R7.6bn public works budget focus on five key priorities
Top of the list is intensifying the fight against corruption.
The country's infrastructure has deteriorated from years of underfunding, and to accelerate delivery and reform, the Expanded Public Works Programme will play a crucial role.
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IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
Transforming infrastructure in South Africa: A new partnership with the UK
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson Image: IOL In a significant move aimed at revolutionising infrastructure delivery in South Africa, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson yesterday unveiled a partnership with the United Kingdom government. This collaboration is set to harness the skills and expertise of UK companies to address the pressing need for efficient infrastructure projects in the country. The launch event in Durban was attended by UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and other UK diplomats, including those based in South Africa. It was described as a historic partnership between the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and the United Kingdom, aimed at capacitating the department as it works towards using public assets for the public good and transforming South Africa into a construction hub. Reflecting on his department's achievements in a year in office, Macpherson stated that significant progress has been made, with the capacity to achieve even more. 'One of the biggest problems in government that we have identified is how infrastructure is procured and implemented. We (Public Works) package and prepare those projects for loan departments and SOEs, but then we wait for them to come and do that (implementation). We see indifferent results from that,' he said. Speaking about the achievements on the project preparation side, he noted, 'In just over a year, we have doubled the construction book of infrastructure-ready projects to R268 billion. That is what Infrastructure SA has accomplished in one year.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading But he noted that there are serious shortcomings in the current implementation of projects. Macpherson called for a streamlined approach to implementing government projects. He proposed that a single entity, possibly Infrastructure SA, should oversee these projects from inception to completion. 'In my view, this is Dean's view, not the government's view; if we continue to procure and construct in the way that we are, we are going to have very slow delivery. I would argue that many departments and many SOEs are not infrastructure implementers; it's not their speciality. 'Yet we say to them, you must go and do so. I think we need to have more coordination and a more central focus on procurement and implementation of projects in an entity like Infrastructure SA. "What I am arguing for is that Infrastructure SA should move beyond just being a coordinator; we should now start capacitating them to be a procurer and implementer, and then hand those projects back to their clients. I think we will see a lot more delivery if we do that,' he said. Regarding the partnership with the UK, he stated that it will see the United Kingdom provide expertise and capacity support across three focus areas: 1. Project Capstone: This will support the effective operationalisation of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure's Special and Strategic Delivery Unit (SSDU). This unit will accelerate infrastructure delivery by focusing on high-impact and high-priority projects and addressing systemic process inefficiencies that hinder effective implementation. 2. Project Speed: This will enhance the management of public assets through more effective and efficient public sector asset management, including improved resource efficiency. 3. Infrastructure South Africa's Adopt-a-Municipality Programme: This will strengthen infrastructure delivery at the municipal level in selected focus municipalities. Macpherson said that, taken together, these projects represent a step-change in infrastructure collaboration between the United Kingdom and South Africa, helping to realise his vision of using public assets for the public good and turning South Africa into a construction site. 'Like Chancellor Reeves, I firmly believe that increased infrastructure investment leads to accelerated economic growth, which will undoubtedly help to create jobs. 'At a time when South Africa faces a persistently high unemployment rate, we welcome any support to address this issue head-on and thank the United Kingdom for their commitment to our shared goals.' Chancellor Reeves stated that the partnership and projects will support the government of South Africa in accelerating the delivery of much-needed infrastructure, creating growth and jobs for young people in South Africa by drawing on expertise. This collaboration will benefit both countries and businesses and help deliver economic growth in both nations. Ä statement on the UK government website said this model of Government-to-Government (G2G) Infrastructure Partnership has previously delivered strong growth and jobs in countries such as Peru. In the same statement, UK Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds said: 'This Government-to-Government Partnership builds on the UK's thriving business relationship with South Africa and shows how our Plan for Change is paving the way for growth at home by unlocking new opportunities abroad.' THE MERCURY
IOL News
7 days ago
- IOL News
Public Works Minister: George building collapse could have been prevented
