Consulting Engineers South Africa Warns of R30-Billion Maintenance Backlog and Critical Skill Shortages

Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) calls for urgent action on a 60,000-engineer shortage and a R30bn public property maintenance backlog.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 11:40 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Engineering News

The Deteriorating Foundation of Public Assets

South Africa’s public infrastructure is facing a dual crisis of aging systems and a massive R30-billion maintenance backlog. Speakers at the Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) Infrastructure Indaba revealed that over 56,000 state-owned properties are currently suffering from neglect, while municipal systems continue to deteriorate under increasing strain. Cesa CEO Chris Campbell noted that these vulnerabilities have been further exposed by recent climate-related disasters, including floods and fires, which have devastated regions where resilience and routine maintenance were overlooked. The Indaba emphasized that without immediate intervention, the backbone of the country's social and economic stability remains at high risk.

A Critical Deficit in Professional Engineering Capacity

A central theme of the conference was the alarming shortage of qualified engineers required to execute the government’s R1-trillion infrastructure plan. Dr. Vishal Haripersad, Cesa President and regional manager for Knight Piésold Africa, pointed out that South Africa currently has only one engineer for every 3,100 people—a stark contrast to developed economies that average one for every 300. This translates to a professional gap of over 60,000 individuals. Haripersad argued that even the most ambitious national budgets will fail to translate into delivery if the country does not drastically increase its investment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and professional mentorship.

Infrastructure as a Catalyst for Social Dignity

Moving beyond technical specifications, the Indaba speakers framed infrastructure as a prerequisite for human dignity. Haripersad expressed deep concern over the millions of citizens who still lack reliable access to clean water, electricity, and digital connectivity. He argued that these should not be viewed merely as technical problems but as significant barriers to healthcare, education, and employment. By reimagining infrastructure as a tool for inclusion, Cesa is advocating for projects that link historically marginalized communities to the broader economy, thereby addressing the structural inequalities that have persisted for decades.