2025 has been a year of momentum, innovation, and meaningful collaboration at Engineers Without Borders South Africa (EWB-SA). From restoring dignity through infrastructure to empowering students with design challenges, our programs have reached new heights—and we’re just getting started.
Whether you’re a long-time member or newly curious about our work, this update offers a behind-the-scenes look at how engineering is transforming lives across South Africa and beyond. Let’s dive into the highlights from our key initiatives so far this year:
Strategic Alignment with Our Board of Directors
We recently conducted a powerful strategy session, where the EWB-SA team met with our Board of Directors to reimagine the organisation’s direction and define key actions to deepen our impact in underserved communities. This inspiring session brought together some of South Africa’s most respected leaders and changemakers from across industries, united by a shared commitment to advancing the organisations impact. To read more about on members of the board, click here.
Just Infrastructure Lab – Tapping Into Change at Kids Haven
On 21 June 2025, we celebrated the completion of a transformative infrastructure project at Kids Haven, a children’s home community partner in Benoni. This initiative, led by EWB-SA’s Just Infrastructure Lab, addressed critical water and energy challenges through a co-designed solution that now includes:
- A new water storage and pressure system
- A solar-powered heat pump
- A backup electricity system
The results have been life-changing. Children no longer wake up before dawn to queue for hot water, and staff report improved sanitation, reduced stress, and better school readiness. One staff member shared, “The pressure is perfect now—there’s no more pushing or racing for showers.”
Beyond the home, the system has the capacity to support nearby properties during water shortages, showcasing how thoughtful engineering can build resilience across communities.
This project was made possible by the dedication of our volunteers:
- Viren Heera, mechanical engineer with expertise in renewables and process systems
- Shahil Juggernath, electrical engineer with global experience in renewable energy development
We also extend our gratitude to our infrastructure funding partners:
- Suleiman Nana Memorial Trust (SNMT) – for initiating the project through scoping and documentation support
- South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT) – for funding the implementation phase
BambaSonke Design Challenge — A Transformative Start!
Launched on 30 June 2025 at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), the BambaSonke Design Challenge brought together nearly 300 students, academics, mentors, and industry partners to tackle real-world challenges in the Dunoon informal settlement. The name “BambaSonke,” meaning “Take hold together” in isiZulu, perfectly captures the spirit of collective problem-solving.
Guided by Linaé and Robyn (our EWB-SA Design Challenge team), students were introduced to a comprehensive design brief featuring:
- Contextual overview videos
- Case study interviews
- An interactive map of Dunoon
This challenge forms part of CPUT’s Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) initiative, offering final-year students without internships a chance to engage in engineering design and entrepreneurship.
Key partners and contributors include:
- Innovative Engineering Curriculum (IECurricula) – for academic feedback, research, and piloting the challenge
- Anglo American Foundation – for funding and long-standing support of EWB-SA’s education programs
- Bentley Systems, via EWB-International – for funding to support global EWB projects, including BambaSonke
The energy and creativity at the launch signaled a bright future for engineering in South Africa.
Engineering for People Design Challenge — Global Responsibility in Action
The Engineering for People Design Challenge is more than a competition—it’s a movement to embed global responsibility into the heart of engineering education. Now in its 14th year, the challenge has engaged students from 47 universities worldwide, encouraging them to tackle complex societal and environmental issues through human-centered design.
For the 2024/25 cycle, students are turning their focus to Makers Valley, a culturally rich but underserved community in eastern Johannesburg. With around 46,000 residents, the area faces urban decay and high unemployment, yet remains a hub of creativity and resilience. Through direct engagement with community members—via interviews and interactive mapping—students will co-design sustainable solutions that reflect real needs and aspirations.
Top projects from each university will be evaluated by industry experts, with finalists competing for the Grand Prize, Runner-Up, and People’s Choice Awards—all accompanied by educational bursaries. More than a showcase of innovation, the challenge is helping shape a new generation of engineers equipped to lead with empathy, sustainability, and impact.
Student Chapter Programme — Expanding Our Reach
We’re thrilled to announce the successful launch of two new EWB-SA student chapters at:
- Nelson Mandela University
- North West University
These additions reflect our growing commitment to empowering students to drive community-focused engineering solutions across South Africa. Students from these universities are already engaging with real-world challenges and developing skills that directly benefit under-resourced communities.
As we look ahead, we aim to grow our student membership by partnering with more universities nationwide. By inviting new institutions into the fold, we can foster a stronger, more inclusive network of changemakers, all united by a shared purpose: engineering a better future, together.
Human-Centred Design Course — Help Shape It!
We’re developing a new professional-level Human-Centred Design (HCD) course to support our partners and volunteers in applying people-first design principles to real-world projects.
Before launching the course, we invited experienced members of our community to review the content. Individuals with expertise in community-based work, education, or CPD training were encouraged to provide feedback on:
- Structure and clarity
- Relevance and accessibility
- Practical application
Their contributions are now helping us refine this high-impact learning resource and further strengthen our culture of inclusive, knowledge-driven collaboration. The review process is currently underway, and we look forward to sharing the final version soon.
BIG Thank You to our Partners and Sponsors
