Sep 18, 2023 Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC), Amanuel Gebremeskel, Denise Sherman, annual SAISC Steel Awards.
Steel Awards 2023 to celebrate the power of steel past, present and future
Nominations for this year’s Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) Awards have featured in everything from local community newspapers to the Guinness Book of Records and have taken shape everywhere from Cape Town to West Africa.
The judging of almost 40 diverse nominated projects showcasing pioneering innovation and courageous design is complete, and planning for this year’s flagship event in Johannesburg on 19th October is rapidly gathering momentum. “This iconic annual steel industry event, which enables the Institute to promote the capabilities of steel - an infinitely diverse, resilient material of construction - provides an important platform for honouring the hard work of individuals and companies across the entire value chain,” says SAISC CEO Amanuel Gebremeskel.
Glamour and fun meet technology - Denise Sherman, SAISC Marketing and Management Consultant, says that although the red carpet event – commonly referred to as the ‘Oscars of the steel industry’ - will add some glamour, it is the ongoing hard work and innovation invested in the nominated and award-winning projects which will be the real drawcard. Sherman says that the SAISC is expecting to host more than 750 industry attendees, with its mediaeval Game of Thrones theme.
This year’s Game of Thrones theme will not only add a fun element, but also highlights the importance of steel throughout the ages. She adds that the entire process of nomination and presentation of projects has also been completely digitised this year, featuring an online template provided to assist with submissions to the SAISC’s recently revamped website. This has significantly improved the quality of entries this year.
“Both the nominators and project teams have embraced technology to showcase their projects. The quality of the project entry information is what makes the Steel Awards work so well, and is integral to their success,” she says.
This year, Gebremeskel notes, the Steel Awards have a distinctly Pan-African flavour, with the addition of a new Pan-Africa Trailblazer category: “We have a number of entries from all over the African continent. This year, the Awards demonstrate very tangibly how South Africa’s products are being used all over the continent, and feature projects which range from mining to the construction of a church,” he says. “The quality of the projects featured through these awards is particularly important. We are highlighting that the South African steel construction sector can successfully execute quality, world-class projects throughout Africa,” he adds. Furthermore, as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement gains momentum and supply chains across Africa combine to drive growth, enabling companies to supply, process, fabricate and construct steel structures in many industries, Gebremeskel advises that is important that an event such as the Steel Awards has evolved into a truly continental one.
He says that the number of nominations has increased this year, further to this, more women in the steel supply chain have also submitted projects, as have more small companies and emerging steel entrepreneurs. “Overall, the diversity of participants and projects has increased - which bodes well for overall transformation within the steel sector,” Gebremeskel notes. We are looking forward to seeing these projects celebrated at a vibrant, memorable Steel Awards 2023! One which is an effective showcase of the steel industry’s exciting people, history, culture, diversity, capabilities, innovation and Pan-African trajectory,” Gebremeskel concludes.
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