engagement, performance monitoring and proactive support to ensure consistent outcomes in demanding precast environments. This includes ongoing assessment of cement performance in relation to mix designs, as well as the provision of technical guidance where adjustments are required to maintain strength development and product quality.

4 it to respond quickly to changing customer requirements, supporting flexible delivery schedules and minimising the risk of production interruptions. This responsiveness, combined with product consistency and technical support, enables Global Precast to maintain its demanding production targets while delivering infrastructure components that meet stringent quality and durability standards.

Certification and compliance In addition to reliable volumes, AfriSam provides ongoing quality assurance through regular test certification and strict compliance with South African and international standards. Its manufacturing processes and quality control systems are designed to ensure consistent product performance, which is critical for customers operating high-volume, time-sensitive production cycles such as precast manufacturers. “This ensures that Global Precast can rely on consistent cement performance even when adjusting mix designs to accommodate different aggregates or product requirements,” she says. Importantly, AfriSam’s established logistics capability and local footprint in Gauteng allow

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8 IMIESA October 2026

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INDUSTRY INSIGHT

HELPING CITIES FLOW BETTER

THE FUTURE OF INTELLIGENT TRAFFIC SYSTEMS Across the world and in South Africa, town and city traffic management systems are in a constant state of evolution. IMIESA talks to Muhammad Khan, General Manager: Traffic Systems at Syntell, about their turnkey approach to transportation engineering optimisation. What is Syntell's background and track record in intelligent traffic system integration?

How do intelligent traffic management systems and ITS interconnect?

Syntell has been part of South Africa’s traffic engineering landscape for four decades, evolving from foundational road traffic data and counting technology into a full-scope Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) integrator. Our roots go back to Plessey South Africa, established in 1963, which moved into traffic signalling and urban traffic control after winning the Port Elizabeth and Durban traffic tenders in 1985. Syntell itself was established in 2002 as a division of Tellumat and became an independent company through a management buyout in 2003. The name stems from “synergy”. Specialist divisions in traffic signalling and urban control, road safety, traffic monitoring and revenue collection each focused on their own discipline, but drawing on a shared engineering base, national footprint and support structure. Over that time, we’ve moved from supplying individual components like controllers, detection loops and weigh-in-motion stations to designing, installing and supporting complete, integrated traffic management ecosystems for metros across Southern and East Africa. That includes urban traffic control (UTC/SCOOT) networks, our own XTE and MX controller ranges, and the SIMS cloud platform that ties it all together under one login. Our track record spans South Africa’s largest metropolitan authorities, including the City of Cape Town, City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane, and eThekwini, as well as deployments in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and further afield.

The distinction is primarily one of scope. An Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) focuses specifically on the signalised road network, including traffic signal controllers, detection systems and the coordination logic that manages traffic flow at and between intersections. Its primary objective is to operate and optimise signalised intersections as efficiently and safely as possible, responding to changing traffic conditions in real-time. An ITS is broader in scope. It brings together multiple elements of the transport ecosystem, including traffic signal control, public transport management, incident and emergency response, parking management, weigh-in-motion and freight management, traveller information, and increasingly, data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). In simple terms, ITMS can be viewed as a critical component within the wider ITS ecosystem. While ITMS is focused on optimising the operation of the road network and its intersections, ITS connects these individual systems and data sources to support a more integrated, informed and responsive approach to mobility across a city or region.

Muhammad Khan, General Manager: Traffic Systems at Syntell

10 IMIESA October 2026

What are Syntell’s core solutions and technologies? Our portfolio is built around three core pillars. The first is our traffic signal controller technology. Here, the MX range provides a proven solution for straightfor ward to moderately complex intersections, while our next-generation XTE platform introduces a distributed, geo-fenced architecture designed to reduce cabling requirements and improve resilience against cable theft and vandalism, persistent and costly challenges for South African municipalities. Geo-fencing locks each controller to its installed location, so it cannot simply be lifted and reused in another municipality, removing much of the value in stealing one.

Our second pillar is SIMS, our cloud-based integrated management platform. This provides traffic operators with a single point of access to monitor, configure and manage an entire signal network remotely. That includes the ability to manage legacy MAC4 configurations, providing municipalities with a practical pathway to modernise their traffic management operations without immediately replacing existing infrastructure. Our third pillar is AI optimisation, through our collaboration with Quebit, which uses live detector data to continuously optimise signal operation, adjusting green splits, phasing and corridor-level coordination in response to changing traffic conditions. The platform combines reinforcement learning with model predictive control and can operate using existing intersection infrastructure, avoiding the need for extensive new hardware deployments. Beyond traffic signal control, our broader group capabilities, through Mikros Traffic Management and Mikros Systems, extend into traffic data collection, vehicle classification and counting, as well as weigh-in-motion technology. Across all of this, engineering, module and PCB manufacture and support remain local, so response times and spares don't depend on an overseas supply chain. Our systems are also open and backwards compatible, so a municipality can modernise its network intersection by intersection, as budget allows, without stranding what it already owns.

How is AI and machine learning helping to optimise urban transportation networks? AI is shifting traf fic control from fixed, time-of-day plans to systems that respond to what’s happening on the road right now. Our work with Quebit is a good example: it combines reinforcement learning with model predictive control to continuously read queue lengths and approach volumes from existing detectors, then adjusts intersection timing and corridor-wide green waves in real-time, including reacting to one-off events like an incident on a parallel route, something that would otherwise need manual intervention. In our deployments in Stellenbosch and George, AI-driven coordination has delivered significant reductions in peak-period delay – in some cases in the order of 50% – and a more effective adaptive

INDUSTRY INSIGHT green wave, while working with infrastructure municipalities already have, rather than requiring a hardware overhaul. It has also brought operational savings, such as reducing the need for pointsmen to manage congestion during peak hours. Beyond signal timing, machine learning is also valuable for predictive maintenance (flagging controller or detector faults before they cause an outage), and for longer-term network planning, using historical pattern data to guide where investment is most needed. It is worth being clear, though, that AI only works on a sound foundation: reliable controllers, trustworthy detection and communications, and a platform that brings the data together. AI added to a network with poor detection and unreliable communications does not produce better traffic; it produces confident, bad decisions. That is also why we don’t see the future as a choice between AI and traditional heuristics. The latter provides a transparent, safety-focused operational framework, while AI adds prediction, pattern recognition and optimisation on top. Quebit is a smart system designed to enhance traffic infrastructure within cities. Using AI, it reads and responds to traffic patterns instantly, coordinating traffic lights to keep vehicles moving smoothly across intersections. The system plugs into existing UTMC controllers, while a simple web dashboard gives traffic managers full visibility and control

What R&D projects is Syntell currently undertaking? In parallel with our collaboration with Quebit on AI-based adaptive signal optimisation, we have brought our XTE controller range into the field. XTE has been engineered specifically around some of the practical challenges facing South African traffic infrastructure, particularly theft and vandalism. Its distributed architecture is designed to reduce the vulnerability of traditional roadside infrastructure, while also providing improved connectivity, remote diagnostics and management capabilities. It is a good example of how our R&D is driven by real problems experienced by our municipal customers, rather than technology for its own sake. We are also continuing to develop SIMS, our integrated management platform, which brings different elements of the traffic network into a single environment. This provides municipalities with greater visibility of their infrastructure and its performance, while creating the foundation for more proactive monitoring, maintenance and eventually more automated network management. Together, these developments represent the direction in which we see traffic management moving, namely more resilient field infrastructure; better visibility and management of the network; and increasingly intelligent systems that can use real-time data to optimise traffic flow.

What are some of your most successful municipal implementation projects to date, including lessons learnt? Rather than pointing to a single showcase project, I would point to our longstanding relationships with municipal entities such as the City of Cape Town and Johannesburg Roads Agency. These environments involve large, mixed-generation traffic signal networks, where new controllers, detection technologies and platforms such as SIMS have to be introduced alongside substantial legacy infrastructure. That kind of brownfield environment is probably more representative of the reality facing most municipalities than starting again with a cleansheet network. Success is therefore not simply about implementing a new system; it is about being able to modernise progressively while keeping the existing network operational. One of the biggest lessons we have learnt is that the operating environment must be considered as part of the engineering solution. Load shedding, cable theft and vandalism have driven the need for greater resilience, remote diagnostics, improved physical security, electronic locking, auditing and, increasingly, distributed architectures. Many of the innovations we have developed have come directly from solving these real-world challenges. The other major lesson is that you cannot put intelligence on top of an unreliable foundation

IMIESA October 2026

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

SIMS is a powerful, cloud-enabled software platform developed from the ground up for seamless integration with a wide range of traffic and infrastructure systems. It offers a single point of access for managing all integrated components, meaning one login and total control

and expect it to solve the underlying problems. Good detection, reliable communications and dependable controllers are fundamental. Once that foundation is in place, technologies such as adaptive optimisation and AI can add significant value.

How widespread are ITS installations in South Africa and where are the growth areas? Intelligent traffic systems are well established in South Africa’s major metropolitan areas, particularly around the management of signalised networks and major traffic corridors. However, the installation age and sophistication vary considerably. Going forward, the objective is to make existing infrastructure smarter, more

The Syntell XTE traffic controller range is a forward-thinking solution that tackles modern urban challenges like vandalism, theft, and infrastructure adaptability, while simplifying installation through reduced cabling requirements

connected and more resilient through modern upgrades backed by technical lifecycle support delivered by Syntell. In this respect, we see several key growth areas. The first is adaptive traffic control and AI. Here the ability to introduce optimisation onto existing infrastructure, rather than requiring a complete hardware replacement, makes this much more accessible to municipalities with constrained budgets. Second is resilient infrastructure. Theft, vandalism, cable theft and power instability are significant operational challenges, creating a growing need for infrastructure that is designed around those realities. This is an area where our XTE development is particularly relevant. Third is integration. Traffic data, signal control, detection, public transport, freight and incident information are increasingly being brought together rather than managed as separate systems. Our SIMS platform provides a common management and visibility layer for these different elements.

AI-driven systems such as Quebit can already interpret real-time traffic conditions and dynamically adjust signal operation without requiring an engineer or operator to manually modify timing plans. This creates an opportunity to improve network per formance using the infrastructure already deployed, well ahead of the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicle fleets. At the same time, the infrastructure being deployed today needs to be designed with the future in mind. Platforms such as SIMS and our newer-generation controller ranges incorporate connectivity, data and communications capabilities that can support the evolution towards connected and, ultimately, vehicle-toinfrastructure technologies. For municipalities, this means today’s investment can form part of a longer-term technology roadmap enabling networks to evolve as connected and autonomous mobility technologies mature, rather than requiring wholesale replacement of infrastructure in the future.

Is autonomous operation the future of Smart City transportation planning? Autonomous vehicles will undoubtedly play an important role in the future of mobility, but for South African and broader African cities, the nearer-term transformation is likely to come from autonomous traffic management rather than autonomous vehicles.

12 IMIESA October 2026

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HOT SEAT

MANAGING GROUND RISK REQUIRES A HOLISTIC 1 APPROACH Geotechnical engineering may be a relatively small component of any civil or building project, but its foundational benefits will directly influence the end result. IMIESA speaks to Fernando Pequenino, Principal Geotechnical Engineer and Director at PeraGage South Africa, about their class leadership in this field. What is PeraGage’s background and history? PeraGage has its origins in two specialist geotechnical consultancies, Peregrine Geoconsulting and GaGE Consulting, both established independently in late 2016/early 2017, but increasingly working in close collaboration. By 2022, it made sense to formalise the relationship, bringing the businesses together under the new PeraGage brand, which collectively now has close to a decade of applied experience. Over that period, we have grown from small specialist practices into a multidisciplinary ground engineering consultancy working across South Africa and internationally.

What are the company’s core areas of specialisation? We focus on geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, hydrogeology, and tunnel and underground engineering, par ticularly where ground and groundwater conditions materially influence feasibility, design, construction or the long-term performance of infrastructure. Ground conditions don’t conveniently separate themselves into geology, geotechnics and groundwater, and many of the more difficult infrastructure problems involve an interaction between all three. So, it’s an integrated approach to formulating practical engineering decisions. Our involvement also increasingly extends beyond simply undertaking an investigation and issuing a report. We work from feasibility and investigation through to analysis and design. We also often remain

14 IMIESA October 2026

involved during construction once actual ground conditions are exposed and designs or construction methodologies can be refined. That continuity is particularly valuable on complex infrastructure, where managing ground risk is an ongoing process rather than a single design activity.

Which sectors of the construction industry do you focus on? Our work spans transport, municipal and bulk infrastructure, mining, energy, industrial and private development, although the common thread is generally projects where ground or groundwater conditions have a meaningful influence on design, construction or long-term performance. While the scale and sector may change, our services are always fit-for-purpose.

Municipal infrastructure is an important part of this. We have, for example, been involved with the City of Cape Town’s Montague Gardens Bulk Sewer and Cape Flats Network projects, assisting with geotechnical aspects of construction, including deep supported trench excavations and pump stations approaching 9 m deep in saturated sands. These projects illustrate that even apparently conventional buried services can present significant geotechnical challenges once excavation depth, groundwater, existing infrastructure and construction constraints are considered. We were also involved in the emergency works at Hammanskraal following the 2023 cholera outbreak, providing geotechnical investigation and foundation recommendations associated with upgrades to the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works and new package plants for clean water supply. The emergency nature of the project meant that senior specialists needed to assess ground risk and provide practical recommendations within very short lead times, in some cases with contractors already mobilised on site.

How is PeraGage harnessing the latest digital technologies to refine its solutions?

Fernando Pequenino, Principal Geotechnical Engineer and Director at PeraGage South Africa

Digital technologies are increasingly important because they allow us to collect more information and integrate different datasets into a better ground model. We routinely use GIS, drone photogrammetry, LiDAR, digital field-data capture, down-the-hole geophysics, 3D modelling and 2D/3D

HOT SEAT

2 finite-element analysis as part of our investigation and design work to optimise the approach. A good example is our work on the proposed widening of the N1 near Laingsburg, where several existing rock cuttings needed to be assessed. Some of these cuttings are more than 30 m high and difficult to access safely using conventional mapping techniques. We combined rotar y core drilling and optical televiewer surveys with drone-based photogrammetric mapping, allowing discontinuity orientations and rock-mass structure to be characterised remotely and incorporated into the stability assessment. The resulting datasets were then integrated into kinematic and empirical slope analyses to assess potential failure mechanisms and inform the proposed widening. Essentially, technology complements rather than replaces engineering judgement. Geotechnical data still needs to be interpreted within its geological context. For instance, at Laingsburg the analytical methods indicated potential structural instability in one cutting, while the observed behaviour showed that discontinuity persistence and progressive weathering were equally important in understanding how the slope actually behaved.

What are the common causes of geotechnical failures and the best ways to avoid them? Geotechnical failures are seldom simply because the ground was “bad”. More often, they occur because the ground or groundwater conditions were not sufficiently understood, the investigation did not address the risks that actually governed the project, or those risks were identified too late to influence the design and construction methodology. Groundwater is particularly important and is frequently underestimated because its conditions can vary significantly over time. Recognising a geological hazard is not the same as understanding its engineering behaviour. We

3 1 A 25 m deep lateral support excavation in Cape Town 2 Propped excavation support for the City of Cape Town’s Sanddrift Pump Station 3 The 45 m deep supported excavation for Mtentu Bridge’s Pier 8, forming part of the N2 Wild Coast development, is the deepest to date in South Africa 4 Lateral support on the Atlantic Seaboard

have been involved with major infrastructure constructed on dolomitic terrain where the presence of dolomite was known, but the interaction between a substantial embankment, the variable residual profile and the complex groundwater regime was not adequately understood. The resulting ground movements have required significant ongoing intervention and maintenance. The lesson is not simply that more boreholes should have been drilled, but that the investigation and ground model need to address the mechanisms that could affect the infrastructure.

