Posts by Now Boarding
Meet Dalene Vries, Incorporated Engineer in Training
Dalene Vries has a family she loves, a career she’s passionate about, and she’s about to start work on her dream project. But it took plenty of dedication and hard work for her to get to this point, including studying civil engineering part-time, while being a mom of two with a full-time job! We caught…
Read MoreWhy every company needs an X-team
When Namibia recorded its first cases of Covid-19 in March 2020, Lithon was perfectly positioned to meet the pandemic’s challenges head-on and seamlessly transitioned to remote work within a single weekend. And that’s largely thanks to the company’s strategic planning and its earlier deployment of an X-Team – a group of young employees tasked with…
Read MoreMeet Cilliers Steyn, Graduate Civil Engineer
Cilliers Steyn was introduced to Lithon in 2015, when he completed a year of in-service training with the company while studying civil engineering. The encounter was a win-win – Lithon found a young engineer passionate about his chosen field, while Cilliers found a company with a culture that spoke to his heart and a team…
Read MoreThe rise of the aerotropolis
Dr John D. Kasarda tells us that “airports will shape business location and urban development in the 21st century as much as highways did in the 20th century, railroads in the 19th and seaports in the 18th.” If you haven’t come across the term aerotropolis before, this is what is meant by it. The aerotropolis…
Read MoreTowards a renewable future
Harnessing the power of renewable resources like wind, sunlight and rain may not be a new concept, but it is one that’s becoming increasingly critical to the survival of our planet. As a key enabler of sustainable development, renewable energy is highlighted in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 7, which aims to “ensure access to…
Read MoreA favourite project: the Husab Mine Access Road
When our Husab Mine Access Road project was completed in June 2014, it boasted the longest bridge to be constructed since Namibia’s independence and was recognised for how it handled an environmentally sensitive area. But this infrastructure project is notable at Lithon Namibia for another reason – and is an all-time favourite of CEO Gert…
Read MoreMeet Bartle Rautenbach, Engineering Technician
Bartle Rautenbach (affectionately referred to by his colleagues as Oom Bartle) was born in Usakos, a small town on the banks of the Khan River in the Erongo Region. He joined the Lithon office in Swakopmund (just 140 km away from his birthplace) in January 2009 at the peak of his career – one that…
Read MoreFrom the desk of Adriaan Grobler
What is impact investing? Over the last decade, impact investing has been seen more regularly, by both business and public sectors, as a new asset class, capable of providing market related returns on investments. In fact, it’s recently become a megatrend in the investment world as impact investors seek financial returns while making a positive…
Read MoreEngineering for good: sustainable development projects changing lives
In her foreword for the Engineering a Better World conference programme, Dame Ann Dowling, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, outlines the critical role that engineering must play as civilization moves ahead. After calling attention to the breakthrough achievements of the engineering industry in the 20th century, she notes that, “we are far from…
Read MoreFrom the desk of Adriaan Grobler
The impact and effectiveness of Development Finance Institutions Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) aim to bridge the investment gap between commercial investments and state development aid in developing countries. Given their public funding and developmental mission, DFIs tolerate more risk with their longer view on investments. They’re also not constrained the way private investors are. This…
Read MoreMeet Richard Laborn, Head of Civil and Transportation
Coming from a family of Caterpillar mechanics, Richard bucked the trend by becoming an engineer. In his 30-year career, he’s worked on a number of large-scale projects, including the Tati Nickel Activox project in Botswana and the Sishen South Mine development in South Africa. With a wealth of expertise and three decades of on-the-job experience,…
Read MoreA closer look at civil engineering
Civil engineering has been around for a very long time. It’s one of the oldest types of engineering (second only to military engineering), and it deals with the design and construction of infrastructure like roads, dams, bridges, and sewage systems. In fact, the construction of the pyramids of Giza, between 2550 and 2490 BC, could…
Read MoreMeet Amarildo Paulo, Oshakati Branch Manager
Smart, confident and charismatic, Amarildo Paulo was introduced to Lithon in June 2009, when the company gave him a bursary to continue his civil engineering studies in Cape Town. More than a decade later, he’s still with the consulting engineering firm, managing its Oshakati branch remotely from Windhoek. We spent some time with him recently…
Read MoreFrom the desk of Adriaan Grobler
