The first event for 2026, hosted by the Western Cape Branch of The Concrete Society of Southern Africa, took place on 26 February 2026 at the New Engineering Building at UCT. The Durability Workshop was presented by Prof Mark Alexander, Philip Ronné and Nicholas Jarratt, who delivered an insightful and technically rich programme focused on durability principles and their practical application.
The workshop attracted a diverse group of attendees, including engineers, ready-mix concrete suppliers, concrete solution specialists and representatives from academia. The session was exceptionally well received, with strong participation and lively discussion throughout the day. Engagement continued well after the formal presentations, reflecting both the relevance of the topic and the value of creating a platform for open technical dialogue within the industry.
Building on this positive momentum, the branch is actively working on future technical talks and initiatives that more closely align with current industry priorities and challenges. To ensure that upcoming events are both relevant and impactful, a targeted and interactive survey is being developed. This survey will invite industry professionals to share their input on priority topics, preferred event formats and areas where further technical engagement is needed.
The Western Cape Branch is enthusiastic about expanding its offering in 2026, with plans to introduce site visits, focused networking events and student engagement initiatives. These activities aim to strengthen industry collaboration, encourage knowledge exchange and foster meaningful connections between experienced professionals and the next generation of engineers.
The successful launch event has set a strong foundation for an exciting and engaging year ahead for the branch.
