September 10, 2026, Sandton, South Africa – Two engineering professionals from Knight Piésold Southern Africa received national recognition for their contributions to the engineering profession at the 2026 SAICE National Awards, held on 3 September 2026 at the NH Hotel in Sandton.

Juan Swanepoel, a Geotechnical Engineer at Knight Piésold’s Pretoria office, was named Highly Commended in the Graduate Engineer of the Year category. Prinell Naicker, a Senior Structural Technologist at the company’s Cape Town office, received a Highly Commended accolade in the Young Technologist of the Year category.

The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) presents awards annually to recognise excellence across the civil engineering profession, celebrating individuals, institutions, and project teams for their work in strengthening communities and improving the lives of South Africans. The People Awards category, under which both Knight Piésold employees were recognised, honours individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the profession while serving as role models for the next generation.

“At Knight Piésold, we believe that engineering excellence is not only measured by the projects we deliver but by the people who make those projects possible,” said Vishal Haripersad, Managing Director of Knight Piésold Southern Africa. “For Juan and Prinell, these recognitions reflect not only their individual achievements but also the expertise, commitment, and continuous development that they bring to the company.”

Highly Commended, Graduate Engineer of the Year

Swanepoel’s award recognises the technical breadth he has developed early in his career. His work spans Cone Penetration Testing, seismic and resistivity testing, slope stability analysis, and technical reporting, gained through his involvement in a range of challenging projects. He is also involved in processing geotechnical data and developing sections for slope stability assessments, building hands-on experience in complex geotechnical investigations and analysis.

Among the notable projects in his portfolio is his involvement in the back analysis of a waste rock dump collapse, which required the practical application of technical knowledge to a real-world failure situation. Work of this nature not only sharpens engineering judgement but also contributes to developing the next generation of geotechnical specialists.

The award marks a proud milestone in Swanepoel’s professional journey and an early recognition of the potential he brings to the profession.

Highly Commended, Young Technologist of the Year

Naicker has built an impressive 12-year career in structural engineering, with expertise spanning structural steel and concrete design for commercial and heavy industrial projects, 3D modelling and detailing, 3D laser scanning, and project management.

She has since achieved professional registration and gained recognition beyond the traditional engineering environment, including the Extraordinary Women in BIM Award, presented by Baker Baynes. That accolade took her to the United States in 2024, where she engaged with the global building information modelling (BIM) community.

Her career demonstrates the value of continually developing new skills, embracing technology, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible within engineering and the built environment.

A Shared Commitment to Excellence

The awards reflect the talent and diversity of expertise across Knight Piésold. From geotechnical engineering in Pretoria to structural technology in Cape Town, Swanepoel and Naicker demonstrate that excellence can take many forms—built through technical knowledge, hands-on experience, professional development, innovation, and a willingness to take on new challenges.

“Most importantly, their achievements reinforce our belief that investing in people strengthens our profession and the future of engineering,” added Haripersad. “We congratulate Juan and Prinell on their SAICE National Awards recognition and look forward to seeing where their careers take them next.”