Is development aid dead or alive? Development aid or Official Development Assistance (ODA) is defined by the OECD as “government aid that promotes and specifically targets the economic development and welfare of developing countries”. It’s supposed to help developing countries grow economically and uplift communities. But over the past 30 years, the impact of development…
Read MoreMeet Lynn Stephansen
Lynn has spent most of her career in the consulting engineering industry. It’s here, she says, that she learned the value of teamwork – and came to realise that even small and seemingly insignificant components can make or break a project. After taking a career detour and spending four years as a professional event manager,…
Read MoreThe Oshakati Open Market
Oshakati is the capital city of Namibia’s Oshana region and is home to about 37,000 inhabitants. In 2008, Lithon Project Consultants (LPC) was appointed by the Town Council to work on the development of a new Oshakati Open Market to replace the existing market. According to Namibia’s NBC News, the project formed part of the…
Read MoreThe growing significance of agricultural engineering
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term agricultural engineering? Tractors? Irrigation? Grain silos? While these form an important part of this highly specialised branch of engineering, there’s a lot more to it – especially when it comes to sustainability. Let’s take a look. What is agricultural engineering? Agricultural…
Read MoreMeet Marsia
Meet Marsia Marsia Reed is a woman with purpose. And hard work has never held her back from achieving her goals. Capetonian by birth, Marsia moved to Namibia in 1990 – the same year the country gained its independence. Today, through the Lithon Foundation, she is helping to bring love and hope to the…
Read MoreFrom the desk of Adriaan Grobler
Harnessing impact investing to advance human wellbeing in Africa. “We can transform our anxiety into passion. Fear can become hope. The moment demands deep and unwavering commitment to transforming it all. The economy. The planet. The way we treat, see, and live with one another.” – Jessy Tolkan In his book Impact: Reshaping Capitalism to…
Read MoreThe what, why and how of mechanical engineering
Did you know that mechanical engineering is one of the oldest engineering disciplines? Or that aerospace engineering is one of its many branches? Or even that cruise control was invented by a blind mechanical engineer named Ralph Teetor? Mechanical engineering is a fascinating discipline with a multitude of real-world applications, but before we get ahead…
Read MoreModern marvels of structural engineering
Why do we feel confident taking lifts to the tops of tall buildings or driving through kilometres-long tunnels? Because structural engineers have made it safe for us to do so. These highly skilled professionals take architectural designs and ambitions and make them structurally possible. As the Institution of Structural Engineers explains, they “design the strength…
Read MoreFinding purpose through Lithon Staff Development Programme
Lithon Project Consultants CEO, Gert Maritz, is incredibly excited about the expanding possibilities at the Namibian-based engineering consulting firm. Along with his raft of new responsibilities, he is deeply committed to overseeing and advancing the staff development plan he designed during his tenure as COO. Formally implemented over two years ago, the programme is based…
Read MoreMeet Fred Mudge
Meet Fred Mudge 2021 has been a big year for structural engineer Fred Mudge. Not only does it mark his fourth year as a member of the Lithon team, but he’s also just married his university sweetheart. We chatted with him on his first day back from his honeymoon in Zanzibar to find out…
Read MoreMeet Magretha Vlok, COO of Lithon Holdings
Magretha Vlok isn’t most people’s idea of a typical engineer. Colourful and confident, with a sense of style to match – she firmly believes that “beige isn’t a colour” and has been known on occasion to team tartan with African and animal prints. This newly appointed COO of Lithon Holdings brings energy, experience and a…
Read MoreProject Management at Lithon Project Consultants
At Lithon, we’ve recognised the pivotal role project management plays in delivering well-executed and cost-effective projects. As part of our long-term strategic plan for the business, we established a dedicated Project Management Office (PMO) in early 2020, headed up by our COO, Scott Richards. Our goal? To not only develop an effective project management culture…
Read More9 fascinating facts about mining
Mining may not be something most of us think about, but this multi-billion dollar industry plays a fundamental role in our everyday lives – there are over 15 different mined minerals in the average car, for example, and it requires as many as 35 mined minerals to produce a television. Now that we’ve got you…
Read MoreLithon Foundation: Helping to tackle HIV/AIDS in Namibia
