Professor Chris Roth was successfully inaugurated as the 123rd South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) president, during a momentous ceremony held on 27 November 2025. The event celebrated leadership continuity, professional excellence, and the enduring role and relevance of civil engineering in advancing South Africa’s infrastructure and sustainable development.
“This inauguration is more than a ceremony; it is a moment of renewal signaling new leadership, vision, and strategic direction. It celebrates a legacy that continues to grow and a future full of opportunities. Each president brings a distinct perspective grounded in their experience and guided by the values that define SAICE,” explained Sekadi Phayane-Shakhane, SAICE CEO in her welcoming speech.
Professor Roth, a University of Pretoria academic with over 20 years of SAICE service including roles as Pretoria Branch Chair, Finance Committee Chair, and History & Heritage Panel Chair, outlined his 2026 theme: Engineers Get Things Done. Drawing from predecessors’ addresses and ASCE’s Vision 2025, he positioned civil engineers as problem-solvers who prioritize action over endless debate.
“In welcoming Prof. Roth, we do so with confidence in his deep knowledge of the profession and his extensive academic contributions. His presidency comes at a time when the profession needs expertise, vision, and commitment to advance civil engineering in South Africa,” endorsed Phayane-Shakhane.
Roth’s key priorities for 2026 include:
● Ethics: Promoting integrity beyond compliance, ensuring reputations withstand scrutiny.
● Education: Finalising a code of best practice for tertiary institutions (updating for AI risks), fostering CSI in schools, and supporting initiatives like Growing Forward.
● Heritage: Continuing plaques for historic landmarks to elevate public perception of engineering.
● Strategic actions: Signing a cooperation agreement with ASCE, streamlining council meetings for productivity, and addressing risk management and policy leadership gaps.
Roth affirmed SAICE’s proud legacy, urging members to tackle remuneration, status, and infrastructure challenges proactively.
“We need to come up with solutions with what we have in the time we have. SAICE gives you the opportunity to make a difference so let’s make sure we all use it wisely,” Roth inspired the guests, partners and industry leaders at the event.
In his heartfelt exit reflection, outgoing 2025 President Friedrich Slabbert emphasized the metaphor of “mowing the lawn” to underscore personal and collective responsibility in tending South Africa’s infrastructure “patches. He highlighted SAICE engineers’ resilience amid challenges like infrastructure decline, governance issues, funding interruptions, and skills shortages as well as praising their commitment to integrity, mentoring, and knowledge sharing. Slabbert stressed that engineering excellence lies in courage, judgment, and humility, serving society beyond technical feats.
Slabbert expressed gratitude for all members, volunteers, and partners. Despite challenges, engineers serve with integrity and perseverance, emphasizing that the work of civil engineers is fundamentally about service to society and sustainability, noting that engineers’ efforts to maintain and improve infrastructure today determine the future crisis or success of the country. He spoke of the human side of engineering and used music to illustrate leadership clarity, service, and collaboration, encouraging recommitment to the profession’s unity and legacy.
“Our work transcends one leader, it’s a continuum across generations,” Slabbert stated, passing the mantle to Professor Roth with confidence in SAICE’s unity and calling for recommitment to purpose amid shifting global winds.
During the inauguration, the prestigious President’s Award, which honours individuals or recognises individuals who have contributed to the engineering industry and continue to do so, was awarded to Ms. Okuhle Ntlokwana (SAICE Transkei Branch member). She not only revived her branch through events, site visits, and social media, but drew 40+ attendees from a 35-member base. She sparked renewed visibility, with the branch sharing initiatives, highlighting projects and restoring the sense of professionalisation and professional community in the region through diligence, perseverance and enthusiasm, and quiet leadership.
“Ntlokwana reminds us that SAICE is not only built by engineers, it’s about those who connect us, bring us together, and create the spaces for meaningful engagement. Her contribution has made a measurable contribution and difference to SAICE, to the branch, the profession we love,” endorsed Slabbert.
Phayane-Shakhane thanked guests, partners, and industry leaders across the board as well as the headline sponsor, the Association of Arbitrators (Southern Africa) , for enabling the event. The event was MC’d by SAICE Vice-President and multi-award winner, Ms. Innocentia Mahlangu.
Advocate Riaan Booysen representing the Association of Arbitrators (Southern Africa), congratulated Roth, reinforcing the decades-long partnership rooted in competence, integrity, and dispute resolution evolution since the 1980s. He stressed expert impartiality in arbitration, vital for civil engineering disputes.
“This event allows us to reflect, connect, build relationships, and strengthen our profession’s unity. Many of you represent academic institutions and professional bodies collaborating with SAICE throughout the year and it’s these relationships that enable our collective impact,” added Phayane-Shakhane.
SAICE remains committed to growth, excellence, and sustainability, equipping civil engineers to build resilient infrastructure for South Africa’s future.
