Category: South Africa Government

Joy and jubilation filled the air in Eshane as KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli officially handed over the newly completed R47 million Eshane Study Library in uMvoti Local Municipality.

The state-of-the-art facility, which was completed at the end of July and officially handed over to the community of Eshane on Friday, 21 August 2026, represents a significant investment in literacy, education, and community development.

Led by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture under MEC Mntomuhle Khawula, the state-of-the-art facility includes a main library block, guard house, parking area, and secure perimeter fencing.

The facility has been designed to serve learners, educators and residents of the surrounding community by providing access to information and educational resources.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Ntuli described the facility as an important investment in education, literacy and community development. 

Ntuli said access to knowledge and educational resources remains critical to empowering communities and creating opportunities, particularly for young people. He emphasised that a knowledgeable public is an empowered public.

“Investments in libraries and educational infrastructure contribute directly to building informed, skilled and resilient communities,” Ntuli said.

Beyond its educational value, the project also delivered direct economic benefits to the local community.

A total of 35 local community members, including women, youth, and people with disabilities, benefited from employment opportunities created during the facility’s construction.

The project also supported local economic development by awarding more than R1.9 million in subcontracting opportunities to local businesses.

The Premier said the Eshane Study Library demonstrates how public infrastructure projects can simultaneously advance education, create jobs and provide opportunities for emerging enterprises.

“Libraries remain important community spaces where learners and residents can access information, develop skills and pursue educational opportunities.”

The handover of the facility reflects the Provincial Government’s commitment to improving access to education and cultural resources, particularly in communities where such facilities can make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents.

Ntuli commended the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, contractors, community members and all stakeholders involved in delivering the project.

The Eshane Study Library, he said, stands as a testament to the power of partnership and the province’s commitment to building a more informed, educated and empowered society. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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South Africa is stepping up the pace of infrastructure delivery, with 81 Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) comprising 263 individual projects, with an estimated combined value of R1.9888 trillion.

The scale of the pipeline, coupled with projects already completed, under construction and moving through procurement, demonstrates a country at work and creates significant opportunities for infrastructure investment, development and partnerships.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson outlined the progress during a media briefing at Century City Urban Square in Cape Town on Sunday ahead of the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA) 2026.

The sixth edition of SIDSSA, taking place at the Century City Conference Centre, is being held under the theme: “Shaping the Future of Municipal Infrastructure”.

Macpherson said developments include both public and private sector-led “high-value, high-impact infrastructure investments”.

Over the past 18 months, 37 projects, worth approximately R69 billion, have been completed, while a further 82 projects, valued at about R502.7 billion, are currently under construction.

Another 54 projects, worth approximately R206 billion, are in the documentation phase, where approved building designs are turned into precise technical instructions, while others are in the procurement phase.

“These figures show both the scale of the pipeline and the importance of sustained coordination across the infrastructure system,” Macpherson said.

Connecting projects to investment

SIDSSA 2026 provides an important platform for taking this infrastructure pipeline from planning to implementation by bringing government and the investment community together around projects that can unlock economic activity and improve service delivery.

The symposium brings together government leaders, municipalities, development finance institutions, investors, infrastructure specialists, developers and other stakeholders to explore opportunities to accelerate infrastructure development, particularly at municipal level.

Macpherson said the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) would use SIDSSA 2026 to announce projects selected through Bid Window II, while Bid Window III opened in July as government continues to build the infrastructure pipeline.

Through a R600 million commitment to project delivery support launched in 2024, Infrastructure South Africa is helping public institutions develop high-value projects into bankable and investment-ready opportunities.

“Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) is providing preparation support to more than 26 projects, with an estimated capital value of approximately R148 billion, while 15 supported projects have completed their preparatory work,” the Minister said.

Macpherson stressed that preparing projects is only one part of the process, with projects needing to be connected to appropriate sources of finance to move into implementation.

Building and using State assets

The infrastructure drive extends beyond new projects to the construction, maintenance and management of the buildings and properties from which government delivers services.

Macpherson pointed to several projects as evidence of work underway to improve and expand the State’s infrastructure portfolio.

In Johannesburg, the new R769 million Deeds Office is under construction in the inner city. The development is the first new high-rise development in the Johannesburg CBD in more than 20 years and is scheduled for completion in October this year.

Once completed, it will also reduce the State’s reliance on rented accommodation.

The department has also supported the handover of the Durban Forensic Science Laboratory to the South African Police Service within 12 months and helped restart progress at the Sarah Baartman Centre of Remembrance, where a contractor was appointed after more than a decade of delays.

The Minister said government is also changing how it manages its wider property portfolio.

“Government cannot continue spending approximately R6 billion each year on private leases, while State-owned buildings remain vacant, underused or in poor condition,” he said.

The planned South African National Property Company is intended to move the State towards more professional asset management by reducing unnecessary leases, refurbishing buildings, structuring partnerships and unlocking responsible investment.

Infrastructure that works for communities

The infrastructure programme is also being used to support vulnerable communities and expand opportunities.

During the past financial year, the department made more than 46 State-owned properties available for shelters for victims of gender-based violence and femicide and for skills development centres.

