Page 29 - KZN Top Business Portfolio 2024/5 - ebook

in mega-projects such as the Lesotho Highlands quantities, making it ideal for the residential builder
Water Project in the 1980s and 1990s,” he says. “This as well.”
investment in skills has been a pillar of AfriSam’s In a country beset by housing shortages, urban
success and longevity, and remains a focus for us migration and unemployment, this allows small
even during economic downturns.”
building works to continue as a basic step in uplifting
Iconic Structures people’s lives.
As a result, AfriSam has been associated with some “Most importantly, this work can carry on without
of South Africa’s most iconic structures – signifying compromising quality, and still prioritising our
its direct contribution to the infrastructure on commitment to a lower carbon footprint for the
which the country’s growth has been built. These generations that will follow us,” he emphasises. “This
include King Shaka Airport, Spring Grove Dam and, goes hand-in-hand with the support we provide to
most recently, the upgrade of the N3 highway. emerging and small builders through training and
knowledge sharing.”
“This has earned us the most trusted name in South
Africa’s readymix space,” Govender argues. “What Cohesion and Unity
is significant about this today is that the larger Beyond the worksite, AfriSam’s long history has
contractors have been forced to slim down in recent also been characterised by its social responsibility,
years – so they often do not have their own concrete aimed at supporting the broader community in their
technologists in-house.” efforts to create a better future. Sport has always
This makes its biggest customers increasingly reliant been central to social cohesion. “We were proud to
on AfriSam’s technical expertise in cement and be a partner to the Springbok rugby team as they
concrete, which is vital for ensuring compliance prepared for – and finally won – the latest Rugby
with project specifications so that structures last for World Cup in France,” Govender says, highlighting
their full expected lifespan and beyond. Succession, how success builds the national psyche and the
training and upgrading of skills take place confidence of citizens in the future. The range of
continuously alongside research and development other investments includes youth employment
in the knowledge that future economic growth initiatives and various community activities.
depends upon it. Looking Ahead
Support in Tough Times Looking ahead at projects that signify better
Reflecting on the ways that AfriSam develops and times ahead, Govender notes that AfriSam will be
adapts its product range to suit the times, Govender contributing to two of the projects in the latest
points to the company’s ability to serve customers phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project – the
and the country when the economic climate is tough. Polihali Dam and the 34 km transfer tunnel.
“It is perhaps especially in times like now, when “As a responsible construction materials producer,
there has been sustained pressure on the economy we comply with Social and Labour Plan regulations,
and livelihoods, that companies like AfriSam need but our vision and actions go well beyond that,”
to prove their mettle,” he says. “For instance, our concludes Govender. “With our 90 years in business,
R&D has produced cost effective concrete solutions we exemplify the value of stable businesses that
like Starmix, which is ideally suited for the building actively develop skills and sustain jobs, retaining the
industry. It can, however, also be ordered in small groundwork on which the economy can grow.”

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