Large and small engineering projects in South Africa, developed for private companies and public organisations, have been named among the finalists in the CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards 2026.

The yearly awards by professional organisation Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) and professional services firm Aon recognise the value that engineers bring to the infrastructure ecosystem in South Africa and beyond, says CESA CEO Chris Campbell.

The awards recognise the technical judgement, innovation, planning and problem-solving that keep infrastructure working, long before and long after the ribbon is cut. The finalists are proof that consulting engineers are indispensable partners in delivering South Africa's infrastructure, he says.

Projects submitted this year include transport, water, energy, mining, residential, industrial and social infrastructure, reflecting the breadth of technical expertise required to plan, deliver and sustain infrastructure that serves citizens effectively.

Finalists named in the Projects less than R50-million category include Bigen Africa Services for the Pressure and Network Zone Management Project for Sol Plaatje municipality; BVi Consulting Engineers for the Oncology Centre in Springbok for Vedanta Zinc International; and Innovative Transport Solutions (ITS) for the Dennesig Transport Initiative for Stellenbosch municipality.

Other finalists in this category include Knight Piésold for the Palabora Mining Company's Converted Stack Structural Integrity and Demolition; and Naidu Consulting for Phase 1 emergency repairs to the Mbokodweni River Bridge B1176 B for the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral).

WEC-Consult for the upgrading of the Matjiesfontein Wastewater Treatment Works for Laingsburg municipality; and Zutari for the Bethlehem Hydro Modernisation Project for Serengeti Energy were also named as finalists in the less than R50-million category.

In the Megaprojects greater than R1-billion award category, finalists include Knight Piésold for the Kareerand Tailings Dam Extension for Harmony Gold; MPAMOT Africa for Redstone Solar Thermal Power Plant for Redstone and ACWA Power; Nyeleti Consulting for N3 Cato Ridge to Dardanelles Upgrade Project for Sanral; and Zutari for the Koruson Main Transmission Substation’s Detailed Design for EDF Power Solutions.

In the category Projects ranging from R250-million to less than R1-billion, the finalists include AECOM for R573 Moloto Road Section 2 Upgrade for Sanral; Atana for Toyota South Africa Motors’ Parts Warehouse; MPAMOT for Maritime School of Excellence for the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education.

Other finalists in this R250-million to below R1-billion category include Muteo Consulting for the University of Mpumalanga West Campus’ Great Hall and Chiller Plant Projects; SCIP Engineering Group for the Goudrand South Phase 1 of the Goudrand Mega Project for Blueprint Housing; V3 Consulting Engineers for the Ndabakazi Intermodal Interchange for Sanral; WSP for K73 Allandale Road Project for the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport.

Further, in the Projects ranging from R50-million to less than R250-million category, finalists include SMEC South Africa for Thembalethu East Reservoir, Tower and Pump Station for George municipality; Bosch Projects for the Nelson Mandela University Science Centre and Digital Planetarium.

Other finalists in this category include Hatch for Upgrades to DR12732, Dr12733 and DR02541 Past the Tsolwana Nature Reserve and Internal Roads in Tarkastad and Hofmeyr using LIC for the Eastern Cape Department of Transport; Nyeleti Consulting for UniVen to Punda Maria Road - R524 and Cable Stay Bridge Infrastructure Project for the University of Venda; and SMEC South Africa for Clarence Drive Rehabilitation Project for the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure.

“The finalists and the exceptional work represented in the 2026 awards again show the depth of innovation, ingenuity and courage these teams have demonstrated in tackling some of South Africa's most complex engineering challenges,” says Aon South Africa CEO Dr Nolwandle Mgoqi.

“Their achievements are a testament to the continued advancement of engineering excellence and the raising of standards across our profession.”

Finalists in the Young Engineer of the Year category include Tarlia Gerald from Naidu Consulting; Pren Moodley from ROMH Consulting; Prinell Naicker from Knight Piésold; Uzair Osman from Bosch Projects; Marizel Pienaar from Bigen Africa Services; Sachin Ravjee from Zutari; and Edward Reynierse from SMEC South Africa.

Further, finalists in the Mentor of the Year category include Henk Aartsma from Bigen Africa Services and Magdeleen Rabé from SMEC South Africa.

The finalists in the Mentoring Company of the Year category include Bigen Africa Services; Makhaotse, Narasimulu and Associates; and Zutari.

In the Business Excellence category, the finalists named include Bigen Africa Services; BVi Consulting Engineers; Henry Fagan Consulting Engineers & Project Managers; Knight Piésold; Naidu Consulting; ROMH Consulting.

Finalists in the Best International Project category include Zutari for the Polihali Major Bridges – Senqu Bridge – Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase II, for Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, in Lesotho; Knight Piésold for the Cricket Namibia High-Performance Stadium Project, in Namibia; PRDW for the Manzanillo Early Gas Marine Terminal Project, for Intercoastal Marine in the Dominican Republic.

Other international project finalists include AECOM for the Polihali Western Access Road for Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, in Lesotho; and Zutari for the Development of Catchment Management Plans for the Sezibwa and Akweng catchments in Kyoga Water Management Zone, for Ministry of Water and Environment of the Republic of Uganda: Directorate of Water Resources Management.

Meanwhile, in the Engineering Technology and Innovation category, the finalists have been named as Bigen Africa Services, for the Emergency Refurbishment and Reinstatement of the Klipgat Wastewater Treatment Works for the City of Tshwane; and Calliper for the Turnkey Redesign and Replacement of the Seekoeihoek Bulk Water Pipeline, for Mogale City local municipality.

“These finalists represent the talent and problem-solving happening inside our profession every day, often without recognition. As South Africa works to strengthen its infrastructure and improve service delivery, this is the expertise we need and these awards are one way we make sure that contribution is seen,” says Campbell.

“Aon South Africa is proud to support companies that hold themselves to these high standards. The finalists' outstanding work is helping to shape our country's future, strengthen communities, and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient economy and built environment,” Mgoqi adds.

The awards ceremony will be held on August 20, at Vodacom World, in Midrand.