Logashri Sewnarain, CEO, SMEC South Africa

Creating Meaningful, Lasting Impact

By Fiona Wakelin

SMEC was founded in 1949 to oversee the construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme, one of the most complex engineering projects of its time. Over the past 75 years, we have grown into a global consultancy, known for delivering innovative and sustainable solutions across a wide range of sectors. In South Africa, we established our presence through the acquisition of Vela VKE in 2012.

Today, we offer multidisciplinary services across transport, water, energy and urban development, drawing on decades of both local and global expertise. SMEC South Africa works on both local and global projects, collaborating closely with Surbana Jurong and its member companies. This partnership allows us to leverage a wealth of expertise and resources, enabling us to deliver solutions that meet the unique challenges of each project. As a member of the Surbana Jurong Group, we benefit from the collective knowledge and resources of over 16,000 professionals across 49 countries, enhancing our ability to deliver world-class solutions both locally and globally.

I provide strategic leadership and direction, ensuring that the business remains at the forefront of engineering and infrastructure development while delivering impactful solutions for our clients. A significant part of my role also involves strengthening client relationships, driving sustainable growth and ensuring that we uphold our commitment to delivering quality, sustainable engineering solutions that align with our broader goals of nation-building and community development.

I am also responsible for guiding SMEC South Africa’s efforts in contributing to the overall goals of the Surbana Jurong Group, ensuring we maintain our leadership position in the industry and our reputation as a trusted partner.

Our Major Projects

We are actively involved in key infrastructure projects that are critical to South Africa’s development, such as the Msikaba and Mtentu Bridge projects, the Huguenot Tunnel Upgrade project, the Polihali Transfer Tunnel, the Wingfield Interchange project and Prieska Power Reserve. We are also working on the National Department of Health’s (NDoH) new Tshilidzini Hospital and the NDoH’s National Health Master Plan. These projects are among our most significant in South Africa, representing the scale and complexity of work we undertake.

Alongside these flagship projects, our South African teams are involved in, on average, over 500 projects, both locally and globally, at any given time.

Outstanding Growth In The Last Financial Year

SMEC South Africa’s growth in the last financial year can be attributed to several factors. Our increased collaboration with Surbana Jurong and its member companies has allowed us to expand our involvement in global projects while continuing to strengthen our local capabilities. This has not only broadened our reach but has also enhanced the innovative solutions we deliver to clients.

Additionally, our growth is built on strong client relationships, a deep understanding of local market dynamics and a steadfast commitment to consistently delivering high-quality engineering solutions. The dedication of our team and our focus on operational excellence have been pivotal in driving this growth.

Disruptive Trends

Some of the most disruptive trends in the engineering and infrastructure sector include the rapid advancements in digital technology, the increasing focus on sustainability and the shift towards integrated, data-driven solutions. The rise of smart cities, the demand for resilient infrastructure and the call for sustainable practices are significantly changing how projects are approached –globally and locally. We’ve embraced these changes by integrating digital tools like Building Information Modelling (BIM) and advanced data analytics into many of our processes, enabling more efficient project delivery and smarter asset management.

As mentioned, we are prioritising sustainability by focusing on environmentally conscious designs and regenerative infrastructure. We’re looking to leverage our relationships with key clients and industry partners to collaborate on regenerative infrastructure research, innovation and thought leadership. We are also actively training our staff to further develop their expertise in this field.

Strict Adherence To ESG Principles

Our commitment to ESG principles is fundamental to our business strategy and project delivery. We understand that responsible engineering is critical to nationbuilding and creating resilient infrastructure. Our projects are designed to not only deliver world-class infrastructure but also to support social upliftment and sustainable growth within the communities we serve. We ensure that every project meets the highest environmental and governance standards. This includes reducing our environmental impact, adopting responsible resource management practices and engaging with local stakeholders to ensure that our projects drive both social and economic benefits for the long term. An area that requires more focus is regenerative solutions, which goes beyond sustainability.

Regenerative solutions restore and enhance natural and human systems through designs and practices that restore ecosystems, optimise resource use and support communities. Our Group is actively pursuing solutions in this space, exploring methods to integrate regenerative principles across our projects. However, we acknowledge that as an industry, more work is needed to fully embrace and implement regenerative approaches on a broad scale.

My “WHY” And Memorable Milestones

My “why” is rooted in the ability to create meaningful, lasting impact through the work we do. What I enjoy most about my role is knowing that our engineering solutions shape communities, contribute to economic growth and improve lives. At SMEC, we are not just building infrastructure – we are building opportunities, creating connections and fostering development in ways that matter to the people we serve. Being part of a team that drives positive change motivates me every day, and it’s this sense of purpose that keeps me focused on delivering sustainable and innovative solutions.

The most memorable milestones for me have been seeing our staff, clients and communities thrive through the work that we do. Becoming SMEC South Africa’s first female Functional General Manager in 2018 and then CEO in 2020 were personal highlights, but the real reward has been fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration that drives change. In addition to my role as CEO, I’ve taken on responsibilities within the Surbana Jurong Group, including Operations Director (Transport) and Regional Lead for business lines, which has broadened my perspective and allowed me to contribute on a global scale. Mentoring SMEC’s young professionals has been deeply rewarding – though I am no longer formally mentoring, I jump at every opportunity to provide guidance when it arises.

What's On The Horizon

I’m excited to see how SMEC continues to innovate and grow, particularly in areas such as sustainable, regenerative infrastructure and digital transformation. I’m looking forward to collaborating with our clients and talented teams, locally and globally, to provide solutions that will not only deliver nation-building infrastructure but also improve the lives of South Africans and the global communities we serve.