Mike Muller, Commissioner in the National Planning Committee, visiting adjunct Professor at WITS University and Fellow of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering, will address the Civilution Congress (6 to 8 April 2014) on ‘Building South Africa’s water security: Progress, prospects and priorities’.

A previous Director General of the Department of Water Affairs (1997 to 2005), his involvement in water policy processes across the world, and his involvement in the creation of the National Development Plan, makes him a candidate of choice to address this crucial topic The escalating unrest in communities over infrastructure issues such as the lack of water, inappropriate sanitation, housing and roads is a serious indication of what people expect from government and those responsible for service delivery. Research conducted by the Social Change Research Unit at the University of Johannesburg  indicates a sharp increase in service delivery protests. Professor Peter Alexander, research chair in social change at UJ, said, “Authorities need to change the way they interact with communities and listen to them sympathetically, not bureaucratically. The rising levels of protests are a warning that the problems of poor people need to be addressed. There is a ticking time bomb in South Africa.”

For this and many other reasons, the 2014 SAICE Civilution Congress will be held at Emperors Palace from 6 to 8 April 2014 to address many of the issues facing engineering, including those raised in the 2014 SAICE presidential address by Stanford Mkhacane ― Taking Civil Engineering to the remote and marginalised areas of South Africa and beyond ― forward with Civilution.

Civilution is a new era for engineering professions motivating engineers of all disciplines to conduct business differently. It is also where engineers play the role of history makers bringing about transformation, diversity, leadership and evolution in our local and global society for its betterment and of the quality of life, with collaboration between communities and government. It aims to highlight the important role that engineers can play in this sphere. Engineers are innovators and through innovation economic competitiveness arises. Civilution will direct engineers along this path of intellectual revolution where they have the power to impact communities and create awareness of the need for our pivotal engineering skills. Stanford Mkhacane’s presidential is available from Marie Ashpole – see contact details below.