Extracts from the Twenty Second Annual General Meeting held on 28 February 2006 and the Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2006.

1. Presidents Review 2006: Vaughan Townsend

2. Presidents Address: Continued Professional Development - Chris Schnehage

3. Composition of ICMEESA Council

4. Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA)

5. SAASTA

6. Department of labour

7. Department of Minerals and Energy

8. Finance Report for 2006

9. ICMEESA Membership

10. Editorial

11. Bursary Awards

Presidents Review: Vaughan Townsend
In accordance with Clause 4.03 of the Constitution, the Council has pleasure in presenting the Ninety-sixth Annual Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 31 December 2006.
The year 2006 has come and gone with a tremendous amount of time, energy and work being done by all EXCO and Council members. This annual report has been compiled with the intention of giving a brief outline and update on the key events and issues of the past year and in no way reflects all that was accomplished.
It has once again been an honour and a pleasure for me to serve this esteemed Institution as President for the past year. Allow me therefore to report on some of the highlights and duties of the President.
As President, representing the Institution, I was invited to numerous annual general meetings, banquets and workshops hosted by other prestigious voluntary Institutions and Associations. When I was not available, Obed Letsholo and DuToit Grobler represented the Institution without hesitation for which I am very grateful.
Other official activities include the Presidents Forum hosted by ECSA, the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) sub committee, various South African National Standards (SANS) steering committees and the CM&EE forum hosted by the Chamber of mines.
The Presidents Forum is becoming a regular event on the calendar and issues such as Continued Professional Development (CPD) and Identification of Work (IOW) have been top of the agenda. This forum has also become a platform for new associations to market their services and rally for support such as the SA Academy of Engineering and the Engenius campaign.
The Institution was invited to participate in a forum hosted by the Mines Professional Associations (MPA’s) to discuss and formulate models and guidelines on topical issues such as CPD and the MQA qualification level for Certificated Engineers. As President, I volunteered to represent the Institution at this forum. A useful guideline for the allocation of CPD points and the accreditation of course material has subsequently been drafted and made available for all participation parties. In terms of the MQA qualification level, a model based on the current proposed system has been tabled and in principle accepted by all, however further developments are expected to take place in the first quarter of 2007.
A workshop and information sharing session was arranged by the Department of Education (DoE) to share with the Voluntary Associations (VA) the newly devised vocational qualification system which will be implemented as of January 2007. These qualifications will be aimed at level 1 to level 4 and will replace the current N1 to N3. The Engineering Standards Generating Body (ESGB) is also hard at work developing the level 5 and level 6 engineering qualification which will eventually replace the N6 qualification. No doubt there is still a lot of work to be done regarding the roll out of these new qualifications as well as the communication and education of the academics involved.
Numerous workshops were held by the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME), Department of Labour (DoL) and the Association of Mine Resident Engineers (AMRE), to discuss the poor pass rate of the GCC candidates. Training providers were also invited to attend these workshops and hopefully all parties now have a better understanding of the issues facing the GCC candidates.
Due to the numerous workshops, meetings and work commitments I was not able to visit many of the branches during the year. It is however disappointing to have to report that only three of our branches hosted scheduled activities in 2006. The Council will have to investigate the decline in activities and participation and find potential solutions to improve the situation. At the same time I am please to announce that the membership numbers are increasing with an average of 5 new members every month.
A list of the committees where the members of this institute are represented is contained in this document. I wish to extend a word of thanks to each and everyone serving on these and many other committees as it takes up a tremendous amount of one’s time, and often the only remuneration is criticism rather than praise.
Referring to the financial status of ICMEESA. The Institution has remained cash positive and is going from strength to strength. The audited and certified annual financial report which is included in this annual report clearly shows that the financial expenditure is well controlled and a concerted effort has again gone into the recovery of annual subscriptions. Robbie Holmwood, Honorary Treasurer and Fiona Revolta, secretary, have both contributed hugely to this success.
The “ICMEESA NEWS” bulletin has continued to go from strength to strength with regular publications being created by Robbie Holmwood. The WCB Engineering Bulletin published by the Western Cape branch is also being circulated as widely as possible with very interesting topics and discussions around exam questions.
The annual year end function was held at the Queen of the Nile Restaurant where a buffet lunch was enjoyed by all who attended.
In closing, allow me to extend my thanks and congratulations to a few specific people. Firstly, I would like to thank each and everyone that assisted and supported me as President during this past year.
Secondly, a special word of thanks to Fiona. Between raising two sons, you are doing and excellent job in keeping the institutions’ administrative issues up to date. Your contribution and effort does not pass unnoticed.
Congratulations to the newly elected Council and Exco as well as the President for 2007, Chris Schnehage and Vice Presidents who are making themselves available for this coming year, it will undoubtedly be just as hectic as 2006.
We should also not forget to thank the Branch Chairpersons and their committees, who are doing an excellent job out there by steering, counselling and guiding the Institution and its members to enrich themselves in the knowledge of life.
Finally, I would like to thank the members. What we do, we do for you. Please continue communicating with us so that we can provide the service you require.
It is extremely important for the sustainability of the Institution as well as the Certificated Engineering fraternity that we understand your needs.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you.

