2026 SAIIE Awards

Their project focused on the digital transformation and optimisation of the Engineering Council of South Africa's (ECSA’s) registration and Continuing Professional Development processes. Applying Industrial Engineering and Lean principles, the project reviewed existing workflows to improve process efficiency, simplify administrative activities, and enhance the experience of engineering professionals interacting with the organisation. 

The work included process redesign, workflow standardisation, the implementation of digital systems, and change management activities to support the transition to improved ways of working. The project demonstrates how Industrial Engineering can be applied within a regulatory environment to modernise business processes, strengthen service delivery, and support more effective organisational operations. 

The IE Case Study in the Mining Industry explored how Industrial Engineering principles can be applied within a challenging mining environment to support operational improvement. The project focused on addressing production-related challenges through practical, targeted interventions that could be implemented within existing operations. Working closely with operational teams, the project applied structured problem-solving and performance analysis to identify opportunities for improvement while ensuring that solutions were practical and sustainable.

Rather than introducing large-scale organisational change, the emphasis was on demonstrating the value of Industrial Engineering through focused improvements and collaboration with those directly involved in the operation. The project provides a practical example of how Industrial Engineering can be applied within the mining sector to support continuous improvement and informed operational decision-making.

Title of Paper: Developing an Enterprise Risk Management Roadmap for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa

Author: Thina-Grace Mangcu

Co-authors: Ferdinand Hassan & Schalk Grobbelaar

Affiliation: Department of Engineering and Technology Management, University of Pretoria

https://sajie.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/3236

Title of Paper: Factors Influencing the Implementation of Project Risk Management in the South African Construction Industry

Author: Kgotatso Bridgette Masea

Co-authors: Ferdinand Hassan & Schalk Grobbelaar

Affiliation: Department of Engineering and Technology Management, University of Pretoria

https://sajie.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/3229

At the 2026 SAIIE Awards & Gala Dinner, SAIIE proudly acknowledged the recipients of the Best Final Year IE Student Award from universities across South Africa, recognising students who completed their final year in 2025.

Award recipients who attended the evening:
 * Emma McNab – Stellenbosch University
 * Gideon Louw - Nelson Mandela University
 * Nikyle Moodley – University of the Witwatersrand

Award recipients who were unable to attend:
 * Carla Troskie - North-West University
 * Nicolaas Liebenberg – University of Pretoria

 * Alulutho Mlandu – University of Johannesburg

Cobus’ career spans consulting, manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, strategy, digital transformation, entrepreneurship and investment. From his early career in process and business improvement, to establishing Volition as a leading South African supply chain and logistics advisory business, and later serving for 15 years within Imperial’s African Logistics business, his career reflects the breadth and impact that Industrial Engineering can have. He has also contributed extensively to industry through leadership roles in several professional and industry organisations.

Today, Cobus continues to contribute his experience as an investor, non-executive director and member of Health4Development, supporting businesses and initiatives across Africa.

The Kris Adendorff Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industrial Engineering Profession is a fitting recognition of a career characterised by leadership, innovation and a lasting contribution to the profession.