South Africa’s construction sector is on a path of sustained recovery and growth. According to forecasts, the R160 billion market is expected to surge by more than 3% per annum over the next four years.
The key driver is the state’s increasing appetite for large infrastructure builds. Government has set aside R7.1 trillion for infrastructure development from 2024 to 2026.
This is over and above construction projects already underway, said to be valued at around R230 billion.
If projections are realised, construction output will reach more than R190 billion by 2028. This is sure to boost construction companies’ balance sheets.
Here’s a round-up of the top construction companies in South Africa today.
WBHO
WBHO has been in business since 1979. The JSE-listed company is headquartered in Johannesburg and is one of the largest construction companies in South Africa. It has three main operating divisions – building construction, civil engineering, and roads and earthworks.
Recently, the group expanded its international footprint with the acquisition of the Byrne Group and Russell Construction company in the UK.
WBHO works with a number of subsidiaries and associates to deliver projects across Africa, and has offices in Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), Gaborone, Accra and Maputo.
Some of the more notable projects the multi-award-winning company has delivered include the Cape Town and Moses Mabhida Stadiums, King Shaka International Airport, the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, and the Merak 2 & 3 Solar and Karusa and Soetwater Wind Farms.
Concor
Formerly Murray & Roberts Construction, Concor services the building, mining, infrastructure and property development sectors.
The construction behemoth employs 1,600 workers across eight divisions. It has projects across South Africa and in neighbouring states, including Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique.
The company is responsible for some of South Africa’s largest and most iconic construction projects – the Gautrain, Huguenot Tunnel, Bloukrans Bridge and the 580-metre-long, 192-metre-high single-span cable-stayed Msikaba River Bridge on the Wild Coast.
More recently, Concor has gained a reputation as a leader in the renewable energy sector. One of its flagship projects is the first phase of the Green Star-rated Oxford Park business precinct in Dunkeld, Johannesburg.
Key clients include Anglo American Platinum, Intaprop and the South African National Roads Agency.
Raubex
Headquartered in Bloemfontein, and with subsidiaries throughout South Africa and in Western Australia, the Raubex Group has emerged as one of the country’s leading infrastructure development companies.
The group’s key focus is providing civil solutions in the construction, renewable energy and earthworks industries, and is active throughout Africa.
The JSE-listed group was founded in 1974. It has a vast portfolio of projects, ranging from the Greefspan and Prieska PV solar farms to the Waterfall Estate bulk-water pipeline project and Berg River Bridge.
Recently completed projects include the expansion, upgrading and modernisation of the Beit Bridge border post in Zimbabwe, the Musina ring road, and the KwaMashu Interchange on the N2.
Raubex employs more than 7,000 people across six subsidiaries – Raubex Infra, Raubex Building, Raudev, EMPA Structures, Westforce and Raubex Australia.
CSV Construction
CSV Construction is one of the largest diversified engineering and construction companies in the Western Cape. Core services include civil engineering, building, microtunneling and shoring, alternative energy, and asbestos abatement and environmental services.
CSV was established in 1994, and has since expanded into Namibia. To date, it has completed more than 165 projects and employs 438 staff members at offices in Somerset West and Windhoek.
Notable clients include Rupert and Rothschild Vignerons, Execujet Aviation Group, Shoprite Checkers and the universities of Cape Town and Stellenbosch.
Completed projects include the construction of the Calvinia water-treatment plant, low-lift sewer pump station in Retreat, Vergelegen Mediclinc, and 500-bed student residence and dining hall at UCT.
Stefanutti Stocks
Stefanutti Stocks (Pty) Ltd is a large multidisciplinary construction company operating throughout South Africa, neighbouring countries, Zambia and Mauritius. A grade 9 rating from the South African Construction Industry Development Board ensures unlimited tender capability.
The company employs more than 12,000 people and boasts several awards and accolades, including:
- three 18th Annual World Luxury Awards for the Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort
- the Refurbishment Award at the 2024 SAPOA Property Development Awards for its work on the Bridge Shopping Centre in KwaMashu.