According to 2019 UNAIDS estimates, there are between 190,000 and 220,000 adults and children in Namibia living with HIV. As part of its outreach programme, and its ongoing commitment to uplifting the children of Namibia, the Lithon Foundation has teamed with two incredible organisations supporting AIDS orphans in the country. “Little by little, bit by…
Read MoreStrategic Executive Changes at Lithon
For nearly 20 years, Lithon has been led by a dynamic team committed to making a positive and significant impact in people’s lives. In 2016 we developed a strategic plan for our next 30 years, and, as a result, we’re delighted to share some exciting changes to our executive team. Our vision is to grow…
Read MoreElectrical Engineering: Moving the world forward
If you’re doing the laundry, driving to the supermarket, heating last night’s leftovers or watching your favourite series, you’re benefiting from innovations in electrical engineering (electricity, electronics and electromagnetism). And although it’s a relatively new discipline, it’s changed and continues to change the way we live, work, communicate and more. A broad and exciting field,…
Read MoreGrowing Leaders: The African Leadership Institute
The Lithon Foundation, which is a registered section 21 company and welfare organisation, is dedicated to “bringing love and hope to people and organisations through networking and collaboration.” An excellent example of this type of collaboration is the Foundation’s involvement with the Namibia-based African Leadership Institute (ALI). Founded in 2005, ALI’s mission is to inspire…
Read MoreLithon Project Consultants offers world-class multi-disciplinary consulting engineering
When Lithon founder and CEO Adriaan Grobler established the business in Oshakati, Namibia in 2002, it focused almost exclusively on project management and civil engineering. Today, LPC (Lithon Project Consultants) offers multi-disciplinary consulting engineering services within and beyond Namibia’s borders. Our highly qualified team leverages state-of-the-art technology and a wealth of expertise that includes project…
Read MoreA look at some of the world’s best and worst roads
Over 1.4 billion cars currently travel on roads ranging from small country lanes and quiet backroads to mid-city routes and multi-lane highways. Some, like the ones we drive on every day, make very little impression on us, while others are triumphs of engineering that attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Here are some…
Read MoreProviding expert skills in road and transportation infrastructure
Gert Maritz, a Lithon Project Consultant and Roads and Transportation specialist, gave us some insight into some of the projects that Lithon has been involved in. As experts in road, airport and rail infrastructure, Lithon is very proud to be a part of projects that are so important to a country’s development. Here’s a closer…
Read MoreLithon Foundation: Caring for Namibia’s most vulnerable
Established in 2014 to formalise Lithon’s commitment to Corporate Social Investment, the Lithon Foundation exists to bring hope and possibility to people and communities. “Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all…
Read MoreMeet Adri Grobler, Finance and Administrative Manager at Lithon
With a heart to serve communities in need, Adri Grobler co-founded Lithon with her husband, Adriaan, in 2002. In the early days, they operated the company from their garage converted into an office with just one staff member to help out with admin. Now, almost two decades later, Lithon has grown into a group of…
Read MoreMentorship: It’s part of the strategy
In 2002, Adriaan and Adri Grobler founded Lithon with a vision of positively impacting people’s lives. Initially, their focus was on making a meaningful difference to nearby communities in need. However, as the business developed, and the team grew, it became clear that they could also realise their vision within the company itself – by…
Read MoreWe’re extending our consulting offering
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on SMEs across the globe, with the United Nations reporting that, “Small businesses, including those run by women and young entrepreneurs, are being hit hardest by the economic fall-out of the pandemic. Unprecedented lockdown measures enacted to contain the spread of the coronavirus have resulted in supply…
Read MoreMeet Gert Grobler, Lithon Executive Director
Gert may be a recent addition to the Lithon team, but already the effect of his creativity, innovative thinking and complex problem-solving skills are being felt by the business. An actuary with a strong financial and business acumen, Gert is energised by those around him and committed to positively impacting the lives of others in…
Read MoreA closer look at job shadowing
You’ll never know until you try – that’s essentially the idea behind job shadowing, where students spend time in an organisation getting hands-on experience and gaining insight into a particular career path. Job shadowing can last anywhere from a day to a few weeks and has benefits not only for students but for companies too. …
Read MoreMeet Scott Richards – Head of Project Management at Lithon
