Concor Recognized At Construction World’s Best Projects Awards

Leading infrastructure and building contractor Concor has been recognised at Construction World’s Best Projects 2025, receiving two Highly Commended Awards and a Special Mention in the AfriSam Innovation Award for Sustainable Construction category.

The company earned a Highly Commended Award in the Building Contractors Category for its work on the Compensation Fund House refurbishment project in Tshwane as well as another Highly Commended Award in the same category and a Special Mention for Oxford Parks Block 2A Phase 1 in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

Compensation Fund House – Refurbishment with Purpose
Currently nearing completion, the Compensation Fund House project represents one of the most complex refurbishment and compliance upgrades undertaken by Concor in recent years. The 7 storey building, historically the headquarters of the Department of Labour’s Compensation Fund, had been flagged as non-compliant with building and safety regulations and faced serious concerns regarding its structural integrity.

“From the outset, the project required a high degree of flexibility and technical problem-solving,” Martin Muller, Contract Manager at Concor says. “We were essentially dealing with a structure with no available design documentation, so every phase demanded careful investigation and engineering innovation. Our team had to adapt continuously to ensure the building’s safety, functionality and long-term compliance.”

To navigate this challenge, Concor embarked on a six month programme of detailed investigations when construction commencement in April 2024. The team extracted core samples from columns and slabs to assess concrete strength, performed 3D scanning to determine rebar spacing and exposed selected sections of concrete to examine reinforcement conditions. The insights gained enabled engineers to devise targeted solutions for areas of concern, ensuring structural soundness and compliance with current building codes.

“This project has been a true test of multidisciplinary collaboration – combining civil, structural and safety expertise with modern diagnostic technology,” Muller notes. “It is a project that truly showcases Concor’s ability to deliver under demanding circumstances.”

Oxford Parks Block 2A Phase 1 – Innovation in Sustainable Urban Design
In Johannesburg’s Oxford Parks Precinct, Concor was recognised for its continued contribution to the precinct’s growth through the completion of 10 Parks Boulevard and 55 Eastwood Road – collectively known as Oxford Parks Block 2A Phase 1. These buildings mark the company’s eighth and ninth successful projects for long standing client Intaprop, reflecting a trusted partnership spanning more than seven years.

The two office buildings share a three level super-basement, requiring the excavation and removal of over 146,000 m³ of material and the installation of 3,500 m² of lateral support systems to ensure stability. Proximity to the Gautrain tunnel servitude demanded precise foundation design, utilising raft foundations in conjunction with piling.

To accelerate progress and reduce environmental impact, Concor implemented several construction innovations, including early-stage preparation for column installation and off-site fabrication of unitised panels for the curtain wall façade. The development covers a gross building area of 15,712 m², incorporating over 18,000 m³ of readymix concrete, 1,745 tonnes of reinforcing steel and 5,500 m² of glass façade.

“Our work at Oxford Parks continues to raise the bar for sustainable urban construction,” Muller says. “Each project has allowed us to introduce improved design methods and buildability solutions that enhance both performance and environmental outcomes. The recognition from Construction World reinforces our team’s dedication to excellence and innovation.”

Commitment to Excellence
Concor’s performance across both projects reflects its ongoing commitment to quality, safety and sustainability in the built environment. “Receiving recognition in multiple categories is an affirmation of the professionalism and ingenuity of our project teams,” Muller concludes. “It also underscores Concor’s ability to adapt, innovate, and deliver – whether refurbishing complex legacy structures or shaping new urban landmarks.”

The Concor team that was recognised with three awards at Construction World’s Best Projects.

The varied façade finishes on each elevation on the Compensation Fund House include unitised panels and precast ventilated cladding, which added complexity to both demolition and construction detailing.

A standout feature of the refurbished Compensation Fund House will be its striking new façade which incorporates a modern curtain walling system for a sleek contemporary look.

The structure at 10 Parks Boulevard nearing completion, marking a major milestone in the development of this latest addition to the Oxford Parks Precinct.

The tiled façade being installed at 10 Parks Boulevard, adding the final architectural finishes to the building’s exterior.

Kehumile Puwani

Company Secretary & Compliance Manager

Advocate Kehumile Puwani (Jantjies) is a distinguished legal professional specialising in commercial, corporate governance and regulatory law. She obtained her LLB from North-West University and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Compliance Management and various advanced certificates in Board Governance, Anti-Money Laundering Control and Board Leadership. With a proven track record as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa, Kehumile has provided legal counsel on litigation, corporate governance, and compliance matters. Her previous roles include Company Secretary and Legal Counsel for Bell Equipment Sales Limited, Head of Compliance for New National Assurance Limited, and Legal Executive for Abacus Life and Abacus Insurance Limited. She is also a certified Professional Director (PD SA) from the Directors Association of South Africa and an active member of the Institute of Directors South Africa.

