North-West University (NWU) alumnus Andries van Heerden is the chief executive officer of Afrimat Limited, a JSE-listed company that supplies iron ore, anthracite, phosphate, construction materials and industrial minerals across Southern Africa.

“I started as a first-year mechanical engineering student in Potchefstroom in 1984,” he recalls. His studies took him to the NWU’s Vaal Campus, where he graduated in 1988.

Reflecting on his time at university, he says: “I think my dream to become a successful entrepreneur was really born during the two years in Vanderbijlpark.”

He credits the NWU’s Faculty of Engineering with influencing his approach to leadership and business. “Our curriculum was compiled in such a way that we developed a sensitivity and an understanding of the importance of good co-operation between all disciplines in a work environment,” he says. “The concept of systems thinking has really helped me in my career.”

Andries has held key roles in the mining and quarrying sectors, leading to the merger of Prima Quarries and Lancaster Group, and the formation and JSE listing of Afrimat in 2006.

Under his leadership, Afrimat has grown through strategic acquisitions. One of the most recent is the acquisition of Lafarge South Africa Holdings. “The acquisition provides access to fly-ash operations, offering a foothold in the cement extender market, and allows Afrimat to competitively enter the cement value chain via grinding plants and cement kilns,” he explains.

He has received industry recognition for his work, including the EY Southern Africa World Entrepreneur Award (Master category) in 2017 and News24’s CEO of the Year award in 2024.

Andries van Heerden, Chief Executive Officer of Afrimat Limited