Scott Richards started his journey with Lithon in early 2019 as a project management consultant. Now, almost two years later, he’s a member of the Exco team and is heading up an exciting new project management business unit. We chatted to him to find out about his transition from engineering to project management, his focus…
Read MoreWhy choose a Consulting Engineering firm for your development project
Consulting engineering has gained momentum over the last few decades with the increase in complex, large-scale engineering developments. As a result, firms like Lithon, who are able to manage and execute all aspects of multi-disciplinary projects, have become an increasingly popular choice. If you’re looking to team with a consulting engineering company, here’s what you…
Read MoreEros Airport rehabilitation and expansion
Located approximately 5km south of the Windhoek CBD, Eros Airport is a hub for business travel and tourism, managing around 150 to 200 movements a day. According to Namibia Airports Company (NAC) “In 2016, Eros Airport handled an incredible 74 356 passengers and 17 620 aircraft movements from commercial, private, and scheduled traffic ranging from…
Read MoreQ&A with Set-Son Shifidi – Executive Director: Electrical & Mechanical Engineering
Set-son Shifidi has been a valued member of the Lithon team, making a significant difference to the electrical and energy side of the business, since joining the company in 2015. Passionate about working with and serving people, he was drawn to Lithon’s people-focused approach and commitment to bringing love and hope to communities and organisations…
Read MoreHow a successful CSI programme benefits everyone
In 2019, “companies spent an estimated R10.2 billion on corporate social investment (CSI) in South Africa.” (Trialogue Business in Society Handbook 2019) The retail and wholesale (22%), mining and quarrying (19%) and financial services (16%) sectors made up the top three contributors. While CSI is not to be confused with a company’s purpose, the two…
Read MoreO.R. Tambo Airport – Runway upgrade
OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) is situated in Kempton Park in Johannesburg, South Africa, and was opened in 1952. According to the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA), it’s not only the company’s flagship airport, it’s also the “biggest and busiest airport in Africa.” In March 2018, Lithon Project Consultants was appointed by ACSA to…
Read MoreBuilding leadership capacity at Lithon
Lithon’s purpose has always been clear – to make a positive and significant impact on the lives of people. And while this intention is visible in the work we do and the impact it has on communities, it’s equally important to us that we live out this purpose within Lithon itself. That’s why we focus…
Read MoreMeet Gert Maritz, Lithon Operational Director
While stationed as a full-time supervising engineer on a roads construction project in Oshakati in 2005, Gert met Lithon CEO and Founder Adriaan Grobler. Although Lithon was a young company at the time (founded in 2002), Gert was drawn to its stated purpose – to make a significant and positive impact on the lives of…
Read MoreThe Hosea Kutako International Airport upgrade
Situated about 45km outside of Windhoek, Namibia’s Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) handles all long-haul flights to and from the country. Originally opened in 1965, the airport is the main gateway into Namibia and creates the first impression visitors have of the country. In October 2019, work started on a large-scale upgrade of the airport,…
Read MoreMeet Lithon Founder and CEO Adriaan Grobler
Adriaan Grobler may be an engineer, but he first and foremost considers himself a visiopreneur – a word he coined to describe someone who not only dreams of a better world, but also takes the necessary steps to make it a reality. And his vision – to build a better world – is something he…
Read More5 ways organisations can impact their communities
Most companies these days recognise the importance of giving back to their communities, whether on an ad hoc basis or through fully fledged corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes. Not only do these initiatives help to uplift people and communities, they also have a positive impact on employees and company culture – particularly if they’re strongly…
Read MoreEverything you don’t know about how electricity works
While we rely on electricity every day of our lives, it’s not something we ever really have to think about – simply switch on a plug or turn on an electrical appliance and, as if by magic, it works. At Lithon, we work according to a similar principle – we take care of the behind-the-scenes…
Read MoreLithon Holdings: Working together for a better world
Lithon Holdings is a group of companies specialising in innovative engineering and sustainable development. Our highly skilled team offers clients everything from consultation, conceptualisation, research and development planning to seamless project management and efficient execution from our offices in Namibia, South Africa, and Ghana. But more than that, we are a company committed to building…
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