PROFILE : My out of SA experience - Bajiji Muberuka

Construction Professional Bajiji Muberuka details his time working on construction projects for European construction businesses in Papua New Guinea and Senegal.

My experience in international construction projects includes working in Senegal on the TER/Regional Express Railway, a 55km railway line between Dakar and the International Airport. I was responsible for constructing a 19km section of the railway, including five rail over road bridges, over 30 portal culverts, and a train station platform.

In Papua New Guinea, I worked on the Early Works Infrastructure project for LNG. This involved preparatory work for the construction of a gas pipeline and drilling wells for Total Energy. My team and I built an 800 Pax camp, a 40km access road to the drilling platform, and a new wharf along the Purari River to receive construction materials.

Working on construction projects outside of South Africa, I encountered diverse cultures, beliefs, religions, and languages within the construction teams. It took time to adapt socially, as people tended to gravitate towards their own cultural groups after work.

The work culture on these projects was also distinct. Long extended hours were the norm, although construction methods were generally similar. However, the EURO Standards and specifications were different.

European-based companies' advanced technology in construction impressed me. It improved work quality, efficiency, and safety. However, it reduced the need for labor, a concern in South Africa, where the construction sector is the largest employer of unskilled labor and plays a vital role in upskilling the workforce. This may explain why South Africa is slow to adopt new technology and automation in construction.Considering the high upfront cost of technology and automation is most suited to mega projects that can easily absorb it as opposed to small and medium projects where companies risk pricing themselves out of competitive bidding.

I believe the South African construction industry has valuable lessons to share with the world. South Africans are resilient, solution-oriented, and adaptable to challenging situations. Our experienced workforce is a testament to the well-established construction industry over the past three decades, something lacking in many African countries due to limited infrastructure development.

Working on construction projects outside of South Africa can be challenging, especially for those with families. Single-status work arrangements require careful consideration. Expat jobs have lost their tax-free status, making it essential to weigh the financial benefits against the potential sacrifices to family life.

Despite the challenges, the experience and exposure to different cultures and ways of life are invaluable. I now consider myself a global citizen.

Bajiji Muberuka possesses a National Diploma in Civil Engineering and boasts over 25 years of substantial experience in diverse Civil Engineering Projects throughout South Africa. Presently, he holds the position of Construction Manager at WSM Group.

If you also had experience working on projects outside of South Africa you can also share your experience by submitting your details here. You can follow us on our WhatsApp channel here for more out of South Africa experiences.