Building Roads, Building Nations

In the heart of South Africa’s ever-evolving infrastructure landscape, one woman stands as a beacon of resilience, innovation, and transformation: Thoko Tshabalala-Shandu, the Managing Director of VEA Road Maintenance & Civils (VEA Roads). As an 80% black women-owned construction firm operating in all eight provinces, VEA Roads is more than a construction company; it’s a movement built on empowerment, excellence, and equity.

“We don’t just build roads; we build relationships, capability, and community-level resilience,” Thoko explains. “Every contract we take on is an opportunity to unlock employment, upskill the local workforce, and develop small and medium-sized enterprises that form the bedrock of inclusive growth.”

Holding a prestigious CIDB 9CE PE grading, VEA Road Maintenance and Civils specialises in road construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance services, with additional expertise in stormwater drainage, fencing, road marking, and surfacing. Yet, what truly defines this company is its soul, a fusion of corporate discipline and community-driven impact. Each project is executed not only with world-class standards but also with a deep-rooted commitment to nation-building.

Breaking Barriers, Paving New Paths

The road to success, however, was anything but smooth. Entering a male-dominated industry came with layers of challenges. Thoko recalls walking into boardrooms and construction sites where her presence was often questioned. “Credibility had to be earned and re-earned,” she shares candidly. “As a black woman, I was often subjected to scrutiny far beyond what my male counterparts faced.”

Access to funding, lack of mentorship, and difficulty in securing early contracts compounded these challenges. Yet Thoko’s approach was rooted in patience and persistence. Rather than rushing to scale, she built from the ground up, refining internal systems, ensuring compliance, and investing in people. “We hired with intention and nurtured emerging talent,” she says. “Those early sacrifices became the foundation for our sustainable growth.”

This meticulous groundwork transformed VEA Road Maintenance and Civils into a respected industry name, known for its integrity, reliability, and excellence.

The Turning Point

Every successful journey has a defining moment; for VEA Road Maintenance and Civils, it came with the SANRAL long-term road maintenance contract. “It was a project that tested everything,” Thoko recalls, “our operational readiness, our supply chain, and our community engagement capabilities.”

Not only did VEA Road Maintenance and Civils deliver ahead of schedule and under budget, but the project also became a blueprint for transformation. Employing over 150 local workers and mentoring 18 SMMEs, the initiative reinvested over 30% of its budget back into the community.

That success ignited a wave of momentum, referrals multiplied, CIDB gradings improved, and the company’s revenue doubled in just two years. “It wasn’t luck,” Thoko emphasises. “It was a preparation meeting opportunity. We were ready.”

Sustaining Success Through Values

For Thoko, success isn’t defined by profit margins but by longevity and legacy. “We’re not chasing the next contract for short-term gain,” she asserts. “We’re building a company that future generations can inherit, one that stands for excellence, impact, and equity.”

VEA Road Maintenance and Civils runs on lean but empowered operations, where every team member understands the larger purpose. The culture is one of shared accountability, from procurement to project management to finance; everyone is aligned around integrity and efficiency.

A key driver of their longevity has been listening to clients, to communities, and to staff. “That feedback loop keeps us grounded and adaptable,” says Thoko. “It ensures we’re delivering not just what’s required, but what’s truly needed.”

Leadership in the Age of Change

In today’s complex world of economic uncertainty, digital transformation, and evolving workforce dynamics, Thoko believes the greatest leadership challenge is trust. “Earning it, keeping it, and rebuilding it when lost, that’s where leadership is truly tested,” she says.

Her leadership philosophy is one of empathy and structure. “Be clear in your vision but flexible in your methods,” she advises. “Communicate honestly, even when the news is hard. And stay visible, leadership cannot be outsourced.”

In an industry where visibility often means showing up in safety boots and hard hats, Thoko leads by example. Her hands-on approach fosters trust and inspires accountability. “You must be willing to walk the site, listen to grievances, and celebrate wins. That’s how real leadership is built.”

Thoko also emphasises the importance of layered leadership, creating teams that can operate independently and solve problems in real time. “That kind of empowerment breeds resilience,” she says, “and resilience separates good leaders from great ones.”

