In South Africa’s competitive construction sector - where tight margins and demanding timelines define success - Afri Readymix has emerged as a standout performer. Founded in 2021 in Rustenburg, the company has rapidly grown into a fully integrated supplier to both the mining and general construction industries. With its focus on quality, service, and community upliftment, Afri Readymix is redefining local excellence in construction materials.
At the helm is Gerhard Maree, Founder and Managing Director, whose journey combines experience and resilience. After two decades with AfriSam, including 15 years managing its Rustenburg readymix plant, Maree was retrenched in 2020. Instead of leaving the industry, he acquired the very plant he once managed - “a turning point that turned a difficult moment into a foundation for growth,” he recalls. Afri Readymix began operations in March 2021.
Since then, growth has been swift. Within a year, a second plant opened in Boshoek, followed by a third in Northam in 2024. That same year, the company launched Afri Hardware, offering a full range of building materials “from foundations to finishes.” The move, supported by a new brand identity - “From Concrete to Hardware” - marks Afri Readymix’s evolution into a full-spectrum construction solutions partner.
Recent investments and new ventures
The company’s growth momentum continued in 2025 with two major investments. In January 2025, Afri Readymix finalised the acquisition of the Noordvaal Centre in Rustenburg, now being transformed into a modern, multi-purpose facility aligned with its forward-thinking image. At the same time, the company extended its retail footprint to the Western Cape with the opening of a new Afri Hardware outlet in Groot Brak, which began trading on 1 October 2025.
Looking to the future, Maree says the next phase will focus on geographic expansion and operational excellence. “We’re planning three new batching plants in three different provinces,” he explains, “because our long-term goal is to grow Afri Readymix into a well-known and trusted brand across South Africa.”
Technology and innovation
Technology remains a cornerstone of Afri Readymix’s operations. Each batching plant runs on Command CE systems, providing precise control and real-time monitoring. To ensure consistent quality, Go Consult conducts monthly audits. Maree notes that “those audits keep us honest and push us to improve; they’ve also helped us develop more than 300 custom concrete mix designs.” These include high-performance durability mixes for infrastructure projects, fibre-reinforced solutions for mining, and specialised blends for the Bakwena N4 upgrade, supplied through main contractor Raubex.
Partnerships with Chryso Southern Africa further enhance the company’s technical edge. By incorporating advanced chemical admixtures, Afri Readymix has improved product strength, reduced curing times, and lessened its environmental footprint - advances Maree describes as “innovation that delivers real-world efficiency.”
Commitment to sustainability
Concrete production is resource-intensive, but Afri Readymix is determined to make it more sustainable. The company is optimising raw-material sourcing to reduce transport distances, reusing aggregates from mine-rehabilitation projects, and testing low-carbon cement alternatives. Maree views sustainability as a continual process rather than a single achievement: “It’s an ongoing journey, and our goal is to make every step - from production to delivery - more energy-efficient and environmentally responsible.”
Rising fuel and electricity costs have challenged operations, yet Afri Readymix continues to innovate through energy-saving equipment and smarter logistics planning. “We can’t control fuel prices,” says Maree, “but we can control how efficiently we use what we have.”
Funding and financial discipline
Afri Readymix’s expansion has been financed through a balanced mix of in-house funding and external support from financial institutions. This disciplined approach, Maree says, “keeps our growth sustainable - we move forward with confidence, not risk.”
Community development and empowerment
Afri Readymix’s success is deeply intertwined with community upliftment. The company prioritises local employment, training, and supplier development, while nurturing entrepreneurship and supporting B-BBEE initiatives. “The development of local entrepreneurs and our BEE partners will always be part of our growth plan,” says Maree. “We invest in skills, support schools and projects, and engage with our communities because their success is our success.”
This philosophy translates into tangible action. Afri Readymix provides long-term support to Môrester Children’s Home, helping to fund operations through sponsorships. The golf day held on the 9 October 2025, raised R351 000. The company also sponsors youth-sport programmes at Rustenburg High and Frikkie Meyer High, reinforcing its commitment to local development. Our Morester golfday held on the 9 October 2025 raised R351000 for Morester children’s home
Competitive edge and performance goals
Afri Readymix distinguishes itself through customer focus, transparent communication, and technical reliability. Maree summarises the company’s approach succinctly: “We don’t just sell concrete - we provide solutions. Reliability, consistency, and quality are non-negotiable.”
Operating under the Afri Holdings umbrella with shareholders Werner Weiss and Christie van der Mescht, the company employs more than 40 permanent staff and 20 contractors, supported by a fleet of 26 trucks, including subcontracted units.
Despite economic and political uncertainty, Maree remains optimistic. “We’re consolidating our operations, maintaining service excellence, and positioning ourselves for sustainable national growth,” he says. “We’re not only building infrastructure - we’re building communities, relationships, and a lasting legacy.”
From a decommissioned plant to a regional powerhouse, Afri Readymix’s story is one of vision, innovation, and commitment to people. In just a few short years, the company has grown from a single bold idea into a trusted name in construction - proving that when quality and purpose align, the results can build more than structures; they can build a legacy.
Performance snapshot
Afri Readymix tracks its success through specific, measurable performance indicators:
- 98% on-time delivery
- Zero safety incidents
- Continuous fuel-efficiency improvements
- Revenue and sales growth
- Stronger brand visibility
- Ongoing staff training and development
