EDITORIAL Construction
AfriSam’ s Amit Dawneerangen warns that reducing material quality to save money is undermining infrastructure and increasing long-term costs.
In a construction market facing increasing cost pressures, AfriSam’ s Amit Dawneerangen warns that reducing material quality to cut costs may seem practical in the short term. However, it damages the long-term performance and value of infrastructure.
As Executive: Sales and Product Technical at AfriSam, Dawneerangen has observed a growing trend across both public and private sector projects where the drive to cut costs results in widespread“ buying down” of material quality.
He argues that the durability and costefficiency of any infrastructure project depend on the quality of its essential materials. Cement, aggregates, and readymix concrete must all meet strict standards if structures are to perform reliably over time.
Using premium-grade construction materials is crucial for ensuring the loadbearing capacity and lifespan resilience of bridges.
“ Quality is the foundation for longevity in construction projects,” he says.“ Yet there is a growing appetite for lower quality alternatives that may meet the immediate budget but not the design intent or longterm performance requirements.”
Infrastructure investment remains one of the most effective tools for economic growth, with well-established multiplier effects. However, these benefits depend on projects being structurally sound and financially sustainable.
Dawneerangen emphasises AfriSam’ s commitment to quality assurance, noting that all cement products are produced in ISO 9001-certified plants and comply with SANS 50197 standards.
Road projects, in particular, rely heavily on accurate material testing. AfriSam conducts internationally recognised tests, such as
AfriSam’ s technical experts carry out daily process oversight and product testing to maintain consistent performance.
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