How does hydrogeology practically improve groundwater management optimisation? Groundwater is often treated as something to be dealt with once it is encountered during construction, but it’s crucial to make sure that a comprehensive upfront investigation has been completed. A good example is our work at Sutherland in the Nor thern Cape, where water scarcity required the development of additional groundwater resources for the town. The work combined hydrogeological mapping, geophysical investigation,

drilling, aquifer testing and groundwater modelling to identify and assess viable groundwater resources, together with the regulatory work required for their use. The same principles apply in a very different way to the establishment of buried municipal infrastructure for the City of Cape Town’s sewer projects. Understanding groundwater conditions becomes integral to the very deep excavation support required for microtunnelling. We also increasingly see opportunities for managed aquifer recharge and aquifer storage and recovery, where suitable aquifers can form part of the water management system. Our hydrogeological work has included geophysics, infiltration drilling, injection testing and the design of aquifer storage and recovery systems in water stressed environments.

What are some of the most complex projects completed over the past decade? Complexity in geotechnical engineering can take very different forms. It may be the scale of an

IMIESA October 2026

HOT SEAT

Geotechnical investigation along the N1 in Laingsburg

excavation, difficult geology and groundwater, sensitivity of adjacent infrastructure, or the need to develop a solution around significant construction constraints. Some of our most interesting projects have combined several of these factors. The Mtentu Bridge on the N2 Wild Coast Highway is a good example. Our constructionstage work has included temporary works and supported foundation excavations extending to around 45 m deep – the deepest supported excavation in South Africa – together with rockfall and shallow landslide protection. The challenge is not simply the depth but developing practical support solutions within highly variable ground and groundwater conditions that can be adapted as the excavation progresses. At the other end of the spectrum are our deep excavations along the Clifton and Bantry Bay coastline in Cape Town, where excavations approaching 25 m deep have been undertaken on steep sites immediately adjacent to high-value properties. Here the challenge is less about absolute scale and more about working within an extremely constrained urban environment, where deformation control and protection of neighbouring structures are fundamental to the design and construction sequence. The N2 Wild Coast Highway more broadly represents another form of complexity. We have led extensive geotechnical investigation and design across major bridges, deep cuttings and embankments, where highly variable geology and difficult terrain mean that the ground model can materially influence alignment, foundations, earthworks and the utilisation of construction materials. What these projects demonstrate is that geotechnical complexity is not necessarily defined by the size of a structure. A 9 m deep municipal excavation in saturated sand alongside existing services can demand just as much

16 IMIESA October 2026

engineering judgement as a 45 m excavation for a major bridge.

Do you have examples of industry-first solutions executed by PeraGage? A good example is the N2 widening through Wilderness in the Western Cape, where we developed a deep soil mixing, Mixed-in-Place wall solution for highway widening, the first application of this approach in South Africa. The challenge was unusual. The existing highway had to be widened through loose dune sands within a highly constrained corridor while maintaining live two-way traffic. Conventional excavation and retaining solutions would have required considerably more space and would have had significant implications for traffic accommodation and construction sequencing. The solution was to improve the ground itself, using deep soil mixing to form a continuous stabilised soil mass capable of supporting the widening. This allowed the works to proceed within the available footprint while maintaining traffic on this important route.

Can geotechnical and environmental engineering serve as a countermeasure for climate change impacts? Climate change does not necessarily introduce entirely new geotechnical problems, but it can increase the frequency and severity of the conditions that trigger them. More intense rainfall, and prolonged wet periods, can change groundwater levels and pore pressures, increase erosion and scour, and alter the behaviour of slopes and foundations. We see this particularly in our work on existing road networks in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, including our long-term involvement on sections of the N3 Toll Route. These networks

For the N2 widening project through Wilderness in the Western Cape, PeraGage developed a deep soil mixing, Mixed-inPlace wall solution which was an industry first for South Africa

traverse steep and often geologically complex terrain, where rainfall, groundwater and drainage can have a significant influence on the long-term performance of cut slopes and embankments. Our work on the N3 has included the assessment and rehabilitation of slopes and embankments, particularly around Van Reenen’s Pass, where complex geology and groundwater regimes are important controls on stability. This highlights an important issue with climate resilience: we cannot only consider new infrastructure. South Africa has an extensive existing infrastructure network; understanding how changing rainfall and groundwater conditions affect these assets allows us to identify vulnerable locations and prioritise drainage improvements, slope stabilisation, erosion protection, monitoring or other interventions before relatively small problems develop into major failures.

And in closing? Perhaps the greatest value a geotechnical engineer brings is not simply providing parameters for design but helping the project team understand uncertainty and make informed decisions around it. The ground will always contain some uncertainty; the objective is to investigate and understand it sufficiently to identify what matters, what the consequences are, and how those risks can best be managed.

www.peragage.com

ENVIRONMENT

GREENER HOMES, RESILIENT LANDSCAPES

PREPARING FOR THE ‘LOOMING EL NIÑO’ AND CLIMATE CHANGE Climate change is defined as the substantial variation in average weather conditions over several decades or longer, resulting in conditions becoming, for instance, warmer, wetter, or drier. Since 1990, the average temperature in the country has risen twice as quickly as the average temperature globally (0.7°C).

he National Adaptation Plan for South Africa states that there is evidence of an increase in extreme weather events, including a modest extension of dry spell durations, an increase in heat waves (sometimes manifested as part of the El Niño effect), and an increase in rainfall intensity (floods). One key phenomenon influencing South Africa’s climate is El Niño. El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon that occurs in the Pacific Ocean. It involves the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures, and this warming can have far-reaching effects on global weather patterns. Recently, several climate monitoring centres have confirmed a stronger than average

El Niño event, which commenced around July 2026 and is expected to last through to March 2027. Historically, El Niño events in southern Africa have been associated with below-average rainfall, prolonged dry spells, agricultural loss and intensified water stress. These conditions highlight the importance of preparing our homes, gardens and communities for periods of increased water stress. While climate change may seem like a global challenge beyond our control, everyday actions can make a meaningful contribution to water security. Preparing for El Niño starts at home with how we use, manage and conserve every drop of water.

Preparing your household for El Niño and water stress Leaking taps can amount to water losses of up to 60 litres a day, while leaking toilets can waste an average of 400 litres per day. This is approximately 1.8 Kℓ and 12 Kℓ, respectively, every month. Water leaks can be very costly and are a large contributor to water wastage in South Africa. As we prepare for potential El Niño-related water stress, household water conservation has become increasingly important in protecting water security. The adoption of simple, everyday actions such as leak fixing can make a meaningful impact on your water usage while reducing your overall water footprint.

Houseowners can also: • F ix leaks: Quickly repair dripping taps, leaking pipes and toilets as soon as possible. • R etrofit your toilets: Toilet flushing constitutes approximately 20% of household water usage. Older cisterns use 10 – 13 litres of water per flush, while more recent ones utilise 9 litres of water. Choosing a dual flush system further reduces water consumption to 3 – 6 litres of water per flush. For older

A Taps equipped with flow regulators reduce water usage to around 6 litres or less of water per minute B Choosing a dual flush system reduces water consumption to 3 – 6 litres of water per flush

A 18 IMIESA October 2026

C Fixing a leaking tap can prevent water losses of up to 60 litres a day

ENVIRONMENT Indigenous plants need less water and adapt well to changing climatic conditions

cisterns, consider placing a 1.5-litre bottle filled with water or sand inside the cistern to displace water and reduce the volume used per flush. Ensure that the bottle does not interfere with the flushing mechanism. •R etrofit your taps: Taps in dishwashing areas, sinks and bathrooms can account for up to 30% of domestic water usage. A standard tap typically consumes 15 – 18 litres of water per minute, while a water-efficient tap, equipped with flow regulators, reduces the usage to 6 litres and less of water per minute. For commercial and industrial settings, pushbutton (self-closing) taps that automatically shut off after each use can further contribute to water conservation. • Sweep your driveways: Use a broom rather than a hose to clean driveways and paved areas. • Rainwater harvesting: This involves collecting, storing and utilising rainwater from roofs or paving. Rainwater can be directed into storage tanks through gutter and drainage systems, reducing reliance on municipal water by up to 40%. Monitoring the tank’s water level with a water level monitor ensures efficient usage. • Cover your pool: Invest in a pool cover – it is an effective method to minimise evaporation and maintain the pool’s cleanliness by keeping debris out. • Reuse greywater: The use of greywater provides us with an opportunity to use an average of approximately 35 – 234 litres (per person per day) of greywater, which can be repurposed for garden irrigation or toilet flushing where little human contact is achieved.

1 Hydrozoning: Group your plants with similar

Steps towards climate-resilient landscape design Frequently regarded as merely an aesthetic improvement, landscaping is essential to this change by promoting water conservation, biodiversity, climate resilience and environmental sustainability. Greywater can be repurposed for garden irrigation or toilet flushing

watering requirements to reduce the needless use of water. This can be achieved by incorporating the following zones within your landscape design: • High water use zone: Covering 10 – 30% of the garden. This area requires more water (750 – 1 000 mm per year). • M edium water use zone: Covering 20 – 40% of the garden. Plants in this zone receive limited water (500 – 750 mm per year). • Low water use zone: Covering 30 – 60% of the garden. This area should receive 300 – 500 mm per year of water. • Very low water use zone: This zone should cover the largest par t of the garden (<300 mm of water per year). Indigenous plant selection: As climate change unfolds, it alters ecosystems, thus making it critical to select plants such as Aloe africana and Portulacaria afra (known as the Spekboom/Elephant bush), grown in the low water usage hydrozone, that can adapt to the new environment and thrive. Due to their ability to adapt to the local environment, indigenous plants need less water (which can also be enhanced using mulch), maintenance, and pesticides. Sustainable materials: Using sustainable materials is just as important to landscaping as using plants. Choose recycled, sustainable, or materials for your landscaping tasks that are sourced locally. Intelligent irrigation systems: Most reports state that smar t irrigation saves approximately 50% in water use. Investing in intelligent irrigation systems that can

Using a pool cover significantly minimises water loss from evaporation

monitor the weather and modify watering schedules is necessary. Carbon-sequestering landscapes: South Africa is not just the continent’s highest emitter of greenhouse gases, but it also ranks among the top 25 emitters globally. In addition to improving the aesthetics of your landscape, planting trees and shrubs helps absorb carbon dioxide. Trees are a natural resource in our fight against greenhouse gas emissions since they emit oxygen into the atmosphere and absorb carbon dioxide. Constructed wetlands also serve as a huge carbon sequester. Green roofs and walls: Incorporate green roofs or walls to improve insulation, reduce urban heat island effects, and provide additional green space. These features can also contribute to biodiversity and air quality improvements. When you incorporate sustainability and climate resilience into your home and garden, you are not only creating a beautiful and functional living environment, but also contributing to water conservation, environmental sustainability and global health. From using water wisely indoors to making climate-conscious choices outdoors, every action can make a difference. As we work to reduce the impacts of climate change, let the choices we make in and around our homes reflect our commitment to a more sustainable, water-secure and environmentally friendly future. Rand Water through its environmental brand, Water Wise, is dedicated to supporting both industries and communities in becoming conscientious water consumers.

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IMIESA October 2026

DECENTRALISED SANITATION

FROM CONSTRUCTION SITE TO CLASSROOM DEWATS training in progress at Julukandoda Primary School in KwaDulela, KwaZulu-Natal. Downstream planning makes provision for treated wastewater to be reused for irrigation, supporting crop production in the school and community

TURNING KWAZULU-NATAL’S DEWATS PLANTS INTO TRAINING GROUNDS FOR MUNICIPAL ENGINEERS

As KwaZulu-Natal expands its experience with decentralised wastewater treatment, BORDA South Africa is looking beyond the construction of individual systems. In 2027, existing and newly constructed DEWATS sites across the province will become practical classrooms for municipal engineers – places where design drawings, operational challenges and real wastewater treatment processes can be understood together.

here is a particular moment on ever y BORDA-designed decentralised wastewater treatment system (DEWATS) project that reminds us why we do this work,” states Manesha Reddy, Project Engineer at BORDA South Africa. “It usually happens when a drawing that has lived on a computer screen for months becomes concrete, pipes, chambers, gravel, plants and flowing water. Standing on a construction site, looking at the settler, anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR), anaerobic filter or planted gravel filter taking shape, the engineering suddenly becomes tangible.” Across KwaZulu-Natal, from demonstration sites in eThekwini to installations serving schools in rural and peri-urban communities, the BORDA DEWATS is quietly proving that

20 IMIESA October 2026

sanitation infrastructure can be resilient, affordable and locally managed. At the same time, these sites are becoming living classrooms where engineers, operators, municipal officials and communities can learn what decentralised sanitation looks like in practice. BORDA e.V. (Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association) is a renowned specialist organisation dedicated to addressing key global challenges such as wastewater treatment, poverty reduction, sustainable resource conservation and the improvement of social structures, spanning almost 50 years in the sector. In Sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa, BORDA works with various cooperating institutions to improve basic sanitation and create liveable, inclusive cities. The aim is to

provide disadvantaged urban communities with sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, strengthen local capacities and develop cross-sectoral strategies for longterm impact.

WESS systems for drought resilience Being a water-scarce country, South Africa needs to adopt a more water efficient approach within the sanitation service chain, a prime example being the implementation of Water Ef ficient Sanitation Solutions (WESS). These cost-effective, environmentally friendly systems require low or no water, are completely decentralised, and utilise technologies that include beneficial use of waste products. WESS incorporates non-sewered sanitation systems (NSSS) and decentralised wastewater treatment systems (DWWTS). NSSS describes the complete off-grid integrated system used to safely manage sanitation without sewers. This includes the toilet or containment unit, emptying, transport, treatment and safe reuse or disposal of waste. In turn, DWWTS is an alternative sustainable approach to treating multiple wastewater streams, with ecological and economic advantages in source separation and resource

DECENTRALISED SANITATION Delegates attending a DEWATS training session at the Newlands Mashu Research Site

recovery, aligning with emerging solutions like waste stream separation and resource recovery from faecal sludge.

Building municipal technical capacity BORDA finds itself at an important moment, with the 2026 IMESA Annual Conference in October ser ving as a rallying point for renewed focus. The reality is that South Africa faces growing pressures on municipal wastewater infrastructure, increasing climate risks, rapid urbanisation and continuing service delivery backlogs. The question is no longer whether decentralised sanitation has a role to play, but rather, how quickly municipalities can build

the technical capacity required to deploy and manage it effectively. For BORDA South Africa, 2027 will mark a significant step in this journey. Our focus will be on transforming existing and newly constructed DEWATS facilities across

KwaZulu-Natal into practical training platforms for municipal engineers and technical personnel. BORDA’s relationship with decentralised sanitation in KwaZulu-Natal stretches back many years through collaboration with eThekwini Municipality and the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN’s) WASH Research and Development Centre. One of the most influential examples is the Newlands Mashu DEWATS demonstration facility in Durban, which has been operating since 2010 and has provided invaluable operational and research data on decentralised wastewater treatment in the South African context. A typical system may include preliminary treatment, a settler, an ABR, anaerobic filters and constructed or planted gravel wetlands. Depending on the application, systems can incorporate additional treatment, reuse or resource-recovery components. For project engineers, the greatest lesson from Newlands Mashu has been technological and educational. Every inspection, maintenance task, monitoring exercise and design review has reinforced the same message: decentralised sanitation succeeds when local technical capacity exists to support it. Even the most robust treatment system requires engineers and operators who understand hydraulic behaviour, biological treatment processes, routine maintenance requirements and long-term asset management. You can also see something that is difficult to communicate in a conventional classroom: the connection between engineering decisions and operational reality.

Site establishment (top) and DEWATS construction works in progress (left) at Siyalungelwa Senior Secondary School, situated within the Newcastle Local Municipality

IMIESA October 2026

DECENTRALISED SANITATION

“BORDA’s DEWATS approach is based on decentralised treatment close to where wastewater is generated. The systems can be designed around gravity flow, natural biological treatment processes and locally available construction materials, reducing dependence on sophisticated mechanical and electrical infrastructure,” says Mahatanya Mofokeng, a Junior Project Engineer at BORDA South Africa.

Decentralised sanitation offers a practical option for many of these contexts because DEWATS systems are modular, energy efficient and capable of operating with limited mechanical equipment. They can also provide treatment services where conventional infrastructure expansion may be prohibitively expensive or technically difficult.

Multiple reference sites A mindset change: conventional versus decentralised BORDA describes DEWATS as a technical approach rather than simply a standard technology package because each system must be adapted to its particular context. That principle is particularly relevant in municipal engineering. Municipal engineering in South Africa has traditionally been centred around large, centralised infrastructure systems. Most engineering training programmes, procurement frameworks and operational structures reflect this reality.

