South Africa's mounting municipal infrastructure and service delivery challenges will take centre stage when an expected 1 000 delegates gather in Durban next week for the 89th annual conference of the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA).
Taking place at the Durban International Convention Centre from 28 to 30 October 2026, the conference will bring together municipal engineers, infrastructure specialists and industry stakeholders to explore solutions to some of the country's most pressing infrastructure challenges.
Water security, deteriorating infrastructure, flood resilience, disaster preparedness, urban development and municipal service delivery will be among the key issues under discussion.
With municipalities under growing pressure, the conference programme will focus on practical strategies, innovation and lessons from projects across South Africa.
Highlights include the opening keynote presentation by Refilwe Buthelezi who is the President of the Federation of African Engineering Organisations, former Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) President and a senior figure at Rand Water; an examination of eThekwini's Water and Sanitation Turnaround Strategy; innovative approaches to flood forecasting and disaster management; and a panel discussion titled “Cities Under Pressure: Rethinking Disaster Response”.
Delegates will also explore the implications of proposed changes to water services legislation, challenges surrounding public procurement, and ways to strengthen municipal infrastructure governance and delivery.
Emerging technologies and sustainable engineering solutions will feature prominently, with presentations examining the use of drones in water and sanitation management, digital transformation in municipalities, environmentally friendly construction materials and more sustainable approaches to waste management.
The three-day event will also feature technical tours, offering delegates a firsthand look at major infrastructure and engineering projects. These include SANRAL's upgrade of the N3 between Key Ridge and Hammarsdale, a critical freight corridor linking Durban and Johannesburg; the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone, where delegates will explore logistics, manufacturing and renewable energy developments; and the approximately 450-metre-long Durban Harbour Tunnel, which carries essential water, sewer and other utility infrastructure beneath the harbour entrance.
The 89th IMESA Conference and Exhibition provides a platform for sharing knowledge, strengthening collaboration and identifying practical approaches to building more resilient, efficient and sustainable municipalities.
