As the leading supplier of concrete materials in southern Africa, AfriSam has been supplying the Lesotho nation with superior quality cement for over half a century. The company established a physical presence in Lesotho when it opened its distribution centre in Maseru in 1999. 

This year AfriSam has, once again, demonstrated its commitment to the economic development of Lesotho and its people by establishing the first cementitious manufacturing facility in the country.  This forms part of the company’s growth strategy and its commitment to enable development on the African continent by providing access to quality building materials. AfriSam has received the required authorisations from local authorities to construct a blending and packing facility with an initial production capacity of 200 000 tons per annum at the company’s existing distribution centre in Maseru. This production capacity can be increased according to the cement demand of Lesotho. Following a ground breaking ceremony held on 9 March 2016, construction of the plant has commenced and is planned to become operational in the third quarter of 2016.

Over and above the benefits derived from the products that will be produced, a cement plant can be a powerful factor in economic and social development. “It is AfriSam’s intent to make use of Lesotho citizens as far as possible for any requirements relating to the operation of the facility”, says Stephan Olivier, CEO of AfriSam. “This includes for example, making use of local transport companies to transport the required raw material as well delivering products from our plant to customers. A new pallet repair facility will be established on site and will be outsourced to a local Lesotho start-up business.”

To further demonstrate its commitment to the development of Basotho people, AfriSam has partnered with a local company, Cement Industries Limited, to co-invest in the new plant project. “AfriSam considered various companies, taking into consideration a number of criteria. We are proud to announce that Cement Industries Limited was deemed the most suitable partner for this project,” says Olivier.

The design of the plant allows a number of products to be produced providing AfriSam’s customers in Lesotho with a total solutions offering to meet their cement and concrete requirements.

“AfriSam’s new plant will comfortably meet the local cement demand and will be capable of producing specialised products for large infrastructure projects such as the Lesotho Highlands Water Project,” says Olivier. “This will mean that Lesotho will have access to cement made in Lesotho for the Basotho nation.” Over the years, AfriSam’s products have been used in a number of iconic buildings and infrastructure projects in Lesotho such as the Katse Dam, various roads, bridges, commercial buildings, hospitals and schools. “At AfriSam, we are most proud of what our products make possible. Our products are used to build structures that provide safety and security, connect people, provide an education for the youth and heal the ill. AfriSam is all about creating concrete possibilities,” adds Thato Tsuene, Lesotho Country Manager for AfriSam.

AfriSam’s relationship with Lesotho extends further than the enablement of infrastructure development. The company has also created countless possibilities through its investments in the sustainable upliftment of the Basotho nation.  AfriSam is one of the main sponsors of the annual Moshoeshoe Walk and has invested in various community upliftment initiatives over the years. AfriSam has built schools and amenities such ablution facilities and kitchens, donated lap desks to school children, supported children’s homes and orphanages and donated substantial quantities of bagged cement to organisations in need. 

“We are extremely proud of our association with the Kingdom of Lesotho and its people. We look forward to the part we, as AfriSam, can play in the continued growth and development of this beautiful mountain Kingdom,” concludes Olivier.