Civil Engineering Project Manager - Marcus Dlamini shares his hardhatOPINION on what he makes of the South African government decision to bring over Cuban Engineers to help with infrastructure problems.
Did the government make the right decision by bringing over Cuban Engineers?
This is a challenging question to answer as the terms and reference or the MOU between Cuba and South Africa have not transparently outlined to the South Africans. Based on media platform headlines, we are told that they are here to transfer skill in the water sector, especially in the public sector or Water and Sanitation.
If this is true, it will be a biased decision from the government as it will not be the first time having the Cuban engineers coming to South Africa for similar work. This happened roughly about 2015, 2011, 2010, and before. What was experienced is that there was a communication or language barrier between South African engineers and Cuban Engineers. It is a well-known fact that Cubans speak Spanish, and we (SA) speak English.
Secondly, it won't be easy to make sense of the expertise they are bringing. This is because their water infrastructure has deteriorated in such a way that it has increased in water-borne diseases (Canadian International Development Research Centre). (Water wheel 2015) Manglin Pillay, CEO of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering(SAICE) he echoed that Cuban should return home. While ECSA has confirmed that the engineering body does not recognise Cuban engineering skills and qualifications, Cuba is not a signatory of the Washington, Sydney or Dublin Accords.
With a variety of articles that I have read concerning this proposal, it is clear that the government has always had a relationship with Cuba, which is not known by the public. In 2013 (Infrastructure news) raised the same question to the late DWA minister Edna Molewa who confirmed the MOU between Cuban engineers and DWS. They came to SA and provided service. Do we have the information on how they perform and the reports on how they contributed? Did they solve the problem?
South Africa/Cuba relations
From 1954 to 1994, South Africa received an amount of help and assistance from the Cuban government, especial during the apartheid. This was successfully achieved as the Aparteid system was defeated.
In 1990 Cuba bought a series of diesel engines from the South African government worth billions of rands.
In 1994 - Nelson Mandela signed a bilateral agreement with the Cuban government.
In 1997 - About 1200 medical student were sent to Cuba to study medicine
President Thabo Mbeki paid a state visit to Cuba from 26 to 29 March 2001, signed an agreement in areas of Science and Technology, Arts and Culture, Sport and Recreation,
In 2008 - South African funded the Cuban government to help and boost Cuba's agricultural sector, which has been struggling since a hurricane hit the Island in 2008.
In 2010 - SA cancelled a debt that was a burden to Cuba from the early '90s to allow the betterment of good relations.
In 2010 - South Africa extended credit guarantees to Cuba worth R70 - Million to insure South African suppliers' export to Cuba.
In 2010 - Cuba and Sa signed a business deal - South Africa infrastructure development programme of R694 Billion programme.
In 2011- Cuba confirmed more than 1000 youth has benefited from medical.
In 2013 - 64 Engineers were deployed by Water and Sanitation to help develop the Water Infrastructure programme. Can we have a report from the government on whether a value was achieved or not?
In 2016 - 24 teachers were deployed to SA in the department of education.
In 2020 - Cuban doctors were deployed to SA; it was more helpful in curbing the covid 19 as they had a low infection and fatality rate. Can the department provide a detailed report of their contributions – It is in line with the value proposition.
In 2021 - Providing 24 Engineers to Water and Sanitation to help with infrastructure development.
Other Projects were done in SA where other countries were involved.
Gautrain project - Leading Engineers were French Engineers
Kusile and Medupi Power Station - Leading Engineers, were Black Veach (Americans)
Based on facts as mentioned above or researched points, it is challenging to make that determination.
Are the reasons given for this decision valid?
It isn't easy to know whether they are valid or not; we do not have all the facts.
They might not be valid, as we do not know the reasons and the terms and references of South Africa and Cuba.
The communication between the executive(government) and the professional bodies is not efficient or in existence.
If the government can improve on the partnership between Him and various professions or built environments.
ALSO READ OPINION: South Africa brings in Cuban Engineers to help with infrastructure (3)
How will this impact our local pool of Built Environment Professionals?
They might feel betrayed by our government; we still need to see whether they are positives or negatives.
It might demotivate young professionals that the government is always in preference of import skill.
Also, we have inefficiencies as we do not have engineers or a lack of engineering skills shortage to build an SA economy.
This might create friction between Government and Professionals, individuals, built-in environment and South African built environment companies.
Maybe it might motivate SA professionals to be more public servants who are not money-driven but well determined to die for their country.
How can Built Environment Professionals show their approval or disapproval of this decision?
They must have more professional engagement between the government and the Water industry - this includes ECSA, SAICE and other built environment disciplines.
This might increase a good relationship between the government and the built environment professionals.
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