HKA Managing Consultant, Linda Bikitsha is a quantity surveyor with over 9 years of experience in the construction industry. She has extensive quantity surveying and project management skills and vast exposure to building and civil works and maintenance works in clinics, schools, tourism, housing, water, and electrical reticulation works. 

In this interview, Linda discusses her upbringing, which inspired her chosen career, and her educational journey.

Please tell us about your background 

I was raised with my three siblings, with both my parents in a loving home in a town called Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. We enjoyed weekends away more often at the farm near Queenstown. My father emphasised the importance of working hard and education throughout our entire lives, and he modelled it well.

During my elementary schooling, I struggled a lot, so much so that one of my primary teachers told my mother she did not anticipate me completing matric. However, I started performing well academically in the years as I progressed. My father wanted me to pursue medicine and insisted on it even on my varsity applications. However, I was sure that it was not a career for me. I was at a crossroad during my matric when I had to choose a career path, but I identified my interest in the field of quantity surveying.

I enjoyed using my numerical skills in quantity surveying and still do. Although my father was not happy about my career choice, I am pretty sure he would be happy that I have completed my PhD studies in my field.

What attracted you to your specialty, and what has your career path been like to date? 

Initially, it was my love for working with numbers, but over time, I developed a passion for the field of construction and infrastructure development and implementation. I was fulfilled by seeing projects coming to completion. I, like most colleagues, have encountered conflicts during project implementation with various stakeholders, which have led to disputes. This sparked my curiosity in studying risks and risk management through research.

Fortunately, I have experience working with contractors and employers and have worked in both the public and private sectors – this has given me a holistic understanding of challenges during project implementation for quantity surveyors and quantum experts.

You recently completed your PhD in Construction Management. What do you think have been the key reasons for your success? 

Yes, it was the most challenging journey for me, and it began in the year 2021. Balancing work, home life, and studies was very overwhelming at times. The key reasons for completing the PhD successfully were:

• Having clearly defined goals with timelines and being consistent.
• Having supportive supervisors.
• Having a supportive husband and family.
• Understanding that reading will become a norm. Allowing time for critical thinking after consuming material related to the study.
• A lot of sacrifice (sleepless nights and weekends).
• My faith in God.

What do you enjoy the most about supporting clients? 

Being able to provide valuable information and assessments to help the clients make informed decisions.

Who inspired you to be the person you are today? 

My parents, both very hardworking and disciplined individuals. My mother was a dedicated teacher (now retired), and my late father was a self-employed attorney and farmer. Their diligence in their professions and nurturing made me who I am.

What are your passions outside of work? 

Helping those in need through community initiatives and doing ministry work.

What is something about you that might surprise people? 

I was once a building and maintenance contractor and poultry farmer with my own business in my twenties, and I am a poet.

Why is HKA a stand-out employer for you?

HKA truly cares about its employees; they have, by far, been my best experience with an employer, and I would recommend them as the best. I think I appreciate the integration within the organisation, which allows for the culture of diversity and inclusion with the various talented colleagues I have worked with.