August 26, 2026, Sandton, South Africa – Knight Piésold Southern Africa is honoured to have been presented with three commendations at the 2026 CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards, recognised in the Mega Projects, Best International Project, and Business Excellence of the Year categories. Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA), in partnership with Aon South Africa, hosted the awards ceremony on August 20 at Vodacom World in Midrand, celebrating projects and individuals setting the standard for technical excellence, innovation, and integrity in South Africa's built environment.

The evening brought together CESA member firms, clients, contractors, government representatives, and media to recognise consulting engineering firms for delivering infrastructure projects that advance technology, the economy, and community well-being, both locally and internationally.

“Behind every recognised project and every honoured individual is a simple truth: when engineering is done well, it improves lives,” said Chris Campbell, CESA CEO. “It delivers water where there is scarcity, connects communities through reliable roads, strengthens energy systems, and creates the conditions for dignity, opportunity and growth.”

Commendation, Mega Projects: Kareerand Tailings Dam Extension Project

Knight Piésold received a commendation in the Mega Projects category for projects with a value equal to or greater than R1 billion, for the Kareerand Tailings Dam Extension Project. The award was received by Andrew Copeland, Mining Technical Director (Southern Africa); Andries Strauss, Director and Mine Residue Section Manager (South Africa); and representatives of the client.

The project, owned by Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (Harmony Gold), forms part of the broader expansion of Harmony Gold’s Mine Waste Solutions (MWS) operation, one of the largest gold and uranium tailings retreatment operations in the world. The expansion increases the capacity of the Kareerand tailings storage facility (TSF), enabling continued remining of old tailings and extending the MWS operation’s life of mine by 15 years, to 2040.

Knight Piésold has worked on the Kareerand TSF since 2009, representing a 17-year engagement spanning feasibility and design through construction supervision, dam safety governance, regulatory compliance, and continuous operational monitoring.

The project involves the reprocessing and consolidation of historic mine tailings dams, with a focus on minimizing groundwater system pollution through a Class C barrier system. Biodiversity is a key consideration with existing facilities and new supporting infrastructure used to regulate water volume, facilitate cleaning, contain deposition, and increase pump capacity, among other measures to protect and restore surrounding ecosystems.

Environmental compliance and global best practice are embedded throughout the project, from design to decommissioning, supporting the rehabilitation of mine-impacted land alongside continued job creation and community development.

Commendation, Best International Project: Cricket Namibia High-Performance Stadium Project

Knight Piésold received a commendation in the Best International Project category for the Cricket Namibia High-Performance Stadium Project. The award was received by Cilliers Mostert, Managing Director (Namibia), and Estee Cuff, Principal Civil Engineer (Namibia).

Knight Piésold played a pivotal role in bringing the vision of Cricket Namibia to life, delivering a state-of-the-art facility that provides a world-class experience for players and fans alike while serving as a business and community hub. The stadium includes cricket facilities compliant with International Cricket Council standards, requiring specialised reinforced concrete structural works, advanced civil layout, and long-term infrastructure support, alongside high-performance training infrastructure, stadium facilities, and administration and hospitality spaces.

The stadium represents a major investment in Namibia’s sporting infrastructure, positioning the country to host international cricket events while supporting athlete development and tourism growth. The project showcases Knight Piésold’s ability to diversify beyond established industries into sporting infrastructure that contributes to national development.

Commendation, Business Excellence of the Year: Knight Piésold

Knight Piésold received a commendation in the Business Excellence of the Year category, which recognises CESA member firms that have achieved a distinguished level of business excellence in all aspects of enterprise. The award was received by Copeland; Strauss; Edoardo Zannoni, Mine Services Technical Director (Southern Africa); Graham Jennings, Structures Section Manager (South Africa); and Mevashnee Naidoo, HR Director (South Africa).

This award exemplifies Knight Piésold's sustained operational excellence, sound governance, and strategic growth across its Southern African operations. With 105 years of engineering heritage, the company has continued to strengthen its operations through expansion and diversification, opening offices across the region and moving beyond its established industries into sporting infrastructure.

The recognition also speaks to the strength of Knight Piésold's people-centred culture, robust talent development, and its ability to build enduring, trust-based relationships with clients such as Harmony Gold and Cricket Namibia.

Celebrating Engineering Excellence

These three commendations recognise both the projects and people behind them. From the tailings dam expansion in South Africa to the high-performance stadium in Namibia, the awards showcase the remarkable breadth and depth of Knight Piésold's capabilities, delivering complex, high-value projects across multiple industries and countries.

“The awards are a wonderful reflection of the expertise, dedication, and collaborative spirit that define Knight Piésold,” said Vishal Haripersad, Managing Director (Southern Africa). “They recognise not only the projects themselves, but the many people behind them who continue to deliver African excellence. Congratulations to everyone who contributed to these achievements!”

As Knight Piésold continues to grow and diversify across the mining, power, water resources, and infrastructure industries, these accolades reaffirm its position among the region's leading engineering consultancies.