The Sustainability Handbook: Volume 5

Abstract

The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) recently published its latest infrastructure report card. Unsurprisingly, the findings reflected that in many instances our infrastructure assets are in poor and worsening shape. At the launch of the report card, SAICE leadership were at pains to point out that despite this, there are pockets of excellence. We need to identify good examples and the best practices and leadership approaches that ensure success. This edition of the Sustainability Handbook features a number of thought pieces from leaders in various sectors. It also features disruptive and experimental work. No doubt, simply continuing as we do, and expecting a different outcome is flawed. In this edition, Campbell provides thought leadership asking the question: "Should the National Treasury be the custodians of Public Procurement?" Self-proclaimed outlier and disruptor Lipshitz discusses the troubling, but fake, social media claiming that, as Eskom is not buying diesel for its peaking power stations, South Africa will be beset with a nationwide lasting blackout on 9th December 2022. Given South Africa's ongoing experiences with loadshedding, amplified by messages that many parts of the world face energy insecurity, such a message seemed both plausible and alarming. Implications ranging from knock on effects of water, food security and so on are unpacked, reminding us of the fragility and interconnected nature of our systems.