ABOUT US: OUR PEOPLE
Wayne Ketteringham took over the management of our Eastern Cape region in January 2010, heading up a staff complement of 60 in three branches. His appointment follows Craig Northwood’s move to Gauteng as managing director elect of UWP. Wayne joined UWP in March 1997 as an engineer with specialist experience in water and sanitation. The Eastern Cape region and the Water and Sanitation Division were in their infancy at the time and Wayne has played a pivotal role in developing both. He was promoted to associate in 2000 and statutory director in 2005. |
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Reuben Mboyise as office manager at UWP’s Empangeni branch. Reuben, previously the second in command, took up his new post earlier this year. In addition to his management role, Reuben has become one of the key members of the KwaZulu-Natal business development team. His good understanding of the business, together with his pleasant and outgoing disposition, made him the obvious choice for inclusion in this team. |
Etienne Kirsten, previously a director and contracts manager at IQNC Imagine Construction, has joined UWP to assist Peter Morrow in the management of UWP International’s African businesses outside South Africa. Etienne will assist our external subsidiaries with operational management issues, giving Peter the time to concentrate on cross border business development. |
Mentoring for candidate engineers UWP has intensified its internal skills development plan in the past year. Our mentoring programme to help the 15 candidate engineers currently in the company achieve professional registration is just one leg of this effort. June 2010 was dubbed the Month of the Mentee, with regular e-mails, internal publicity campaigns and a dedicated blog site reminding both mentees and mentors of their responsibilities. "One of the biggest challenges is for mentees to take responsibility for their training," says HR manager Nicole Levin. "Often the pressures of work get in the way. The Month of the Mentee encouraged the individuals involved to reassess their goals and revisit their development plans for the coming months."
The director of UWP’s Development and Planning Division, Friedrich Slabbert, offers guidance to Peter Mukuna (seated) and Dudley Mbambo. |
In an effort to acknowledge excellence in engineering and promote sustainable engineering solutions, UWP has partnered with South Africa’s top engineering universities to reward students for achievement during their studies. The Universities of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Kwa- Zulu-Natal, Johannesburg, Witwatersrand and Pretoria have all agreed to work with UWP by identifying students worthy of receiving awards annually. Earlier this year, UWP presented an award to Giancarlo Wingrave of the University of Johannesburg, who was selected as the third year civil engineering student showing the most commitment to sustainable engineering principles. Sarisha Harrychund of the University of KwaZulu-Natal also received an award for the final year student who showed the most commitment to integrating sustainable engineering solutions into her project work. Well done to these students! |
Dr Anna-Carin Brink, our roads specialist based in Pietermaritzburg, has been re-elected for a second fouryear term on the board of the International Society of Concrete Pavements (ISCP). Anna-Carin and fellow board member Bryan Perrie, managing director of the Cement and Concrete Institute in South Africa, have also been elected as co-editors on the ISCP’s editorial committee. This involves managing the review process for all ISCP publications prior to issue, as well as production and distribution of its quarterly newsletter. They will also be tasked with calling for abstracts and papers and having these reviewed for the 10th ISCP Conference to be held in Québec City, Canada, from 8 to 12 July, 2012. Anna-Carin has been a member of the ISCP since 2001, when she delivered her first paper at the Society’s conference in Orlando, Florida. In January 2006 she became the first South African to be elected to the ISCP board. In August 2007 Anna-Carin and Bryan Perrie organised the ISCP’s first ever board meeting in South Africa, combining it with a two day conference. Their successful model has since been repeated in China, Peru, Australia and Chile. |
Job shadow month UWP offered 27 learners from five schools around South Africa the opportunity to experience civil and structural engineering first hand on 21 and 22 July this year. This formed part of Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA)'s Job Shadow Month in July. Senior management, together with young professionals within the ranks of UWP, enthusiastically participated in hosting the learners. The schools involved were Oude Molen Technical High School, Thandokhulu High School, Stirling High School, Diepsloot Combined School and Wendywood High. The learners were briefed on the role of the engineer in society, engineering career paths and salaries, the difference between engineers, technologists and technicians, entry requirements for study, the cost of various institutions, bursary opportunities, postgraduate studies and professional registration. Site visits followed, providing insight into project cycles and practical applications of engineering conceptualisation and design. Transport, refreshments, meals and safety equipment were provided by UWP and the attendees received certificates acknowledging their participation. Let's hope we have 27 new engineers in South Africa in the not too distant future! |
Kia ora! Not a new car but rather "hello" in New Zealand. Grant Usher, senior technician at UWP's head office in Johannesburg, heads to New Zealand in October for the Single Speed Mountain Bike World Championship in Rotorua. The difference from the Olympic format of the sport is that these mountain bikes have only one gear. His bike has no shocks either! "The absence of gears makes it easier on the flats and harder on the uphills compared to a ‘normal' bike where you can change gears and adjust your exertion levels accordingly," says Grant. Grant finished second at the SA cross-country champs in July in Pretoria and is 19th on the points log in the National Ultra Marathon Series despite missing the first round and racing against professionals. He is the first single speed rider ever to race against geared bikes and finish on the podium in a national cross-country championships and to complete an ultra marathon in South Africa. These events generally cover more than 120km of challenging off-road terrain. Grant aims to finish in the top 20 at the World Champs. We wish him well in his quest! |
On top of the world Shaun Peard (right), an associate in UWP's East London office, and his son Shuldham, have taken UWP to the top of Kilimanjaro. The pair made it to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro's Uhuru Peak, the highest peak in Africa and the highest free standing mountain in the world, on 24 September. They reached the summit at 05h50 after setting off at midnight. The temperature, including wind-chill, was estimated to be -13C. Congratulations, Shaun and Shuldham, on a terrific achievement.
|
Meet our new Eastern Cape manager 
Reuben Mboyise heads up Empangeni
Preparing for growth in cross border initiatives
UWP rewards engineering students for excellence
Dr Anna-Carin Brink re-elected to ISCP
Single speed - double pace