In operation since 2010, the Newlands Mashu DEWATS demonstration facility in Durban is a flagship project in decentralised sanitation. Unlike a conventional wastewater treatment plant, the below ground installations blend in naturally with the environment and interconnect with a constructed wetland

Thus in 2027, BORDA is offering up multiple sites as practical lessons on how to plan, design, construct and manage DEWATS in various contexts, beyond the well-known Newlands Mashu Research Site. At Julukandoda Primary School in KwaDulela, KwaZulu-Natal, a BORDA-designed DEWATS provides treatment linked to a broader water, sanitation and resource-recovery approach. It is planned that treated wastewater will be reused for irrigation, suppor ting crop production in the school and community, while the project is being monitored to understand its long-term performance. Meanwhile, at Siyalungelwa Senior Secondary School, situated within the Newcastle Local Municipality, BORDA has taken an integrated approach that combines water security, water efficient sanitation, hygiene education and wastewater management. However, for ever y site the sanitation challenge is different. A case in point is

BORDA’s project at Sobonakhona High School, situated in the Adams Mission area of eThekwini Municipality. Here the school has faced unreliable water supply and has no municipal sewer connection. BORDA's response includes improved water security and construction of a new DEWATS to accommodate wastewater generated by the upgraded sanitation facilities. “What all these sites show is there is no single DEWATS design that can simply be copied from one context to another,” says Manesha. “School systems have different loading patterns from residential developments. A rural school may have intermittent water availability. A housing development may have relatively predictable wastewater flows but different land, hydraulic and municipal management constraints. A system in a densely settled area may face completely different access, maintenance and community considerations.”

Site-based learning is key It is evident that a classroom alone cannot replicate practical experience. This philosophy was reinforced during a recent operations and maintenance training programme conducted at a DEWATS installation in the Northern Drakensberg. The training, undertaken with suppor t from the UKZN WASH Research and Development Centre, combined theory sessions with practical field exercises and demonstrated the value of site-based learning for facility managers and operators. “Our focus for 2027 is to ensure that this momentum translates into practical engineering capacity. Through structured training programmes, field demonstrations, technical workshops and site-based learning, we intend to use our KwaZulu-Natal DEWATS network as a platform for developing the next generation of municipal sanitation practitioners,” adds Mahatanya. BORDA knows that the future success of DEWATS depends on what is built and who is trained. The hope is that the conversation at and following the 2026 IMESA Annual Conference spurs discussions and excites a new batch of engineers to push this agenda forward within their municipalities.

www.borda-africa.org

22 IMIESA October 2026

BORDA South Africa is a non-proﬁt engineering and advisory organisation delivering practical, sustainable water, sanitation and environmental solutions. We support governments, municipalities and partners with climate-resilient infrastructure, technical advisory services, decentralised wastewater treatment, resource recovery and circular economy solutions.

Transforming Challenges into Sustainable Infrastructure

Our multidisciplinary team oﬀers end-to-end consulting services across the project lifecycle – from feasibility studies, planning and design to implementation support, monitoring and capacity development. We specialise in decentralised wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS), faecal sludge management (FSM), resource recovery, circular economy solutions, climate-resilient infrastructure and environmental management.

Our expertise include Engineering planning, feasibility studies and design

Environmental and social assessments

Wastewater and faecal sludge treatment solutions

Capacity building, training and knowledge transfer

Technical advisory and project management

Research, innovation and technology demonstration

Policy development and institutional strengthening

Resource recovery and circular economy solutions

At BORDA South Africa, we combine scientiﬁc excellence with practical implementation experience to develop solutions that are technically sound, ﬁnancially viable and environmentally sustainable. Our collaborative approach ensures that every project is tailored to the unique needs of our clients while aligning with national regulations and international best practice. Whether supporting urban municipalities, rural communities, industrial clients or development partners, BORDA South Africa is commitied to delivering resilient infrastructure and sustainable services that create lasting impact.

Your trusted partner for sustainable water, sanitation and environmental consulting

031 940 4102

info-southafrica@borda-africa.org

GROUNDWATER

Every tailings dam, sludge pond and treatment facility sits above an aquifer that communities and ecosystems depend on

SMART INSTRUMENTATION CAN SAFEGUARD AFRICA’S GROUNDWATER Groundwater is easy to overlook. Pollution is not visible to the naked eye until it’s way too late, and it doesn't make headlines the way a river or dam does. Yet it quietly supplies drinking water, irrigation and industrial processes across much of Africa.

nce it’s contaminated, it can take decades, or longer, to recover. That’s what makes wastewater management one of the most consequential, and least visible, environmental responsibilities any operation carries. Every tailings dam, sludge pond and treatment facility sits above an aquifer that communities and ecosystems depend on. A single accidental discharge, an undetected leak or an overflow event can seep into the water table long before it’s noticed on the surface. Modern wastewater treatment exists precisely to prevent that outcome. The truth is that it only works if it’s built on continuous, accurate monitoring of water levels, flow rates and chemical composition. Without that data, treatment plants risk accidental discharges, equipment failures and regulatory non-compliance, and by extension, risk the groundwater beneath them.

The VEGASWING 63 vibrating level switch provides dependable point level detection in filter water tanks, ensuring pumps activate or stop at exactly the right moment

24 IMIESA October 2026

VEGA’s instrumentation portfolio is designed to meet these challenges head-on, offering robust, precise, and maintenance-friendly solutions that protect both groundwater integrity and operational performance.

Reliable control in sludge dewatering Sludge dewatering is where groundwater protection often begins in earnest. Once contaminants are removed from wastewater, the remaining sludge must be compacted to reduce volume before disposal or further processing. Centrifuges and filter presses are commonly used, but they require precise level control. An overflow here isn’t just an operational nuisance, it’s a direct pathway for contaminants to migrate into surrounding soil and, eventually, groundwater.

The VEGACAP 65 is a point level sensor designed for the measurement of bulk solids and liquids across all industries

The VEGASWING 63 vibrating level switch provides dependable point level detection in filter water tanks, ensuring pumps activate or stop at exactly the right moment. Its vibration principle is unaffected by buildup, density changes or solids content, a major advantage in sludgeheavy environments where a false reading could mean the difference between contained water and a seepage risk. For monitoring the discharge of dewatered sludge, the VEGACAP 65 capacitive point level sensor, paired with the VEGATOR 141 signal conditioning unit, offers reliable detection that prevents blockages and keeps material flowing smoothly, reducing the chance of the overflow events that put groundwater at risk in the first place.

Consistent measurement in ponds Mixing and equalisation ponds are essential for balancing variations in wastewater composition and flow. By homogenising influent water, they protect downstream treatment processes from sudden chemical or volumetric fluctuations, fluctuations that, left unmanaged, can overwhelm containment and push untreated water towards the water table. Accurate level measurement in these ponds is crucial to avoid overflows and ensure proper

GROUNDWATER

The VEGAPULS C 21, a non-contact radar sensor, delivers continuous, reliable level data regardless of changing water quality, foam or weather conditions

mixing. The VEGAPULS C 21, a non-contact radar sensor, delivers continuous, reliable level data regardless of changing water quality, foam or weather conditions. Its radar technology ensures stable performance even in the harsh outdoor environments typical of mining operations, giving operators an early warning system for the kind of breach that could otherwise go undetected until it’s already in the aquifer.

A growing market, and a growing responsibility The need for effective wastewater, and by extension, groundwater management is accelerating across Africa. The Middle East and Africa water and wastewater treatment market is projected to reach US$44.5 billion by 2032, driven by rising environmental

regulations, infrastructure investment, and growing recognition that water security, both surface and subsurface, is central to sustainable development. Mining companies that invest in advanced instrumentation don’t just reduce their environmental footprint; they protect a resource that, once compromised, is extraordinarily difficult to restore. Efficient wastewater treatment minimises regulatory penalties, prevents equipment failures, and optimises operational uptime, all of which contribute to improved profitability alongside genuine environmental stewardship.

Balancing economic growth with groundwater protection Mining remains vital to Africa’s economic future, but its environmental challenges, particularly the long-term health of groundwater systems, must be addressed with urgency. Sustainable wastewater management protects these hidden water resources, supports community health, and preserves the ecosystems that depend on clean aquifers.

Robust and Reliable

WHY WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT MATTERS • Protects groundwater and rivers • Reduces health risks for nearby communities • Prevents biodiversity loss

Companies like VEGA play an important part by providing the precise measurement tools needed to monitor, control and optimise wastewater treatment processes. Their technologies help operators detect contaminants early, prevent accidental releases, and ensure treated effluent meets stringent environmental standards; standards that exist, fundamentally, to keep what’s underground safe. By equipping mines with reliable, highperformance instrumentation, VEGA enables the industry to align economic goals with groundwater protection, supporting a more sustainable future for mining and the communities whose water security depends on it.

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WATER & WASTEWATER

Securing South Africa’s water future WHY INFRASTRUCTURE ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH South Africa’s next water challenge is not simply to build more supply. It is to extract greater value from every source, every asset, and every rand invested. By Jacques Schmidt

ver the past three decades, household access to basic water services has risen from 55% in 1994 to around 90% today. Yet reliability has deteriorated. For many communities, having a tap no longer guarantees safe, consistent water. At the same time, demand from cities, industry, agriculture and a growing population continues to strain one of the world’s most water-scarce countries. The question is shifting: not just “Where will the next source come from?” but “How do we build a diversified, reliable, financially sustainable and resilient water system?”

Diversifying the portfolio Large-scale dams and transfer schemes remain essential, but South Africa has already harnessed about 75% of its sustainably utilisable sur face water. The remaining schemes are more complex, more expensive, and often further from centres of demand. Future security therefore requires a diversified por tfolio; one that includes groundwater, potable and non-potable reuse, desalination and mine-affected water. Each source has different costs, energy requirements and climate vulnerabilities. No single option can deliver resilience on its own. Together, however, they can create an integrated network system that is more robust than reliance on conventional surface water alone. Water security is now as much

26 IMIESA October 2026

a por tfolio management challenge as an infrastructure development one.

The cheapest new source is the water we save Diversifying supply addresses only half the equation. South Africa consumes about 218 litres per person per day, compared with a global average of 173. This is compounded by non-revenue water losses that average 47% across municipalities, which is nearly half of treated water lost through leaks, metering failures or unbilled supply. This creates both a resource problem and a financial one. Before investing in expensive new sources, there is a compelling case for extracting greater value from the water already in the system. Reducing leakage, strengthening

metering and billing, replacing failing assets, and managing demand can unlock capacity at far lower cost than new supply. The principle is simple: every litre saved is a litre that does not need to be abstracted, treated, pumped or financed elsewhere. For municipalities facing both scarcity and financial pressure, conser vation and demand management should be viewed as infrastructure investments in their own right.

Reliability matters more than access Access has expanded, but reliability has declined. Of 144 Water Services Authorities, 107 perform poorly or critically in drinking water and wastewater systems. Microbiological water quality has deteriorated, and much of the municipal wastewater infrastructure is in poor condition. This is not a lack of engineering knowledge. It reflects challenges in asset management, operations and accountability. Building new infrastructure while existing systems deteriorate risks creating an unsustainable cycle: new capacity is added faster than municipalities can operate, maintain and finance the assets already under their control.

Jacques Schmidt, Deputy Sector Lead: Water and Sustainable Water Management, WSP in Africa

WATER & WASTEWATER

Securing sustainable supply therefore must include securing the per formance of the infrastructure we already have.

Reforming utilities In many municipalities, responsibility for water is fragmented. Technical teams operate plants, but revenue collection, procurement and financial decisions sit elsewhere. Revenue often flows into general municipal budgets, leaving water functions underfunded. A functioning utility needs visibility of costs, control of assets, credible revenue collection and clear accountability. Ring-fencing revenues and strengthening single-point accountability may prove as important as new infrastructure. Without these reforms, even the best designed projects risk underperformance.

Institutions unlock investment The creation of the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA) is a step towards stronger financing capacity. Municipal reforms are also clarifying responsibilities and strengthening capability requirements.

Government is increasingly looking to blended finance – combining public funding, development finance and private capital – to expand the pool of money available for infrastructure. But private capital will only flow to credible institutions. Investors need enforceable contracts, competent operators, sustainable revenue streams and confidence that assets will be maintained. Bankable infrastructure requires bankable institutions. Institutional reform and infrastructure investment must therefore progress together.

From projects to systems A dam cannot compensate for a distribution network losing half its treated water. A desalination plant cannot secure supply if municipalities cannot recover costs. Expanding access means little if households cannot depend on water being available. Future investment must move beyond isolated projects to whole-system performance; integrating source diversification, bulk infrastructure, asset condition, demand

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management and financial sustainability. The most valuable intervention may not always be the largest capital project. Sometimes it will be a new dam or transfer scheme. Elsewhere it may be a reuse plant, a groundwater programme, or simply fixing leaks and restoring existing infrastructure.

Redefining water security South Africa has proven it can deliver large, complex infrastructure. The challenge now is broader. Water security should be measured not by infrastructure built, but by reliability, quality, resilience and financial sustainability. The country cannot build its way out of scarcity, nor conserve its way out of growth. It needs both, supported by stronger institutions, better asset management, diversified supply and integrated system planning. Only by moving from individual projects to resilient national systems can South Africa secure water through droughts, climate uncertainty and rising economic demand. That is ultimately what securing a sustainable water future will require.

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HYDROPOWER

OXBOW HYDROPOWER GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS CONTRACTS AWARDED Inaugurated in 2004, Phase I of the LHWP entailed the construction of the Katse and Mohale dams,

‘ Muela Hydropower Station and associated tunnels. Phase II comprises a Concrete Faced Rockfill Dam at Polihali, downstream of the confluence of the Khubelu and Senqu Rivers, a concrete lined gravity tunnel that connects the Polihali Reservoir to the Katse Reservoir and the Oxbow Hydropower Scheme. A general view of the site location for the Oxbow Hydropower Scheme. (Source: Open Ground Resources)

The two geotechnical investigations contracts recently awarded by the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) mark meaningful progress on the Oxbow Hydropower Scheme. The latter is the preferred scheme within Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) programme currently under development.

his new power station will supplement Lesotho’s only hydropower plant at ‘Muela, which was constructed in Phase I of the LHWP and has an installed capacity of 72 MW. Oxbow, which will be a fully underground facility with an installed capacity of 120 MW, will be operated as a peaking plant running for six hours a day, seven days a week. The geotechnical investigations’ scope is split into two phases, making up the two contracts. Phase 1, the smaller of the two contracts, is expected to be completed in approximately five months and comprises geophysical investigations, field mapping and other related surveys. This contract, valued at R6 m, was awarded to Open Ground Resources.

(Source: Open Ground Resources)

28 IMIESA October 2026

The Phase 2 contract was awarded to Geomech Africa, a South African entity, in early August and involves more intrusive sub-surface work including borehole drilling, in-situ testing and laborator y testing. Subcontractors include Skyhorse Aviation (South Africa), Open Ground Resources (South Africa) and Sol Exper ts (Germany). The contract value is approximately R100 m with the investigation expected to be completed in approximately 11 months, nine of which are field activities. For the main drilling contract there will be a total of 18 boreholes combining vertical, inclined and sub-horizontal drilling with a total combined drill length of approximately 2 648 m. The in-situ testing is expected to comprise hydraulic conductivity, groundwater piezometric

(Source: Open Ground Resources)

Phase II will increase the current annual supply rate capacity from 780 to 1 270 million m3, contributing towards meeting South Africa’s increasing water needs. The additional flow of water from Polihali will simultaneously increase hydroelectric power generation within Lesotho.

level determination, lugeon testing, stress hydraulic fracture (HF) logging and standard penetration tests, among others. In turn, the laboratory testing will include acid soluble chloride tests for aggregates; acid soluble sulphates; potential alkali aggregate reactivity; water absorption; methylene blue, X-ray diffraction and petrographic analysis. On projects such as this, geotechnical investigations are designed to achieve a reasonable mitigation of the geotechnical risks, which primarily address the unknown sub-surface conditions that could be encountered during actual construction. The start of the geophysical investigations marks a notable milestone in the development and preliminar y engineering of the Oxbow Scheme. The engineering process began in early 2025 following the appointment of the engineering design and construction supervision consultant, ASG Joint Venture, comprising Artelia (France), SMEC International (Australia), SMEC South Africa and GWC Consulting Engineers (Lesotho) in late 2024. The services for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) commenced on the 6th January 2025 following the appointment of the ELC-Consultant Joint Venture, comprising ELC (Italy), Greenway Consultancy (Lesotho) and Green Gold Group (South Africa). The ESIA contract is expected to be completed in 2027.

