Ready-mix concrete manufacturer builds an empire

As South Africa celebrates Workers' Month, anchored by the Workers' Day public holiday on 1 May, a local entrepreneur said the struggle has evolved from what it was during apartheid to a fight against youth unemployment in the country today.

Speaking to Vuk’uzenzele in an interview, the Managing Director at Wurthmore Concrete, Sheridan Rivombo, encouraged South African youth to continue to find creative ways to participate in the economy.

“They should not just participate as consumers or end users but as manufacturers and providers of products and services. Our government continues to draft policies and implement laws that seek to level the playing field, and we must make it our mission to transform our industries of interest,” he said.

Every year in May, the country celebrates Workers’ Month to honour the historical struggles of the labour movement, promoting workers' rights, recognising contributions to the economy, and addressing ongoing challenges in employment and social justice.

Rivombo is not just preaching entrepreneurship he lives it. His company was established in 2020 in Bloemfontein, Free State, but also provides services in Kimberley in the Northern Cape.

The 100% black-owned company is a manufacturer and supplier of ready-mix concrete to the construction industry for various site applications, including to firms and individuals.

The company currently employs 15 full-time staff and three part-time workers.

“The lack of black suppliers of raw construction materials in the city was an indication that we are at the tail end of the sector. From inception to completion, almost all materials are bought from white/Indian-owned firms, thus limiting us to play the role of labour brokers and project management,” he explained.

Although it initially provided services in Bloemfontein alone, the company realised tremendous growth after the COVID-19 pandemic. It then approached the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), after establishing itself as a prominent supplier in Kimberley, to increase its fleet and deliver products to outlying farming towns in the Northern Cape.

The company received assistance from the NEF to purchase three trucks.

“We appreciate the role played by development finance institutions. They play a very important role for companies like ours by providing loans coupled with a grant which assists us to compete in the market,” he said.

Northern Cape Investment Conference

In April, the NEF in partnership with the Northern Cape Provincial Government, successfully launched and showcased Wurthmore Concrete and seven other black-owned enterprises as part of the Provincial Investment and Jobs Conference.

The launch marked a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the NEF and the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), aimed at accelerating enterprise development, unlocking investment, and driving inclusive economic growth.

The eight businesses launched operate across key sectors of the provincial economy, including construction, manufacturing, tourism, property development, agro-processing, and environmental services.

Collectively, these investments have already contributed to the creation of 229 new jobs, while sustaining a further 110 jobs, demonstrating the tangible impact of development finance in enabling businesses to grow and communities to benefit.

“We were humbled by the recognition at the conference,” said Rivombo.

NEF Chief Executive Officer Mziwabantu Dayimani emphasised the importance of partnerships in unlocking meaningful economic participation: “Through our partnership with the Provincial Government, we have since approved 22 investments across key sectors, unlocking real opportunities anchored in local ownership and long-term economic participation.”

He added that development finance must go beyond transactions: “Economic transformation does not happen through policy statements alone. It happens when entrepreneurs are given the tools, capital and support to build businesses that can hire, grow and sustain livelihoods. This is how investment becomes jobs, and jobs become dignity.”

Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, said the provincial growth trajectory depends on strong partnerships that bring together government, development finance institutions, and the private sector.

“Through initiatives such as this, we are creating pathways for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to participate meaningfully in the economy and positioning the province as a growing investment destination,” concluded Premier Saul. 

For more information, visit www.wurthmore.co.za or call 081 464 2583.

The NEF can be reached at www.nefcorp.co.za or call 0861 843 633.