Stefanutti Stocks operates in a wide range of sectors, including roads and earthworks, mining, mechanical, electrical and power, construction and building.
Key projects include the Kusile Power Station, Ithemba Labs, Newlands Cricket Ground Development Project and the Maun International Airport in Botswana.
Motheo Construction
Motheo Construction is one of the newer heavyweights in South Africa’s construction industry. The company was founded in 1997 by the late Dr Thandi Ndlovu, making it South Africa’s leading, predominantly black female-owned construction company.
It’s a leading provider of social housing, has won multiple accolades and awards, and consists of four core divisions operating in the construction, civil engineering, water and electrical sectors.
Motheo Construction has completed a wide range of projects, including the Bus Rapid Transport Station in KwaMashu, the Transformation Centre in Westbury, Randgate Clinic and The South African Reserve Bank.
Esor Construction
Esor Construction is a construction and development group specialising in providing solutions in the building, roads and earthworks, pipeline construction, pipejacking and geotechnical sectors.
The group consists of six divisions, employs more than 400 people and operates throughout South Africa and neighbouring countries.
Esor boasts the highest possible construction ratings from the Construction Industry Development Board, and has delivered solutions for a wide range of public and private clients, including Rand Water, De Beers, China Jiangsu International, Exxaro Coal and the City of Cape Town.
Projects include the construction of mining infrastructure and the tailing dam at the Ntuane Mine in Rustenburg, an upgrade to the Gaborone sewer system, and the construction of the Lichtenburg reservoir.
Power Group
The Power Group offers civil, roads, building and property development services through two standalone subsidiaries, Power Construction and Power Development.
The family- and employee-owned construction group operates countrywide through its headquarters in Cape Town and offices in Olifantsfontein in Gauteng and Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) in the Eastern Cape.
Besides building RDP and subsidy housing units and mixed-use developments in the Western Cape, the group has constructed the Nxube, Karia, Amakhala, Gibson and Hopefield wind farms.
It is also the “power” behind the Thesen Islands development, Malmesbury Indoor Soccer Arena and Coastal Park Waste Management Facility.
WK Construction
WK Construction, formerly WJM Construction, was established in Cape Town more than 60 years ago. Today, it is one of the largest independent construction and engineering companies in South Africa.
Core services include the construction of steel pipelines for the water and oil and gas industries, renewal and upgrade of water and water waste systems, trenchless technology construction, and the construction of roads and earthworks.
The company played an instrumental role in the development of South Africa’s rail, road and pipeline networks.
More recently, it has completed a wide range of projects, such as the construction of Transnet’s new multi-product pipeline, the Pande development project, part of the Coega Industrial Development, and the construction of the West Aqueduct pipeline in eThekwini.
Isipani Construction
Established in 1960 and with teamwork at its core, Isipani Construction specialises in commercial, retail, industrial and large residential construction in and around the greater Cape Town area.
Based in Paarl, and with all the required accreditations and certifications, the building and civil contractor has delivered numerous construction projects.
A comprehensive portfolio includes the construction of the wine cellars at Babylonstoren and L’Ormarins, the Mercedes-Benz and NTT Paarl VW and Audi Dealerships, and the Longkloof Precinct and Woodstock Quarter apartment buildings.
Construction funding in South Africa
At BizFunding, we offer tender funding to construction companies of all sizes. Our team specialises in funding SA businesses with government construction contracts and tenders.
We have ground-level experience of the construction industry in South Africa. That’s why we prefer to partner with businesses by offering hands-on support, rather than unguided funding.
Our profit-sharing model allows us to help your business thrive. By partnering with BizFunding, you are assured of fulfilling the contract or tender to your client’s expectations.
Construction companies in South Africa can get funding for tenders and other construction projects in a few easy steps. Apply online now or call 012 001 0095 for more information.
