In South Africa’s built environment, cement is one of the “most unappreciated yet critical components” states cement manufacturer AfriSam sales and marketing executive Richard Tomes.

“It is central to the way we create our modern world and facilitate development, providing a cost-effective path to a better future,” Tomes says.

He states that what sets AfriSam apart is both the volume of cement it produces as well as the quality behind every bag. Each product is designed for longevity as early repairs or rebuilds are “simply not an option” for developing countries. Tomes points out that good cement choices made decades ago are still saving money today by reducing the need for maintenance as well as freeing up resources for other priorities.

AfriSam’s All Purpose Cement is engineered to remove confusion in the market and deliver consistent high-performance results across structural and residential applications.

For the manufacturing sector, AfriSam’s Rapid Hard Cement gives precast and paving producers the speed they need to stay productive, offering early strength and faster turnaround times.

Further, the company’s RoadStab Cement, a specially formulated cement for stabilising the layers beneath the road surface, helps to prevent the formation of potholes.

Large infrastructure requires even more specialised solutions. For projects such as the Lesotho Highlands Water scheme and the construction of wind turbine bases, AfriSam’s low-heat cement helps mitigate cracking by carefully managing the heat of hydration during curing.

“It is not just about performance – it is about precision,” Tomes says.

That same attention to detail extends to AfriSam’s environmental approach. By incorporating extenders such as fly ash and slag – byproducts from coal and steel production – the company significantly reduces the carbon footprint of its cement products.

Its average carbon content per kilogram of cement is below the global average. Additionally, with low-water-demand options available, customers can help to preserve one of South Africa’s scarcest resources.

However, what matters most is how AfriSam ensures its quality promise reaches its customers. Through its bi-annual Voice of Customer survey, the company gains insights across the “full customer journey”, from product selection to final payment.

“Just like checking out of a hotel, the final experience can shape the entire perception,” states Tomes. “Our goal is to deliver not only a great product, but a great relationship through remarkable service.”

If entities and citizens want infrastructure that lasts, then they should start with materials that are built to do so. “What goes into it matters because the future depends on it,” he concludes.