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In 1893 the "Association of Engineers and Architects"
petitioned for the statutory recognition of engineers and
architects. The "Volksraad" rejected this.
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In 1903 an ordinance was passed requiring the
appointment of engineers to take charge of machinery. The term
"Engineer" was not defined, nor were the qualifications prescribed.
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It was in 1906 that the Ordinance was amended giving
birth to the "Engineers Certificate of Competency".
The responsibilities of the engineer were defined by the
promulgation of the Mines and Works Act in 1911, which recognized
only holders of certificates of competency.
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The first Certificate issues by examination, after
the enactment of the SA Mines and Works act of 1911, certificate
No1, has pride of place on the wall of the secretaries office of the
ICMEESA in Johannesburg. This was issued to mechanical engineer, Mr.
Wesley Ernest John and is dated 2nd February 1912. It was designated
as Mining Machinery. The late WE John was a life member of this
Institution and President in 1939.
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In 1912, with the increasing use of mechanical and
electrical machinery on the Witwatersrand, it was decided to
establish the "Association of Certificated Mechanical and Electrical
Engineers.
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The aim of this Association was to establish a body,
to care for and control the interests of engineers responsible for
the installation and maintenance of mechanical and electrical
equipment.
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In the years following the formation of the
Association, the dynamic growth of municipal, mining and industrial
undertakings accentuated the use of and need for such an Engineering
Body.
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The growth of the association rapidly exceeded the
expectations of the founders. The Association rapidly grew to exceed
a membership of 450.
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After careful deliberation it was decided to
introduce various membership grades and to alter the name of the
Association.
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In 1936 the name was changed to " Institute of
Certificated Engineers, South Africa"
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The required qualification for membership was raised
in 1948 and again in 1957. It was in 1957 that another name change
was made. This was to the now familiar "The Institution of
Certificated Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, South Africa."
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In 1996 the constitution was amended to allow for
additional grades of membership of Senior Member and Associate
Member.
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ECSA accepted the use of the title of Professional
Certificated Engineer, which is now formally promulgated in law
through the Engineering Profession Act of 2000( Act No 46, 2000).
