Jones & Wagener Engineering and Environmental Consultants

Jones & Wagener Engineering and Environmental Consultants Jones & Wagener is a specialist firm of consulting engineers and scientists based in South Africa.

We design, develop and implement innovative, practical and cost-effective solutions that are environmentally supportive.

National Energy Month (1 - 31 May 2026) | Energy infrastructure has to work in the real worldEnergy projects are often j...
20/05/2026

National Energy Month (1 - 31 May 2026) | Energy infrastructure has to work in the real world

Energy projects are often judged by what they produce. But long-term performance also depends on how well infrastructure responds to the realities around it, like water, weather, ground conditions and changing site demands.

That is why good energy infrastructure is not only about generation. It is also about planning for resilience.

At Jones & Wagener, this thinking carries through work such as hydrological and surface water assessments, climate change impact assessments, geotechnical investigations, water management infrastructure design, and environmental compliance support.

The more complex the project, the more important it becomes to get the fundamentals right.

đź’¬ In your view, what matters most for long-term energy infrastructure performance: design, maintenance, environmental context, or all three?



Photo source: Caracal Rooikat

National Energy Month (1 - 31 May 2026) | The future of renewable energy in South Africa is not only about generating po...
19/05/2026

National Energy Month (1 - 31 May 2026) | The future of renewable energy in South Africa is not only about generating power

One of the more interesting shifts in South Africa’s energy future is this:
It is no longer only about adding renewable energy to the grid.
It is also about building the industries, skills and supply chains around it.

South Africa’s Renewable Energy Masterplan is aimed at developing local renewable energy and storage value chains by 2030, while government has positioned it as part of a broader industrialisation and skills-development opportunity.

At the same time, the IEA notes that commercial and large-scale off-grid solar PV uptake is rising rapidly in South Africa, driven in part by the need for more reliable electricity supply.

That makes the renewable energy conversation bigger than power generation alone.

It is also about:
- where projects are developed
- how they are supported
- what infrastructure they depend on
- and how they contribute to a more resilient economy

Jones & Wagener’s renewable energy capability supports this broader picture through services such as environmental screening, site selection, geotechnical investigations, hydrological and surface water assessments, wetland delineations, hydrogeology investigations, and environmental authorisation and compliance processes.

💬 As South Africa’s renewable energy sector grows, what do you think will matter most: generation capacity, grid access, local manufacturing, or skills development?

National Energy Month (1 - 31 May 2026) | Energy projects are also water projectsWhen people talk about energy, they usu...
13/05/2026

National Energy Month (1 - 31 May 2026) | Energy projects are also water projects

When people talk about energy, they usually think about electricity. But energy projects are also shaped by something else: water.

Water influences far more than many people realise:
đź’§how a site drains during storm events
đź’§how infrastructure is protected over its design life
đź’§how water quality and runoff are managed
đź’§how environmental risks are identified and mitigated
đź’§and, in some cases, how new technologies like green hydrogen are even made possible

This is one of the reasons energy planning cannot happen in isolation.

At Jones & Wagener, our work in the renewable energy sector includes hydrological and surface water assessments, water and salt balances, water quality interpretation, wetland delineations, hydrogeology investigations, environmental auditing and compliance monitoring, as well as support for the environmental regulatory framework around newer technologies such as green hydrogen and green ammonia.

That is complemented by broader water resource management expertise, including water management infrastructure design, stream diversion design, integrated water and salt balance modelling, flood risk assessment and planning, climate change impact assessment, and Water Conservation & Water Demand Management Plans.

As South Africa continues to diversify its energy mix, understanding the link between energy, water and the environment will only become more important.

đź’¬ When energy projects are discussed, do you think water gets enough attention?



Photo courtesy: Design by Sana Sandler / Courtesy Argonne National Laboratory.

National Energy Month (1 - 31 May 2026) | What makes an energy project work long before the power comes on? When people ...
06/05/2026

National Energy Month (1 - 31 May 2026) | What makes an energy project work long before the power comes on?