Thirosha Govender

Group Legal Manager

Thirosha Govender is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa and has been specializing in construction law for more than a decade. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Media Communication), Bachelor of Laws and a Master’s in Maritime Law, along with several professional development courses, including the Public Finance Management Act, Insurance&Risk Management, & Intellectual Property Law. She is a member of the Institute of Directors South Africa & Women in Mining Business SA. Thirosha’s diverse skill set & expertise are: stakeholder management, legal drafting and review of contracts, legal research, corporate governance, compliance training & dispute resolution. Notable achievements in her career include her appointment as an Executive Member of the South African Women Lawyers Association (SAWLA,CT,2007); selection for Brightest Young Minds (BYM) which recognized her as one of the top 100 students in the country. She received an Academic & Leadership Scholarship from British American Tobacco. Thirosha is committed towards educating people and created a Know Your Rights Campaign at Concor.

Marius Koen

Divisional Managing Director: Concor Infrastructure & Mining Services

Marius Koen is a civil engineer with 28 years of experience in construction and infrastructure development. He holds a B.Eng (Civil) degree from the University of Stellenbosch. Marius has extensive expertise in Dam, Roads, Bridges, Harbor, Rail and Mining Infrastructure construction, having served in various roles including Engineer, Site Agent, Contracts Manager, and Contracts Director. He was appointed as Divisional Managing Director for Concor Infrastructure in 2024, after serving as Contracts Director since 2011. His career highlights include appointments at Group Five, Concor Roads & Earthworks and Murray & Roberts Infrastructure, overseeing projects valued between R300 million and R2 billion. His professional portfolio with Concor include the Ngqura Container Terminal Phase 2, Ngqura Port Rail Link, Coega-Colchester Roads and Bridge, and SWEP Rail Deviation, among others. High levels of proficiency and expertise in construction management, estimating, business development and client engagement distinguish Marius as a leader in his field.

Chirsto Schoeman

Divisional Managing Director: Concor Building

Christo Schoeman is a seasoned civil engineer with over three decades of experience, registered as a Professional Engineer with the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) since 1993. He also served on the council of the South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors (SAFCEC) from 2011 to 2020. Christo has held influential positions in leading construction firms, including his recent roles as Director and Operations Executive at Concor from 2020 to 2024, and Senior Executive for Strategic Projects from 2017 to 2020. His notable achievements include serving as Operational Director for the Medupi Power Station Joint Venture from 2012 to 2024, as well as holding the position of Managing Director at Aveng Grinaker-LTA Civil Engineering (2011-2012) and General Manager at Karrena Africa (2000-2011). Christo’s expertise encompasses strategic, financial, and operational leadership, business and project development, stakeholder engagement, and a comprehensive understanding of engineering processes, ranging from intern Engineer to Contracts Director.

Ian Simpson

Group Executive: Commercial & Risk

Ian Simpson is a highly skilled Commercial Executive with over 20 years’ experience in commercial, legal and risk management roles within the construction and mining sectors. He is an Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa (non-practising) and a member of the Association of Arbitrators (Southern Africa), having completed specialist certifications in both Arbitration and Construction Law.  Ian combines strong legal and commercial insights with practical industry and on-site project experience, offering a comprehensive understanding of contractual strategy, dispute resolution and commercial risk management. His key competencies include strategy development, contract negotiation and administration, commercial claims and disputes, litigation, project controls and leading teams in complex and high-pressure environments. He has held senior positions at major industry players, including Senior Commercial Manager at Murray & Roberts Buildings (2010–2016), Group Legal & Risk Executive at Concor (2016–2020) and Commercial Executive at Moolmans Mining Contractors (2021–2023).  Ian holds an LLB and an Advanced Diploma in Labour Law from the University of Johannesburg and has completed leadership and industry-focused programmes through GIBS and the University of Cape Town. 

Jethro Masike

Group Executive: HR & HSE

Jethro Masike is a skilled IR and HR professional with a National Diploma obtained in 1999. He began his career as a Payroll Administrator and HR Officer from 1999 to 2003, before transitioning to industrial relations at Peter Mellor (Pty) Ltd in 2004. In 2009, he joined Concor Civils as an IR Officer. With extensive expertise in policy implementation, workforce planning, recruitment, industrial relations, dispute resolution and operations, Jethro has held various executive positions, including HR Executive and HR Director for Concor Opencast Mining and subsequently, Group Director HR & HSE. Jethro is responsible for formulating and executing the Group HR strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, fostering a positive work environment and managing employee relations. He serves as an advisor to the CEO, focused on reputation and stakeholder management, organizational culture, workplace health and safety and leveraging related metrics to support the achievement of business objectives.

Unathi Magwentshu

Chief Financial Officer

Unathi Magwentshu has over 20 years of experience across Corporate and Investment Banking, Development Finance, Energy, and the Petroleum sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce Honours from the University of Natal and qualified as a CA in 2004. She is highly regarded for her expertise in strategy development, financial planning, risk management, optimizing financial performance, investor relations, managing complex transactions, and providing mentorship to staff. Unathi began her career at Deloitte, honing her skills for five years before advancing into senior roles at two of South Africa’s top five banks. She later served as CFO of circa R11 billion petroleum business, before moving to successfully lead a debt restructuring assignment in the Telecoms Infrastructure sector. She has also served as a board member and Audit & Risk committee member on the boards of various companies.