Innovation Through People and Purpose

At VEA Road Maintenance and Civils, innovation isn’t just about new technology; it’s about smarter, more sustainable solutions. “We treat learning as a strategic priority,” says Thoko. From onboarding programmes to executive coaching, every level of the organisation is supported with continuous training and development.

Their on-site crews receive regular SHEQ and upskilling training, while administrators are trained in digital systems. Young engineers are mentored by veterans to ensure knowledge transfer and long-term capability.

Beyond internal growth, VEA Road Maintenance and Civils invests heavily in its supplier development ecosystem, training emerging entrepreneurs in pricing, compliance, and procurement systems. “When we uplift our SMMEs, we strengthen the entire construction value chain,” Thoko notes.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Core Foundation

“Diversity isn’t a buzzword at VEA Road Maintenance and Civils, it’s our DNA,” says Thoko proudly. With 80% black women ownership and a workforce that’s over 51% female, the company exemplifies inclusion in action. But beyond numbers, it’s about structure.

Inclusion is built into every process, from hiring and procurement to promotion and training. Women occupy key site management positions, and rural-based entrepreneurs are nurtured through mentorship and funding opportunities.

One of Thoko’s proudest initiatives is the Women in Construction Incubator, an ambitious programme designed to support 100 women-owned businesses by 2026. “Equity is about creating pathways, not just removing barriers,” she emphasises. “When women join our company, we want them to see a future, not just a payslip.”

Excellence in Service and Social Impact

VEA Road Maintenance and Civils’ service portfolio spans road construction, rehabilitation, pothole repair, stormwater drainage, fencing, signage, and road marking, among others. They also specialise in rapid-response emergency repair, an increasingly vital service as climate-related infrastructure failures rise.

However, what sets the firm apart is its unique hybrid model, blending technical delivery with social facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and supplier development. “We’re not just a contractor; we’re a transformation partner,” Thoko explains. “That dual capability makes us invaluable to clients who seek both quality and community impact.”

Technology Driving Transparency

Embracing technology has been a game-changer for VEA Road Maintenance and Civils. Through digital dashboards, clients can monitor project KPIs, timelines, and subcontractor performance in real-time. “It’s improved transparency and accountability,” says Thoko.

They’ve also piloted mobile applications allowing community members to report issues or provide feedback during projects. “It’s about trust,” she adds. “When people see we’re listening, they engage constructively. That’s how infrastructure becomes more human-centered.”

Disrupting Tradition with Transformation

VEA Road Maintenance and Civils has redefined what a successful infrastructure firm looks like in South Africa. “We’ve disrupted the notion that only large, white-owned firms can deliver at scale,” Thoko asserts. Their mentorship model trains emerging contractors not just to follow, but to lead, creating a ripple effect across the industry.

Many of their former subcontractors now run independent businesses, contributing to a broader ecosystem of excellence. “That’s the true measure of disruption, when others rise because you paved the way.”

Adapting to Change with Agility and Purpose

To stay competitive, VEA Road Maintenance and Civils prioritises agility. Quarterly scenario-planning sessions, supplier diversification, and strong relationships with regulators allow the firm to anticipate market shifts before they happen.

“Our strategy is simple: stay prepared, stay principled,” Thoko says. “Clients trust us because we don’t just react to change; we adapt ahead of it.”

Their expansion into the Northern Cape and Western Cape stands as a testament to this adaptability. In a short span, VEA Road Maintenance and Civils successfully mobilised five emergency rehabilitation projects, employing hundreds of people and upgrading several SMMEs’ CIDB gradings, all with zero reportable injuries.

“That’s our success formula,” she smiles. “Technical precision, social transformation, and care, all working in harmony.”

Leading by Legacy

Thoko Tshabalala-Shandu’s journey is a powerful reflection of South Africa’s spirit, resilient, visionary, and driven by impact. Through VEA Road Maintenance and Civils, she’s not just rebuilding roads; she’s rebuilding futures.

“Legacy isn’t about what we build today, but about what endures tomorrow,” Thoko concludes. “Our roads connect more than places; they connect people, purpose, and possibility.”

With leaders like her steering the way, the future of South Africa’s infrastructure is not only stronger but also more inclusive than ever before.