Geosynthetics Society (IGS) Award
28 September 2006
South Africa�s contribution to the advancement of technology in the world
was today recognised at a General Assembly of the International Geosynthetics
Society (IGS) in Yokohama, Japan, on Friday, 22 September.2006.
Kelvin Legge, a partially-blind engineer who works for the Department of
Water Affairs and Forestry, became the first South African to receive an IGS
achievement award in recognition of technology and advancement in the field of
civil and environmental engineering. The contributions which drew the attention
of the international community are his development of the design theory in the
use of plastic filter materials in earth embankment dams which forms a critical
feature for their safety, as well as 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. This significantly reduces the
risk of environmental pollution.
An elated Legge, who has been working for the Department of Water Affairs
and Forestry for the past 24 years, said the award was recognition of excellent
work done by South Africa's engineering community. "It feels proud to be a
South African when one's work is recognised internationally. I'm humbled by the
award."
The International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) was founded in Paris on 10
November 1983, by a group of geotechnical engineers and textile specialists.
The society brings together 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, or who teach or
conduct research about such products.
A maximum of five awards are made for every four-year cycle at the
quadrennial conference, to individuals or groups of individuals, for
outstanding service. To date 28 awards have been made and this is the first
time a person from Africa has been recognised by such an award. The achievement
is considered somewhat remarkable as this recipient lost his sight when he was
exposed to a cocktail of toxic waste which had contaminated the soil with which
he was working in 1992.
Enquiries:
Themba Khumalo
Tel: (012) 336 8270
Cell: 082 802 3432
Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
28 September 2006
