It is remarkable to reflect on how quickly the past 13 months have passed since the launch of the Concrete Society of Southern Africa NPC on 26 August
It is remarkable to reflect on how quickly the past 13 months have passed since the launch of the Concrete Society of Southern Africa NPC on 26 August 2024.
From the outset, our goal has been clear: to create a broad-based platform that promotes, supports and strengthens the cement and concrete industry across Southern Africa. Today, we are proud to share that Society remains steadfast in this mission — with both our membership and our initiatives growing steadily.
A Year of Milestones
• Our first Annual General Meeting took place on 26 August 2025, where Prof. Billy Boshoff (University of Pretoria) was elected as Chairperson of the Board and Mark Hovy (Concrete Testing Services) as Chairperson-Elect.
• We welcomed Willie Steenkamp (Infinite Consulting Engineers) as Technical Director (co-opted).
• The 2025 Fulton Awards — widely regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the building industry — celebrated 45 years of innovation and excellence in concrete. The event, attended by 278 industry stakeholders, recognised 16 outstanding projects. (Winners and commendations can be viewed via our website: 2025 Fulton Awards.)
• Our website continues to expand with new content and resources: www.concretesocietysa.org.za .
• Our LinkedIn community has grown to 803 followers. If you haven’t joined yet, we invite you to connect with us: LinkedIn – The Concrete Society of Southern Africa NPC.
Building Knowledge Through Committees and Collaboration
Our committees form the backbone of the Society’s technical and strategic initiatives:
• The Ready-Mixed Concrete (RMC) Committee, chaired by Prof. Billy Boshoff.
• The Cement Committee, chaired by Mark Hovy.
• The fib Committee, led by Sarah Skorpen, connects us to the latest international technical developments through the International Federation for Structural Concrete (fib).
Looking ahead, we are excited to launch new committees focusing on Endorsement, Sustainability, and Durability — each contributing to a more resilient, forward-thinking industry.
Knowledge Sharing and Professional Development
Our commitment to industry education remains a top priority. Over the past year, we have launched a free webinar series that has been widely attended and well-received:
• CONCRETEFiX – exploring cutting-edge research, applications and new technologies in concrete.
• CONCRETEClass: Back to Basics – designed to refresh foundational knowledge for professionals at all levels.
Participation in these webinars can earn members up to 2 CPD points annually. (Note: webinars are open to all, but CPD accreditation applies to members only.)
We have also published an Annual Society Events Diary and an Industry Diary, available on our website, ensuring members stay informed about upcoming activities across the sector.
Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
Our plans for 2026 are ambitious and exciting. We will be hosting seminar roadshows and a national conference, both designed to enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange across the country.
In addition, our regional branches are planning a dynamic calendar of activities, including Careers in Concrete evenings, Concrete Quizzes, Site Visits and Quarterly Technical Events.
Growing Our Membership
We are proud to note significant growth in our membership base, which now represents a diverse and engaged community:
• 2 Diamond Members
• 5 Emerald Members
• 20 Tanzanite Members
• 8 Academic Institutions
• 5 Associate Members
• 2 Emerging Contractor Members
• 99 Individual Members
Together, this represents 445 individuals united under the banner of the Concrete Society of Southern Africa.
The continued success of the Society depends on expanding and strengthening our community. We warmly invite new members to join us — and now is the perfect time, as new members qualify for a half-year membership discount.
Membership forms and fee structures are available on our website under Membership Information. For assistance, please contact Natasja Pols: natasja.pols@concretesocietysa.org.za
As we reflect on our journey and look to the future, we remain committed to building a Society that is modern and advanced, streamlined and efficient, objective, inclusive and loyal to our shared vision. Together, we are shaping a strong and vibrant concrete industry — for the love of concrete.
