Cape town: Over the past 18 months, Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) has committed R131 million to supporting local government infrastructure, according to Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson. This investment includes R9.39 million allocated to package strategic water projects in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, which have a combined estimated investment value of approximately R7.3 billion.
According to South African Government News Agency, Minister Macpherson was speaking at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA) 2026, currently taking place in Cape Town. During his address, he highlighted developments in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State, where R1.8 million was invested in preparing a nonrevenue water programme. This initiative successfully unlocked an R800 million debt-financing facility from the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
Infrastructure South Africa is also actively supporting four municipalities across four provinces through the Presidential Adopt-a-Municipality pilot programme. This programme aims to unlock approximately R7 billion in investment for water, sanitation, energy, and waste management projects. Minister Macpherson emphasized the significant impact that even small investments in technical preparation can have in unlocking large-scale infrastructure investment.
Progress is being made across the broader Public Works and Infrastructure portfolio, with a focus on strengthening institutions, improving accountability, and ensuring better-prepared projects. Over the past 22 months, 52 contractors have been removed from the Construction Industry Development Board's register due to fraudulent conduct, marking a shift towards greater accountability.
The formalization of Infrastructure South Africa as a public entity is seen as a crucial step in advancing this work. The government is committed to establishing a permanent institution to serve as the central point for major infrastructure projects, maintaining a credible national pipeline, coordinating approvals, mobilizing finance, and supporting implementation.
Minister Macpherson stressed the importance of translating these commitments into tangible outcomes, with infrastructure programs judged by what is financed, built, and delivered to communities. SIDSSA 2026 is expected to drive the transition from strong preparation to faster implementation and from national ambition to visible local delivery.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa also addressed SIDSSA 2026, emphasizing the need for collaboration among government, businesses, investors, and communities to tackle infrastructure challenges and opportunities. He highlighted that reliable municipal services are critical for business operation, industry expansion, and community participation in the economy.
Hlabisa noted the significant progress South Africa has made since the advent of democracy in expanding access to basic services. However, he stressed the need to ensure that infrastructure is reliable, resilient, financially sustainable, and capable of supporting economic growth. SIDSSA 2026, with over 1,000 attendees, aims to facilitate meaningful dialogue, strengthen partnerships, and create opportunities for collaboration in shaping the future of infrastructure development.