For Macpherson, the objective is ultimately to ensure that infrastructure translates into functioning public services and tangible benefits for communities.

“South Africans need government buildings that work, public assets that are properly used, and infrastructure that delivers reliable services in their communities,” he said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is the convener of SIDSSA, which is organised by the Investment and Infrastructure Office within The Presidency.

With projects worth nearly R2 trillion moving through different stages of development, SIDSSA 2026 provides an important platform for turning South Africa’s infrastructure ambitions into investment, construction and delivery on the ground. – SAnews.gov.za

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A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) and the National Building Institute (NBI), the Infrastructure Technical Assistance Facility (ITAF) and Zutari at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA), currently underway in Cape Town.

The MoU is part of efforts to enhance collaboration and support infrastructure projects in South Africa.

Speaking at a media briefing on Sunday, Head of Infrastructure South Africa Mameetsi Masemola said Infrastructure South Africa was officially established by government in 2020 to provide a single point of coordination for the country’s pipeline priority.

“Our mandate is provided in the Infrastructure Development Act. We are mandated to identify and prioritise strategic infrastructure. We are also mandated to prepare and package projects to move then from being concepts to bankability thus attracting public funding as well mobilisation of private sector financing,” Masemola said.

Masemola also explained that as Infrastructure South Africa, they are also mandated to coordinate the national pipeline of priority projects in the form of strategic integrated projects.

“We are also mandated to monitor and report on projects as well as enabling the ease of doing business vigorous through regulatory un-blockings in line with regulations of IBA,” Masemola said.

The signing of MoU is therefore a significant step towards improving infrastructure delivery and fostering investment in the country’s development.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson said SIDSSA would be bringing together government, project sponsors, investors, financiers and technical professionals to convert those commitments into viable infrastructure projects and functioning assets.

“This year, we have seven African Ministers joining the Summit from, among others, Kenya, Botswana and Zimbabwe, as well as nine African Mayors from cities such as Nairobi, Maputo, and Douala in Cameroon – the most in the conference’s six-year history,” Macpherson said.

He said in addition to the Premier of Gauteng, there are seven Members of Executive Council from across South Africa’s nine provinces attending.

“And – for the first time ever – we will be having 13 mayors from important metropolitan and regional areas across South Africa, as well as three members of the mayoral committee joining as part of our City to City Connect conversations.

“Over 1 200 delegates will enter our doors during the upcoming days as we work to turn South Africa into a construction site.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa will also address the event.

Macpherson said the value of SIDSSA must be measured by whether projects are prepared, financed, procured and completed.

“Municipal infrastructure is essential to service delivery and economic growth. Reliable water, sanitation, electricity, roads and waste services determine whether communities and businesses can function.

“Improving these systems requires more than additional funding. Municipalities also need credible project preparation, technical capability, sustainable funding models and plans to operate and maintain assets over their full lifecycle,” he said.

Prior to the signing of the memorandum of understanding, Minister Macpherson and his delegate conducted a site visit at the Cape Flats Aquifer Recharge Project.

The project was commissioned in response to the Cape Town water crisis.

The water treatment plant located in the Cape Flats recharges the aquifer through a series of four linear filtration buildings.

Zutari, a proudly South African company, has played a pivotal role in delivering infrastructure and advisory services across the Middle East for over two decades. – SAnews.gov.za

  

 

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KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, together with King Cetshwayo District Municipality Mayor Zephania Dlamini, has officially opened the KwaHlokohloko Water Scheme in the uMlalazi Local Municipality, a service delivery project expected to benefit 1 385 households in the area.

The scheme will provide communities in KwaHlokohloko with access to clean, safe and sustainable water, and help restore dignity, improve public health, and create opportunities for social and economic development.

Addressing the official opening on Saturday, Ntuli emphasised that while water is a basic resource, it is also a fundamental human right.

The Premier said the provincial government remains committed to ensuring equitable access to clean water in both rural and urban communities.

“Access to water is central to human dignity, household wellbeing, food security, education, healthcare and local economic activity,” Ntuli said.

The KwaHlokohloko Water Scheme is the result of collaboration between government, municipalities, engineers, and communities to transform lives through practical service delivery.

Ntuli said the project demonstrated what can be achieved when all spheres of government and communities work together to respond to basic service delivery needs.

“As taps begin to fill and flow with water, they also carry hope for a better future, healthier families, fruitful communal gardens, thriving schools and functional health facilities,” the Premier said.

The Premier further urged community members to take care of the vital water infrastructure and report anyone found vandalising or tampering with it.

He said protecting public infrastructure is a shared responsibility, warning that acts of vandalism undermine service delivery and deprive communities of essential services.

The official opening of the KwaHlokohloko Water Scheme, Ntuli said, reaffirmed the Provincial Government’s commitment to building a province where every citizen has access to basic services that empower them to live with dignity, purpose and hope. – SAnews.gov.za

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The City of Johannesburg has settled its outstanding R5.25 billion electricity debt to Eskom.

The Department of Electricity and Energy and the City of Johannesburg announced on Friday that Eskom had received the final payment, settling accumulated overdue debt of R5 255 421 994.16 owed by the city and City Power.