When people think about energy projects, they usually picture the obvious: solar panels, wind turbines, substations, transmission lines.

But some of the most important work happens much earlier, and often goes unseen.

Before a project can move forward, there are critical questions to answer:
- Is the site suitable from a geotechnical perspective?
- How will surface water move across the site during major storm events?
- Are there wetlands or other sensitive environmental features that need to be identified and protected?
- What regulatory approvals and environmental processes are required before construction can begin?

These are the kinds of questions that shape whether a project is practical, compliant and sustainable from the start.

At Jones & Wagener, our work in the energy sector draws on integrated inputs such as environmental screening, site selection, environmental authorisation and licensing, hydrological and surface water assessments, geotechnical investigations, water and salt balances, wetland delineations, hydrogeology investigations, and environmental compliance monitoring.

đź’¬ What do you think is most often underestimated in energy development: water, ground conditions, environmental approvals, or long-term sustainability?



Photo courtesy: Flickr/ Windwärts Energie

Professional Milestone Recognition | March – April 2026As we continue through 2026, we take pride in recognising the pro...
04/05/2026

Professional Milestone Recognition | March – April 2026

As we continue through 2026, we take pride in recognising the professional growth and achievements of our colleagues across the business.

At Jones & Wagener, these milestones reflect a commitment to continuous development, technical excellence, and the pursuit of professional distinction across all disciplines.

We are proud to recognise the following achievements for March and April 2026:

🎓 Health & Safety and Construction Management
• Jeffrey Mphou — Registered Construction Health and Safety Manager (SACPCMP)

🎓 Technical Certification
• Hanseelan Govindasamy — ASNT Certified Penetrant Inspector

🎓 Further Education and Development
• Philip van Zyl — Diploma in the Design and Operation of Belt Conveyors

Congratulations to each of you on these achievements. Your dedication continues to strengthen our multidisciplinary practice.

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🚧 Building a Highway… Over a Hidden Risk | Johannesburg | 1967What happens when you need to build major infrastructure o...
23/04/2026

🚧 Building a Highway… Over a Hidden Risk | Johannesburg | 1967

What happens when you need to build major infrastructure on ground that might move beneath it?

In the late 1960s, Johannesburg was expanding rapidly, with new elevated motorway sections forming part of the M1 and M2.

There was just one problem: Parts of the route crossed undermined ground. Instead of avoiding the risk, Jones & Wagener was brought in to answer a more difficult question: How do you safely build over it?

The solution wasn’t just structural. It was analytical.

J&W developed one of their first large-scale monitoring systems, designed to track:
• vertical movement
• horizontal displacement
• rotational changes in structures

This data was then analysed against structural tolerances to determine when intervention was needed.

And here’s the part that’s easy to overlook today:

This analysis was done using one of the earliest computer systems available at the time – with just 186 kilobytes of memory.

From these constraints came innovation:
• Early programming for engineering analysis
• Data-driven decision-making
• Real-time infrastructure monitoring principles still used today

What started as a single project became something much bigger: The foundation of J&W’s expertise in construction over undermined areas.

Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs don’t come from new materials or designs, but from understanding movement before it becomes failure.

🌍 Earth Day 2026 | Reflecting on our connection to the environmentToday marks Earth Day, a moment to reflect not only on...
22/04/2026

🌍 Earth Day 2026 | Reflecting on our connection to the environment

Today marks Earth Day, a moment to reflect not only on the impact the environment has on us, but also on the impact we have on it through our actions and choices.

Earlier this month, members of the Jones & Wagener team took time out during a camp and hike on 10–11 April to reconnect with the natural environment. From flowing water features and diverse plant life to the wildlife encountered along the way (and a welcome cooling swim stop), the experience served as a reminder of how closely connected we are to the world around us.

Moments like these reinforce something simple but important: Protecting the environment starts with understanding and appreciating it.

