Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon Limited (WBHO)

WBHO is one of South Africa’s largest construction companies, listed on the JSE and headquartered in Sandton, Johannesburg. WBHO was founded in 1970 by John Wilson and Brian Holmes and, after a series of mergers, took its current form as WBHO Construction in 1994, according to a provider record checked in August 2026.

Registered name

Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon Limited (WBHO)

Type

Listed company (construction)

Fields funded

Civil engineering, construction management, quantity surveying and building science

Website

wbho.co.za

Email

bursary_applications@wbho.co.za

Rely on our ability

WBHO’s motto, “Rely On Our Ability”, reflects its focus on safety first and quality always. WBHO’s culture and values are set out in a code of conduct known as “The WBHO Way”, and WBHO attributes its success to experienced, hands-on senior managers, a conservative approach to risk and the ability to deliver both small and large projects.

Three divisions and three continents

WBHO’s work covers the full construction spectrum through three main divisions: Building Construction, Civil Engineering, and Roads and Earthworks. WBHO has South African offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Gqeberha, and offices in Gaborone, Accra and Maputo. In the United Kingdom, the Byrne Group operates from London and Russell-WBHO from Manchester. WBHO says it is adaptable enough to “go where the work is”.

WBHO was rated the Most Empowered Company on the JSE in 2019, and in 2025 its Kusile Civil Works joint venture with Stefanutti Stocks received Eskom’s Kusile Contractor of the Year award.

Routes into WBHO

WBHO offers several routes for students and graduates. Vacation work places university students on sites for practical training, usually six weeks or 180 hours, when sites can accommodate them. In-service training takes university of technology students for six to 24 months to complete their qualifications. WBHO also considers graduate applications, although placement depends on the company’s needs.

The WBHO bursary

WBHO’s bursary funds full-time students in civil engineering, construction management, quantity surveying and building science at recognised universities, covering tuition, accommodation and textbooks, with six weeks of paid vacation work on WBHO sites. Bursars must work for WBHO after graduating for a period linked to their funding. Applicants email the form and documents to WBHO’s bursary address.

Listings gave 31 July 2026 as the 2027 closing date, although WBHO’s own page states no fixed deadline.

How to research WBHO

Email WBHO’s bursary address to ask whether applications are still considered, and apply separately for vacation work if you need practical hours.

See the Stefanutti Stocks bursary for WBHO’s Kusile partner.