About BAS
Engineering Stability. Optimizing Performance. Sustaining Africa's Heavy Industries.
Our story
Founded in Zimbabwe in 2002, Big Wave Automation Systems (BAS) was established to bridge a critical gap in the industrial sector: the need for an automation contractor focused on long-term plant uptime rather than just project handover. What began as a specialized regional integrator has evolved into a premier pan-African automation solutions provider, delivering elite engineering across Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, Angola, Nigeria, and Eswatini.
For over two decades, we have engineered, modernized, and sustained the control systems powering Africa's core sectors — including mining, cement, steel, sugar, paper, and agro-chemicals.
The Advantage
Institutional Continuity
In heavy industry, system downtime costs thousands of dollars per minute. The greatest risk to a plant's longevity isn't the hardware — it is the loss of institutional knowledge when engineering teams rotate.
Unlike conventional project shops that suffer from high employee turnover, we are built on a foundation of generational continuity. Led continuously by three generations of the family, our core engineering leadership has remained completely unbroken since 2002.
This unique structure translates directly into operational security for our clients:
Decades-Long Accountability
The engineering mindsets that architected your control systems yesterday are the exact same ones answering your critical support calls five, ten, or fifteen years down the line.
Bridging Legacy & Innovation
Our multi-generational framework seamlessly bridges the gap between rugged, time-tested industrial control systems and cutting-edge, modern digital transformations.
True 24/7 Partnership
Because our family name is directly tied to our delivery, we don't walk away at commissioning. We stay on-site and on-call to ensure your plant runs continuously.
Timeline
Our Timeline & Pan-African Footprint
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2002
Foundation in Zimbabwe
BAS is established in Zimbabwe, rapidly earning a reputation in the heavy industrial sectors for delivering robust automation systems with unmatched post-commissioning support.
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2010
Cross-Border Expansion
To support regional clients operating across borders, BAS opens a strategic corporate office in Johannesburg, South Africa, expanding its technical reach and logistical capabilities.
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Present
Sub-Saharan Scale
Today, BAS operates as a trusted, multi-national systems integrator. From complex PLC and SCADA migrations to full-scale turn-key plant deployments, we are the engineering team Africa's heavy industries rely on to move forward.
Mission
To provide industrial and process automation products and solutions backed by globally accepted best practice.
Vision
To be a leading provider of tailor-made industrial and process automation solutions and back-up services, using best-of-breed automation technologies at innovative pricing, while maintaining high quality standards in Africa and beyond.
Leadership
The people behind the work.
Josephat Munyongani
Founder & Managing Director
Founded BAS in 2002 after decades of hands-on experience in the automation trade predating the company's founding. Still leads the business today, three generations of BAS now working under one roof.
Pinias Munyongani
Senior Service Technician
Joined BAS after completing polytechnic studies, several years before Brian. Carries deep, hands-on field experience across drives, instrumentation, and plant breakdown support.
Brian Munyongani
Projects Engineer
Joined BAS in 2016 as an intern while still at university. Now leads project delivery, from survey and design through to commissioning and handover.
Memberships & research partnerships
Accountable beyond our own clients.
Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers
Zimbabwe Institute of Management
Chinhoyi University of Technology — Department of Mechatronics
Talk to an expert about your plant.
Survey, design, build, commission, support — one team, accountable end to end.