RESERVOIRS

REIMAGINING BLUEPRINTS JUDICIOUSLY WITH STRUCTURAL PRECAST South Africa is pouring substantial grants into regional bulk and water services projects, which is a once-in-a-generation chance to close the storage gap. Traditional methods, however, still cannot keep pace.

equential construction is impacted by weather, curing delays and skills shortages; critical quality factors such as compaction, reinforcement cover and dimensional accuracy stay exposed to uncontrolled site variables. The result is overruns, inconsistent watertightness and maintenance costs that municipalities can least afford. These weaknesses are compounded by safety risks from prolonged work at height, limited contractor capacity for complex water retaining structures, and an industry habit of prioritising lowest capital cost over whole-life performance. Rethinking the blueprint through industrialised methods and a relentless focus on whole-life value is no longer theoretical. It is a practical engineering response already being applied on sites across the country. “It aligns directly with the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa’s (IMESA’s) 2026 conference theme of rethinking traditional infrastructure design, improving municipal procurement, incorporating new technologies and addressing service delivery constraints with limited resources. Corestruc is reimagining those blueprints judiciously through structural precast concrete and precision post-tensioning,” says Willie de Jager, Managing Director of Corestruc.

Rethinking traditional design Corestruc’s precast post-tensioned system inverts conventional concrete construction. Wall panels, buttresses, columns, beams and hollowcore roof elements are manufactured under factor y quality controls while earthworks and foundations proceed on site. Once foundations are ready, components are delivered, installed to millimetre tolerances, post-tensioned and grouted into a monolithic, permanently compressed structure. Concrete per forms best in compression. De Jager explains that post-tensioning places the wall into that state, sharply reducing tensile cracking risk and improving long-term watertightness. “Factor y production delivers consistent concrete quality,” he

Programmes are routinely shortened by more than 50%, with matching reductions in site costs, weather exposure and labour intensity

elaborates. “This is through precise cover to reinforcement, controlled curing and verified dimensional accuracy. These are results that remain difficult to achieve consistently on a conventional site.” The outcome is infrastructure engineered for 100-year service lives with lower maintenance demands. Corestruc has already contributed approximately 600 Mℓ of storage capacity across South Africa. The technology has moved from recover y projects that restored programme certainty on delayed schemes to proactive specification by major metros. The City of Ekurhuleni has completed multiple installations, and the City of Tshwane has adopted the system for new reservoirs. Early projects at KwaMhlanga and Parallel manufacture and site preparation compress programmes

30 IMIESA October 2026

RESERVOIRS

Bundu for Thembisile Hani Local Municipality confirmed structural integrity, watertightness and constructability under operating conditions, with measured behaviour matching design predictions. “Lessons from those sites have refined sequencing and post-tensioning procedures on every subsequent project,” De Jager says.

Technologies engineered to deliver Targeted technological change, including industrialised manufacturing, digital surveying and engineered lifting, can deliver substantial gains without requiring contractors to overhaul their entire operations. Automated batching, precise admixture dosing, controlled curing and comprehensive inspection before dispatch produce dense, lowpermeability concrete of consistent strength and durability. On site, robotic total stations and purpose-designed lifting points achieve installation tolerances of 5 mm on columns and beams and 20 mm on roofs, minimising corrective work at height. Detailed lift plans, temporary stability engineering and sequenced erection further reduce risk. “These are mature methods adapted to southern African realities,” De Jager says. “They account for long transport distances, variable access roads, differing contractor experience levels and the need for systems that local teams can install with available equipment.” Programmes are routinely shortened by more than 50%, with matching reductions in site costs, weather exposure and labour intensity.

Expanding capacity through smarter procurement Municipal procurement must balance immediate budget pressures with long-term value. De Jager says that solutions that deliver faster construction, higher quality and greater durability frequently prove more economical over decades of service. “Faster delivery reduces financing and site overheads. Superior quality lowers future rehabilitation costs and non-revenue water losses. Predictable programmes help ensure communities receive infrastructure on time,” he explains. The system also broadens par ticipation. Large water retaining structures have traditionally been limited to a small group of specialists because of the technical demands of water tightness, dimensional accuracy and temporary works. He says that precast construction lowers those barriers. “Principal contractors retain responsibility for earthworks, foundations and overall delivery.

Corestruc supplies the engineered system, manufactures the components and oversees installation,” he says. This collaborative model has enabled a growing list of contractors to deliver complex reservoirs successfully. Projects such as the Bundu scheme (the largest infrastructure programme ever undertaken by Thembisile Hani Local Municipality), the 30 Mℓ Selcourt Reservoir and Tshwane’s first precast reservoir at Winterveld demonstrate the value of specialist partnerships. De Jager says, “These collaborations expand the pool of capable contractors while supporting local employment and skills transfer. Knowledge moves with every project, building industry capacity rather than concentrating it.”

Detailed lift plans, temporary stability engineering and sequenced erection reduce risk

Doing more with limited resources Municipalities face constrained capital budgets, skills shortages, ageing infrastructure backlogs and pressure to deliver visible results quickly. Precast post-tensioned reservoirs respond directly to these pressures. Parallel manufacture and site preparation compress programmes. Reduced work at height improves safety performance. “The safety-quality link is direct: fewer people working at height means less disruption and greater focus on precise installation, producing more consistent results,” notes De Jager. Lower material waste, optimised concrete usage, and extended service lives improve resource efficiency, and reduce environmental impact. “By using less material and delivering longer-lasting infrastructure, the approach supports sustainability objectives,” he says. This, while aligning with the National Development Plan, the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan and Infrastructure Asset Management goals. South African municipalities are increasingly considering these longer-term benefits when evaluating new water infrastructure solutions. “When the construction method itself is re-engineered for control, speed and durability, limited resources stretch further and service delivery risk declines,” De Jager says.

A judicious path forward Corestruc’s approach is to deliver the solution that offers the best long-term technical, operational and economic outcome for each project. This requires returning to first principles, verifying every design with both hand calculations and software, and subjecting firstof-kind systems to independent review. The company accepts full turnkey responsibility from design and manufacture through construction, commissioning and professional indemnity. Seven years after the first installations, the system is mature, field-proven and continuously refined. Ever y project yields incremental improvements in design, sequencing and efficiency. As a family-owned business, Corestruc remains deliberately agile. It is able to invest in technologies that take years to gain mainstream acceptance while maintaining the accountability culture that underpins quality and safety. These deliberate choices shape every project. “When those choices are made judiciously, municipalities gain more than storage capacity,” De Jager concludes. “They gain infrastructure completed on schedule, performing reliably for generations, and maximising the return on every public rand invested. That is the standard Corestruc continues to set.” Targeted technological change, including digital surveying and engineered lifting, can deliver substantial gains without requiring contractors to overhaul their entire operations

IMIESA October 2026

PIPE SYSTEMS

EL NIÑO WARNING MAKES RELIABLE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE A NATIONAL PRIORITY As South Africa prepares for a potentially severe El Niño summer, the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA) is warning that water security will depend not only on how much rain falls, but also on how effectively the country captures, transports and protects every available litre of water.

APPMA is a voluntary, self-regulating, non-profit association that promotes quality and compliance throughout the plastic pipe value chain. Representing the majority of Southern Africa’s leading manufacturers and other industr y stakeholders, the association works to ensure that plastic piping systems used in critical infrastructure are manufactured, specified and installed according to the relevant national and international standards. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has confirmed that a strong El Niño event has developed and could intensify further during the 2026/27 summer. Although its precise regional effects remain uncertain, below normal rainfall and above normal temperatures are considered the most likely outcome across much of South Africa. These conditions could increase evaporation, place further pressure on water resources and intensify demand from households, agriculture and industry. According to Jan Venter, CEO of SAPPMA, this outlook makes the condition of South Africa’s water infrastructure an urgent national concern. “Drought preparedness cannot begin only when dams are already low. It must start with ensuring that the water we have reaches farms, businesses and communities without being lost through leaking, deteriorating or incorrectly installed pipelines,” says Venter. South Africa’s latest No Drop findings place the national level of non-revenue water at approximately 47.3%. This includes potable water physically lost through leaks, as well as apparent or commercial losses caused by inaccurate metering, billing failures and unauthorised consumption. “At a time when parts of the country could face hotter and drier conditions, losing treated, potable water on this scale is indefensible. South Africa may not be able to control El Niño, but it can control the quality of the infrastructure used to manage its water,” Venter stresses.

water losses and strengthening resilience. These pipes are resistant to corrosion and chemical attack, relatively lightweight and suitable for a wide range of municipal, agricultural, industrial and domestic applications. When correctly designed, manufactured, joined and installed, they can provide leak-resistant networks with long service lives and comparatively low maintenance requirements. For agriculture, reliable plastic pipe systems are essential for irrigation, borehole delivery, stock watering, water harvesting and transferring water between dams and storage facilities. Efficient pipelines also suppor t precision irrigation technologies that deliver water more directly to crops, helping farmers reduce avoidable losses when every litre may be critical. Their value extends far beyond farms. Municipalities rely on plastic pipelines for bulk water conveyance, distribution networks, household connections, sanitation and wastewater systems. Mines, factories, hospitals, schools and residential developments similarly depend on piping systems that can perform consistently under demanding operating conditions. However, Venter cautions that the choice of material alone cannot guarantee reliable performance. “A plastic pipe is an engineered product. Its dimensions, wall thickness, pressure rating, raw materials and long-term performance must

32 IMIESA October 2026

Quality assurance PVC and HDPE pipes specified for critical infrastructure should bear the SAPPMA mark as assurance that they were manufactured by a SAPPMA member and are subject to the association’s rigorous quality requirements. SAPPMA members must hold valid product certification from an accredited certification body and undergo regular, unannounced factory audits and independent product testing. “The SAPPMA mark provides engineers, municipalities, contractors and customers with an important additional safeguard against substandard products. It confirms that the manufacturer has committed to ongoing compliance, quality control and the association’s Code of Conduct,” Venter continues. Pressure pipes used for drinking water applications must also comply with the appropriate standards governing dimensions, pressure performance, material quality and suitability for contact with potable water. Specifying certified PVC and HDPE pipes bearing the SAPPMA mark is therefore not an administrative formality; it is an essential safeguard for public health, infrastructure reliability and long-term value. “The cheapest pipe at the time of purchase can become the most expensive pipe if it fails prematurely. Infrastructure planning must consider whole life performance rather than upfront cost alone,” Venter adds.

A call to action

Plastic pipe advantages Plastic piping systems manufactured from PVC and HDPE can play an important role in reducing

comply with the relevant standards. Poor quality pipes, incorrect specifications, bad jointing and substandard installation can cause premature failures that waste both water and public money,” he explains.

Jan Venter, CEO of SAPPMA

SAPPMA is calling on municipalities, water authorities, engineers, farmers and contractors to inspect vulnerable networks, prioritise leak repairs and insist on independently certified, standards compliant PVC and HDPE pipes bearing the SAPPMA mark for all new installations and rehabilitation projects. “El Niño should be treated as a warning to accelerate work that is already overdue. Protecting South Africa’s limited water resources requires infrastructure that is fit for purpose and built to last. Quality plastic pipes are not the entire solution, but they are indispensable to securing water for our farms, economy and communities,” Venter concludes.

HEAVY LIFTING

FIRST KÖZVÁGÓHÍD RAILWAY BRIDGE INSTALLED OVER A WEEKEND The bridge was driven forward until it was cantilevered. The first set of SPMTs then drove underneath it with their support masts

V-HID had seen Mammoet perform successful bridge launches in the past using self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) and requested its help to utilise them for this project. The SPMTs proved to be the perfect tools for the job – allowing the initial South bridge span to be installed during July 2026 in one piece and reducing the project schedule from weeks to days, while also preventing the need for costly civil work on the street below. The installation of the North bridge will follow approximately a year later.

Self-propelled bridge installations

Fabricating bridge sections close to where they need to be installed and lifting them in as few pieces as possible significantly limits project costs and disruption to local communities.

ere Mammoet’s specialist equipment and heavy lift engineering expertise helps to unlock these Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) methods, enabling bridges to be installed in just a few days, or even hours. A case in point is a recent project in Budapest, where Mammoet supported V-HID, a Hungarian construction company that specialises in railway and bridge infrastructure projects, to install the first of two parallel bridge spans that will make up the new Közvágóhíd railway bridge. The latter

forms part of the Ferencváros – Kelenföld railway line capacity expansion project in the city. These two bridge structures (Nor th and South) each weigh 2 200 tonnes and measure 108 m in length and 20 m in width, making their installation a challenging feat of engineering. In addition, they are located close to Budapest Park, a busy area for tourism, and will be positioned above a street called Soroksári út that serves as a main artery into Budapest. Closing this road for months or even weeks wasn’t an option.

In the past, V-HID has launched bridges using specialised skidding systems. However, for the Közvágóhíd railway bridge project this process would have involved pre-constructing support towers in the road and then skidding the bridge over these temporary foundations. To execute that methodology, however, 20 m deep piles would need to be drilled into the road. Aside from the cost, that would have meant closing off this route to bring in the drilling rigs. To avoid this, Mammoet suggested assembling support masts on top of SPMTs and then driving them underneath the bridge to move in into position. This method would be quicker and avoid costly repair work to the surface of the road, as the masts could be removed as easily as they were brought to site. The bridge sections were fabricated and delivered on trucks. There, they were assembled, coated and welded, ready for installation. The biggest challenge was space, as three separate areas were required to receive, store and assemble the bridge sections, the SPMTs and the support masts. With space so limited, an old tram station was removed to create an area to assemble the support masts.

he SPMT support mast 1 T configuration comprises sections of an MSG crane mast with a base frame on top here were four masts per 2 T SPMT set, with load spreaders underneath them he project saw SPMT sets used 3 T twice in rotation; once at height to launch the bridge from the abutment, and again at ground level to drive it across the gap

34 IMIESA October 2026

HEAVY LIFTING

SPMT launch approach Four sets of SPMTs were used for the operation; working at two levels – upper and ground – to launch and support the weight of the bridge. The bridge was driven forward until it was cantilevered. The first set of SPMTs then drove underneath it with their support masts. Drawing upon its global fleet of equipment, these supports comprised sections of an MSG crane mast with a base frame on top of them. There were four masts per SPMT set, with load spreaders underneath them. The project saw SPMT sets used twice in rotation; once at height to launch the bridge from the abutment, and again at ground level to drive it

across the gap. As the bridge was driven further forward, more SPMT sets were gradually lowered in single lines from the upper to the ground level using a 400 tonne mobile crane. Once these SPMTs had been reconfigured, they collected four support masts from the assembly area and then drove them underneath the bridge. This process continued until three sets of SPMTs (4 x 12 axle lines) were under the bridge, allowing it to reach both abutments. A total of 176 axle lines were used for the operation.

Reopening before rush hour In this instance, the SPMTs were the perfect alternative method to using a skidding system.

The obstruction of this main artery in Budapest was reduced to a single weekend, starting Friday morning and then reopening before rush hour on Monday morning. The north bridge launch will follow the same steps as the first but will be more challenging, as there is now even less space due to the south bridge installation. “Our expertise and flexibility in terms of engineering solutions and equipment allows us to adapt to technical challenges,” says Jordy van der Hoeven, Project Manager at Mammoet. “We always find a way because if we don’t have something in our fleet to fix or solve a problem, we build it.”

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The completed How Long Park Pedestrian Bridge over the Isipingo River in Umlazi U Section. The old sewer pipeline residents once used as an informal crossing is visible alongside it

How Long: From an unsafe pipeline crossing to a resilient pedestrian bridge eThekwini Municipality’s new pedestrian bridge over the Isipingo River survived a flood collapse mid-construction and completed a 50-year community legacy in Umlazi’s How Long Park. For many years, residents moving between Umlazi U and Umlazi Q had no formal pedestrian bridge across the Isipingo River. This poor accessibility forced many residents to use an existing sewer pipeline as an informal crossing at significant risk, particularly during wet weather and periods of increased river flow.

