Today the 16th of May 2024, at eBandla Hotel, iLembe District Municipality and Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) hold joint consultation engagement session on the professional isation of the local government.

The central ideas of the session are to capacitate engineering practioners to be relevant to the modern standard of ECSA and assist municipalities to identify engineering skills need.

The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) is a statutory body established in terms of the Engineering Profession Act (EPA), 46 of 2000. The ECSA’s primary role is the regulation of the engineering profession in terms of this Act. Its core functions are the accreditation of engineering programmes, registration of persons as professionals in specified categories, and the regulation of the practice of registered persons.

Importance of registration as it is a requirement in terms of Engineering Professions Act

In attendance were senior officials from iLembe District Municipality, Ms C Mbola, MISA Energy Specialist – Mr M Msibi, JG Africa Technical Director – Dr. J Pilusa, Umgeni Maintenance Engineer – Mr M Nkonyane, ECSA Manager Regulator Instruments – Ms N Mtshali, CETA Manager Strategic Partnership & Projects – Ms K Maimela.

Opening remarks were made by the iLembe District Municipality Technical Services Senior Manager, Ms Cingisa Mbola “Highlighting the importance of embracing the concept of “Identitication of Engineering work”. For engineering practioners and registered persons to be effective and protect the space. Emphasizing on engineering practioners to be qualified and suitable for the job. Also to encourage safe and sustainable environment while remain accountable.

Remarks by the ECSA Manager Regulator Instrument, Ms N Mtshali highlited on ” Importance of registration as it is a requirement in terms of Engineering Professions Act. Also spoken about the process of registration and existing paths and categories and minimum competency requirements. Also mentioned that this IDoEW has been gazzetted and in future engineeing practioners will not be allowed to practice in the engineering fraternity without being registered.

The session was accompanied by numerous presentations from different engineering fraternity ;Roles of Professional Engineers, Mentor-Mentes Connected Program, Identification of Engineering Work and Candidacy Support program.

Delivering the acknowledgements and vote of thanks iLembe District Municipality Human Resource Manager, Ntokozo Nzuza appreciatiated all partners and guest who participated. He further emphasised good conduct and self development in all local government officials.