A Diverse Panel of Industry Experts to Assess South Africa’s Leading Steel Projects
The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) is proud to announce the judging panel for the Steel Awards 2026.
Recognised as one of the industry’s most respected platforms for celebrating excellence in steel construction, the Steel Awards showcase projects, teams and organisations that demonstrate outstanding achievement in design, engineering, fabrication, innovation and construction.
To ensure a rigorous and balanced evaluation process, SAISC has assembled a panel of highly respected professionals representing a broad cross-section of the built environment. The panel includes professionally registered engineers, architects, technical specialists and industry leaders whose combined expertise spans design, fabrication, architecture, infrastructure, industrial projects, light steel frame construction, roofing and cladding systems, and material quality assurance.
Judging is currently underway, with the panel conducting detailed technical reviews and project assessments ahead of site visits taking place across South Africa from late June through July.
Spencer Erling
Widely regarded as one of the most respected figures in the South African steel construction industry, Spencer Erling is a Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) and former SAISC Education Director who has dedicated decades to advancing technical excellence, industry education and professional development. His contribution to the industry has helped shape generations of engineers and steel professionals. With extensive expertise in steel design, fabrication and construction, Spencer continues to be a highly respected authority within the sector.
Cuan Lynes
Cuan Lynes is a Senior Structural Design Engineer at DRA Global and a professionally qualified structural engineer with extensive experience in the delivery of complex industrial, mining and infrastructure projects. His technical expertise, combined with significant multidisciplinary project experience, provides valuable insight into engineering excellence, constructability and project execution.
Pren Moodley
Pren Moodley is a Structural Engineer at ROMH and a specialist bridge and structural engineer who has contributed to some of South Africa's most complex bridge and infrastructure projects. His expertise lies in performance-driven structural design, constructability and engineering efficiency, balancing innovation with practical buildability. Passionate about advancing the steel construction industry through collaboration and technical excellence, Pren brings valuable insight into the evaluation of projects that demonstrate innovation, quality, sustainability and meaningful industry impact.
Daneel Strydom
Daneel Strydom is Principal Structural Engineer and Lead Structural Engineer at BIGEN Group, with more than 26 years of consulting engineering experience. His expertise spans structural steel, reinforced and prestressed concrete, masonry and timber structures across a diverse range of sectors. Having led numerous multidisciplinary projects throughout his career, Daneel brings extensive technical knowledge, practical insight and a broad understanding of structural engineering excellence to the judging process.
Daniel Struwig
Daniel Struwig is a Technical Specialist at Zutari and a qualified structural engineer with extensive experience in engineering design and technical problem-solving. His expertise in structural engineering, design optimisation and innovative project solutions enables him to assess projects from both a technical and practical implementation perspective.
Franco Mordini
Franco Mordini is a respected industry leader and Director of the Material Quality Certification Programme (MQCP). With decades of experience in steel construction, quality assurance and industry development, he is widely recognised for his contribution to promoting quality standards, traceability and compliance within the steel supply chain. His expertise provides an important perspective on material performance, certification and industry best practice.
Emma Loubser
Emma Loubser's connection with SAISC began during her undergraduate and postgraduate Structural Engineering studies at Stellenbosch University and has continued throughout her professional career. She has specialised in steel design for diamond mining marine vessels and currently serves as a Solutions Architect in Data Automation, supporting the mining and engineering sectors. Combining technical engineering knowledge with a passion for innovation and industry development, Emma brings a unique perspective to evaluating projects that demonstrate both engineering excellence and creative application of steel.
"I love seeing the contrast between steel's rugged industrial applications and its use in striking architectural design, and I look forward to discovering the creativity captured in this year's project submissions."
Anna-Marie Sassenberg
Anna-Marie Sassenberg is a Professional Engineering Technologist, Construction Project Manager and founder of AMS Consultants. With more than four decades of experience spanning civil and structural engineering, infrastructure development, construction project management and commercial development, she has built a distinguished career as both an engineering professional and business leader. Anna-Marie has served on the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) Council, the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), and currently serves on the Mangaung Municipal Development Tribunal. She is also a longstanding member of the SASFA Technical Committee, contributing to the development and promotion of South African standards for light steel frame construction. Her extensive technical, governance and project delivery experience brings a valuable perspective to the judging process.
Rainer Straussner
Rainer Straussner is a semi-retired independent consultant and non-executive director specialising in board governance and strategic leadership. A qualified engineer with a Master's degree in Engineering and a Certified Director through the Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA), Rainer combines technical expertise with extensive executive and governance experience. He spent 14 years of his executive career within the roofing and cladding industry and continues to serve as a trusted technical advisor to the sector. His unique blend of engineering, industry and governance expertise provides valuable insight into quality, innovation and project excellence.
"It is an honour to be selected as a judge for the Steel Awards among an esteemed collection of industry experts."
John Carter
John Carter is Director of Bespoke Architects and a registered professional architect with extensive experience in the design and delivery of commercial, residential and mixed-use developments. His portfolio reflects a strong focus on design excellence, functionality and the integration of innovative construction solutions. John's architectural perspective enables him to assess not only technical achievement, but also the creativity, aesthetic impact and architectural expression that define exceptional steel projects.
Recognising Excellence Across the Industry
The Steel Awards continue to celebrate projects that demonstrate innovation, quality, technical excellence and the effective use of steel across a wide range of sectors. The judging panel’s collective expertise, professional qualifications and industry experience ensure that each project will be assessed fairly, rigorously and against the highest professional standards.
The diversity of the panel reflects the diversity of the projects themselves, bringing together expertise from structural engineering, architecture, industrial construction, infrastructure, material quality assurance, roofing and cladding, and light steel frame construction. This breadth of knowledge helps ensure that every project is evaluated from multiple professional perspectives.
SAISC extends its sincere appreciation to the judges for their time, expertise and commitment to recognising excellence within the steel construction industry.
Finalists will be announced following the completion of judging and site visits, with winners revealed at the Steel Awards 2026 Gala Evening on 29 October 2026 at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg.
As SAISC celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2026, the Steel Awards remain a testament to the innovation, quality and engineering excellence that continue to define the steel construction industry. The Institute looks forward to recognising the exceptional projects, teams and individuals whose work is shaping the future of steel in Southern Africa.