25 Oct 2017

At least five charitable organisations received a shot in the arm courtesy of UNIK Construction Engineering Company which celebrated its 20th anniversary recently at the GICC in grand style.

The five organisations, who left the event P100 000 richer each, are Journey of Hope Botswana, Cheshire Foundation, Siwifa Pty (Ltd), Botswana Association of Psychological Rehabilitation and Buddha Samakhee Association whose representatives could not hide their excitement over the donations, akin to early Christmas present.

Speaking at the event attended by construction magnates and government officials, Ambassador of China to Botswana, Mr Zhao Yanbo said he was proud of the track record of UNIK Construction Engineering Company over the 20 years doing business in

Botswana because it started small but now it is a large scale company.

He noted that it was able to offer employment opportunities and skills transfer to the locals over this period something which has in one way strengthened the relations between Botswana and China which started 42 years ago.

He noted that the bilateral relationship had matured through the areas of trade, health agriculture and cultural exchange.

Ambassador Zhao called on Chinese construction companies to have quality assurance on projects they undertake in the country so that they minimise complaints of bad workmanship.

He noted that as ambassador he has personally addressed the companies because he felt ashamed of poor projects.  He however noted that not all companies were bad.

On a positive note, the Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Advocate Sadique Kebonang said UNIK Construction Engineering Company has made a mark for itself as he recalled an incident some years back while in

Ethiopia, where a Lesotho national asked him whether he knew a company in Botswana called UNIK and he recalled having seen its sign board somewhere in the Kgatleng District.

The man said he wanted that company to come and do some construction work in Lesotho because it was reportedly doing a good work in Botswana.

UNIK Construction Engineering Company started from humble beginnings in 1997 in Botswana by local Chinese people and has over the years taken medium to large scale projects in various parts of the country and managed to deliver well in time.

For his part, the managing director of the company, Mr Hong Bo Wang said the company started small and its journey to become one of the leading companies in the country was not without challenges but through perseverance the company pulled through.

Mr Wang noted that he was happy that while they struggle through they received support from partners in the industry and through their vision and mission they were able to stay afloat and expanded their presence to other African countries which include Lesotho, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Kenya where the company has cemented its roots.

He noted that while the company grew it also attracted a lot of professionals in different construction trade hence it has managed to deliver quality work in all the projects it undertook over the years.

Above all, he said while the company fortunes grew it made a commitment to stay true to social corporate responsibility as it undertook humanitarian work in various communities hence announced the start of UNIK Charitable Trust which will be funded from company profits. ENDS