Forty pupils from schools across Gqeberha put their engineering skills to the test at the ninth annual bridge-building competition at Labco in Struandale on Friday.
The event, hosted by Sanral in partnership with the iGEMS Unity in Africa Foundation, aims to ignite passion and develop grade 11 and matric pupils interested in exploring career choices in the civil engineering sector.
The bridge-building competition forms part of Sanral’s broader commitment to youth development and the promotion of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers, with a strong emphasis on mentorship, practical learning, and creating opportunities for young people across the province.
Working in teams of four, the pupils were tasked with constructing a bridge structure using only the materials provided in a kit.
Pupils had three hours to complete their bridges.
The score for each bridge was based on the aesthetic value, as well as the maximum load that the bridge could carry.
The winning team will be entered into the national competition, details of which are still to be confirmed.
According to Tronél Candiotes-Strydom, a resident engineer and the head facilitator of the competition, the aim is to ignite pupils’ interest in civil engineering and inspire them to join the profession.
“This project is all about exposing pupils to civil engineering.
“Every time I speak to children, they always seem to know more about mechanical engineering and electrical engineering, but they don’t understand how important civil engineering is.
“It’s not a glamorous job, but it is important.
“All our basic services are done through civil engineering.
“We also do this to prepare pupils, especially girls, about what it takes to work in the industry,” Candiotes-Strydom said.
iGEMS project manager Adillah Khondleka, expressed the importance of the competition and what skills the pupils can obtain from building their bridge structures.
“They learn that if your structure is not solid, it will break, and if it breaks, you will learn what you have done wrong.
“When they go into civil engineering, you will remember the fundamentals that you have learnt here today,” Khondleka said.
Nzondelelo High School grade 11 pupil, Asakhe Mkalipi, said she enjoyed the experience so much that it affirmed her decision to choose civil engineering after high school.
“At first, it was nerve-racking because I had never done anything like this before.
“It’s great working with my group members and building the bridge.
“I was already considering civil engineering, but this has made me sure about joining the experience,” Mkalipi said.
Newton Technical High School matric pupil, Oyisa Maneli, returned to the competition, this time in a mentor position.
“The first time, I was learning and just following my team, but now I get to share my knowledge and help others build the bridge.
“I will admit that I am more interested in electrical and industrial engineering, but I am open to learning more about civil engineering,” Maneli said.
The Herald
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