'DIBANANI' |
Frikkie Swanepoel,
Dibanani Consulting Engineers, Bloemfontein |
After matriculating, Frikkie first completed his military training before pursuing his passion to become a civil engineer. His BTech in Civil Engineering at the Central University of Technology was the step that paved the way to a nine year stay at Ninham Shand before venturing to form his own successful civil engineering consulting firm, Dibanani.
As an avid AllyCAD user Frikkie learnt how to operate the program inside and out and then taught his brother who now handles all the AllyCAD designs at Dibanani on the programs capabilities. "AllyCAD is a fast clever package that allows you to do big things with limited resources. From this application I've progressed to work on other modules within the Civil Designer range and find the Sewer program to be especially useful," he explains.
Dibanani is based in Bloemfontein and consists of Frikkie who is the MD and his brother Erik who handles the CAD designs for the company. They also have one Technician in the PE region and another in Aliwal North. "Most of our projects are handled in the Eastern Cape and at the rate we are going we may have to appoint additional staff. I am also busy training a Technikon student with the aim of making him a full time design Technician within the business."
Projects handled by this dynamic company vary and range from a R25 million low cost housing project in Area 13 Dukhathole, Aliwal North comprising of 300 erven with corresponding services, to sanitation projects like Herschel. "The Dukhathole project in Aliwal North is nearing its completion with the second phase of 480 erven due to commence shortly. We are also working on the Herschel sanitation project which requires sewer services for 700 erven. This project was requested by the Department of Housing with the intention of improving water supply and sanitation within the Ukhahlamba district municipality."
Dibanani was tasked with the upgrade of the existing sewer system which was in a very bad state, resulting in street overflows. The sewer system design also included two pump stations. "One of our biggest project challenges was getting around the many dongas. The area forms part of the old Transkei region which made trenches caused by erosion highly problematic."
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"We eventually created a steel structure over the dongas and placed the pipe inside it to prevent people from walking over it. Community reaction to this project within the Ukhahlamba district municipality is extremely positive as people are receiving basic orientation on what they can do to help preserve oxidation ponds. It sounds incredibly basic but you'll be surprised how the do's and don't of something like washing powder can affect things," he explains.
The construction team for the Herschel sanitation project has been awarded in a joint venture and consists of Ngelethu and Lady Gray Joinery & Construction. According to Frikkie, the first phase of the project is likely to be completed in September 2007 and if an extension is approved, this will be completed by March 2008. The entire project has a total value of R14 million.
Since the establishment of Dibanani Consulting Engineers, Frikkie has gone from strength to strength and attributes his success to remaining steadfast to his goals. “When you work for yourself you don’t have the security of a set monthly income so you tend to work harder but the rewards are there if you stay the course. Despite the extra hours I enjoy working as a civil engineer and plan to line up some big projects in the future. The path ahead can only blossom."
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Frikkie Swanepoel spends many long hours at the Lerotholi Polytechnic and believes that you cannot be a Lecturer in the Engineering Faculty if you do not have patience. "It's more than a job, it has to be a calling," he says.
started Dibanani Consulting Engineers just over two years ago and says that he is kept busy on numerous projects. He works with three other members of his task team and operates from his extensive residential premises in the heart of Bloemfontein.
Frikkie is married to his wife Hanita and has a beautiful baby daughter of two months old. In his leisure, he enjoys gardening and playing golf.
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Block I, The Terraces, Steenberg Office Park, 1 Silverwood Close, Tokai 7945.
Tel: +27 +21 701-1850 Fax: +27 +21 701-1822
Web: www.knowbase.co.za Email: info@knowbase.co.za
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