Jerome Govender

Chief Executive Officer

Jerome Govender has more than 30 years’ experience in the construction, infrastructure development, and mining services sectors. A commercially astute and results-driven business leader, Jerome has proven himself in managing mergers and acquisitions, executing turnaround strategies, and leading business transformation initiatives in both South Africa and abroad. He has held key leadership positions, including as Chief Executive of Bombela Concessions Company-Gautrain (2007 to 2012), Murray & Roberts Construction African & Middle East (2012 to 2017), Cross Yara Partnership Melbourne Metro (2018 to 2019) and Moolmans Mining Contractors (2019 to 2023), before joining Concor in September 2023. Notable achievements include transforming Murray & Roberts Construction and Moolmans Mining from loss leaders to profit makers during his tenure as CEO. Additionally, he successfully managed the delivery of the USD 3.2 billion Gautrain Rapid Rail project during the crucial 5-year development period.

Lwazi Koyana

Independent Non-executive Director

Lwazi Koyana is a qualified chartered accountant with over 20 years of experience in investment management and corporate finance. He is also the founder and managing director of Nations Capital Advisors (Pty) Ltd. He currently serves as an Independent Non-executive Director for the Spar Group Ltd, is a member on the Rhodes University Council and holds the position of Chairperson at Steve Biko Academic Hospital. Previously, Lwazi served as an Independent Chairperson of the Audit & Risk Committee for the South African Qualifications Authority, an Independent Non-executive Director for AFGRI Ltd, SecureData, Mineworkers Investment Company (Pty) LTD and the W&RSETA. Lwazi is a member of Concor’s Audit & Risk Committee as well as the Remuneration Committee.

Tebogo Maoto

Non-executive Director

Tebogo Maoto is a finance and business restructuring professional holding a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics and Finance from the North West University, PGDip Project Management from Stellenbosch Business School, a Certified Rescue Analyst Certificate from the University of Pretoria, and also a Business Rescue Law Certificate from the University of South Africa. He is a licensed Senior Business Rescue Practitioner with the CIPC. Additionally, he is a member of the South African Restructuring & Insolvency Practitioners Association (SARIPA) and the International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals (INSOL). The SARIPA awarded Tebogo the designation Business Restructuring Professional. Tebogo is a member of Concor’s Audit & Risk and Social & Ethics Committees and holds other directorships.

Phahlani Mkhombo

Non-executive Director

Phahlani Mkhombo is the Founder and Managing Director of Genesis Corporate Solutions. He is an admitted attorney and is a seasoned transaction advisor. Phahlani has over 20 years of experience in business restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, business rescue, corporate finance, project finance, public-private partnerships (PPPs), deal structuring, corporate governance, legal and insolvency in both the private and public sectors. He is a registered Senior Business Rescue Practitioner (BRP) with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and is licensed to take on business rescue appointments. He is actively involved in advising clients and lenders on assignments for distressed businesses. Phahlani is a member of Concor’s Remuneration Committee.

Thulani Sithole

Non-executive Director

A seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in engineering and business management, Thulani Sithole began his career at Sasol and has since held positions in various companies across multiple industries. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA) and currently serves as the Executive Director of MANI Industries. Additionally, Thulani has contributed to several boards, including City Power and Freedom Park. Thulani serves as the Chair of Concor’s Audit & Risk Committee and is also a member of the Social & Ethics Committee.

Jerome Govender

Executive Director (Group CEO)

Jerome Govender has more than 30 years’ experience in the construction, infrastructure development, and mining services sectors. A commercially astute and results-driven business leader, Jerome has proven himself in managing mergers and acquisitions, executing turnaround strategies, and leading business transformation initiatives in both South Africa and abroad. He has held key leadership positions, including as Chief Executive of Bombela Concessions Company-Gautrain (2007 to 2012), Murray & Roberts Construction African & Middle East (2012 to 2017), Cross Yara Partnership Melbourne Metro (2018 to 2019) and Moolmans Mining Contractors (2019 to 2023), before joining Concor in September 2023. Notable achievements include transforming Murray & Roberts Construction and Moolmans Mining from loss leaders to profit makers during his tenure as CEO. Additionally, he successfully managed the delivery of the USD 3.2 billion Gautrain Rapid Rail project during the crucial 5-year development period.

Nazir Alli

Board Chairperson

Nazir Alli possesses over 45 years of experience as a distinguished civil engineer in the public and private sectors. As the founding CEO of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) in post-apartheid South Africa, he is a globally recognized leader in public-private partnerships (PPPs), change management, and institutional transformation. His continued service on numerous private and public sector boards, including as the President of the World Road Association (PIARC), is a testament to his enduring impact and influence.

Notice for public interest

Fraudulent tender notices & purchase orders

Concor is aware of fraudulent tender notices and purchase orders being circulated in the Company’s name. The templates and stationery being used, which includes our branding, are very similar to our official templates thus making them look credible. We urge legitimate suppliers and potential contractors to be cautious and to contact Concor directly on 011 590 5500 to verify all suspicious tender notices and purchase order. You can also report suspicious tenders, purchase orders or recruitment notices via the Concor Tip-offs Anonymous line on 0800 733 734.