The South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) is a professional association dedicated to “the interest of professional Electrical and Electronic Engineering in South Africa”.  The SAIEE hosts an annual award, recognising the most outstanding young achiever of the year in the field of Electrical/Electronic engineering.

SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA has been the exclusive lead sponsor of this prestigious award for over 25  years, named the Keith Plowden Award.  Keith Plowden was a former MD of the company, a past president of the SAIEE and was also a professional electrical .  The award is aimed at young outstanding professional achievers, and recognises the winner’s spirit of achievement, creativity and leadership in the workplace, together with an innovative, entrepreneurial and an infectious enthusiasm.

Neo Mapapanyane is the winner of the 2021 award.  She joined the SAIEE in 2020 as a member and committee member of the Central Gauteng Centre (CGC), and also served under the SAIEE CGC as a Corporate and Social Investment (CSI) portfolio leader. Neo was recognised for her extraordinary efforts in planning and hosting on-line career guidance in July 2020 for grade 12 learners interested in pursuing an electrical engineering career. She wanted to promote and increase the interest specifically in previously disadvantaged communities. This initiative speaks to Neo’s passion and recognition of the engineer’s role in the community.  She is an outstanding role model to youth and all SAIEE members, deserves this remarkable award.

This award is sponsored annually by SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA.  We congratulate Neo on being the 2021 recipient of this prestigious award.

L-R: : Mluleki Hlatshwayo, SGB-SMIT Power Matla, Neo Mapapanyane, 2021 Keith Plowden Young Achiever Award winner and Prof Sunil Maharaj, 2021 SAIEE President