Fana “How Long” Mlangeni – voluntarily took it upon himself to transform the neglected embankments of the Isipingo River in Umlazi U Section. Through his own initiative, he began rehabilitating the riverbanks, planting flowers and developing gardens, gradually transforming the once-neglected area into a public space for the surrounding community, which subsequently became known as How Long Park, after its founder. Over the decades, How Long Park became part of the identity of Umlazi U Section, with

PROJECT DETAILS Location: How Long Park, Umlazi

ecognising the need, eThekwini Municipality initiated construction of the How Long Park Pedestrian Bridge to establish a reliable connection. What followed was a construction story that tested that solution in the most direct way possible, before the bridge could deliver on its promise.

U Section, eThekwini Municipality

A park born from community vision

Resident Engineer: Mxolisi

The story of the How Long Park Pedestrian Bridge begins long before the excavation of its first foundation. Its origins trace back to 1976, during the apartheid era, when well-developed recreational facilities and public spaces were predominantly provided in white communities, while many black townships were deprived of similar amenities. In response to these inequalities, Michael Fana Mlangeni – affectionately known as Baba

36 IMIESA October 2026

Client: eThekwini Municipality Implementing Department: Roads Provision, Structures Branch Project Engineer: Xolile Mkati

Gumede Contractor: Ufezile Trading Enterprise Construction timeline: October 2025 to June 2026 Value: R4,2 million

the adjoining road becoming known as How Long Place. Yet the Isipingo River continued to divide communities on either side, forcing residents to rely on informal crossings to reach employment, essential services, schools, public transport and recreational facilities.

Engineering the solution The solution took the form of a two-span, reinforced concrete U-beam pedestrian bridge. Each span is approximately 18 m, giving a structural length of about 36 m, with a 2.6 m wide deck and two 6 m approaches on either side. The bridge is supported by two abutments and a central pier, anchored into bedrock using three Y32 rock anchors designed to resist hydrodynamic flood forces, while the abutments are founded and stabilised to suit site conditions. The design follows TMH7 requirements for pedestrian and flood loading. As the bridge sits within a floodplain, with the assessed 1:100-year flood level at approximately 3 m, the deck is positioned approximately 3.8 m above the stream to reduce the risk of overtopping during major flood events. Designed as a monolithic reinforced concrete structure, the deck, supports and foundations act together as an integrated system – providing greater structural stability and helping the bridge resist flood-induced hydrodynamic forces and lateral movement. Gabions and reno mattresses control scour and erosion around the riverbanks and supports, while riverbank rehabilitation improves the bridge’s long-term resilience to flooding and changing climate conditions. Flood mitigation is a key consideration considering that Umlazi is a highly developed

ROADS & BRIDGES

urban township, where extensive roads, houses, paved areas and other hard surfaces reduce natural ground infiltration. As a result, rainfall can generate high volumes of surface runoff that reach local streams and drainage channels quickly, causing rapid rises in water levels and flash-flooding conditions – even when rainfall occurs some distance upstream.

17 -18 March 2027 Cape Town Convention Centre

An unexpected test Bridge construction began in earnest in October 2025 and by February 2026 the deck slab had been cast. At this stage, the young concrete remained dependent on the temporary falsework and staging supporting it across the river. The original arrangement included a causeway within the river channel, with pipes provided through it to convey normal river flow while staging erected from the temporary platform supported the bridge formwork above. This arrangement became the critical vulnerability when flooding occurred in February 2026. The volume of water and debris passing through the channel exceeded what the temporary river crossing arrangement could accommodate. The restricted openings created by the pipes limited the free passage of floodwater and debris, and the resulting forces washed away the staging supporting the recently cast deck. The four-day-old concrete deck collapsed. The damage extended beyond the deck. Both affected spans required demolition, and severe cracking developed at the construction joint of the central pier, which was subsequently deemed unsuitable for continued use and demolished, although its base and starter reinforcement were retained for the new pier. The incident became a major turning point in the project. Rather than simply reconstructing the bridge using the original methodology, the engineering team reassessed the risks of supporting the superstructure over an active watercourse – reinforcing the importance of considering rapid urban runoff, flood levels, debris loading, hydraulic forces and temporary works stability at every stage of bridge construction.

Engineering the temporary works differently The reconstruction introduced one of the project’s most important technical changes: a redesigned structural falsework system. The objective was simple but critical: the river needed a substantially less obstructed flow path beneath the construction works. Instead of relying on a temporary causeway and pipes directly beneath the bridge, the revised arrangement incorporated structural steel beams spanning across the active portion of the channel. These beams supported the deck falsework above while creating an open window beneath the temporary structure through which water and floating debris could pass. This was more than a construction adjustment; it was the principal engineering response to the mechanism that contributed to the February damage, and it illustrates an important principle in bridge construction: temporary works are structural works in their own right. The incident also demonstrated that temporar y works over an active watercourse must be designed for more than normal construction loads – they must also consider rapidly rising water levels, flow velocity, hydrodynamic forces, debris impact, scour and changing hydraulic conditions, particularly in a developed urban environment.

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ROADS & BRIDGES

1 2 9 th June. With the bridge superstructure successfully completed, the next phases entailed completion of the remaining protection works, approaches, walkways and site reinstatement. A key feature of the completed structure is that it integrates with the park rather than standing apart. Its paved walkways connect into the existing public space, while the riverbank protection works complement the rehabilitation of the surrounding environment.

A 50-year legacy

3 The rebuild Following demolition, the central pier was reconstructed during April 2026. The revised staging and falsework followed in May, with gabion protection works undertaken concurrently to protect vulnerable sections of the riverbanks and approaches. The replacement deck slab was cast on 3 rd June 2026, followed by the web beams on

The completion of the bridge in 2026 coincided with an important milestone in the history of How Long Park since it marked 50 years since Michael Fana Mlangeni began transforming the banks of the Isipingo River and establishing the park in 1976. Sadly, however, shortly after the bridge’s completion, the community received the tragic news of Mlangeni’s death. But the timing gives the project a significance beyond concrete, reinforcement and hydraulic design. He had spent decades improving the park and creating a place for his community, and he lived to see another permanent improvement added to that space. How Long Park therefore tells two connected stories. One is an engineering story about building within an active watercourse, responding to flood damage, learning from a constructionstage setback and redesigning temporary works to improve resilience. The other is a community

4 5

38 IMIESA October 2026

1 The original temporary works: a causeway with pipes to convey river flow, and staging erected from the platform to support the bridge formwork above 2 The February 2026 flooding and collapse of the falsework occurred when the causeway pipes became clogged with river debris, reducing the pipe intake. This occurred at a critical stage as the parapet beams were due to be cast 3 Demolition of the flood-damaged spans under way on 26th March 2026. The collapsed deck’s exposed reinforcement shows the scale of the damage caused by the February flood 4 The replacement deck slab was cast on 3rd June 2026, this time on redesigned falsework that left the river channel open beneath the works 5 The bridge nears completion, with gabion riverbank protection in place and the web beams cast

story that began with one man’s determination to create a better public space in 1976. Fifty years later, those stories meet on the banks of the Isipingo River. The new How Long Pedestrian Bridge now forms part of the legacy of the park, providing a safer connection for the community while carrying forward the vision Baba Fana “How Long” Mlangeni started half a century ago.

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A B S T R AC T S S U B M I T T E D BY: 09 April 2027 marketing@imesa.org.za | tel +27 (0)31 266 3263 Contact Melanie Stemmer for an entry form or download it from the website. CONFERENCE ENDORSED BY

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BITUMEN & ASPHALT

2026 A DIALOGUE ON QUALITY “Quality is our commitment, our responsibility, and the reason we are here.” These were the words of Joanne Muller, President of the Society for Asphalt Technology (SAT), in her opening address at SAT’s four th SATBinderrr conference on 2nd and 3rd September 2026.

he conference, fully subscribed several weeks earlier, was attended in-person by 180 delegates at The Capital Zimbali on KwaZulu-Natal’s Dolphin Coast. Its focus, “Quality in all things”, responded to challenges throughout the South African pavement value chain resulting from, among others, different ways of viewing products, methodologies and specifications; heavy workloads impacting all aspects, from asphalt design to placement; and a shortage of professionals in the industry. The SATBinderrr 2026 programme covered a significant range of critical issues, including From Molecules to Per formance (Chemistr y); The South African Seal Stor y (Seals); Understanding Binder Behaviour and Performance (Binders); Performance Grading in Practice (PG Workshop); Laboratory Compaction in Practice (GC Workshop); Engineering Asphalt

Mixtures for Performance (Asphalt); and, last but not least, Delivering Quality (Construction & Manufacturing). Nik Berning, SAT Honorary Secretary and chief organiser of SATBinderrr 2026, praised SAT Eastern Region Chairperson Nteseng Ramoraswi and her team for their groundwork in securing the venue. He believes the new location and overarching quality theme attracted a more diverse audience than previous SATBinderrrs held at the CSIR in Pretoria. The significant freeway improvement projects under way in KwaZulu-Natal was one of the reasons for moving the conference this year and it paid off well, says Berning. A major advantage was the presence of many more contractors and manufacturers than in previous years. This ensured that all aspects of the pavement journey were well represented. “Judging by requests received, we could have doubled the number of delegate seats,” says Muller. “But we want to keep the in-person conference relatively exclusive, with online entries available to anyone who wants to attend.”

Where quality begins Opening the proceedings, Muller told delegates that an understanding of quality should start at the beginning. The keynote address, presented by globally renowned

1 Keynote speaker and masterclass presenter Dr Jean-Pascal Planche, with SAT President Joanne Muller

2 40 IMIESA October 2026

2 Sthabile Ngcobo (Senior Technologist, ROMH); Nikisha Sewpersad (Laboratory Manager, Tosas); Belindar Preethapal (Senior Laboratory Manager, National Asphalt); and Juliet Asare (Control Environmental Officer, EC DoT). All senior SAT members, this team worked hard behind the scenes as well as contributing to the presentations and panel discussions

BITUMEN & ASPHALT

3 expert Dr Jean-Pascal (JP) Planche, was titled “Binder Chemistry and Asphalt Performance: Quality Begins at the Molecular Scale”. Dr Planche expanded on this theme in his masterclass, which closed off the event on Friday 4th September. “SAT has made a friend for life in JP,” says Muller. “He has an innate ability to explain complex processes and concepts in a way that is clearly understandable and it was a pleasure to watch ‘ah-ha’ moments in real-time, particularly during the masterclass.” “He shed much light on the impact of bitumen manufacturing processes across the globe, how chemistry impacts binder instability and performance, what drives phase separation, and global evidence that the binders of 10, 20, 30+ years ago and what we have to deal with today are different.” Dr Planche made it clear that “PG is not enough” by itself and you need to look at the bigger picture to achieve quality in all things.

A SAT family feel The conference itself was much more interactive than in previous years. The SATBinderrr strategy of providing a “safe space” to showcase new, young speakers continued. However, this was balanced with panel discussions that included the elder statesmen and women of the industry to add experience and depth to the topics.

5 The resulting audience par ticipation gave proceedings a “SAT family” feel with an openness of discourse that differed from the traditional one-way lecture approach. A high level of participation added to the pressure of an already packed programme and showed a need for even more discussion time in future. “At the end of the day, that transfer of knowledge and creating a platform to help build connection across the industry is what SAT must continue to foster,” Muller continues.

3 Nik Berning (Director, Liesen Bitumen) and Craig Naicker (CEO, TC Construction) 4 Alan Wills (AWANDA); George Le Grange (Engineering Geologist, Zydex); Nteseng Ramoraswi (Technical Manager, COLAS); Sthabile Ngcobo (Senior Technologist, ROMH); and Michelle Lewis (Regional Technical Manager, Much Asphalt) 5 Pieter van Aarde (Civil Engineer, KBK Engineers); Herman Marais (Technical Director, Much Asphalt); Francois Le Roux (CFO & COO, Nyeleti Consulting); Avi-Nash Sukuram (Technical Manager, Nankhoo Engineers); Breyten Dirks (Regional Lab Manager, National Asphalt KZN); and Noel Sarjooparsad (Branch Manager, Roadlab KZN)

6 Melanie Hofmeyr (CEO, Sabita); Johannes Lambert (Group Technical Manager, Tosas); Francois Engelbrecht (Senior Researcher, CSIR); Joanne Muller (Group Technical Manager: Materials, Much Asphalt and SAT President); and Christi Botha (Engineering Executive, N3TC)

IMIESA October 2026

BITUMEN & ASPHALT Chemicals, Geosure, KBK, SGS, and SprayPave); five Focus Area sponsors (Advanced Polymers Group – Chemistry; Continental Bitumen – Binders; ROMH Consulting – Seals; STL – Asphalt; and TC Construction – Construction & Manufacturing); and sponsors for the Kick-off evening (Actop Group); Golf Day (EnerAsphalt) and golf wet holes; as well as the Masterclass (Sabita, Tekfalt, and Roadspan). A mini expo alongside the conference was a new feature of SATBinderrr 2026, with the gold and silver sponsors participating.

Quality lives in discipline The conference aimed to remind the industry of the importance of quality throughout the value chain. “If projects don’t last to the desired service life, it goes back to less attention to detail being applied where it was required,” Muller points out. The conference addressed this point directly through each of the focus areas – Asphalt, Binders, Seals, Chemistry, and Construction & Manufacturing. The many questions from delegates on the floor proved the importance of the theme, and the fact that quality lives in discipline became clear, particularly in the Construction & Manufacturing focus area, says Berning.

During the cocktail evening, Mirriam Ramoba (Provincial Head: North West Province, SANRAL) was interviewed by Nikisha Sewpersad (Laboratory Manager, Tosas)

Sponsors SATBinderrr was born during the Covid pandemic and has grown and developed exponentially with every iteration. Its popularity and appeal were evident in the participation of more than 30 sponsors in 2026. These included a gold sponsor (Tosas); 10 silver sponsors (Anton Paar, BSS, Colas, EnerAsphalt, Geonano, Much Asphalt, Roadlab, Rubis, SPS, and Tau Pele); five bronze sponsors (AECI Speciality

Building on the discussions Muller says all-round feedback from attendees has been extremely positive and SAT will continue with these conversations through future working groups and seminars. “Practical challenges that were highlighted, such as the gyratory workshop, for example, feed directly back into the Manual 39 working group discussions on the way forward with test protocols, and feed into COTO DS comments,” adds Muller. “We fully intend to give technical feedback in full to the industr y on various platforms as to the technical highlights and future work recommendations that came out of the conference, so watch this space,” Muller concludes.

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INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION

BUILDING THE FUTURE

WHY INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING IS THE FOUNDATION OF SUCCESSFUL GOVERNMENT DELIVERY South Africa’s infrastructure challenge is often viewed through Closing the implementation gap the lens of funding. Ever y year, significant allocations are made One of the greatest risks facing infrastructure towards roads, schools, hospitals, water infrastructure, transpor t departments is the gap between planning and execution. networks and community facilities. Yet funding alone does not A project may receive funding approval but still guarantee successful deliver y. fail because of poor preparation, inadequate

he real test lies in an institution’s ability to translate budgets into completed assets, reliable services and measurable public value. As the saying goes, funding creates possibility, but disciplined implementation converts that possibility into functioning infrastructure. This is where effective infrastructure planning becomes indispensable. Successful infrastructure deliver y begins long before construction starts. It begins with understanding community needs, prioritising investments, allocating resources, managing risks, planning procurement, defining accountability and ensuring that projects remain aligned with strategic objectives throughout their lifecycle. Without these foundations, even well-funded projects can encounter delays, cost overruns, procurement disputes, governance failures and poor service delivery outcomes.

Planning: The cornerstone of infrastructure success Infrastructure planning is far more than developing project schedules and budgets. It is the process through which government institutions convert long-term development priorities into implementable programmes and projects. The Infrastructure Delivery Management System (IDMS), government’s chosen infrastructure management framework, recognises planning as a structured discipline that spans portfolio management, programme management, project management and operations and maintenance management. The system guides infrastructure delivery across all spheres of government and provides an integrated framework for decisionmaking, governance and accountability. Within the IDMS environment, infrastructure planning ensures that departments: • Select the right programmes and projects. • Prioritise investments based on strategic needs. • Balance competing resource requirements. • Maximise socio-economic benefits.

