Owner, AM Group

Anda Maqanda represents the new face of South Africa’s engineering sector. At a time when the country’s infrastructure is sadly in need of revitalisation, Maqanda’s AM Group is focused equally on the opportunity this presents to future generations as it is on the opportunity for AM Group’s own growth prospects.

Engineering is a notoriously complex and competitive industry for the 29-year-old Maqanda to be competing in, but he has already built a budding business in the development of power distribution infrastructure.

Based in Port Elizabeth, AM Group employs 16 full-time staff and a further eight on a contract basis.

This rapid growth and his ambitions to grow into a multinational business with a firm footing in the rest of the continent resulted in recognition in last year’s SAB Kickstarter Awards that promotes and supports promising small businesses.

One of the reasons Maqanda deserves recognition is his determination to use his business to help develop rural and impoverished areas. This he intends doing by not only hiring local labour for contracts, but also by introducing engineering as a viable and worthwhile career choice.

“My ambition is to be an asset in my community by uplifting and creating employment for the youth across the Eastern Cape,” he says. He hopes to deliver on this vision by providing direct support to local students through bursaries, internships and skills development.

These ambitious plans include establishing an engineering training centre to train young graduates.

Maqanda’s success and determination are driven by his desire to be the best in everything that he does. As is evident from his plans, this is not restricted to his commercial success but includes a deep-seated desire to touch and make a difference in other people’s lives at the same time.
— Johann Barnard

Twitter: @andamaqanda