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A recent study has revealed a concerning vulnerability confronting coastal cities worldwide. Steadily rising sea levels are altering groundwater, rendering it shallower, more saline, and corrosive. This gradual deterioration represents a substantial threat to the extensive networks of underground urban infrastructure that underpin modern city life. A recent study revealed a grave threat faced by coastal cities worldwide due to rising sea levels. This phenomenon is causing coastal groundwater to become shallower, saltier, and more corrosive, damaging buried city infrastructure designed for stable groundwater conditions. This leads to foundation weakening, pipe leaks, and electrical problems, resulting in costly repairs, health risks, and city disruptions. Over 1,500 major cities are already experiencing the negative impacts, with over a billion people at risk. The study urges proactive measures such as early warning systems, developing corrosion-resistant materials, and reimagining city
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PROFILE: My journey to Professional Registration - Solly Mahlaule

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Professional Civil Engineer (PrEng) Solly Mahlaule shares his journey towards Professional Registration.

I thought working for a parastatal  would make it difficult for me to register as a Professional Engineer. Once I started digging deep into the ECSA outcomes and talking to my line manager who is registered with ECSA my views started to change. I spent many hours studying ECSA registration documents, it became clear to me that I was capable of achieving Professional Engineer status even though I worked in a parastatal.

It's only been a short while  since I achieved my Professional Engineer status, however, I can definitely say the impact is going to be positive since ECSA registration is a mandatory requirement for most high level jobs. The registration also creates a good impression of me because it shows my commitment and willingness to serve society the right way and to abide by the code of ethics.

My mindset was my biggest obstacle towards this journey but after overcoming it , I worked on understanding the process and started to align my thinking and actions to the registration process as set out by ECSA. Specifically, I studied ECSA outcomes and the discipline specific the R-05-CIV-PE and applied the outcomes to my projects.

I recommend all hardhatPROFESSIONALS to embark on this journey because I achieved more than just my Professional Engineer status. I gained more understanding regarding my role as an engineer in society, the way of thinking and behavior as I solve engineering problems. I also got exposed to legislation which I might have overlooked if I did not embark on the journey.

I would also advise any hardhatENGINEER embarking on the journey to devote more time reading and fully understanding all ECSA registration documents. One should then review both past and future projects in line with ECSA outcomes to ensure all necessary elements are captured in the projects. Compilation of reports should not be delayed, it is challenging to get signatures from previous line managers years later. Seeking assistance from those who have been through the process is absolutely important and attending relevant training roadshows to registration is crucial.

Solly Mahlaule is currently a Senior Track Engineer with 12 years of experience in rail track maintenance. For the past 7 years he has worked at Transnet Freight Rail (Rail Network Technical Office), preparing, and implementing medium to long-term plans for the life cycle maintenance of track infrastructure to ensure a fully operational and safe rail network. He currently supports 22 track maintenance depots throughout South Africa by providing technical advice and technical assurance, carrying out track design reviews and approvals, conducting track condition assessments, reviewing, and revising maintenance standards, investigating incidents, conducting track training workshops, and mentoring engineers. 

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