SA’s future engineers in action

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August 2026 News

As South Africa marked Youth Month in June and reflected on the importance of empowering the next generation; young future engineers are already showing remarkable promise and engineering firm, AvenirHoldings, is helping to create the opportunities they need to thrive. As a proud sponsor of the 2026 SAICE Aqualibrium Schools Competition, AvenirHoldings reinforced its commitment to cultivating young engineering talent and supporting the next generation of problem-solvers, innovators and infrastructure leaders.

Tinashe Mukalela, with industry leaders and the winners of the annual SAICE Aqualibrium School Competition.

Hosted by the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), the annual competition brought together 15 school teams from across South Africa and Eswatini to tackle a demanding real-world engineering challenge centred on water distribution systems, teamwork and technical thinking. Learners were tasked with designing a pipe network capable of distributing exactly 4,5 litres of water under strict engineering rules, an exercise that tested not only technical ability, but also communication, adaptability and critical thinking.

Representing AvenirHoldings at the competition was award-winning engineer, CESA Young Engineer of the Year and SAICE PMCD Young Constructor of the Year winner, Tinashe Mukalela, who served as an adjudicator. “A competition like Aqualibrium is about far more than solving a technical challenge. It gives young people a real opportunity to experience what engineering looks and feels like in practice,” says Tshidi Mndzebele, award-winning engineer and chief executive officer of AvenirHoldings. “At AvenirHoldings, we believe South Africa’s future depends on investing in young minds with engineering potential. Exposure, encouragement and access matter. Today’s learners are tomorrow’s engineers, innovators and infrastructure leaders.”

Mndzebele says initiatives like Aqualibrium play a critical role in building a stronger pipeline of engineering talent in South Africa at a time when the country needs skilled professionals to help address growing infrastructure and development challenges. The 2026 competition showcased the exceptional calibre of young talent across the region.

For AvenirHoldings, supporting initiatives that expose learners to engineering pathways is an investment in South Africa’s future workforce and future problem solvers. “As engineers, we have a responsibility to inspire, mentor and open doors for the next generation,” says Mndzebele. “When young people are given the chance to apply their minds, collaborate and think creatively, we begin shaping the engineering leaders our country will need tomorrow.”

For more information contact AvenirHoldings, +27 10 541 0593, [email protected], www.avenirgroup.co.za

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SA’s future engineers in action

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