The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) continued to solidify its footprint on the African continent on 27 January 2023 with the investiture of the 6th President of the Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO), Eng. Papias Kazawadi, alongside the announcement of ECSA Sixth Term President, Refilwe Buthelezi Pr. Eng, as President-Elect at the 2023 FAEO Conference.
Leadership Transition at FAEO
Eng. Buthelezi will serve as FAEO President-Elect until 31 December 2024, after which she will succeed Eng. Kazawadi. The appointment strengthens ECSA’s leadership role within the continental engineering community.
Unleashing Opportunities in AfCFTA
The conference, titled “Unleashing Opportunities in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation,” was held at Rwanda’s renowned Kigali Convention Centre and drew over 120 delegates, including Africa’s current and former leaders of professional engineering institutions, experts across engineering fields, development partners, policymakers and politicians.
Speaking at the conference, Rwanda’s Minister of State in charge of Infrastructure, Eng. Patricie Uwase, addressed challenges facing the sector, including a shortage of engineers, under-investment in research and development, and a lack of proper linkages between academia and industry practices. She added that, while the Rwandan government is working to build capacity, cross-border collaboration would yield better results for the continent.
Eng. Buthelezi facilitated a panel discussion on the opportunities in AfCFTA implementation, with engineering being central to that implementation through the mobility of engineering services across the continent. Delegates highlighted the importance of standardising practices and sharing engineering solutions as critical to capitalising on the opportunities presented by AfCFTA. ECSA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Bridget Ssamula, delivered a summary of the proceedings and the key issues to be pursued beyond the conference.
Building the Africa We Want
ECSA said it believes that, during this term, Eng. Kazawadi, Eng. Buthelezi and the entire FAEO Executive Board will work together to ensure that more actionable initiatives at the continental level are implemented in the effort to create the Africa We Want.
Original Press Release
About ECSA
The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) is the statutory body established under the Engineering Profession Act, 46 of 2000, mandated to regulate the engineering profession in South Africa. ECSA is responsible for the accreditation of engineering programmes, the registration of engineering practitioners, and upholding professional and ethical standards across the profession.
Issued by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
ECSA Media Contact
Sybil Dlamini, Manager: Marketing and Communication
Email: sybil@ecsa.co.za | Tel: 073 623 8275
Website: www.ecsa.co.za
This article is based on an official ECSA press release. Read the original statement.
