Engineering

The engineering sector in the Western Cape covers a broad spectrum of disciplines and specialities. Engineers are soughtafter by the maritime industry, with the Western Cape’s three ports, support services to the oil and gas industry, and boat-building sectors offering many opportunities. Subsectors found in the province include plastics conversion, tooling, metals conversion, metals fabrication, iron and steel and non-ferrous metals, for local and international consumption.

The civil-engineering subsector has been active in recent months, with infrastructure developments at airports, ports, stadiums and roads. Much of this is linked to the 2010 Fifa World Cup tournament but government has also been spending heavily on infrastructure.

National government, parastatals and Airports Company South Africa are spending billions on upgrades and new facilities. The provincial government of the Western Cape allocated R3.5‑billion to transport and public works in 2009/10, of which R1.67-billion will be spent on roads and bridges. Nationally, the civil-engineering sector has shown growth of between 13% and 15% since 2005, and forecasts are that it should continue to grow.

The Cape Town Stadium, venue for several 2010 Fifa World Cup games, presented particular challenges for the German structural engineering firm of Schlaich Bergermann und Partner. The 36 000-square-metre roof is supported by an outer compression ring and an inner tension ring. The high winds and heavy rainfall of the area necessitated heavy glass combined with a truss system.

A mechanical-engineering project that has earned a great deal of international attention is unfolding in Woodstock in Cape Town: an electric car is being developed by South African company Optimal Energy for unveiling in 2010. The Joule will seat five people, produce 80% less pollution and be able to get from 0 to 50km/h in 4.8 seconds. Two large-cell lithium-ion battery packs will power the car, and the batteries can be recycled. It is estimated that to charge the car for a 300km journey would take about seven hours. The Innovation Fund of the national Department of Science and Technology provided seed capital for the project.

The national conference of South African Women in Engineering (SAWomEng) is held in Cape Town every year, and delegates have the opportunity to volunteer to support a project designed to encourage women to consider careers in engineering. Girl-Engineers aims to attract pupils in grades 11 and 12. The programme is running in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

ONLINE RESOURCES
Engineering Council South Africa: www.ecsa.co.za
National Department of Science and Technology: www.dst.gov.za
Optimal Energy: www.optimalenergy.co.za
South African Institute for Industrial Engineering: www.saiie.co.za
South African Institute of Civil Engineering: www.civils.org.za












(C) 2005 Western Cape Business | TradeInvestSA

Western Cape Business is published by Global Africa Network (Pty) Ltd
Company registration: 2004/004982/07
Directors: C During; SS Mabotja; CJ Whales; R Pembroke

Copyright
The copyright and all other intellectual property rights in this publication are and remain vested in, or are licensed to, Global Africa Network (Pty) Ltd

Disclaimer
Global Africa Network (Pty) Ltd (GAN), its employees, directors and agents are not responsible for any losses or damages (including any consequential, indirect or special damages) which you might suffer arising out of or in connection with the use of, or inability to use, GAN's publications or websites. While GAN uses reasonable efforts to include accurate and up-to-date information in this publication, GAN makes no representations as to the accuracy, quality, timeliness, availability or completeness of the information, software, products or other materials available in this publication. Use of this publication is at your own risk. GAN will not accept responsibility for any loss or damage suffered as a result of the use of or any reliance placed on such information.