Cyril Gamede CEO of the Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) died on Sunday at the age of 58, its board announced on Monday.

Gamede was appointed as the board's CEO in January 2020. During his tenure he brought stability to the cidb, which had been without key executives for a long time, the board said in a statement.

"Gamede made a great difference the cidb in the short time he was with the organisation. He was passionate about engineering and strongly believed that construction projects would turnaround the country's economy," said Natalie Skeepers, chairperson of the cidb.

Gamede's vast experience was in both the public and private sector. He was president of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) for two terms. He also served as founding president of the National Society of Black Engineers and president of the South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering. He also was an officer (captain) at 19 Field Engineer Regiment as part of the South African Army Reserve Force.

Gamade had an executive MBA from the University of Cape Town, a BSc in Mechanical Engineering, an MSc in Industrial Engineering, a certificate in Corporate Governance and an advanced diploma in Labour Law. He was a registered Professional Engineer and held a Government Certificate of Competency.

"On behalf of the cidb we want to thank his wife and children for his service. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, his family, friends and the engineering community who are mourning a loss of one of their own," said Skeepers.

Bongani Dladla, current COO has been appointed as the acting as CEO.

The board did not disclose the cause of Gamede's death.

Source: News24