Niche infrastructure delivery

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2020, Lukhozi Consulting Engineers is a multidisciplinary consulting firm rolling out projects nationally from its home base in the Eastern Cape. Greg Tucker, managing director, Lukhozi, outlines the company’s operating philosophy, which spans the private and public sector.

Lukhozi’s two decades of project excellence have been founded on a commitment to ethical design and execution according to worldclass engineering and quality standards. The company is ISO 9001 certified and a Level 2 BBBEE contributor.

“From inception, we’ve always embraced innovation, which includes keeping up to date with the latest information technology and engineering software,” says Tucker. “That certainly paid off when the hard lockdown hit, because our cloud-based platforms facilitate remote working. Our digital transformation has enabled us to improve communications and time and cost efficiencies in design teams and project management in these uncertain times. Technologies like augmented and virtual reality also allow our engineers and clients to experience walkthrough simulations, which we can then refine in practice on-site.”

Lukhozi’s expertise within the infrastructure space encompasses all engineering disciplines, project and construction

Nooiensfontein sewage pump station and rising main: the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements appointed Lukhozi for the design and implementation of a R54 million sewage diversion contract.

The work entailed civil, structural, electrical, mechanical engineering, environmental and project management services management, facilities management, and scientific and environmental services. Core areas include water and sanitation, roads and stormwater, and housing. Prevailing drought conditions, combined with the onset of Covid19, have made health services, as well as water and sanitation projects, urgent priorities.

Lukhozi has completed extensive work for the Eastern Cape Department of Health. Over the past three years, this has entailed upgrades and refurbishments at more than 100 medical facilities.

“Municipal engineering is an economic and social enabler; infrastructure sustains and grows economies. That’s vitally important in economically depressed regions like the Eastern Cape,” says Tucker.

Value engineering

Lukhozi’s success has been founded on finding solutions and adding value. This includes providing opportunities for emerging contractors by designing projects in such a way that they can be divided into smaller, labourintensive work packages. EME facilitation and community engagement are vital for successful project implementation.

Current projects

Within the Nelson Mandela Bay region, major work includes a gravel-to-surfaced-road programme and municipal services for the Kwanobuhle housing project, comprising some 3 000 units.

In the East London area, five projects are under way in the East London IDZ, along with various municipal services projects for Buffalo extension to the Automould Factory (R40 million), where construction is to commence by November 2020; and the Bushveld Energy Processing Plant (R36 million), which is currently at design stage. Lukhozi is also appointed as the civil engineer and environmental control officer at the HW1 facility (R113 million), where construction is scheduled to be completed by December 2020

ELIDZ manufacturing facilities: the East London IDZ appointed Lukhozi as project managers for four facilities. These comprise the HS1 facility (R89 million) and GE1 facility (R150 million), both scheduled to be completed by December 2020

City metro, and several housing projects in and around East London.

Beyond the Eastern Cape, current projects include building projects in Gauteng and the provision of bulk and internal water, sanitation, roads and stormwater services, and top structures for Forest Village – a major residential development in Blue Downs, Cape Town, comprising some 4 500 housing units – among others.

“Our strategic vision is to continue the digital transformation of our operations to keep pace with ever-changing technology, which for us defines the Fourth Industrial Revolution and artificial intelligence. We aim to do this without losing the personal touch that has made us accessible and relevant over the past 20 years,” Tucker concludes.