MEDIA STATEMENT: For Immediate Release
17 June 2026
Building Collapses, Climate Risks and the Future of Professional Practice Under the Spotlight at SACAP Education Conference 2026
Cape Town, South Africa, In the wake of recent building collapses and growing concerns around infrastructure safety, professional accountability, climate resilience, and the quality of the built environment, the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) will convene a landmark national conversation on the future of architectural education.
The inaugural SACAP Education Conference 2026, to be held on 10–11 September 2026 at the University of Cape Town's Beattie Building, will bring together architectural professionals, educators, researchers, students, policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders to examine a critical question: Are we adequately preparing the next generation of built environment professionals to design, regulate, and manage the complex challenges facing South Africa and the world?
Held under the theme "Architecture in Changing Times", the conference comes at a pivotal moment for the profession. Recent structural failures and building collapses have reignited public debate around construction quality, regulatory compliance, professional competence, and the effectiveness of systems designed to safeguard communities.
While the causes of building failures are often multifaceted, the conference will explore how education and professional training can play a transformative role in strengthening safety, innovation, ethical practice, sustainability, and regulatory awareness across the built environment sector. The two-day programme will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, research papers, and interactive engagements.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Mr Charles Nduku, an architect by profession and President of SACAP, said: “Recent events have highlighted the profound impact that decisions made within the built environment can have on people's lives. This conference is not merely an academic exercise; it is a strategic intervention that seeks to strengthen the future of professional education and ensure that graduates entering the profession are equipped to respond to increasingly complex societal, environmental, and technological challenges."
The conference will also explore how institutions of higher learning, professional bodies, industry stakeholders, and government can work together to produce graduates who are not only technically competent but also innovative, socially responsive, and committed to protecting the public interest.
As South Africa continues to grapple with urbanisation pressures, ageing infrastructure, climate-related risks, and evolving development demands, the conference is expected to generate important discussions on the skills, knowledge, and competencies required for future professionals to contribute meaningfully to a safer, more sustainable, and resilient built environment.
SACAP anticipates participation from local and international experts, creating a platform for thought leadership, knowledge exchange, collaboration, and professional development.
Members of the media are encouraged to attend and engage with leading experts on issues ranging from building safety and infrastructure resilience to innovation in architectural education and the future of professional practice in South Africa.
Architectural professionals, educators, students, researchers, government representatives, industry partners, and members of the media are invited to attend.
ENDS
About SACAP
The South African Council for the
Architectural Profession (SACAP) is legally charged to regulate the
architectural profession in South Africa by the Architectural Profession Act
2000, Act 44 of 2000. The architectural profession includes professional architects,
senior architectural technologists, architectural technologists,
draughtspersons, specified categories, and candidates in each of the categories
of registration, all of whom are required to be registered with SACAP before
they can practice architecture. www.sacapsa.com.
For
media inquiries, please contact:
Brenda
Phake: Stakeholder Relations, Communications and Marketing Manager
Email:
brenda.phake@sacapsa.com
Mobile - 060 973 7966