CEO of Engineering Council of South Africa Inspires New Generation of Graduating Engineers

BY: .

Mr Sipho Madonsela, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) since October 2014, was the guest speaker at the graduation ceremony of UKZN’s School of Engineering. As a mechanical engineering alumni of the university, it was fitting that Madonsela could share his experience and advice with the newest generation of aspiring Engineers. 

‘We as ECSA wish to congratulate the UKZN Engineering class of 2015 for successfully completing your degrees and diplomas as required by the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science,’ he said. ‘I am always elated as I notice that there is a concerted effort, as is the case here today, to advance engineering education in theory and in practice.’ 

Madonsela quoted Prakhar Srivastav who said:  ‘Engineering is not just the study of 45 subjects, but is the moral study of intellectual life.’  Madonsela told his audience that this meant that whilst bringing economic benefits, engineering activity has potential adverse consequences and must therefore be carried out responsibly and ethically. 

‘As a graduand in the engineering field, you are moral beings and therefore should learn to use available resources efficiently and economically, safeguard health and safety and be environmentally sound. This is a practical expression of an “intellectual life.”’ 

Madonsela is a former Executive Chairman of Emzansi Engineers, a multidisciplinary engineering firm which he founded and has managed for over 16 years. His core disciplines include roads infrastructure, water applications, steam application, materials and transportation handling, air-conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration, pumping applications and general industrial services. 

Mandonsela has a wealth of management experience in the engineering discipline including corporate governance, strategy and strategic leadership. For the duration of his career life, Madonsela has continued to prove his leadership prodigy within several portfolios in the South African engineering landscape. 

UKZN’s School of Engineering conferred an impressive 397 degrees, including 18 PhDs and covering the disciplines of Chemical, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Computer and Agricultural Engineering, as well as Land Surveying, Construction and Property Development. 

Sally Frost