PROFILE: This is my story - Sibongiseni Mbadamana

Sibongiseni Mbadamana an Operations and Maintenance Specialist for Bulk Water Supply Infrastructure shares THIS IS MY STORY about Injaka Water Treatment Plant Upgrade project, his breakthrough project that helped him confirm that he made the right career choice

Please give us a brief summary on your career

I am a Professional Engineering Technologist (Civil) registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), with more than 12 years of working experience in the water and other sectors. My specialty areas are in Project Management, Bulk Water Supply Infrastructure, Rural and Urban Water Supply as well as Operation and Maintenance.

Give us details of a project that made an impact in your career.

I come from a family that has a long history of working in the water industry. My father and his brothers were working for the Department of Water Affairs, since the olden days. I used to accompany my father to work when he would take dam readings, rainfall gauges and read evaporation pan etc. All that had a lot of impact in influencing my future direction.

All the above happened way before I could even go to University. It therefore assisted me a lot, as I knew post matric that I wanted to do something in line with Engineering. Knowing that my father was not that highly educated (he was a Water Control Officer). My mission and dream were to be that high person that runs and control everything in the water space.

I was fortunate to do my experimental training in the water sector, at the Department of Water Affairs – Construction North in Mpumalanga. It was through a school friend’s referrals that I was placed at the Injaka Water Treatment Plant Upgrade project. The placement brought a great learning opportunity, which I grabbed with both hands.

My upbringing, flexibility and adaptability has made me to be able to work anywhere in the country, with anyone irrespective of their background, religion, colour, nation or the language they speak. The common goal is the vision we want to achieve as a collective.

What was your position and duties on this project?

My position at the time was an Assistant Surveyor, where I was involved from the beginning to completion of all the structures that were being built in the project. I was involved in everything that was happening on site. That involved assisting with all the surveying related work form the setting out to placing of levels on key major structures etc.

Why does this project stand out to you?

It was my breakthrough project that came through my experiential training in the industry. It involved most aspects of the Civil Engineering from structures, roads, pipelines, minor dams, concrete laboratory etc. It greatly assisted and further confirmed for me that this is really what I wanted to do. It also gave me the motivation I needed to complete my studies without failing any module. Before the project, I had self-doubt and challenges in my academic performance. Especially during the first year of my studies.

What were the important lessons you learnt from this project?

Being involved in almost all the activities that were taking place on site, that has taught me on how to work with people from different backgrounds, levels and ages within the industry. I also had to engage with resident engineers, mechanical teams, operational personnel from the plant and safety personnel etc.

What were career mistakes or regrets you experienced on this project?

There are no career mistakes or regrets. However, I feel that, I couldn’t have gone back to school to complete my first qualification. I had to make a choice of fulfilling my aspiration as a new entrant in the professional environment, balancing it with the obligation of being a new parent at that time. A need to create a balance was always there. I eventually took a decision to go back to school and complete my studies.

How did you overcome your challenges?

I overcame my challenges by surrounding myself with the right people in the industry, because even when I brought up this idea of continuing working while I still had to complete my studies. I received an advice to continue working for my career advancement.

I am pleased that; I heeded that advice. My take is that, it is important to consult people that have your best interest at heart. If I did not make the right decision then I doubt I would be where I am now career wise.

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This industry is said to be one of the toughest industries, how did you manage to stay in for so long?

Indeed, it is very tough but what assists me the most is to remain humble, focus and always want or be willing to learn from everyone in the industry irrespective of their positions or titles.

In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing the industry currently and how can they be overcome?

The challenge for me is the lack of good and passionate tradesmen, as the quality of work has really deteriorated and more practical training for tradesmen is really key to assist to turn around the situation.

The other big challenge is the lack of maintenance for the existing infrastructure as everything is now collapsing in the hands of all the people entrusted to run and operate the infrastructure.

Possible solution to that is for the government to force the budgeting for maintenance and make fair allocation for maintenance purposes. At this stage most institutions always focus on capital expenditure which does not help the situation much in many cases.

Nonpayment for services especially from those that can afford, lack of systems within the municipal space and the implementation of the bylaws are also the contributing factors. To resolve this, you need to have the correct leadership within the government critical positions.

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