Keynote Speaker: Oliver Naidu, Vopak President; Zululand Energy Terminal, Director. Click here to RSVP
News & Events
SAIChE News
Western Cape Branch
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING and SPEAKER
DIARISE THE DATE!
Date: Thursday, 15 October 2026
Time: 18h00
Venue: University of Cape Town, Cape Town
Guest speaker: Prof. Thokozani Majozi
Professor Thokozani Majozi is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation at the University of Cape Town. He is a distinguished chemical engineer and academic leader whose research has made significant contributions to sustainable process engineering, batch process integration and industrial water minimisation. Prior to joining UCT, he was Executive Dean of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of the Witwatersrand. He is a registered Professional Engineer, a former Vice-President of ECSA, and has received numerous honours, including the SAIChE Bill Neal-May Gold Medal and the Order of Mapungubwe (Bronze).
Topic to be confirmed.
The WC branch of SAIChE presented an inspiring career talk, hosted by Stellenbosch University - Department of Chemical Engineering, with Donald Mjonono, Pr Eng, Head of Engineering at Afrigen Biologics.
A webinar was held by the KZN branch on Friday, 29th May 2026 at 15h00.
The speaker was Udhir Debising who addressed us on the topic
Electrons + Molecules: The Future Grid Needs Flexibility
Why peakers matter for the electrical grid and how they evolve in a net zero carbon pathway.
Abstract:
As South Africa expands renewable energy, grid flexibility remains essential to reliability, affordability, and security of supply.
The Medium-Term System Adequacy Outlook published by Eskom shows that higher unplanned outages as well as the country’s net zero carbon ambition still translate into higher unserved energy risk, even as overall system performance improves.
This presentation examines peaking power as a critical flexibility resource, highlighting how Open Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) support peak demand, system resilience, and renewable integration.
It also explores pathways to lower-carbon molecules (renewable gases, hydrogen, and carbon-circular fuels), as a practical means of preserving fast-response capability while reducing lifecycle emissions.
Short Bio of the Speaker Udhir Debising
Udhir Debising is a seasoned energy professional with over a decade of experience spanning digital innovation and operational excellence in South Africa's power generation sector. He holds a BScEng in Chemical Engineering from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Udhir began his career at the intersection of engineering and technology, developing digital twin platforms for thermal power plants. He currently serves as Commercial & Performance Engineer at ENGIE Peakers Operations, where he is responsible for the commercial optimisation and technical performance of the Avon and Dedisa peaking power stations — a combined installed capacity of 1 GW. His expertise lies in driving plant efficiency, supporting grid stability, and navigating the complexities of South Africa's energy transition.
The recent presentation by André Valkenburg, held on May 7, 2026, at 6 pm at UCT’s Snape 3C and via the online stream, was a great success.
André did a fantastic job of directing his talk toward the students, keeping the entire audience engaged and interested in the future of sustainable engineering. Drawing from his PhD research conducted under Professor Pott, André provided a deep dive into novel processes for the sustainable production of biosurfactants. He focused on the fermentation-based production of sophorolipids, which are high-performance, biodegradable surfactants. A particularly compelling aspect of his talk was how this technology is designed to be integrated directly into existing vegetable oil refineries. By leveraging renewable feedstocks and existing infrastructure, his approach offers a path toward cost-effective and scalable production.
It was also inspiring for the students to hear about his transition from student to research to commercialization in collaboration with Stellenbosch University.
The talk was highly informative and perfectly suited for our student members.
On 21 May 2026 (6 to 7pm) SAIChE held its 2026 AGM online.
Thank you to the members who joined in. We value your support!
Click Here for the Agenda.
Click Here for the 2025 Annual Report v1 (Draft)
The Gauteng branch AGM was held online via Teams on Wednesday, 6 May 2026 at 5:30.
Nominations for the branch committee were requested as there were a number of openings!
Unfortunately very few were received.
Attendance also was unfortunately very low. This makes it very hard to arrange local events. Any suggestions to get more members involved will be appreciated.
Email
Click Here for the Nomination Form. Complete it and email to
Future-proofing careers: SAIChE hosts successful Student membership drive at MUT
The Student Centre foyer at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) was abuzz with professional ambition on 5 March 2026 as the South African Institution of Chemical Engineers (SAIChE) hosted a high-impact membership drive for the Department of Chemical Engineering.
The event, aimed at bridging the gap between classroom theory and industrial reality, and the importance of being the right person for the job, provided students with a roadmap for professional registration and career longevity. Dr Marc Tshibangu, Senior Lecturer at MUT and SAIChE-KZN Deputy Chairperson, emphasised that the drive was a crucial step in "fostering professional engagement and preparing future chemical engineers for successful careers."
Representing the Head of Department, Njabulo Zulu opened the proceedings by urging students to take an active role in their professional development. The message from the podium was clear: technical skills are the foundation, but professional networking is the catalyst for a successful career.
Key industry and academic figures shared insights on the evolving landscape of the field. Sbu Ntshantshali, SAIChE-KZN, provided a comprehensive overview of membership tiers tailored for students. Joandie Naidoo, SAIChE-KZN Public Relations, highlighted "workplace readiness," stressing that recruitment often favours those who demonstrate professional conduct and early commitment to the industry through bodies like SAIChE, while Dr Khalid Osman, MUT Senior Lecturer, demystified the path to professional registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), a critical milestone for any aspiring engineer.
For the students in attendance, the drive was not only about networking; it was about accessing a robust toolkit designed to support their journey from the lecture hall to the plant floor.
Some key membership benefits highlighted include receiving professional recognition, as SAICE is an ECSA-accredited Voluntary Association. Membership may count toward Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) registration.
Members also receive educational support; SAIChE maintains high academic standards by participating in university audits and educational forums. Additionally, members have access to regional branches and special interest groups, as well as opportunities to serve on committees to build leadership skills.
As a member, one also benefits from accessing a dedicated member portal for continuing professional development (CPD) courses, research presentation opportunities at the SAChE Congress, and discounted rates on journals and books. Also, through the World Chemical Engineering Council (WCEC), SAIChE links local students to the international engineering community.
The event saw a strong showing from the SAIChE-KZN leadership, including Secretary Dr Nkululeko Nkosi, Treasurer Dr Lasich Madison, and National Secretary Elly Obwaka. Their presence underscored the Institution's commitment to nurturing the next generation of South African Chemical engineers.
As the drive concluded, the sentiment among the students was one of empowerment. By joining SAIChE early, MUT's chemical engineering cohort is earning a certificate and is gaining a lifelong professional family.
