Profica (Pty) Ltd aims to address this shortage and the needs of the public and private sector. The name “Profica” is formed from the words ‘Prof-essional Project Management Afr-ica!

Tim White, Director of Profica, says “the idea of Profica has been simmering in our minds for many years.  Brent Harris and I finally started implementing our ideas in 2004, having returned from Europe to notice the need for professional project managers in South Africa.” White and Harris, who met in 1993 at the University of Cape Town, both have 10 years experience in the property and construction industries. Both spent over 3 years gaining valuable experience as project managers on high profile construction and infrastructure projects in London.
Says White, “South Africans in the UK are being sought after for their work ethic, professional demeanors and for the experience and responsibilities that they have been exposed to in South Africa. At home, young engineers and project managers are given large responsibilities early in their careers. It’s very much a sink or swim attitude and that experience is invaluable in comparison with the more conservative career paths in the UK. This allows South African project managers the opportunity to manage and be exposed to large and complex projects over there.”

White and Harris have joined forces with Shaylagh Thiel, also ex-UCT, who has gained experience managing technically complex projects in Hong Kong, East Africa and locally. These 3 having recently returned to South Africa have embraced black economic empowerment principles and have partnered with Nyameko Magongo, a project manager from the Eastern Cape who brings with him fantastic project management experience and an entrepreneurial spirit. Nyameko, a director of Profica and 30% shareholder, has relocated to Gauteng to form a part of this dynamic professional company.

We are excited about Profica and the opportunities that are available to us. The four directors bring the right mix of enthusiasm and experience to enable Profica to offer value-added and knowledge-based services to our clients. We are focused on the same ideals and vision for our company as we are for South Africa. Profica is fully committed to the upgrading and regeneration of our country. These are exciting times and it’s all about making a significant contribution”, says Harris.

“The boys are back” says White.