SAIA Pulse 08/2026
Updated: Sep 10
This issue covers changes at the SAIA Secretariat, a tribute to the late Dr Gwendoline Elizabeth Fagan, two open public-comment opportunities, and a position paper setting out SAIA's new Gold Medal of Architectural Practice.
Secretariat news
After six months with SAIA, Tshwanelo Cecilia Khambule left the Secretariat to travel; SAIA thanked her for her care, diligence and good humour. Michelle Dooki joins to handle Membership, Practice, Finance and CPD Administration, and Tshepiso Motsila joins for Executive Support, Governance, Marketing and Events. The Secretariat now comprises CEO Arch Dr Peta de Jager, CMO Arch Hugh Fraser, Michelle Dooki, and Tshepiso Motsila.
In memoriam: Dr Gwendoline Elizabeth Fagan
Dr Gwendoline Elizabeth “Gwen” Fagan (25 September 1924 – 17 July 2026) — medical doctor, historical researcher, landscape architect and author — passed away just short of her 102nd birthday. After practising medicine for more than two decades, she joined her husband, architect Gabriël “Gawie” Fagan, in 1969, forming a formidable partnership at Gabriël Fagan Architects. Her historical research and landscape design supported major restorations including the Castle of Good Hope and the post-earthquake restoration of Tulbagh. She earned a PhD in Landscape Architecture from UCT in 1995, held honorary memberships of APES, the Institute of Landscape Architects and SAIA, and authored or co-authored five books. Her landscape work included the parterre garden at Tuynhuys, the Boschendal heritage rose nursery, Mayville's rose garden, Rust en Vrede, the Mossel Bay Museum, Dock House at the V&A Waterfront, Welgelegen, and the Castle landscapes.
Two opportunities to have your say
The National Building Regulations and Building Standards Amendment Bill, 2026 (Government Gazette No. 54941) is open for comment until Thursday, 3 September 2026, with submissions to nbrcomments@thedtic.gov.za. The Draft Second Edition of the cidb Standard for Uniformity in Construction Procurement is open for comment until Monday, 31 August 2026.
Emerging professionals and education
On 14 August 2026, SAIA joined GIfA and the Wits School of Architecture and Planning Student Council for Series Two of the Pathway to Practice Programme, introducing students to professional registration, membership and the move from school into practice.
The Department of Architecture at the University of the Free State hosted an Architecture Winter School (8–9 July 2026) for school learners, including from a marginalised community in Bloemfontein, facilitated by Kobus Du Preez, Dr David van der Merwe and Lefu Namane. Bloemfontein architect Adéle De Jong of Destudio Architects shared her professional experience during a tour of the SAIA Free State/Northern Cape Award of Merit-winning Sci-Ed Science Education Centre.
22 UKZN students under Dr Viloshin Govender toured Johannesburg and Pretoria, visiting the Constitutional Court precinct, Soweto, Marshalltown, Freedom Park, the Union Buildings and several Award of Excellence projects, including a briefing on commercial architecture from DHK.
History of the profession
Guest contributor Patrick Zamarian, Senior Lecturer at the University of Liverpool, described how South Africa pioneered architectural registration: in 1909 the Transvaal became the first British territory to protect the title 'architect', with the Association of Transvaal Architects joining the Cape, Natal and Transvaal institutes to frame nationwide legislation — a history he researched using historic journals preserved at GIfA, with support from the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art.
Position paper: Beyond the Solitary Genius
In a position paper, CEO Dr Peta de Jager set out why SAIA's Board has introduced a new Gold Medal of Architectural Practice alongside the existing Individual Awards. Drawing on Alasdair MacIntyre's concept of a 'practice', Foucault and Barthes on the author-function, and the South African philosophy of Ubuntu, the paper argues that architecture has never been a solitary pursuit, and that recognition should be able to reflect a partnership or practice's collective achievement where that is the more honest account. This year's Individual Award nominees are being offered the option to elect the practice category instead; future award cycles will ask nominators from the outset whether they are nominating a person or a practice.
Practice, competitions and calls
A Standard Bank Shoptalk webinar, 'What Banks Really Fund in Construction', was scheduled for 16 October 2026, offering architects a candid look at how banks assess construction risk and fundability. The CPDI Africa 2026 Global Design Competition, open to all nationalities and offering $9,000 in prizes, launched in June 2026 with a submission deadline of 30 November 2026. SAIA also called for nominations to its JBCC Drafting and Review Committees, closing 9 October 2026.
Members unable to attend the SAIA National Convention in Bloemfontein (26–28 August 2026) were reminded they could follow along via social media and streaming, with particular interest in the Gold Medals to be presented and the 37th Sophia Gray Memorial Lecture under the theme 'Spatial Reset'.
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