Minister Dean Macpherson asserts that the 2024 George building collapse, which resulted in 34 fatalities, was preventable, citing systemic failures in planning and oversight Image: Ayanda Ndamane Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson believes that the 2024 George building collapse that claimed 34 lives could have been prevented. The findings of a probe into the collapse showed that there were systemic failures, failures of planning, oversight, enforcement, and culture. "At every problem, there was a chance to turn back, but because of weak regulatory environment, there was either no incentive or requirement to do so. And this is what makes me so angry when I view this tragedy from today's perspective, it was entirely preventable. However, we cannot undo what has happened," Macpherson said. He said the full Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) investigation report has been completed and it will be published in the Government Gazette in due course. Meanwhile, an appeal window to these findings is currently underway, which expires on August 3, 2025. "This report must form part of the police investigation as we must establish criminal negligence for what happened. If criminal wrongdoing is established, those responsible must be prosecuted without delay. We must ensure that people are held accountable for 34 souls losing their lives. No contractor, engineer, or official should be beyond the reach of the law," Macpherson said. The Council for the Built Environment (CBE) will establish a reporting protocol that mandates the registration of any structural system failure. "A hotline will be launched to allow workers, built environment practitioners and professionals, or members of the public to anonymously raise safety concerns. These reports will trigger automatic inspections and, where necessary, emergency site shutdowns," the minister said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading #georgebuildingcollapse Media Briefing || Following a meeting with the families of those affected by the George building collapse,Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure,@DeanMacpherson , convened a media briefing to present the findings of the official investigative report… — Department Of Public Works and Infrastructure (@DepartmentPWI) July 19, 2025 Phase-based reform implementation Phase One from 2025 to 2026: Immediate interventions, including new regulations, mandatory standards and emergency protocols. Phase Two from 2026 to 2028: Implementation of long-term reform, including legislative amendments and competency-based registration systems. Phase Three from 2028 onwards: Institutional consolidation and relocation of custodianship of building regulations functions and standards to the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure. "We are exploring options with the Department of Social Development and NGOs to provide relief or support to the families most affected, including those who have lost primary breadwinners," Macpherson said. IOL
IOL News
15-07-2025
- IOL News
Empowering Tshwane: 420 beneficiaries complete financial literacy training
EPWP beneficiaries were awarded certificates upon successfully completing the financial education training programme, which was facilitated by Absa in partnership with the City of Tshwane. Image: Supplied / City of Tshwane A total of 420 beneficiaries from the Public Employment Programme (PEP) and Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) have completed a financial education training programme, facilitated by Absa in collaboration with the City of Tshwane. The programme aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to manage and protect their finances effectively, according to Absa's team leader of external sales, Khudisi Makhaga. He said the training empowered participants to educate and protect themselves financially, maximising and securing their financial futures. "Absa is proud to be able to empower residents with financial skills through this programme," he said. The comprehensive training covered key aspects of financial management, including budgeting, wealth creation and growth, credit management, and risk and debt management. Region 3 participants who successfully completed the programme were awarded certificates. Member of Mayoral Committee for Economic Development and Spatial Planning, Sarah Mabotsa, congratulated the participants on completing the programme and expressed gratitude for their contributions to improving and maintaining the city. "The City of Tshwane's multiparty coalition government is committed to enhancing and further advancing the involvement, skills development, and employment opportunities for our residents and especially our youth, women, and persons living with disabilities," she said. She highlighted the significant impact of the PEP and EPWP programmes on the city's functionality, cleanliness, and safety. She said initiatives such as pothole repairs, informal settlement management, cleaning and greening, waste management, and artisan training have made a tangible difference. "The work that our PEP and EPWP participants do is very important for all residents," she said. Tshwane, already recognised as South Africa's safest city, has seen a decline in nearly all crime categories in 2025, according to the SAPS quarterly crime statistics report. Mabotsa attributed this to the city's focus on cleaning public spaces, repairing streetlights and potholes, and other initiatives. "Cleaner, safer neighbourhoods and cities also help to attract more investment, attract more businesses, and this enables the creation of more jobs," she said. She noted that the city's coalition government has prioritised these efforts since taking office in October last year and has allocated budgets accordingly. Mabotsa urged eligible job seekers in Tshwane to register on the city's EPWP database at their nearest regional office or designated application points to ensure a fair and transparent process for allocating PEP and EPWP opportunities. [email protected]
