Construction World April 2022

also sourced locally. Among the local contractors are Simba Holdings who is building part of the staff housing, while Bitumen World is providing the civils works for the staff housing area. Esor Zimbabwe is constructing the pipeline to and from the reservoir. “What has worked really well is putting together an AfriSam project team which includes members from our logistics, orders and sales departments,” says Wentzel. “We also involve our transporter company in our weekly meetings to assess performance and plan ahead.” She highlights the consistent quality of cement being delivered – a testament to the capability of the Roodepoort plant – and the regular communication both internally and with the client as key success factors to date. “The cross-functional approach that we take helps to share the work load effectively, keep up the enthusiasm and morale, and allows everyone to appreciate the input of others in the project,” she says. According to Raubex Site Agent Awie Muller, the professionalism of the AfriSam team has been impressive from the outset. “Their communication skills are excellent, staying in touch with us on site on a daily basis,” says Muller. “We never have to wonder where cement trucks are – the team would always keep us up to date with truck movements.” He notes that AfriSam came into the project at a time when border congestion and delays were particularly challenging, and has done “an excellent job” in contributing to the success of the work. Sandenbergh emphasises AfriSam’s role as a key partner in the project through its quality product and effective communication, as well as ensuring that any challenge is quickly addressed. “They have helped ensure that we achieve our production targets, and thereby contributed to our success,” he says.

AfriSam’s relationship with Raubex goes back many years, says Wentzel, including considerable work for Raubex’s building division. She highlights that this long relationship is being further strengthened by the successes being achieved on the Beitbridge project. 

The project as a whole is requiring 10 000 tonnes of AfriSam High Strength Cement 42,5R.

Left: The completion of the first phase has already made life easier for the 800 to 850 freight trucks passing daily in both northerly and southerly directions across the border. Right: The concessionaire will also be developing infrastructure within the town of Beitbridge, including a 11,5 million litre reservoir with associated pipelines.

Each stream will have its own terminal building where all customs and immigration documentation will be dealt with.

23 CONSTRUCTION WORLD APRIL 2022