Simbarashe Dube: The crucial role of a quantity surveyor

Behind every successful Otesa Civil Engineering project stands a team of skilled professionals working tirelessly to ensure quality, efficiency and financial accountability. One such professional is Simbarashe Dube, quantity surveyor (QS) at our Etosha, Ondangwa, and Okatana projects. His work may not always be in the spotlight, but it is vital to keeping our projects financially sound and operationally efficient.Dube describes his role as “managing the financial aspects of construction projects to ensure value for money and cost control.” As a QS, he handles interim claims, progress valuations for subcontractors and internal cost reporting. Working closely with site agents and teams, he helps monitor quantities, manage variations and ensure that projects remain on budget. “A successful project balances quality, time and cost, and a quantity surveyor ensures that balance is maintained.” Simply put, Dube is the “construction accountant” on site, the one who ensures that every brick, beam and bolt counts toward a successful outcome. “Our role in financial monitoring is key in attaining this. Needless to say, it will always come down to making money,” he adds with a laugh.Life across three sitesFrom Etosha to Ondangwa and Okatana, no two days are the same. Dube’s daily duties range from measuring completed works to tracking production rates, liaising with subcontractors, preparing interim payment certificates and evaluating supplier quotations. “Each site has its own challenges,” he notes. “You must reset your mindset as you move from project to project. Some are literally in the wild, but what’s constant is Otesa’s culture of teamwork and strong leadership, especially from our commercial department. Shout out to the boss lady!”Lessons from the fieldWorking on-site has taught Dube one powerful lesson: the importance of proper record-keeping. “For any successful claim, you need meticulous and precise records approved by relevant authorities. Even the smallest details matter,” he emphasises. One of his most challenging experiences involved a project where the claimed progress didn’t match the actual work completed. “It was every QS’s nightmare,” he recalls. “But with teamwork from site agents to principal engineers, we managed to work backwards, reconstruct records and remeasure works accurately. Teamwork made the dream work.”Staying grounded and motivatedConstruction can be demanding, but Dube believes in maintaining balance and perspective. “I prioritise tasks and focus on what’s most pressing first,” he says. “Outside of work, I’m a family man; spending time with my loved ones helps me recharge. Over time, my colleagues have also become an extended family.” What keeps him motivated during tough days? “The trust placed in me by Otesa's leadership and the satisfaction of seeing our collaborative efforts turn into completed infrastructure – that’s what drives me.”He adds: “Being a QS is about more than numbers – it’s about value, teamwork and ensuring that every project tells a story of efficiency and excellence.”Dube’s commitment reflects the very essence of Otesa's values: openness, teamwork, excellence, service, and accountability, proving that behind every successful project, there’s a QS ensuring that every cent and every measurement count.*This feature was written by Otesa Civil Engineering.

Simbarashe Dube: The crucial role of a quantity surveyor

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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Simbarashe Dube: The crucial role of a quantity surveyor

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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