At Jones & Wagener, this awareness underpins the work we do every day across engineering and environmental disciplines.

Investing in Future Talent | University of PretoriaJones & Wagener is proud to continue its partnership with the Univers...
25/03/2026

Investing in Future Talent | University of Pretoria

Jones & Wagener is proud to continue its partnership with the University of Pretoria (Tuks) in recognising and supporting academic excellence.

On Monday, Jabulile Msiza attended the Tuks prize-giving ceremony, where J&W sponsored the award for the Best Third-Year Student in Geotechnical Engineering (SGM 323).

Congratulations to Morné Greyling on this outstanding achievement; a testament to dedication, hard work, and academic excellence.

At J&W, we believe that supporting students at this stage of their journey is key to developing the next generation of professionals. Our continued collaboration with the University of Pretoria and other academic institutions reflects our long-standing commitment to nurturing young talent and strengthening the future of our industry.

We look forward to seeing what the future holds for Momé and all students striving for excellence.

Investing in Education for a Sustainable Future | J&W Education Trust AGM 2025At the recent Jones & Wagener Education Tr...
18/03/2026

Investing in Education for a Sustainable Future | J&W Education Trust AGM 2025

At the recent Jones & Wagener Education Trust AGM, Jabulile Msiza shared an update on the Trust’s continued impact and our role in advancing access to quality education.

Established in 2018, the J&W Education Trust was founded on the belief that education is one of the most meaningful ways to create long-term change. Since then, the Trust has supported learners and students across South Africa, helping to unlock opportunities and build future professionals.

Through our partnership with the The Ruta Sechaba Foundation, J&W contributes as a funding partner within a broader ecosystem, supporting initiatives that provide access to quality schooling through institutions such as Curro. We extend our appreciation to Ms Natasha Mkhize of Curro Holdings Ltd, who plays a key role in supporting and guiding our Curro learners through this programme.

This model allows for meaningful collaboration between the private sector, education partners, and communities, ensuring that support is both sustainable and impactful.

To date, the Trust has funded over R7.2 million in education initiatives, with continued growth in the number of learners and students supported each year.

We also acknowledge the contributions of our Trustees, Dr Pierre van der Berg, Mr Phakamisa Ndzamela, and Mr Trueman Goba, as well as Angelique Huisamen and Busisiwe Masondo, whose dedication continues to drive the success of the Trust.

As we look ahead, our commitment remains clear: to invest in potential, support access to education, and contribute to building a more inclusive and skilled future.

Supporting the Next Generation of Engineers | SAICE Aqualibrium CompetitionJones & Wagener was proud to be the main spon...
17/03/2026

Supporting the Next Generation of Engineers | SAICE Aqualibrium Competition

Jones & Wagener was proud to be the main sponsor of the SAICE Aqualibrium Competition, an initiative aimed at promoting the civil engineering profession and raising awareness around water distribution systems.

This year’s regional event brought together 22 teams, showcasing the talent, creativity, and problem-solving ability of learners from across the region.

As part of our sponsorship, J&W supported the event through prize money, learner goodie bags, and catering, while Nyeleti Consulting (Pty) Ltd Consulting contributed prizes for both the winners and judges.

A special thank you to the judging panel: Itumeleng Sethlabane AMSAICE, Zweli Mahlangu Pr Tech Eng, Mawandumusa Khawula, and Lemo Monyatsi, as well as MC Tsholofetso Manana Pr. Eng for facilitating an engaging and well-run programme.

We also acknowledge Debbie Besseling for her role in coordinating the event, alongside the SAICE Pretoria Branch Chairperson and committee members, including representation from TUT.

Congratulations to the winning team from Die Hoërskool Menlopark, and well done to all participants for their enthusiasm and innovation.

Initiatives like Aqualibrium play a vital role in inspiring future professionals and building awareness around the importance of water infrastructure in our communities, and we are proud to support them.

Address

59A Bevan Road, Rivonia
Sandton

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 14:00

Telephone

+27115190200

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