Refilwe Buthelezi is a Professional Engineer (PrEng), registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Refilwe is a Non-Executive Director for the South African National Road Agency (SANRAL), Transnet Limited, a Fellow of The South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE),the first female President of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and the President-Elect of the Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO).
She is a Director of the Pfuxani STEM Foundation, a non-profit organisation (NPO) that she co-founded with the intention to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects at schools through various programmes. She has also served as the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Chair of Council.
Her numerous accolades include:
• 2021 Women in Engineering Award from the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE)
• 2022 University of Johannesburg Dignitas Award
Refilwe is a firm believer in Pan-Africanism. She is fervent champion for ECSA to play a critical role in assisting African Engineering Institutes to become signatory members of the International Engineering Alliance (IAE) educational accords, including Washington, Dublin, and Sydney, and she has been instrumental in finalising and revitalising several memoranda of understanding with SADC countries. This ECSA endeavours are set to continue and be expanded.
Under her leadership, ECSA is steering up the consultation of stakeholders to implement the Identification of the Engineering Work gazette. This critical and long due legislation published in March 2021 will become a significant game-changer for Engineer practitioners and educators in South Africa that will restore engineering integrity and foster the economic development of South Africa.
She is a Director of the Pfuxani STEM Foundation, a non-profit organisation (NPO) that she co-founded with the intention to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects at schools through various programmes. She has also served as the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Chair of Council.
Her numerous accolades include:
• 2021 Women in Engineering Award from the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE)
• 2022 University of Johannesburg Dignitas Award
Refilwe is a firm believer in Pan-Africanism. She is fervent champion for ECSA to play a critical role in assisting African Engineering Institutes to become signatory members of the International Engineering Alliance (IAE) educational accords, including Washington, Dublin, and Sydney, and she has been instrumental in finalising and revitalising several memoranda of understanding with SADC countries. This ECSA endeavours are set to continue and be expanded.
Under her leadership, ECSA is steering up the consultation of stakeholders to implement the Identification of the Engineering Work gazette. This critical and long due legislation published in March 2021 will become a significant game-changer for Engineer practitioners and educators in South Africa that will restore engineering integrity and foster the economic development of South Africa.