Virosh Singh

Virosh Singh, the dynamic CEO and founder of Construction for Africa, is a self-made entrepreneur who embodies the grit, vision, and heart of true leadership. He founded the company in 2011 as a sole proprietor, and in 2012 he turned it into a Pty Ltd. Since the business has grown into a team of over 80 employees.

The company operates in two distinct yet complementary divisions. “We have a contracts department that focuses on civil and general building works; we can build from the ground up and construct roads,” Virosh explains. “And then there’s our minor works division, which is where the business really started. It’s close to my heart. We handle day-to-day maintenance jobs, often for insurance companies, malls, and other commercial environments. That includes all the relevant trades within our industry, and we’ve built a team of inhouse tradesmen to manage it all.”

What sets Virosh’s story apart is not just the scale of his success, but how it was built from absolute zero. “I didn’t have much of an educational background,” he says honestly. “I studied electronics at Phoenix Technical School but never used it. My first job was delivering newspapers. Then I worked in a printing factory and eventually joined a shopfitting company, where I grew professionally. When that company closed down, I had nothing. No job. No income. That was the turning point.”

Virosh faced repeated rejection in the job market. “People would say I had no qualifications. Others said I had no experience. I was stuck. I told myself enough is enough. I’m going to change my own destiny.”

LEADING WITH PURPOSE
Virosh’s entrepreneurial philosophy is underpinned by a deep sense of responsibility, not just to clients or shareholders, but to his team. “My purpose is simple,” he says. “It’s about creating clarity and structure in the company, building flow and efficiency, but most importantly empowering the people within the business.”

He takes great pride in creating opportunities for others, especially those who, like himself, may have lacked formal education. “Many of our team members don’t have qualifications. That reminds me of my own journey. I see the potential in people. I mentor them, groom them, and in turn, I learn from them too. It’s reciprocal. When I see them running a department or managing a project on their own, it’s an indescribable feeling.”

The culture at Construction for Africa is rooted in respect, collaboration and mutual support. “We’re not a traditional top-down business. We solve problems together, we innovate together. It’s a team. That’s how we’ve built something sustainable.”

Asked about his proudest accomplishment, Virosh doesn’t mention awards or profits. Instead, he says: “It’s the journey itself from starting in a threesquare-metre basement with no staff, no car, no cash, to having a structured business with systems, clients, and people who believe in the vision. That’s what I’m most proud of.”

OVERCOMING STRUGGLES
Virosh’s challenges were immense. “Starting this business was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” he says. “No one wanted to help. No banks, no suppliers, no clients. I had nothing. I was bankrupt.”

So, he built his business on trust. “I convinced suppliers to give me 30-day credit terms. I told them we were a growing company with upcoming contracts. Then I found tradespeople willing to work with deferred payments. I project managed everything. When we got paid, I made sure everyone got paid. That’s how I built credibility.”

Virosh lived in near-poverty for four years, sacrificing personal comfort to build a stable cash flow and company foundation. “People don’t realise how lonely and tough it can be at the start. But I knew that if I could make it through those early years, I’d build something meaningful.”

THE MAN BEHIND THE MISSION
Virosh’s drive is personal. “I’ve always been passionate about cars,” he confesses with a smile. “Every time I change a car, it marks a new chapter in my journey. It’s not about materialism; it’s about achieving goals I set for myself. Watching videos of my dream car kept me motivated during tough times.”

His advice to fellow entrepreneurs is both practical and profound. “Separate your personal and business finances. Draw a salary like your staff. Keep overheads low. Build cash flow. And most importantly value relationships over money. Relationships will carry your business further than any deal ever could.”

On leadership, he says: “Be honest. Be transparent. Talk to your team, even when things go wrong. Support them, invest in their growth, and always say thank you. Without them, there is no business.”

Looking ahead, Virosh has big dreams for his company. He says, “Over the next five years, we’re aiming to go fully digital, integrating AI and robotics into our processes and reshaping how construction is done. We want to lead that shift, not just in South Africa, but across the continent.”

The company is already laying the groundwork for this evolution. “We’ve begun investing in advanced technology, including robotics for tasks like painting,” Virosh explains. “Our goal is to reduce manual labour and instead train our team to operate and manage these new systems. It’s about upskilling, not replacing.”

One of the most exciting innovations is an AIgenerated room that will allow clients to visualise their buildings before a single brick is laid. “We’re rethinking every part of the process,” he says. “And just as importantly, we’re committed to bringing our people along on this journey; empowering them to grow from labourers into skilled technicians, operators, and future leaders.”

And his life motto? “Never stop dreaming. Dream as big as you want; no matter how impossible it may seem. Everything starts with a vision. And if you can dream it, you can achieve it.”

Virosh has built not just a business but a legacy that lifts others, innovates with purpose, and proves that no dream is too bold.