The man who got fired for an idea that turned into R10 billion in South Africa

• Andries van Heerden's idea for Afrimat, which led to his dismissal from Prima Quarries in 2005, ultimately became the foundation for a mining and materials group that generated R10 billion in revenue.
• The idea was born in September 2004, driven by changes in South Africa's quarrying industry, including new environmental, labor, and safety regulations, as well as the emergence of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) initiatives.
• Afrimat's aggressive consolidation strategy faced challenges, including the introduction of the National Credit Act and the global financial crisis, which contributed to the end of South Africa's construction boom and a subsequent decline in its share price.