Caption: Sandi Mbutuma (MD, left), Karen Mapiye (junior QS), Ncumisa Fakude (director) and Freeman Lepulana (senior QS)
Words: Denise Mhlanga | Image: Supplied
Finding the right offices was quite a task for Azzaro Quantity Surveyors, a majority black female controlled and managed professional quantity-surveying service practice. They recently moved their headquarters from Fourways to Bryanston. One of the founders and managing director Sandi Mbutuma talks about the business.
How did your business start?
Azzaro was founded in 2015 by the three directors, Ncumisa Lupondwana, Steven Speirs and myself. Collectively we have over 50 years’ experience in the industry. Because of that, and
with combined expertise and knowledge in both the construction and property industry in South
Africa and the rest of the continent, we felt it was time to start our own business, hence Azzaro was established.
Why did you choose this area to set up office?
We wanted to be close to Sandton, a major business hub, which allows for more business opportunities and collaborations.
How did you find your premises?
We worked with a knowledgeable local leasing agent who managed to find what we’re looking for from the initial brief we’d provided. We gave the agent information with regard to size of offices we’re looking for, surrounding amenities and office-park environment. The agent compiled a list of possible vacancies that fit the criteria and were able to act decisively on the matter.
Why are the premises ideally suited to your business?
Bryanston is centrally located and the office space offers convenient and free parking spaces for our employees and clients. Our office is also ideally situated close to the highway and major roads, with a number of amenities nearby.
What are the rental/sales prices like in this area?
Approximately between R180/m² to R300/m².
Who are your neighbours?
Our neighbours are Delta Properties, Ferrari, Ndalo Media, Dimension Data, Samsung, Nestlé
and Econet.
How many people visit your office each day?
One to two as our meetings are mostly held at clients’ offices or at construction sites as these are the bases of our operation.
Do you operate online as well?
We have a website (azzaroqs.co.za) which is very informative.
Do you have any expansion plans?
We recently opened offices in East London and plan to open offices in Cape Town and Durban.
What’s your most popular service?
We predominantly offer full professional quantity-surveying services, and in various sectors that include retail, residential, health care, offices, energy, mixed-use developments, sporting, hotels
and leisure, academic institutions, infrastructure (civil and mining) and, recently, Azzaro has ventured into the oil and gas sector.
Azzaro Quantity Surveyors
010 440 0161
azzaroqs.co.za
