Lowveld - Dec 2020 / Jan 2021

Lebogang’s journey started at the tender age of
seven when he would buy and sell jelly beans to
the neighbourhood kids. It was, however, only after
hearing his mom and gran in conversation about
profit and gain that he realised his small operation
would be much better run if he actually sold the
sweets at a higher price that what he had bought
them for. From that day he’s been making ends meet
by understanding the delicate relationship between
buying and selling for gain. It became a lesson that
Lebogang vowed to share with his community.
Upliftment has been a major part of how he conducts
his business.
Fountain Square Construction is a CIBD level 7
certified company and executes its projects with
competence, effectiveness and relentless attention to
detail. Over the years it has built a team of extremely
resourceful and capable staff who complete each
undertaking to the highest standards. Projects
span over multiple provinces and include public
infrastructure, commercial developments, residential
developments, civil engineering operations and
government capital works.
The road to the proud company it is today was not
paved with roses and Fountain Square Construction
suffered its fair share of disappointments over the years.
“It has been a tough journey for us,” says Lebogang
about this cut-throat industry. “In this business it is about
survival of the fittest, and we are blessed that this ship is
still a-sail.”
During tough times the company has relied heavily on
close business relationships to make it safely across stormy
waters. BUCO Nelspruit has been one such strong ally and
he speaks with gratitude how it has always been by his
side. With humble honesty he describes the times when
BUCO would go the extra mile to help him face the storms.
Lebogang again brings up how his grandmother, who was
illiterate, built her legacy on relationships and a definite
partner strategy. Another lesson from the matriarch: you
are only as strong as those you associate yourself with.
There is no quality construction without quality suppliers
which deliver on time and according specification. It is
no secret that this builder, with his keen eye for detail,
would not have been able to deliver according to his own
standards without BUCO Nelspruit’s dedicated account
manager, Daniel Stemmet. He understands the needs of
this client better than anyone.
As we sit at the construction site and watch the mounds
of cement roll buy in wheelbarrows, you get a clear sense
of purpose from each staff member as they go about their
day. Determination and dedication have flowed down
through generations and washed over everyone in the
family circle, a circle that includes BUCO Nelspruit.
Zenele Nkosi and Lebogang Sihlangu
Daniel Stemmet, Kenneth Masango
and Lebogang Sihlangu
Dec 2020 / Jan 2021 Get It Lowveld 37