Founded 26 years ago by Managing Director Pieter Ruthven, Ruwacon has become one of the leading construction firms in South Africa. Headquartered in Bloemfontein, Ruwacon has nine regional offices strategically positioned across major metropolitan areas in South Africa, employing around 1,500 permanent and temporary staff.
The company has seen steady growth since its inception. Commercial Director Reeza Seedat points out that one of Ruwacon’s defining characteristics is its comprehensive approach to construction. “We operate across both the private and public sectors throughout South Africa and unlike many of our competitors, we do not limit ourselves to specific segments but work in all spheres of construction, from infrastructure projects and renewable energy facilities to large-scale building endeavours.”
“We offer tailor-made solutions, ensuring that clients receive personalized services tailored to their project requirements. This hands-on approach extends to senior management, who are actively involved in all aspects of projects, ensuring quality, efficiency, and client satisfaction.”
Impressive Track Record
The list of projects that the company has completed is long and varied. A notable recent retail project is the Outeniqua Village Retail Development in George, Western Cape, which was completed successfully, says Seedat. Furthermore in Cape Town, Ruwacon is nearing completion on a major Ford dealership project for the well-known Motus Group.
In Kimberley, Ruwacon recently completed Birbeck Student Accommodation. “We are proud to have reached this significant milestone, further enhancing Kimberley’s educational offerings by providing students from near and far with much-needed accommodation,” says Seedat. Birbeck offers 670 fully furnished single rooms, designed to provide students with exceptional amenities that foster both a vibrant community and a conducive learning environment.
“On the infrastructure front, we are actively involved in numerous infrastructure and road construction projects for the City of Cape Town, and we have also taken on large-scale projects for George Municipality in the Western Cape Region,” he continues.
There, the company recently completed the Rosemoor Synthetic Athletics Track, a state-of-the-art facility constructed to meet international standards for track and field events. The project included earthworks, stormwater drainage, synthetic track surfacing, and an irrigation system, ensuring a high-quality sports venue for local athletes.
Although Western Cape is the province where Ruwacon has experienced the biggest growth in recent years, the company has won prestigious projects across the whole country, affirms Seedat. For example, Ruwacon is currently serving as the main contractor for a R650 million+ project of the Dihlabeng Regional Hospital in Bethlehem, a large-scale government healthcare facility that is set to enhance medical services in the Free State.
This project aligns with the company’s commitment to building impactful infrastructure—facilities that directly impact and improve the lives of communities.
To this end, Ruwacon is also very active in South Africa’s renewable energy sector – over the past 12 years, the company has completed numerous large-scale renewable energy projects, becoming one of the longest-standing contractors in this field.
Proud achievements include the largest solar farm in Africa, located in Kenhardt in the Northern Cape. Covering 9 km2, this solar farm consists of more than half a million photovoltaic (PV) modules and has an installed capacity of 540 MW solar and 225 MW/1,140 MWh battery storage and is one of the world’s largest hybrid solar and battery storage facilities.
Committed to Communities
In the highly competitive South African market, Ruwacon can leverage several significant advantages, Seedat explains. “We have an extensive regional presence – with offices across the country, we can offer more competitive pricing and efficient service delivery.”
“We can also boast solid in-house resources in terms of both labour and equipment, reducing reliance on external suppliers and ensuring cost-effectiveness. Our Ruwacon Construction division, which accounts for 60-70% of the company’s turnover, is supported by other three divisions – Infrastructure, Plant Hire and Scaffolding, so our clients benefit from a single-point-of-entry solution, avoiding the complexity of managing multiple contractors.”
This diverse business structure gives Ruwacon the advantage of operating seamlessly across various sectors within the construction industry. “Needless to say, our suppliers are part of our success. We have very good, long-standing relationships with our suppliers and stakeholders; in addition to enhanced reliability, this helps us to provide better prices, an important factor when tendering for new projects.”
He affirms that Ruwacon is deeply committed to social responsibility and community engagement and supports disadvantaged communities by participating in social development projects, school programmes, and infrastructure improvements.
“Ruwacon prioritises hiring local labour in project areas, thereby creating employment opportunities and contributing to skills development. Many workers who show potential are offered permanent positions, fostering long-term career growth. Additionally, we invest in education through bursary programmes and mentorship initiatives for university students pursuing careers in construction and engineering.”
Remaining at the Forefront
Reeza Seedat affirms that Ruwacon has made a name for itself as a highly reputable company that pursues relevant training projects to provide its staff with opportunities for self-development. “Recognising the skills deficit in South Africa, we empower our people and support our skilled artisans to train our labour force as required, ensuring a positive impact on the communities we serve.”
“I’ve seen many of our younger employees also making strides in the company and growing,” he notes, pointing out that one of Ruwacon’s strengths lies in its employee retention – the company boasts one of the lowest staff turnover rates in the industry, with many employees having been part of the team since its inception.
Dedicated and skilled staff also help to keep the business ahead in the challenging South African market environment. Despite political instability, inflation, and high competition within the construction sector Ruwacon has shown the resilience not only to survive but also to grow – over the past four years Ruwacon has nearly doubled its workforce and project turnover with FY 2024-2025 being its most successful financial year to date.
Going forward, Seedat states that the company has a clear vision of how to address challenges and embrace opportunities. “The executive team has set ambitious yet achievable targets for continued expansion over the next three years, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of South Africa’s construction industry, continuing to build a better future for the country,” he concludes.
