DEFYING CONSTRUCTION STEREOTYPES

 -Muchepa had her experience at Puma fuel service station construction project in Lusaka.

Kayinda Muchepa

Construction work done by Muchepa

AMID the towering cranes and bustling machinery of a construction site, where the air is thick with the scent of concrete and ambition, one might expect to see the logos of colossal corporations etched across the walls. 

However, within the maze of Lusaka's woodlands area, a different narrative unfolds. 

Here, a captivating figure emerges, overseeing the chaos with a confident grace that contradicts her youth. 

Meet Kayinda Muchepa, a 27-year-old engineering dynamo who has defied expectations, shattering stereotypes, single-handedly steering the ship at A.B.M Construction Company Limited. 

Ms Muchepa’s story does not begin with blueprints and construction equipment. 

Hailing from the vibrant town of Mufulira, her journey was first set on a course of numbers and ledgers. 

She recalls, “Here is it all started. I was in a technical class during my junior secondary education at Kantashi Secondary School in Mufulira, and my first love was bookkeeping as well as accounts. Engineering was not even on my radar until a cousin suggested it after I won a metalwork award.” 

Uncertain yet intrigued, she dove into research and gradually, her passion for engineering blossomed. 

Enrolling at Copperbelt University (CBU), Ms Muchepa hesitated between civil and mechanical engineering. 

Settling on civil engineering, she embarked on a journey that would redefine her aspirations. 

“I started to enjoy what I was doing, especially after my first internship experience in 2017 while I was still pursuing my civil engineering degree,” she reflects. 

The seed had been planted, and Ms Muchepa’s likeness for construction had taken root. 

Her exhilarating experience at a Puma fuel service station construction project in Lusaka ignited a fire within her. 

“The exhilaration, complexity, and enthusiasm that accompanied the project, along with the pressure and urgency to meet deadlines while ensuring excellence is what captivated me and cemented my path. It was from that point onward that my passion for the contraction field grew stronger,” she explained with passion gleaming in her eyes.

As she balanced her studies at CBU with real-world construction experiences, her passion intensified. 

Ms Muchepa's portfolio now boasts over 11 projects, ranging from fuel service stations and schools to clinics, mining ventures and residential complexes. 

Specializing in fuel service station construction, her practical experience brought her recognition.

Ms Muchepa’s skill set encompasses proficient planning, showcased by her impressive track record of overseeing civil construction projects, cumulatively valued at over USD 10 million (approximately ZMW 200,000,000 Zambia Kwacha) within a span of just four years. 

Among her notable achievements, Ms Muchepa managed the construction of the Bauleni Mini Hospital in Lusaka as a Site Manager under SUSCON, a project falling under the Ministry of Health’s purview. 

Her influence extended to renowned companies like Puma Energy Plc, where she supervised the establishment of four fueling service stations across Chilimbulu, Kabwe, Ndola, and Lusaka. 

“My expertise also contributed to the construction, renovation, and infrastructure development of American Texila University, Overhill Primary School in Lusaka, and a copper processing plant in Mumbwa district,” she explained. 

In her role, Ms Muchepa provided invaluable support to engineers and surveyors through her mastery of field layout activities and measurements. 

Her specialisation emerged in reviewing construction plans, drawings, specifications, and standard codes; all while surveying project sites to establish essential reference points. 

Ms Muchepa tackled complex challenges such as rock blasting and issues related to high water tables and weak ground formations, demonstrating her ingenuity in engineering solutions. 

Furthermore, she exhibited her leadership prowess by training construction teams on site-specific requirements, techniques, and procedures. 

“My role encompassed effective management of manpower in construction, operations, and maintenance activities, solidifying my reputation as a capable leader in the field,” she said. 

Passionate about minimizing environmental disruption, Ms Muchepa embraced green building standards to ensure construction practices aligned with preserving waterways, wildlife habitats, and natural vegetation. 

“My commitment extends to advocating for renewable energy technologies to mitigate air pollution and implementing procedural changes to mitigate negative environmental impacts,” she explained.

Challenges have not been foreign to Ms Muchepa, particularly as a female leader in the construction industry. 

“Despite age-related biases, I met these obstacles head-on, transforming them into opportunities for innovation and growth. Each hurdle only fueled my determination to improve the construction industry through A.B.M Construction Limited, where a dedicated team shares my vision of quality construction services,” she said.

Amidst a competitive landscape of over 55 registered construction companies in Lusaka alone, Ms Muchepa and her team remain unwavering in their commitment to quality. 

“With a growing number of individuals entering the field of construction and the resulting increase in construction companies, the competition for service excellence is intensifying day by day. To illustrate, recent statistics from brabys.com revealed that Lusaka alone has over 55 registered construction firms. While I lack the specific figures for other towns and provinces, I'm aware that numerous others exist. Nevertheless, as a youth running a construction company, I am steadfast in my commitment to maintaining high standards of quality, and approach each project with confidence,” she explained.

“Another obstacle I face is navigating the construction industry as a woman, which presents its own set of challenges. Moreover, my age has often led to underestimation, despite my proven capability to deliver,” she added.

With an eye on a modern Zambia, she envisions sustainable construction techniques, advanced technologies, and enhanced building maintenance systems. 

Through her leadership, Ms Muchepa aspires to contribute to poverty alleviation, skills enhancement, and economic growth. 

Her journey is an embodiment of unwavering determination, a commitment to excellence, and a vision for a thriving construction industry that benefits both the nation and its people.

From her early education in Mufulira to her current position as a construction pioneer paints a vivid portrait of a woman unafraid to rewrite her narrative. 

As Ms Muchepa currently overlooks two fuel service stations and a commercial two-story building in Lusaka, she stands as evidence to perseverance, passion, and the indomitable spirit that shapes pioneers.