44 IMIESA October 2026

• Manage risks proactively. • Deliver value for money throughout the asset lifecycle. Done correctly, planning creates a direct line of sight from infrastructure need identification through budgeting, procurement, construction, handover, operations and maintenance.

Understanding the FIDPM and IDMS The National Treasur y’s Framework for Infrastructure Deliver y and Procurement Management (FIDPM) establishes the minimum governance requirements for infrastructure delivery and procurement management across government. It focuses on governance decision points, responsibilities and management controls necessary for effective infrastructure delivery. The IDMS complements this framework by providing a practical methodology for the lifecycle management of infrastructure assets and projects. It serves as the management architecture through which infrastructure priorities are converted into governed portfolios, programmes and projects. Importantly, the IDMS introduces structured stages, control points and gate reviews that allow departments to assess readiness, quality and governance compliance before progressing to the next phase of delivery. The methodology encompasses: • Planning and budgeting. • Supply chain management. • Portfolio management. • Programme management. • Project management. • Operations and maintenance management. • Performance and risk management. These controls create transparency and consistency while helping institutions demonstrate that projects have been properly motivated, prioritised, prepared, procured, approved and implemented.

procurement planning, unmanaged risks, fragmented information or weak contract administration. According to NEXOR, the challenge facing many public institutions is not simply obtaining funding but converting allocations into a credible pipeline of prepared projects, compliant procurement processes, controlled execution and sustainable infrastructure assets. For municipalities, these challenges can be even greater. Infrastructure programmes must respond to urgent service delivery demands while navigating limited technical capacity, ageing infrastructure, budget constraints and increasing public accountability. Many municipalities also

IDMS+ is NEXOR’s proprietary, web-based infrastructure management platform designed specifically to support the full IDMS lifecycle

7 Close-Out 6 Handover 5 Works 4 Design Documentation 3 Design Development 2 Concept 1 Initiation

INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION

struggle with fragmented information systems and limited integration between technical, finance, supply chain management and asset management functions. The answer lies not in creating more reporting requirements, but in implementing an institutional operating model that connects strategy, planning, budgeting, procurement, delivery, asset management, performance measurement and governance.

NEXOR’s Infrastructure delivery expertise For almost a quarter century, NEXOR has been working alongside public and private sector clients to deliver infrastructure solutions across South Africa. The company’s expertise spans infrastructure delivery management, programme and project management, engineering, principal agency services and professional consulting. NEXOR operates across sectors including roads, transport, public works, education, healthcare, commercial development and social infrastructure. What differentiates NEXOR is its ability to combine infrastructure delivery expertise, governance knowledge and technology-enabled solutions. The company has consistently invested in systems that improve transparency, planning capability, project control and decision-making. It views people, process and technology as the three pillars of sustainable infrastructure delivery. Through its extensive involvement in government infrastructure deliver y, NEXOR recognised the need for a digital platform capable of bringing IDMS principles into ever yday operational use. The result was IDMS+.

IDMS+: A digital platform for infrastructure governance and delivery IDMS+ is NEXOR’s proprietary, web-based infrastructure management platform designed specifically to support the full IDMS lifecycle. Developed through practical experience in suppor ting government infrastructure programmes, the platform aligns directly with FIDPM and IDMS requirements. The platform provides a comprehensive digital environment for managing: • Budgeting and MTEF alignment. • Programme and project management. • Control point documentation. • Gate review processes. • Procurement controls. • Governance approvals. • Consultant and contractor collaboration.

• Document management. • Risk management. • Dashboard reporting and executive oversight. Unlike conventional project management systems, IDMS+ is designed around the realities of public sector infrastructure delivery. It centralises project information, tracks budgets and approvals, manages workflows, records decisions and provides visibility across infrastructure portfolios. When fully institutionalised, it becomes the authorised source of infrastructure information, ensuring that reporting, governance meetings and executive decisions are based on controlled and reliable data. The platform also supports transparency and accountability through audit trails, document control, risk management and performance monitoring, helping depar tments improve governance while strengthening deliver y outcomes.

Building capability for the future South Africa’s infrastructure future depends not only on investment, but on the strength of the institutions responsible for translating that investment into outcomes. The National Infrastructure Plan 2050 calls for stronger delivery institutions, enhanced monitoring, improved financing mechanisms and greater infrastructure capability. These objectives align directly with the purpose of IDMS and the digital enablement offered through IDMS+. As government departments and municipalities seek to improve delivery outcomes, infrastructure planning must be viewed as more than a compliance requirement. It is the strategic foundation that links funding, governance, delivery and long-term asset performance. Through its combination of infrastructure expertise, governance capability and innovative technology, NEXOR is helping institutions move beyond fragmented project management toward fully integrated infrastructure delivery systems. The opportunity is not simply to digitise bureaucracy. It is to create a disciplined operating environment where every project, approval, budget, risk and asset is recorded.

www.nexorsa.com

IN CONVERSATION WITH BONGANI NDABA, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NEXOR Why is infrastructure implementation just as important as infrastructure funding? Funding gives an institution permission to invest, but implementation determines whether that investment delivers a usable asset and a sustainable service. The real measure of success is not the size of the budget allocation. It is whether the institution can demonstrate a disciplined line of sight from need identification through planning, procurement, construction, handover, operation and maintenance. Many organisations say they have implemented IDMS. What does implementing IDMS “in its true sense” mean in practice? It means treating IDMS as the institution’s infrastructure delivery management system, not as a compliance file maintained by one department. IDMS should shape how priorities become programmes, how projects enter budgets, how procurement decisions are made, how risks are managed and how completed works become managed assets. Where does technology fit into successful infrastructure governance? Technology should enable an approved management process, not replace it. The distinction is between digitising forms and digitally enabling an institutional management system. IDMS+ creates that environment by bringing governance, delivery, reporting and accountability together on a single platform. How can IDMS+ improve confidence among funders and oversight institutions? Funding institutions need confidence that projects are needed, prepared, affordable and governable. IDMS+ improves the quality and traceability of the project pipeline, providing structured evidence for decision-makers and funders. While IDMS+ does not create funding, it strengthens the credibility needed to attract, allocate and protect investment. What is your message to South Africa’s infrastructure leaders? South Africa does not need to choose between compliance and delivery. Properly implemented, the same disciplines that strengthen governance also improve delivery. Clear decisions, controlled scope, credible budgets, transparent procurement, active risk management and lifecycle asset planning are the foundations of sustainable infrastructure performance.

IMIESA October 2026

TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

PRESERVING AFRICA’S LOGISTICS ARTERIES

DATA ANALYTICS AND MALAWI’S VEHICLE LOAD CONTROL STRATEGY Road transport is the unquestioned backbone of Malawi’s national economy, carrying over 70% of all internal freight and 99% of passenger traffic across a classified road network spanning approximately 15 500 km. For a landlocked nation dependent on key regional trade corridors connecting to maritime ports in Mozambique, Tanzania and South Africa, road infrastructure is a critical national asset. However, this vital asset faces an existing threat, namely widespread chronic vehicle overloading. By Ivan Reutener

ccelerated pavement deterioration caused by heavy vehicle overloading costs the Malawian public between MWK 100 and MWK 200 billion annually in extra road maintenance and rehabilitation, a figure representing 0.5% to 1.0% of national GDP. Transport costs in the region are estimated at 30% to 40% of import and export values (a regional benchmark rather than a Malawi-specific measurement), and overloading contributes directly to these costs through increased vehicle operating costs and reduced transport system efficiency. To address this challenge, the Government of Malawi, through the Ministry of Transport and Public Works (MoTPW) and the Roads Authority (RA), commissioned a comprehensive review of the previous Vehicle Load Control Strategy (2016–2021) and the formulation of a successor framework for 2027–2031. Funded by the World Bank under the Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project (SATCP, P164847) and executed by Swedish National Road Consulting AB (Sweroad), the project brought together international exper ts to reimagine overload control from the ground up. As the appointed International Specialist for data analytics and High-Speed Weigh-inMotion (HSWIM) planning, Atana’s role focused on converting raw, fragmented traffic datasets into actionable engineering models, spatial freight flow matrices, and a technology roadmap for 24/7 automated data collection and enforcement.

Ivan Reutener, International Specialist in Due Diligence and Feasibility Studies at Atana

46 IMIESA October 2026

Diagnostic audit: Why legacy enforcement frameworks failed To build a future-proof vehicle load control (VLC) strategy, the consulting team first conducted a rigorous diagnostic audit of the 2016–2021 strategy. That previous framework set an ambitious central target of achieving 80% effectiveness in vehicle load control across the main road network. However, performance metrics revealed that virtually all key outcome targets were missed. The fundamental flaw of the legacy model lay in its reliance on static, isolated weighbridge operations. The Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS) operated five permanent static weighbridges, namely Mchinji, Songwe, Muloza, Mwanza and Balaka (Chingeni), alongside mobile weighing units. Together, these facilities provided less than 35% network coverage against the 70% target established in the 2016 plan. More critically, static weighing created a massive “evasion gap”. While permanent weighbridge logs recorded an average overloading extent of just 3.1%, comprehensive nationwide baseline axle load surveys revealed that 50.4% of commercial heavy vehicles on the network were actually overloaded, based on the targeted 2014 surveys. This staggering 16:1 ratio between actual and detected overloading highlighted the limitations of traditional enforcement. Static weighbridges functioned as single-lane bottlenecks, inspecting only about 16% of eligible passing trucks while the remaining 84% either bypassed stations via unchartered gravel routes or passed unweighed during operational downtime. Stations frequently experienced downtime

exceeding 10% due to generator failures, staffing deficits, and expired calibration certificates.

Data analytics: Uncovering the true load spectrum Overcoming these systemic challenges required moving from guesswork to empirical data analytics. During the field assessment phase, multi-day 24-hour manual classified counts, Origin-Destination (O-D) inter views, and weighbridge dataset consolidations were executed across eight strategic nodes nationwide. Data from Januar y 2025 to December 2025 and Februar y 2026 to March 2026 were utilised as par t of the analysis. A comprehensive national dataset comprising 74 051 heavy vehicle records was processed through a multi-tiered validation model to measure three core indicators, as follows: 1. Extent of overloading (occurrence): The proportion of non-compliant vehicles within the traffic stream. 2. D egree of overloading (severity): The physical excess mass (in kg or percentage) hauled beyond statutory limits. 3. Intensity index (proportional impact): The combined spatial and structural impact on specific corridors. Across the monitored network, the national baseline established an overall extent of overloading of 11.4% (8 476 violating vehicles) among logged traffic. While the 2025/26 11.4% appears lower than the 2014 baseline of 50.4%, data analytics indicated that this reduction was as a result of: • Low capture rates at fixed stations rather than improved fleet compliance. • The 2014 surveys were conducted on 2 691 suspected overload vehicles. Among the flagged violating vehicles, the average degree of overloading was 3 566 kg

TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

FIGURE 1:

(21.4%) above legal limits. At specific mobile survey sites where bypass evasion was impossible, such as Songwe and Njuli, combined extent and degree indicators reached 55.4% and 36.9%, respectively.

The engineering reality of the Fourth Power Law To illustrate the severity of these figures to transport economists, policymakers and law enforcement, raw axle loads were converted to equivalent standard axle loads (ESALs) based

on the regional benchmark single-axle load of 8.2 tonnes (80 kN). Pavement damage does not increase linearly with axle weight; it follows the Fourth Power Law:

Under this exponential relationship, an axle loaded 20% over the legal limit inflicts 1.20^4, approximately 2.07 times the damage of a legally loaded axle, effectively doubling pavement fatigue in a single trip. A

vehicle overloaded by 50% causes 1.50^4, approximately 5.06 times the damage. (Typical axle overload percentage versus relative pavement fatigue (Fourth Power Law) scenarios are shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2.) This exponential mechanics explains why Malawi’s paved network in “good” condition plummeted from 77% in 2008 to just 41% in 2014. Uncontrolled heavy axle loads rapidly strip away structural design life, transforming newly constructed highways into potholed corridors in less than 18 months.

FIGURE 2:

IMIESA October 2026

TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

and fertiliser (3 774 vehicles weighed) represented the primary high-volume bulk commodities driving corridor wear.

O-D analysis: Mapping economic trade versus pavement destruction

Instead of diverting every heavy vehicle off the highway onto a static scale, embedded HSWIM sensors on main routes will weigh 100% of passing vehicles (AADT) at normal cruising speeds

High-risk vehicle configurations and commodity hotspots Granular analytics categorised non-compliance by vehicle configuration (SADC classification) and cargo type: • Vehicle configurations: The 3-axle rigid truck (SADC Code 1.22) emerged as the single largest violator on Malawian roads, accounting for 3 629 violation incidents with an individual model overloading extent of 58.0%. Smaller 2-axle rigid trucks (SADC Code 1.2) recorded a 27.3% overloading extent. Multi-axle interlinks and semitrailers demonstrated lower percentage rates but higher absolute excess tonnage per incident.

• Commodity sectors: Overloading in Malawi is heavily concentrated in specific bulk sectors. Soap (43.4% extent, 4 549 kg average overload) and maize (1 085 violation incidents) generated the most cumulative structural damage. Specialised agricultural loads presented extreme non-compliance; sampled transport of bananas and juice exhibited a 100% overloading extent, while timber showed a 50.3% violation rate. Cement (5 295 vehicles weighed)

FIGURE 3:

A trial section using a mobile highspeed weigh-in-motion installation to automatically capture individual axle weights, gross vehicle mass, speed, and axle spacing The VLC data team

48 IMIESA October 2026

To provide spatial clarity for investment planning, 45 263 heavy vehicle trips were synthesised into three distinct O-D matrices, as shown in Figure 3. 1. Matrix 1 – Total Cargo Mass O-D Matrix (Economic Freight Flow): Quantifies total combined gross vehicle and payload weight. The results established Beira to Blantyre (386.8 million kg) and Zambia to Blantyre (301.6 million kg) as Malawi’s primary international trade conduits. 2. Matrix 2 – Vehicle Count O-D Matrix (Baseline Traffic Density): Maps absolute heavy vehicle volumes. Beira to Blantyre led with 8 504 trips, followed by Zambia to Blantyre (6 889 trips), Mchinji to Lilongwe (3 215 trips), and Mwanza to Blantyre (3 102 trips).

TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

3. M atrix 3: Total Cumulative Overload Mass O-D Matrix (Infrastructure Damage): Isolates excess mass hauled above legal limits and identifies corridor overload extent. Matrix 3 revealed some strategic insight, i.e., trade volume does not equal pavement damage. While international corridors handle the highest total tonnage, the domestic Lilongwe to Blantyre corridor (M1) is the most physically damaged route in Malawi. This single corridor carried 2 380 tonnes of cumulative excess mass, representing approximately 25% of the total 9 457 tonnes of overload mass recorded across the entire national network. The return flow from Blantyre to Lilongwe contributed another 835 tonnes. This data indicated that overloading in Malawi is primarily a domestic enforcement challenge driven by inter-city bulk haulage rather than transit traffic, enabling the team to map high-risk corridors for targeted intervention.

Targeted interventions One of the technical centrepieces of the 2027 - 2031 strategy is the integration of HSWIM sensors, automated number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, electronic vehicle counting (AADT), and the central Malawi Traffic Information System (MalTIS). Instead of diverting every heavy vehicle off the highway onto a static scale, HSWIM quartz or piezoelectric sensors embedded directly into mainline asphalt weigh 100% of passing vehicles (AADT) at normal cruising speeds. The process can be summarised as follows: • Mainline screening: As a vehicle approaches a weigh station, HSWIM sensors capture individual axle weights, gross vehicle mass, speed, and axle spacing. Overhead ANPR cameras log the vehicle registration. Light vehicles are also recorded for future transport studies and data analytics. • Automated sorting: Vehicles identified as legally compliant are cleared via variable message signs (VMS) to continue their journey uninterrupted, lowering travel times and fuel consumption for compliant logistics companies. • Targeted enforcement: Vehicles flagged as potential overloads are directed into the static weighbridge lane for official certification and fee assessment. This pre-screening transformation increases operational inspection efficiency from 16% to 100% of corridor traffic while eliminating physical congestion at weighbridge sites.

