Leadership Team
About Us / Leadership Team
Directorship and Management
Durapi’s leadership structure provides the optimum balance for effective governance whilst still allowing flexibility. The company was founded by Rakesh Maharaj and the late Pierre van Zyl in 1999. Since Pierre van Zyl’s passing in 2017, Rakesh and Thaven continue to provide the overall direction and leadership to the organisation.
Chairman
Rakesh Maharaj
Rakesh is an accomplished and experienced quantity surveyor and project manager, having worked in the construction and mining sector for over 20 years. Rakesh is also a certified project manager (Pr. CPM), registered with the SACPCMP, MBA graduate (Project Management), and RICS. Rakesh serves as the Board Chairman.
– NHD-Quantity Surveying
– MBA-De Montfort University (UK)
– Post Graduate Management Certificate – Buckinghamshire University (UK)
– MAQS
– PR.CPM
Rakesh completed his formal training with Murray and Roberts Construction having worked on major infrastructure projects in SA, including Durban Hilton Hotel and BHP Billiton plant. He further served as a Quantity Surveying Manager in Eskom, Transmission Projects for 10 years. He acquired an MBA with specialization in Project Management from De Montfort University in the United Kingdom.
Rakesh started Durapi Consulting in 1999 as Chief Executive Officer and also serves on Durapi’s various sub-committees. He has worked on major infrastructure projects including Kusile and Medupi Power Stations.
Chief Executive Officer
Thaven Naidoo
Thaven Naidoo is the appointed CEO of Durapi Consulting. His strong leadership and performance driven focus is ideal for ensuring sustainable growth of the organisation. Having previously served on the board of Durapi Consulting as Director of Projects and with more than 20 years of experience in the built environment, Thaven is well placed to deliver on the strategic objectives of Durapi Consulting. Unlocking shareholder value remains a key focus for Thaven and together with his team seem well poised to deliver on expectations.
Thaven Naidoo heads up Durapi’s Project Management division and is responsible for Strategic Project Development including Contract and Project Management within the built environment arena. Having worked on several Greenfields and Brownfields projects both locally and internationally, Thaven’s key focus area is development of Durapi’s Project management footprint within the African continent. Thaven brings 18 years of project management experience having worked in both the private and public sector.