Sizwe Mzimela

A member of the Bid Evaluation Committe (BEC) and ECSA Engineering Academy Committe (EEAC) for the Region.

Part of a team to monitor the implementation of all April 2022 related flood projects.

Project Manager for the Empangeni Region Design Studio Upgrade Project.

I did detail design for road P573 located in the Denny Dalton area near Ulundi. This was followed by a preliminary BoQ.I also did a preliminary design for road P705 also located in the Denny Dalton area near the Mpungamhlophe township. For the road P705 I did all the investigations necessary (structures, existing alignment and existing services).

I appointed an EAP (Environmental Assessment Practitioner) specialist and the Geotechnical Engineer to conduct the necessary test required for both projects P573 and P705.

I did hydraulic and hydrological analysis for road L3318, L2898, L1892, D1817 and D1892.

I was involved in the various bridges assessment in the Nkandla, Melmot and Vryheid.

I did safety assessment at the intersection of P47 and P393 for a pilot project involving the installation of safety roller barriers.

I was part of a committee, representing my region. This was for the preparation for the Department to get accredited by ECSA. It is an ongoing process which should take about four years before the actual accreditation is granted.

I was involved in the preparation for the upgrading of the Empangeni Region Design studio. I did a presentation for the various stakeholders and a preliminary BoQ for all the required items. I then did a submission which was approved by the HOD (Head of the Department). This was followed by preparation for the request for procurement which was followed by preparation of the specification.

I was seconded to SANRAL by the Department.

I did an intersection concept design near Kirkwood. I had to do traffic analysis using the HCM (Highway Capacity Manual). I did a preliminary design for an intersection realignment near the Indwe town.

I was seconded to the SANRAL Material Training Laboratory were I was introduced to the various construction material and tests conducted on the materials to obtain their engineering properties. This test were, Concrete Mix Design, Asphalt Design, Sample Preparation, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), Sieve Analysis, 10% Fine Aggregate Crushing Test (FACT), Flakiness Index, Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV), Atterberg Limits, Bulk and Apparent Density, Maximum Dry Density (MOD) and Optimum Moisture Content (OPC), Compressive Strength and Durability Testing of Concrete, Unconfined Comprehensive Strength (UCS), Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS) and Void in Mix (VIM).

I was part of a team that assessment the pavement on part of section of the N2 near Tsitsikamma. I also part of team that did an assessment on a gravel roads D862 and D913 near Harding KZN.

I did a concept design for the road D862 for a distance of 4km (km 4 to km 6). I was part of a team of 6 and the route broken down in 6 parts and the team gor 4km each. For my section I did geometric design and hydrology analysis. I lead the geometric section.

I did a preliminary design for the road P573 located in the Denny Dalton town in KZN which is near Ulundi. For this project I performed a desktop study which was by a site investigation. For the site investigation I assessment the existing road alignment, I did an assessment of the small portion of the existing pavement. I inspected all existing structures, I did traffic counts, and existing cross section. This was followed by the hydrological/Hydraulic analysis, traffic analysis and pavement assessment using the Rubicon Toolbox Software.

I was seconded to the H&N Consulting Engineers by the Department to assist the structural engineer with the design of a culvert located in road P230 (connecting Empangeni & Eshowe). I did a concept design using the Prokon and AutoCad softwares.

Introduction to geometric design. I did geometric design from first principle manually. I then introduced to Civil Designer software, were I practiced using the past projects. I then did a concept design for the road P234 between Nongoma and Mkhuze. I did the last section, which was a total of 60km.

I also did bridge inspections with a consultant for 5 days. I was involved in assessing a bridge located in road between Nongoma and Pongola. Here I had to design minor repair on the bridge and prepare a specification for it. I was part of a tender briefing thereof. I had to assess an intersection and provide justification for traffic light installation on road P492 (John Ross) near the newly constructed Melomed Hospital.

I was also involved in the regions operations. I had to do monthly reporting for out four districts offices (Ulundi, Hluhluwe, Vyhied and Eshowe) using the Service Delivery Report (SDR). I was involved in the preparation of the regions Operation Plan (OP) - Business Plan, where with the team had to distribute the allocated budget to the four Districts Office including the Region. I had to ensure that each District office allocate projects within the provided budget. I was also part of a team for Monitoring & Evaluation of projects in our four District Offices. I assisted with the compilation of the Annual Procurement Plan for our region.

I had to prepare orders for our 8 service providers (Consulting Engineers) which were for 8 of the Area Offices which are under the 4 District Offices ( 2 each). I had to do road safety audit for various roads withing the region and review road safety audit reports done by Consulting Engineers.

I was involved in the approval of encroachment application by various organizations. I did site visits to ensure the organizations services are with the nessary boundaries assigned to them ( distance encroached in our road reserved). And that they have meet all the criteria as per the Department's gazette.