Conclusion: Lessons for African transport infrastructure The transformation of Malawi’s VLC strategy offers vital insights for transport authorities across emerging economies, summarised as follows: • Policy without data is blind: Strategy targets cannot be set using unverified operational logs. Comprehensive, nationwide axle load surveys are indispensable for establishing real-world baseline overloading. • Focus on the mechanics of damage: Penalty regimes must reflect actual pavement damage caused. Aligning fines with the Fourth Power Law removes the economic profit of overloading and aligns private operator behaviour with public asset preservation.

• Target supply chains, not just drivers: True compliance requires a chain of responsibility framework. Extending liability to shippers, loaders and receivers addresses overloading at its economic source. • Technology integrates infrastructure: High-speed WIM, real-time data hubs, and automated systems convert isolated enforcement “islands” into an intelligent, continuous asset management network. Through data analytics, digital integration and robust regional coordination, Malawi is building an enforcement architecture designed to safeguard road investments, lower regional transport costs, and keep Southern Africa moving efficiently for generations to come.

IMIESA October 2026

TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY

RECOVER BEFORE WE REPLACE

UNLOCKING VALUE FROM SOUTH AFRICA’S BURIED INFRASTRUCTURE South Africa’s infrastructure debate understandably focuses on the need for new capacity. Yet beneath our streets lies an enormous investment in existing water, sewer and stormwater networks – much of it ageing, deteriorating and increasingly unable to provide the ser vice for which it was intended. IMIESA speaks to Justin Spreckley, Executive at Mainline Civil Engineering Contractors (Mainline) – a leading trenchless technology specialist – about key insights and projects, plus fit-for-purpose solutions.

he warning signs of imminent infrastructure failure typically reveal themselves on the sur face as common causes that include sewer overflows, road subsidence due to subsurface water main leakages, and stormwater failures that result in widespread flooding. In response, there are two possible options, either to replace via open trench methods, or apply trenchless technology rehabilitation techniques,” says Spreckley. “Based on global best practice, in many cases the latter is the only option in dense urban environments established decades ago that either prevent opencut approaches, for example, where buildings and structures now sit above older underground services, or where major traffic accommodation disruptions plus socio-economic impacts would occur. “Plus, in addition to being far less disruptive, trenchless techniques are generally faster and more cost-effective when supported by investigative assessments using physical survey and CCTV inspection tools, which best determine the extent of the remediation required.

50 IMIESA October 2026

Importantly, these same tools should also be part of a routine asset management inspection programme that can pick up potential issues as early as possible.” For pipeline refurbishment, typical options can encompass cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining, spirally wound pipe (SWP) lining or pipe-bursting and sliplining to restore existing pipe integrity. In turn, other techniques for pipelines or stormwater culvert replacement, when remediation is not an option (for example, where pipe sections have collapsed or for new or upgraded infrastructure) include pipe jacking, microtunnelling and horizontal directional drilling. But as Spreckley emphasises, every application is project and technology specific, based on due diligence studies to verify if trenchless is the best way to go.

Rehabilitation in practice: Cape Flats large diameter bulk sewer system A case in point is Mainline’s ongoing and extensive technical rehabilitation of the Cape Flats large diameter bulk sewer system within the City

of Cape Town, where SWP lining is being deployed to restore large diameter pipelines installed in the 1960s in what is now a far more urban-intensive landscape. Here opencut construction would have been impractical and prohibitively expensive. In terms of the process, after any blockages have been cleared and the pipeline cleaned and inspected, the SWP HDPE liner is circularly wound into place, using specialised machinery to create a “pipe within a pipe” with a robust, restored smooth-bore profile. But as Spreckley points out, the work requires more than the installation of the liner itself. Flow management, confined space access and safety controls, traffic and pedestrian accommodation, accurate measurement and controlled annulus grouting between the liner and host pipe are all critical to the end result.

When relining is not the right solution: George Armco replacement However, since every engineered intervention must be fit-for-purpose, SWP lining is not a universal method for all large diameter pipeline refurbishments. This proved to be the case during Mainline’s replacement of several failed Armco stormwater crossings in George during 2025/2026. The existing Armco stormwater culvert crossing underneath the essential roadways and under deep fills had experienced extensive deterioration and failure. Conditions included compromised or missing inverts, surrounding voids and unstable material. The integrity of the host structures could therefore not simply be assumed when evaluating a lining solution.

TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY

CAPE FLATS SWP Spirally wound pipe (SWP) lining rehabilitation on the Cape Flats has enabled strategically important large diameter bulk sewer lines to be renewed from within, eliminating the need for surface excavation

“Based on engineered investigations, it was determined that the extreme depth of the existing culverts below the roadway, plus the increase in capacity requirement needed a solution capable of providing new, independent structural integrity,” Spreckley expands. In response, Mainline installed new concrete pipes by pipe jacking along the existing crossing alignments. This enabled the failed infrastructure to be removed and replaced without excavating open trenches through the full depth of the roadway and fill above.

“The work was fundamentally different from a conventional pipe jack, which is normally constructed through consistent, undisturbed ground,” Spreckley explains. “The new pipes had to be advanced while carefully managing the remnants of the failed structures, variable surrounding material, voids and obstructions. Spaces surrounding the newly installed pipes and deficient invert areas then had to be filled and stabilised through controlled grouting.”

CIPP: renewing pipelines through existing access points Mainline’s CIPP projects provide a further example of recovering existing infrastructure rather than replacing it by default within town and city environments. CIPP involves installing a resin-impregnated liner inside the prepared host pipe and curing it in place (either using steam or hot water,

depending on the diameter and groundwater inflows) to form a close-fitting structural new pipeline. Subject to the design and application, the liner can restore structural integrity, seal leaks, bridge defective joints and provide a smooth internal surface. “As with SWP, much of the visible work happens at existing manholes or limited access by excavation. However, the apparent simplicity at surface level is again supported by extensive planning and process control,” Spreckley explains. “The host pipe must first be cleaned and inspected. Obstructions, displaced joints, intruding connections and other defects may require preparatory work. Additionally, flows must be safely managed, the liner must be manufactured and handled correctly, and installation and curing parameters must be controlled and recorded. Connections must then be reopened robotically and the completed liner inspected and tested.” CIPP is therefore not merely the insertion of a liner. It is a coordinated rehabilitation process in which investigation, design, cleaning, bypass pumping, installation, curing, reconnection and quality verification all contribute to the final asset.

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TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY

GEORGE ARMCO REPLACEMENT 1 I nvert void filling before culvert replacement by jacking he pipe jacking set-up within the 2 T watercourse with no natural ground thrust wall 3 Removed deteriorated Armco pipe

52 IMIESA October 2026

Rehabilitation is part of asset management “Ultimately, emergency repairs are unavoidable, but they should not become the primary method of managing a network. A more effective approach is to build a condition-based rehabilitation programme,” Spreckley continues. The inspection data can be used to classify defects, assess consequence of failure and prioritise interventions. Critical pipelines can then be addressed before failure, while assets in acceptable condition remain in service and continue delivering value. Spreckley says this should form part of a broader ongoing and longterm asset management strategy. “Currently, specialist contractors are often only introduced after a failure triggers the investigation, and design, specification and the construction methodology decisions have already been finalised. By then, important opportunities to reduce risk or improve buildability may have been lost,” says Spreckley. However, earlier technical engagement can help the project team test assumptions concerning access, flow management, temporary works, installation lengths, material selection, ground conditions, realistic production rates and of course cost effectiveness. “This does not mean transferring design responsibility or compromising competitive procurement. It means drawing on relevant construction experience while the proposed solution can still be refined,” he continues. Clear specifications and balanced contracts are equally important. “The allocation of risk should reflect the information reasonably available to the parties. Where underground conditions cannot be fully established before construction, the contract should contain practical mechanisms for measurement, notification and the management of changed conditions,” he stresses “rather

CIPP INSTALLATIONS A CIPP installation in progress in Cape Town

than employers attempting to transfer risk to the contractor.” “The end results are tangible, because wellprepared projects attract more reliable pricing, reduce disputes and give municipalities a better prospect of achieving the intended outcome.”

Recovering value beneath our feet Going forward, Spreckley says South Africa must continue investing in new infrastructure, but new construction represents only part of the solution. Existing networks carry embedded financial, environmental and social value (and serious risk if they fail) that should not be abandoned or ignored. “The Cape Flats SWP works, the jacked replacement of failed Armco infrastructure in George and Mainline’s wider CIPP services demonstrate that no single method is appropriate for every pipeline. The best intervention may be a local repair, a structural liner, a trenchless replacement or conventional excavation. That decision should follow proper investigation and a lifecycle assessment,” he adds. Mainline has built its underground infrastructure capability around these principles. “By inspecting first, intervening intelligently and rehabilitating where appropriate, municipalities can extend asset life, reduce surface disruption and obtain greater value from infrastructure budgets. Before we replace what lies beneath our cities, let’s first determine what can be recovered,” Spreckley concludes.

www.mainlinesa.co.za

DRONES

In Februar y 2000, Mozambique experienced its worst floods in fifty years. More than 700 people died, 650 000 were displaced, and 4.5 million – a quar ter of the population – were affected. But in the storm’s immediate aftermath, Mozambique had no way of seeing what was happening to reach those who needed rescuing. By El Khili Lhoucine*

early two decades later, Cyclone Idai followed, killing more than 1 300 people and destroying over US$773 million in buildings, roads and crops. Again, the same issue returned with devastating force, with government officials raising the question, “What if we could see what was happening – in real-time, from the air, with precision?” In February 2026, floods hit southern Mozambique again, destroying 30 000 homes and affecting up to 800 000 people. But the response was different this time – when the government called for emergency intervention, a team of trained Mozambican drone pilots was ready. Within hours, drones were airborne, mapping the disaster, monitoring water levels, and feeding real-time intelligence to national authorities. The technology the country had lacked for twenty-five years was finally, operationally, in Mozambican hands.

The partnership The building blocks began back in 2023, when the Government of Mozambique requested the African

A fix-wing drone employed for aerial reconnaissance, early warning storm detection, plus search and rescue missions

FROM THE SKY, WE PROTECT

HOW DRONES ARE TRANSFORMING DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN MOZAMBIQUE Development Bank’s (AfDB's) support for a dronebased flood management initiative. Subsequently, the Bank secured US$967 000 from the Republic of Korea’s KOAFEC Trust Fund. Then in April 2025, the deal was concluded when the Bank, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Transformation of Mozambique (MCTD), and Korea’s Busan Technopark (BTP) signed a tripartite agreement in Maputo. Korea brought two decades of drone expertise from Pusan National University. Mozambique brought sovereign ownership and institutional commitment, and the African Development Bank brought fiduciary rigour and the convening authority to hold the partnership together. Moving forward, the project was built on three integrated components: equipment, trained pilots, and actual deployment in disaster zones – because equipment without people is hardware, and training without deployment is theory.

When the February 2026 emergency struck, the drones found the people; the data guided the response.

The technology

AfDB's role and the road ahead

The drone fleet is a purpose-built aerial intelligence system: fixed-wing drones for search and rescue and aerial mapping; unmanned surface vehicles that measure river depth and water quality; and a portable ground control station integrating all data in real-time. Together they enable aerial mapping of flood extent with centimetre precision; real-time flood monitoring feeding GIS simulations; damage assessment guiding food aid and shelter allocation; and the location of survivors in floodwaters (even in full darkness), transmitting their exact coordinates to rescue teams.

The African Development Bank invested in this project because its mandate – anchored in President Dr Sidi Ould Tah’s Four Cardinal Points – is to build climate-resilient infrastructure, unlock capital, and harness Africa’s demographic transformation. This project does all three: it protects physical infrastructure; multiplies a US$967 000 investment into decades of impact; and places cutting-edge technology in the hands of young Mozambican professionals. Going forward, a concept note for a Centre of Excellence for Drone Technologies has been submitted to KOAFEC, potentially positioning Mozambique as Africa’s continental reference for drone innovation plus a regional training hub.

Over the years, Maputo, and southern Mozambique in general, has experienced extensive infrastructure damage and population displacement due to severe floods

54 IMIESA October 2026

The pilots The most important outcome of this project is not the drone fleet. It is the thirty certified Mozambican drone pilots, plus certified instructors who now form the backbone of a permanent national disaster management capability. Training ran from October 2025 to April 2026, across four groups, combining theory, simulation, practical flight and maintenance. Ten participants completed an advanced instructor module, qualifying them to train future cohorts independently. Each instructor can certify ten new pilots per group. So, within three years, Mozambique can grow its drone workforce from 30 to 300, using national personnel and national infrastructure, at a fraction of the original cost.

*Business Relationship Manager for Corporate IT Services, African Development Bank

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

Future-proofing infrastructure Why Open BIM is necessary Civil infrastructure projects are built to last decades, sometimes generations. Yet the way we design and deliver them is often anything but future-proof.

ngineers and contributors working in isolation, reinterpreting data, and reworking models at every handover isn't just inefficient and error-prone – it locks projects into specific vendors long after delivery. BIM has been an industry buzzword for over a decade, but the term itself has become diluted. Too often, it is used to describe little more than a 3D model with some attached data, rather than a genuine improvement in how projects are delivered. The real bottleneck has always been siloed data, vendor lock-in, and information that dies the moment a consultant moves on or a contract ends. This is the problem that Open BIM addresses. It ensures that everyone involved, from the preliminary design consultant right through to the operations manager keeping an asset running years later, works from the same information, in real-time, using open, vendorneutral standards. As the built environment moves toward digital replicas of everything from single assets to entire megaprojects, open standards become essential infrastructure in their own right.

Open BIM framework within a Common Data Environment (CDE)

At Civil Designer we have always prioritised robust IFC expor t as a core par t of the software’s DNA rather than bolting it on as an afterthought. Today, that commitment extends to full support for IFC 4.3, giving engineers granular control over exactly which elements of their design model get shared, with whom, and when. Interoperability doesn’t stop at file export, either. Civil Designer’s BIM Bridge offers a direct interface within the program to different Common Data Environments for real-time issue management via the BCF open standard collaboration format. Instead of exporting, emailing, and hoping for the best, teams can flag, track, and resolve coordination issues directly within the CDE their project already relies on, keeping design, construction and operational stakeholders genuinely aligned, not just occasionally synchronised. For engineers designing infrastructure that must outlive any single software license, consultant or contractor, this distinction

matters enormously. Choosing tools built around open standards from the outset means your data remains accessible, adaptable and valuable for the full lifecycle of the asset. Open BIM goes beyond file exchange. It dissolves the gaps between teams and aligns your entire project around a shared, reliable data source. Civil Designer provides a purpose-built, unified design environment that integrates into your Open BIM workflow and longterm infrastructure strategy through open data standards, flexible CDE compatibility, and vendor independence. Learn more at www.civildesigner.com/bim.

www.civildesigner.com

IMIESA October 2026

VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT

Access to clean, safe drinking water is a constitutional right in South Africa and ensuring that this essential service reaches communities requires both committed people and dependable equipment. Across KwaZulu-Natal’s Harry Gwala District Municipality, JCB backhoe loaders supplied and supported by Bell Equipment are playing a vital role in maintaining the water infrastructure that keeps this lifeline flowing.

ormerly known as the Sisonke District Municipality, the Harr y Gwala District Municipality serves the communities of Ixopo, Highflats, uMzimkhulu, Kokstad, Underberg, Bulwer, Creighton and Franklin, with Franklin forming part of the greater Kokstad area. As the designated Water Services Authority for the district, the municipality is responsible for developing, maintaining and repairing extensive water and sanitation infrastructure across a large and geographically diverse region. Leading these efforts is Mamakhooa Ntamane, Manager: Operations and Maintenance of Water and Sanitation Services. “To effectively manage our water infrastructure across the district, we’ve established four satellite offices in Ixopo, uMzimkhulu, Kokstad Harry Gwala District Municipality’s new JCB 3CX Plus backhoe loader plays a key role in constructing and maintaining water and sanitation infrastructure

56 IMIESA October 2026

JCB BACKHOES SUPPORT HARRY GWALA’S WATER AND SANITATION SERVICES and Underberg,” she explains. “Each office has a dedicated maintenance team supported by a backhoe loader that enables them to respond quickly to fix pipe bursts, repair leaks, excavate and backfill trenches for new pipelines, and clear vegetation or obstructions from water servitudes.” Given the size of the municipality and the distances between communities, having reliable equipment strategically positioned throughout the district significantly improves response times and minimises service interruptions. In 2023, the Underberg satellite office took delivery of a new JCB 3DX Plus backhoe loader purchased through the RT57 procurement contract. This procurement mechanism allowed the municipality to purchase the machine directly from Bell Equipment, the South African

distributor for JCB equipment, without the need for an open tender process. The machine soon proved its value. Not long afterwards, an older backhoe loader serving both the Ixopo and uMzimkhulu satellite offices reached the end of its operational life. With no replacement immediately available, the municipality was forced to hire equipment to continue carrying out critical maintenance and emergency repair work. “One must appreciate that hiring earthmoving equipment is expensive, particularly once transport costs are included,” says Thandile Tukuma, Fleet Manager for the Harry Gwala District Municipality. “Although we managed this way for almost two years, we knew that a permanent replacement would ultimately be the most economical and reliable solution.” The consistently strong performance of the Underberg machine made the municipality’s next purchasing decision considerably easier. “As the JCB 3DX Plus operating in Underberg had delivered excellent reliability and productivity, Bell Equipment was included among the three suppliers invited to submit quotations under the RT57 facility in July 2025,” Thandile explains. Following the evaluation process, Bell Equipment’s Pietermaritzburg branch was awarded the order for a second backhoe loader, which this time was a JCB 3CX Plus unit. “Our decision was based on several factors,” Mamakhooa says. “The JCB 3DX Plus had already proven itself in our operations; it offered competitive pricing, was readily available, and was supplied by Bell Equipment, a wholly South African-owned company with an excellent reputation for aftersales support.”

VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT

From left: Harry Gwala District Municipality Fleet Manager, Thandile Tukuma, with the municipality’s Manager: Operations and Maintenance of Water & Sanitation Services, Mamakhooa Ntamane, and Bell Equipment Sales Representative, Freedom Mthembu

She adds that working with a local company brings significant benefits. “Dealing with people who understand our operating environment and appreciate the challenges municipalities face makes a real difference. It creates strong working relationships built on trust, and Bell Equipment certainly lives up to its promise of providing strong, reliable machines backed by strong, reliable support.” The new JCB 3CX Plus backhoe loader was ordered in January 2026 and delivered within the same month, enabling the municipality to quickly restore full operational capacity to its maintenance teams. Because the municipality’s operators are already highly experienced with JCB backhoe loaders, only a short induction session was required before the machine entered service. The equipment is covered by a comprehensive

24-month or 4 000-hour warranty, with servicing and maintenance carried out by Bell Equipment’s qualified technicians from its Pietermaritzburg branch. Although the primary role of the backhoe loaders is supporting water and sanitation infrastructure, their versatility allows them to contribute to other essential municipal functions. “We also use the machines to repair access roads leading to our reservoirs whenever necessary,” Thandile explains. “While that isn’t their primary purpose, it demonstrates

the versatility of the equipment and ensures we maximise the value of our investment.” For the Harry Gwala District Municipality, investing in dependable equipment is ultimately about delivering dependable services. “We expect every machine we purchase to provide many years of reliable service,” Thandile concludes. “Based on our experience, we’re confident that this new JCB 3CX Plus backhoe loader will continue supporting our teams as we work to deliver consistent, reliable water services to the communities we serve.”

Holding Africa’s Water 30 Countries and Counting

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AECOM siphokuhle.dlamini@aecom.com AFI Consult banie@afri-infra.com ARRB Systems info@arrbsystemssa.com Asla Construction (Pty) Ltd johanv@asla.co.za Atana info@atana.co.za BMK Group brian@bmkgroup.co.za Bosch Projects (Pty) Ltd mail@boschprojects.co.za BVI Consulting Engineers marketing@bviho.co.za Camjet info.jhb@camjet.co.za CCG puhumudzo@ccgsytems.co.za / info@ccgsystems.co.za Civil Designer info@civildesigner.com Civtech Engineers (Pty) Ltd admin@civtech.biz Corrosion Institute of Southern Africa secretary@corrosioninstitute.org.za Dlamindlovu Consulting Engineers & Project Managers info@dlami-ndlovu.co.za EFG Engineers info@efgeng.co.za Elster Kent Metering Mark.Shamley@Honeywell.com EMS Solutions paul@emssolutions.co.za ENsync Engineers info@ensync.africa ERWAT mail@erwat.co.za Gabion Baskets mail@gabionbaskets.co.za GIBB marketing@gibb.co.za GIGSA secretary@gigsa.org GLS Consulting info@gls.co.za Gorman Rupp Cordeiro@gormanrupp.co.za Hatch Africa (Pty) Ltd info@hatch.co.za HB Glass Filter Media info@hardybulkinglass.com Herrenknecht schiewe.helene@herrenknecht.de HSA Technology (Pty) Ltd cs@hubersa.com info@edams.co.za Hydro-comp Enterprises IMQS Software (Pty) Ltd shemine.adams@imqs.co.za Indlela Consultants (Pty) Ltd robertsonp@indlelasa.com Infrachamps Consulting info@infrachamps.co.za Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa iwmsa@iwmsa.co.za iX engineers (Pty) Ltd hans.k@ixengineers.co.za Izinga Holdings info@izingalabezi.co.za JG Afrika DennyC@jgafrika.com KABE Consulting Engineers info@kabe.co.za Kantey & Templer (K&T) Consulting Engineers ccherry@ct.kanteys.co.za Kitso Botlhale Consulting Engineers info@kitsobce.co.za salesza@ksb.com KSB Pumps and Valves (Pty) Ltd Kuhle Mcebo Engineers admin@kuhlemceboeng.co.za KUREMA Engineering (Pty) Ltd info@kurema.co.za Lektratek Water general@lwt.co.za muzi@loshini.co.za Loshini Projects m4a fagan@m4a.co.za Makhaotse Narasimulu & Associates mmakhaotse@mna-sa.co.za Maninga charlene@maninga.co.za eastlondon@mariswe.com Mariswe (Pty) Ltd Martin & East gbyron@martin-east.co.za M & C Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd info@mcconsulting.co.za MPAMOT (Pty) Ltd mpumem@mpamot.com Mvubu Consulting & Project Managers miranda@mvubu.net NOTHI Group info@nothigroup.co.za NTGR Engineering info@ntgr.co.za Nyeleti Consulting naidoot@nyeleti.co.za quin@rainbowres.com Rainbow Reservoirs maura@re-solve.co.za Re-Solve Consulting (Pty) Ltd Ribicon Consulting Group (Pty) Ltd info@ribicon.co.za info@sabita.co.za SABITA SAGI annette@sagi.co.za SAICE Professional Development & Projects phathi@saicepdp.org info@salga.org.za SALGA SAPPMA admin@sappma.co.za / willem@sappma.co.za SARF administrator@sarf.org.za.co.za SBS Water Systems marketing@sbstanks.co.za Silulumanzi Antoinette.Diphoko@silulumanzi.com admin@siroccon.co.za Siroccon International (Pty) Ltd SiVEST SA info@sivest.co.za Sizabantu Piping Systems (Pty) Ltd proudly@sizabantu.com Siza Water (RF) Pty Ltd PA@sizawater.com Sky High Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd nobesuthum@shconsulting.co.za SKYV Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd kamesh@skyv.co.za Smartlock jp.alkema@smartlock.net capetown@smec.com SMEC Sabiha@savegroup.co.za SOUTH AFRICAN VALUE EDUCATION Southern African Society for Trenchless Technology director@sasst.org.za jomar@srk.co.za SRK Consulting Structa Group info@structatech.co.za Superior Filtration (Pty) Ltd info@superior-filtration.com TPA Consulting roger@tpa.co.za Ultra Control Valves peter@ultravalves.co.za V3 Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd info@v3consulting.co.za Videx Storage Tanks sales@vidextanks.co.za Water Institute of Southern Africa wisa@wisa.org.za Wam Technology CC support@wamsys.co.za Zimile info@zimile.co.za Zutari charmaine.achour@zutari.com

RENEWABLE ENERGY & ELECTRIFICATION

SUNCENTRAL 1 STARTS DELIVERING RENEWABLE POWER FOR C&I CUSTOMERS SolarAfrica’s SunCentral 1 has reached Commercial Operation Date (COD), bringing 114 MW of new renewable energy generation capacity online as part of its flagship SunCentral development between Hanover and De Aar in the Northern Cape. This follows the completion and energisation of SunCentral 1 and the associated transmission infrastructure in August.

unCentral 1 reaching COD is significant because we are no longer talking about what large-scale wheeling can deliver in the future; it is now happening,” says David McDonald, CEO at SolarAfrica. SunCentral 1 forms part of the development’s 342 MW first phase, comprising three 114 MW solar facilities. At full scale, SunCentral is planned to deliver up to 1 GW of renewable energy capacity, supplying multiple commercial and industrial (C&I) customers through one-to-many wheeling. PowerChina served as the principal solar contractor for SunCentral 1, taking the project through construction and commissioning into commercial operation. “Getting a project of this scale to commercial operation requires many moving parts to come together,” says Fana Tlhalepe, Chief Delivery Officer at SolarAfrica. “We worked closely with PowerChina and other partners such as Proconics NewFields, Eskom, NTCSA and DNV throughout construction, testing and commissioning to resolve issues as they arose and keep the programme moving.” Tlhalepe adds that PowerChina’s utility-scale solar track record and technical capability, paired with SolarAfrica’s in-house expertise and project development experience, were central to delivering a project of this size and complexity. The scale of the development is also reflected in the 548 856 Tier-1 solar panels installed at SunCentral 1. With SunCentral 1 now operational, Tlhalepe says that work on the remainder of the development will continue. SunCentral 2 is in the later stages of construction, while construction on SunCentral 3 is expected to begin shortly. “Reaching COD on SunCentral 1 gives us a solid foundation for what comes next. Our focus now is on bringing the remaining capacity in Phase 1 online as we continue to build towards the longer-term 1 GW vision. SolarAfrica remains committed to giving businesses greater choice in how they procure their energy, with access to cleaner power that can help them manage costs while building greater certainty into their long-term energy strategy,” McDonald concludes.

IMIESA October 2026

FORENSIC COUNTERMEASURES

SA steps up the recovery of public funds When fraud or financial misconduct is uncovered, the first question is usually whether the money can be recovered. It is a fair question and recovering losses is an important part of holding people accountable. For many business owners, it is also the most visible sign that something is being done.

n September 2026, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) announced new investigations into public sector tenders and secured a judgment setting aside an R85 million South African Airways contract, with recovery of profits also being pursued. These cases illustrate the importance of not only identifying financial loss but understanding how weaknesses in processes and controls allowed problematic transactions to happen in the first place. This focus on recovery has remained prominent in South Africa this year, with parliament calling for stronger coordination between law enforcement agencies and faster recovery of lost public funds. At the same time, the SIU continues to pursue matters involving alleged maladministration, corruption and financial losses, including cases where contracts have been set aside or assets preserved. Recent discussions in parliament around material irregularities referred by the AuditorGeneral to the SIU have once again highlighted the importance of recovering public funds where wrongdoing has taken place. However, while recovering money is important, it is only one part of what an investigation can achieve. A forensic investigation also helps explain how the problem developed. Documents, emails, financial records and system activity all help build a picture of what happened. They can also show where processes stopped working as intended or where existing controls no longer

provided the level of protection the business expected. That distinction is particularly relevant when looking at the lessons emerging from public sector investigations. “The question is not only how much money can be recovered, but what allowed the irregularity to happen in the first place,” says David Loxton, CEO at Loxton Forensics.

Where there is smoke New employees join the team, responsibilities are shared differently and suppliers come and go. Processes that worked well a few years ago can gradually change as people find quicker or more practical ways of getting things done. Those changes are often made for good reasons, but they can sometimes create gaps that nobody noticed. That is why an investigation can be valuable even when it begins with a single concern. Looking closely at one payment, one supplier or one transaction often provides useful insight into how the wider business is operating. It gives business owners the opportunity to see whether existing controls are still working as intended or whether they need to be strengthened. It can also give leaders confidence in the decisions they need to make next. Whether the outcome points to fraud, a process failure or a misunderstanding, decisions are always stronger when they are based on facts instead of assumptions.

“Acting too quickly can damage trust, while waiting too long can allow problems to grow,” says Loxton.

Questions of consequence The recommendations that follow an investigation are often just as valuable as the findings themselves. Improving approval processes, tightening supplier management, reviewing user access or strengthening financial controls all help reduce the risk of similar problems developing in future. Those improvements may never attract the same attention as recovering money, yet they can save a business from much bigger losses later on. Many business owners assume that if nothing has gone wrong recently, their controls must be working well. In reality, the best time to understand how resilient your processes are is before they are tested by a serious incident. Even well-managed businesses benefit from occasionally stepping back and asking whether the way they operate today still reflects the way the business has grown. The same principle applies beyond the public sector. “A finding that identifies financial loss but leaves the underlying control weakness untouched can address the consequence without addressing the vulnerability that allowed the problem to occur,” says Loxton. South Africa’s current focus on material irregularities also illustrates why this matters. Parliament has raised concerns about delays in investigations and prosecutions, while the SIU has continued to report new investigations and court outcomes. The public discussion therefore extends beyond identifying wrongdoing to questions of consequence, recovery and whether weaknesses are being addressed so that they are not repeated.

The bigger picture As the recovery of public funds remains firmly on South Africa’s agenda, the challenge is not only to recover what has been lost, but to ensure that the weaknesses that allowed those losses to occur are addressed. Accountability may deal with the past, but stronger systems are essential to protecting public resources in the future.

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS AfriSam AKS Lining Systems APE Pumps & Mather+Platt ARRB Systems Bell Equipment Bluewater Bio BORDA South Africa CESA

60 IMIESA October 2026

6, OFC 53 IFC 43 9 35 20 37

Civil Designer 55 Corestruc 13 IMESA 4, 39, 42, 58, IBC JPCE 51 Mainline Civil Engineering Contractors OBC Makarios Geotechnical Dynamics 17 Maskam Water 29 NEXOR 44

PeraGage Rainbow Reservoirs Rand Water SAPPMA Structa Syntell VEGA

14 57 18 33 25, 27 10 2

BIENNIAL PROJECT EXCELLENCE AWARDS

CALL FOR ENTRIES To recognise outstanding achievements in municipal infrastructure, we are calling for entries that showcase projects that demonstrate the best of civil engineering as a science and how engineering enhances the lives of the local communities, through excellence in:

ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE IN STRUCTURES & CIVILS E.g. Projects demonstrating engineering science, use of alternate materials, innovative construction processes, etc.

Planning and design Construction methods Innovation and originality Meeting social and technical challenges Contributing to the well-being of communities

COMMUNITY UPLIFTMENT & JOB CREATION E.g. Projects demonstrating labour-intensive construction, skills development, community awareness/participation, etc.

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE E.g. Environmental rehabilitation, renewable energy, drought solutions, coastal initiatives for rising sea levels, pollution control, educational/ technical initiatives, etc.

CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS 17 June 2027

Only projects that have reached practical or substantive completion by 31 May 2027 will be accepted for the Excellence Awards. Adjudicators reserve the right to reallocate entries in the 3 categories. ENTRY FORMS AND AWARD CRITERIA Available for download on the website: www.imesa.org.za

IMESA THE INSTITUTE OF MUNICIPAL ENGINEERING OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (IMESA)

QUESTIONS Contact Debbie Anderson on +27 (0)83 326 3050 or email conference@imesa.org.za

C I V I L

E N G I N E E R I N G

SPECIALIST PIPELINE CONTRACTORS With over 50 years of combined experience nationally and internationally, Mainline Civil Engineering ensures professional project delivery every time. Mainline Civil Engineering is a specialist civil engineering contractor in the field of pipeline construction, trenchless installation of underground pipelines and utilities, and trenchless pipeline rehabilitation and tunnelling in both the public and private sectors.

We are at the cutting edge of pipeline construction, rehabilitation, and tunnelling in South Africa and throughout Southern Africa. At Mainline, we use the latest techniques and equipment to ensure minimal environmental impact and offer comprehensive infrastructure technology to all service providers and utilities. With Mainline contracting team’s vast range of experience in the field at home and across our borders, our attitude is “nothing is impossible”. We offer the best solutions from our comprehensive trenchless toolbox, using our experience, knowledge, and equipment to ensure professional project delivery for all stakeholders.

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