Incoming Presidents Address - Continued Professional Development - Chris Schnehage

Ladies and gentlemen
It is indeed an honour for me to address you this evening as the newly elected President of ICMEESA.

My theme for 2007 is Continued Professional Development (CPD). The issue of CPD for engineers is still a relatively new one and as such I believe that it is still having trouble getting off the ground. This is borne out by the fact that of the 173 registered persons who needed to have renewed their registration in January 2007, only 28% applied. The number for February was a bit higher at 34% of 271. This in spite of a reminder having being sent out by ECSA 5 months before due. ECSA is very concerned about this low rate and would like to see the trend moving upwards sharply. Additional reminders are being sent to those persons who have omitted to submit their applications.

The reason for the low response and submissions is many fold, but particularly in my opinion, due to two points. The first being that registered persons have not as yet fully understood the message about CPD and therefore not as yet bought into the process. In this regard there is a lot of work that needs to be done by ECSA and the various Voluntary Associations (VAs). We need to constantly punt the idea of CPD to our members via all the publications and correspondence sent to members. This should also be done at the various meetings held around the country during the course of the year.

Review of the CPD process is as follows:
The requirement for CPD is for the re-registration of registered persons every 5 years. In order to spread the registration out, a 5 year table has been worked out reflecting the initial period and the following period’s thereafter.
 

For instance, using myself as an example. My initial registration date is 21 August 1988. From the table, I need to apply for my first renewal of registration in 2008. This renewal would be due by 21 August, with 10 CPD points. First submission of CPD would be within 30 days after 21 August 2007 and renewal 3 months before actual renewal date i.e. 21 May 2008.
The process is as follows: all registered persons must record their CPD activities annually not later than 30 days after the end of a cycle. Can be done manually or electronically direct to ECSA, and records need to be kept for possible audit.
I have been asked by members what must be done for CPD and heard comments such as that “CPD has been designed primarily for academics”. This is not true. The requirement for CPD credits is wide and by watching out for activities, everyone should comfortably achieve their target of 5 points per annum.
To further the discussion on CPD requirements;
 

NOTE; CPD credits must be obtained in at least 2 of the categories, with at least 1 credit per annum from Category
 

SAASTA

During the year various meetings were held with regards to the future utilisation of the Observatory site.
SAASTA decided that the site will be upgraded and renovated in 2007 with major changes been done to the various non historic buildings.
 

Department of Minerals and Energy
The project that has been ongoing to review the regulations promulgated under the Minerals Act (and in force in terms of Schedule 4 of the Mine Health and Safety Act) and to replace them with new, more suitable regulations under the Mine Health and Safety Act is almost completed. With the exception of a few regulations requiring finalisation, the project is planned for completion at the end of March 2007.

