On 20 June, the Big 5 Construct South Africa Impact Awards named Gap Infrastructure Corporation Contractor of the Year. The accolade recognises our five-year journey in delivering the New Mapulaneng Hospital in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga. This is a top-tier facility that now brings quality healthcare to families who once had to travel hours for treatment. “Receiving this award is an immense honour for GIC, serving as important validation for our vision of changing lives through sustainable infrastructure,” says our Chief Executive Officer, Roelof van den Berg. The New Mapulaneng Hospital shows how South Africa can develop world-class facilities while creating jobs, transferring skills, and building better futures for local communities. This award is one win that belongs to us all.
Turning a Remote Site into a Centre of Care
Breaking ground during the first wave of COVID-19 in June 2020, we faced remote terrain, supply chain difficulties due to the pandemic, and a strict budget cycle. Our automated digital project-management software allowed us to sequence work precisely and trim a full month from the revised schedule, even while adding Phase 3B elements such as:
- Emergency Medical Services bays
- Surgical units
- Dedicated tuberculosis wards, and
- Much-needed mental health facilities
We Are Setting Benchmarks that Matter
Infrastructure development must protect and empower people. Together with our subcontractors, our achievements with the New Mapulaneng Hospital project include:
- 338 759 lost time, injury-free hours and an LTIFR of 0.29
- A 99% compliance score in the May 2025 occupational health and safety audit
- Employment and on-the-job training for residents in an area where unemployment stands at 52,1%
- Procurement practices that strengthened the local economy
- Sustainable design choices for the good of the environment and the longevity of the facility
GIC’s Legacy of Excellence
It was not just the completion of the hospital that made an impact, however. Many artisans have upskilled, young people have discovered career paths, and families can now access quality healthcare just minutes from home.
“This facility reflects the incredible potential we can unlock by merging construction excellence with meaningful social impact, and by working hand-in-hand with like-minded and dedicated partners in the public sector who want to join us in changing lives,” adds Chairman Olebogeng Manhe.
What This Award Means to Us – And for You
Winning Contractor of the Year is certainly a milestone we are very proud of, but it is not our final destination. We see it as an encouragement to keep designing, developing, and financing projects that leave communities stronger than we found them. Our public-private partnership model has already delivered essential services, housing, and transport links across the country, and we will continue to do so.
Would you like to change lives together? Reach out to our team today and let us bring vision, expertise, and heart to your next infrastructure venture.