A partially blind South African engineer received an International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) achievement award on Thursday, said his employer, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.
”Kelvin Legge is the first South African to receive an IGS achievement award in recognition of technology and advancement in the field of civil and environmental engineering,” said the department’s spokesperson, Themba Khumalo.
Legge was recognised at a general assembly of the IGS in Yokohama, Japan.
Legge, who has worked for the department for 24 years, said the award was recognition of excellent work done by South Africa’s engineering community.
”I feel proud to be a South African when my work is recognised internationally. I’m humbled by the award.”
Legge was honoured for his development of the design theory in the use of plastic-filter materials in earth embankment dams, a critical safety feature.
”His invention of a solution to improve the performance of contaminant containment barriers such as those found at the bottom of landfills and hazardous waste sites also drew attention.
”This significantly reduces the risk of environmental pollution,” Khumalo said.
The IGS was founded in Paris in 1983 and it recognises individuals and corporate members from all parts of the world, who are involved in the design, manufacture, sale, or use of plastic materials in civil engineering and associated technologies. — Sapa