During the year 15 Mechanical and 18 Electrical Certificates of Competency were issued to successful candidates. This represents a pass rate for Plant and Legal Knowledge of 25,7% and 22,4%, respectively.
Of the 171 candidates who enrolled for the Plant Examination, 140 wrote the examination, of which 36 candidates passed. The highest mark attained was 74%.
Of the 140 candidates who enrolled for the Legal Knowledge Examination, 131 wrote the examination, of which 24 candidates passed. The highest mark attained was 86%.

The Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate continues to strive towards improvement of conditions and practices at mines and thereby reduce the exposure of mine employees to unacceptable levels of risk to their health and safety.

Accidents at mines:
The recorded number of persons employed at mines in South Africa increased by 10 780, from 446 555 in 2005 to 457 335.
The number of persons who were fatally injured at mines decreased from 202 in 2005 to 188 in 2006 (provisional figures for 2006). This reflects a Fatality Rate of 0,19 persons fatally injured per million man hours worked in 2006, an improvement in the Fatality Rate of 0,02 persons fatally injured per million man hours worked (down from 0,21 in 2005).
The number of persons who were reportably injured at mines increased from 3966 in 2005 to 4170 in 2006 (provisional figures for 2006). This reflects an Injury Rate of 4,09 persons seriously injured (reportable) per million man hours worked – a regression in the Injury Rate of 0,05 persons seriously injured (reportable) per million man hours worked (up from 4,04in 2005).

The challenges for the DME remain continued improvement in health and safety at mines, participation on statutory tri-partite bodies, the fight against occupational diseases and HIV/Aids (the DME is committed to the eradication of silicosis and noise induced hearing loss in the mining sector by 2013, in line with international milestones) and the continued development of the small mining sector.
The DME is committed to the continuous improvement of the quality of life for mine employees and to protect persons who may be affected by mining operations. This is only possible with the ongoing co-operation and participation of all persons associated with the mining industry.
The Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate Branch of the DME has undergone a restructuring process in the head office in Pretoria. This should roll out to the regions in due course.
 

Finances

The financial situation of ICMEESA remains sound with the financial year of 2006 ending on a positive note.
Thank you to our members for their prompt payment of subscriptions which, combined with good control of expenditure by the secretary, has resulted a slight surplus for the year.
Subscription income is our main source of income with the only other income being interest from investments, and income from the WP Jones Bursary Trust Fund. The financial statements will be submitted to the auditors for presentation at the Annual General Meeting which will be on 06 March 2007.
Bursary expenditure was R35 700. Bursary income from the WP Jones trust fund was R34 400. Although bursary expenditure is slightly in excess of bursary income, accumulated bursary funds from previous years is utilised to finance the deficit.
The operational expenditure includes a total of R28 000 which is paid to branches as a percentage of annual subscriptions received from members of that specific branch. This is to assist the branches with the expenditure incurred in running branch activities.
Due to the ongoing positive response from members for prompt subscription payment, subscription increases for 2007 have been restricted to 4%.
RA Holmwood

Honorary Treasurer

Bursary Awards
Both the bursars that were being sponsored by the Institution during 2006 have delivered acceptable results and subsequently the council agreed to continue supporting them in 2007. Bursaries covered the costs of tuition and books. Total cost for 2006 amounted to R35 726.

The bursary holders are:
a) Jasoda Naidoo from Chatswarth in Durban. Jasoda is registered as a forth year student at the Universtity of KZN studying electrical engineering.
b) Ernest De La Hunt from Rustenburg in the North West. Ernest is registered as a third year student at Potchefstroom University studying mechanical engineering.

Both bursars are children of members of ICMEESA.

Council regretfully has to report that no prize was awarded for a technical paper presented by a member of the Institution this year due to a lack of nominations. This initiative was revitalised in 2004 and a concerted effort will be put in to find nominations for 2006.