DEPUTY MINISTER SIHLE ZIKALALA OVERSEES THE INAUGURATION OF THE INCOMING GOVERNING COUNCIL OF ECSA

Article and Pictures by Caroline Mokotedi

25 April 2025

The Deputy Minister of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), Sihle Zikalala, delivered the keynote address at the inauguration of the 7th Term incoming Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), on 23 April 2025, at the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni, Boksburg, Gauteng.

The two day ceremony marked the transition and handover of reigns from ECSA's 6th Term Council to the 7th Term governing council. The incoming governing council's term will span from the year 2025 to 2029. Deputy Minister Zikalala, accompanied by the DPWI Deputy Director-General of Intergovernmental Relations, Adam Mthombeni, led a delegation of the departments management in witnessing this significant milestone in the built environment sector.

The inauguration marked the formal transfer of leadership within ECSA, ushering in a new dawn for the council, that will steer the institution for the next four year tenure. Some of the distinguished guests who witnessed the inauguration included Dr. Bridget Ssamula, Chief Executive Officer of ECSA, ECSA outgoing Vice President Thembinkosi Madikane, Msizi Myeza, Chief Executive Officer of the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) Msizi Myeza, and CBE Chairperson, Amelia Mtshali.

In his address, Deputy Minister Zikalala emphasised the government's unwavering commitment to safety in the construction sector. He referenced the recent tragedy of the George building, where the collapse of a building under construction resulted in the loss of 34 lives. Deputy Minister announced that the disaster stemmed from technical deficiencies and non-compliance with building regulations and therefore pleaded for urgent reform and strict adherence to safety standards across all sites.

His remarks served as a commitment for government's reaffirmation to build partnership with regulatory bodies in ensuring that such tragic incidents don't repeat themselves, and that such instances should help in building safer structures which are more compliant to construction standards.

“We must root out all forms of negativity in the construction sector such as the construction mafia and non- compliance with the regulatory framework which govern the sector and ensures sustainability”, said Deputy Minister. “The inauguration of the incoming ECSA council must be fair, transparent and non-sexist, to ensure that we achieve the country's development goals of empowering previously disadvantaged groups with specific attention to the issue of gender representation,” he added.