The settlement follows an intervention and mediation process established by Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, which brought together the city, City Power and Eskom to resolve long-running billing disputes.

The dispute had previously raised concerns over the potential impact on electricity supply in Johannesburg.

Following confirmation of the payment, Eskom withdrew a Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) process initiated on 17 May 2026 to address the outstanding arrears.

Ramokgopa said the resolution demonstrated the effectiveness of the inter-governmental relations model used to resolve the dispute.

“We are pleased to see this matter reach a definitive conclusion,” Ramokgopa said, adding that the process had helped ensure residents and businesses continued to receive an uninterrupted power supply while protecting Eskom’s financial sustainability.

Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Morero described the settlement as a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to improve financial sustainability and responsible governance.

Morero said settling the debt demonstrated the city’s commitment to meeting its obligations while protecting residents and businesses from electricity disruptions.

The city has also committed to keeping future electricity accounts up to date, reducing electricity losses caused by theft and vandalism, and investing in critical infrastructure.

Eskom and City Power will continue working together on infrastructure maintenance, reducing electricity losses and implementing data-sharing protocols aimed at supporting long-term security of electricity supply.

The two entities said their continued cooperation was intended to support reliable electricity supply in Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic and financial hub. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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President Cyril Ramaphosa will answer questions in the National Assembly this week as Parliament turns its attention to municipal governance, South Africa’s international standing and the work of the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

President Ramaphosa is scheduled to answer questions for oral reply at 2pm on Tuesday.

Among the issues expected to come under scrutiny are measures to restore South Africa’s credibility as a Pan-African voice amid protests against foreign nationals, as well as structural reforms aimed at improving municipal capacity, accountability and the delivery of basic services.

The Mkhwanazi committee will also be a key focus. It is due to meet on Monday evening and again on Thursday to consider its draft report. The committee’s reporting deadline was extended by the Speaker of the National Assembly to 11 September.

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) will hold several question-and-answer sessions during the week.

Ministers in the Peace and Security Cluster will face questions on issues including Truth and Reconciliation Commission reparations, the justice department’s case-management system, correctional-centre overcrowding, cellphone smuggling and the deployment of the army to assist police in combating illegal mining.

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola will also face questions on international developments affecting South Africa, including the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, anti-immigration protests and illegal immigration.

Parliament has 37 committee meetings scheduled from Monday to Friday. Among the issues on committee agendas are foot-and-mouth disease control, immigration backlogs, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, state property recovery, municipal audit outcomes, military deployments and the funding of Parliament.

Both Houses will enter constituency periods from 31 August. The NCOP constituency period will run until 5 October, while the National Assembly’s will end on 21 September. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga has called for stronger cooperation between South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to advance youth empowerment, skills development, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Chikunga held a bilateral meeting with UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Dr Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, on the sidelines of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Youth Ministers’ Meeting in Visakhapatnam, India, on Saturday.

The meeting focused on strengthening South Africa – UAE cooperation on youth empowerment, skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation and meaningful youth participation in development.

Chikunga said South Africa is looking forward to expanding bilateral collaboration in areas affecting young people, including young persons with disabilities.

“We are hoping that we can have more collaboration in the areas of exchange programmes, skills development and transfers, including entrepreneurship and innovation between the youth from both our countries,” the Minister said.

The Minister outlined South Africa’s policy framework for youth development, including the National Development Plan 2030, which aims to grow the economy, create jobs and reduce poverty and inequality.

She also highlighted the National Youth Policy, which prioritises the development and empowerment of young people by enhancing their capabilities so that they can become responsible and contributing members of their communities and society.

The policy focuses on education and skills development, economic participation, job creation, entrepreneurship, social cohesion, nation-building and strengthening national youth development institutions.

Chikunga highlighted South Africa’s experience in implementing youth and women empowerment initiatives through partnerships with international stakeholders.

Among these was the Solar Technology Training Programme, also known as the Solar Mamas programme, which was implemented in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ladies Organisation (FICCI FLO) and Barefoot College.

The programme aims to empower women through comprehensive training in solar technology, while promoting self-reliance and socio-economic development in communities.

It was supported by several South African stakeholders, including the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the National Youth Development Agency.

The initiative emerged from discussions on women’s empowerment during South Africa’s BRICS Chairship in 2023, with a focus on supporting women to address basic community challenges and contribute to development.

Chikunga reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships that create opportunities for young people and promote their meaningful participation in the economy and society.

She said greater cooperation between countries will help expand opportunities for youth in areas such as skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology transfer.

The engagement reinforces the importance of international partnerships in creating opportunities for young people and advancing youth-led solutions for sustainable development.

‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ plantation drive

Meanwhile, as part of the BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting programme, Chikunga joined delegates in an ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ plantation drive, planting saplings in honour of their mothers.

The delegates also visited the historic Thotlakonda Buddhist heritage site, providing an opportunity to learn about the region’s Buddhist heritage and traditions of cultural exchange.

The BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting concluded with the adoption of a joint statement outlining areas for greater cooperation in youth development, education, skills, entrepreneurship, innovation, sports and social participation among member countries. – SAnews.gov.za

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