A minuscule uptick in civil tenders, private sector projects and a recent development agreement with a multinational construction group have ensured that emerging construction group Motheo Construction is well positioned for future growth.
One of the projects the group has secured is the construction of a R100-million canning factory for Germiston-based can manufacturing company, Gayatri Cans. The project is on track for completion by the end of May, according to Motheo Civils MD Archie Rutherford.
He explains that the scope for the 15 000 m2 factory included the full suite of structural concrete, building construction, civil services, roads and earthworks. The project started in November 2015, following the JV agreement to establish Gayatri Cans between Nigeria-based aluminium can manufacturer GZ Industries and South Africa-based packaging company Golden Era Group.
Rutherford notes that the civils division has recently tendered for several civil projects, including the Clanwilliam Dam project on the Olifants River, in the Western Cape, which is expected to be awarded next month.
Construction giant Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO) signed a development agreement with Motheo Construction, along with two other black-owned contractors Fikile Construction and Edwin Construction in November last year as part of the South African government’s Voluntary Rebuilding Programme (VRP).
Under the terms of the agreement, WBHO will ensure that the equivalent of 25% of its yearly South African construction turnover is executed by black construction companies within seven years. These companies, in turn, have committed to mentoring and developing four smaller black contractors.
Motheo cofounder and CEO, Dr Thandi Ndlovu stresses that the settlement agreement is a “transformation milestone”.
Ndlovu, as one of the few women heading a construction company, “unapologetically” strives to advance the interest and careers of black women in what is still a male-dominated industry.
“From early on, Motheo has intentionally supported the development of young women in the construction space. The company’s upliftment of women remains a “key focus area” and Motheo boasts numerous stories of young women’s development having been fast-tracked through their being partnered with, and mentored by, older and highly experienced personnel.
