By Phenyo Selinda
Cape Town – The face of South Africa is set for a major transformation with a substantial investment in infrastructure over the next five years. During the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) in Cape Town, President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined the government’s ambitious plans to revitalise the country’s infrastructure.
Massive Infrastructure Overhaul
“From our largest metros to our deepest rural areas, we have a clear intention to turn our country into a construction site, as roads, bridges, houses, schools, hospitals, and clinics are built, as broadband fibre is laid, and as new power lines are installed,” President Ramaphosa announced on Thursday.
He highlighted the importance of maintaining public infrastructure and dedicating resources to establish robust maintenance systems. “In the next five years, working together, drawing on our collective capabilities [in the Government of National Unity], we will forge a new inclusive growth path for South Africa by pursuing a massive investment in infrastructure. Significant projects are underway around the country in areas such as transport, roads, water, energy, and human settlements,” the President said.
Integrated Approach to Infrastructure Development
President Ramaphosa emphasised a more holistic and integrated approach to infrastructure development, positioning Infrastructure South Africa as the central institution for coordination and planning. The government is also simplifying regulations on public-private partnerships to enable greater investment in both social and economic infrastructure development.
“As the Government of National Unity (GNU), we are resolved to intensify our investment drive, encouraging and enabling businesses to invest in productive capacity. These investments will lead to increased employment creation for unemployed South Africans, especially for young people,” Ramaphosa stated.
Formation of the Government of National Unity
Following the General Elections on 29 May, which resulted in no outright majority winner, various political leaders have come together to form a Government of National Unity, similar to the coalition formed at the dawn of democracy in 1994. The GNU includes leaders from 10 political parties, with some appointed as Ministers and Deputy Ministers.
Strategic Priorities of the Seventh Administration
The seventh administration has resolved to focus on three strategic priorities over the next five years:
1. Driving inclusive growth and job creation
2. Reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living
3. Building a capable, ethical, and developmental StateImproving Passenger Rail Network
Recognising the impact of transport costs on the cost of living, President Ramaphosa emphasised the need to improve the passenger rail network. “An immediate priority is therefore to complete the recovery of the passenger rail network across the country to enable people to travel from outlying areas to city centres. Around 80% of commuter rail corridors are now back in operation, and nearly 300 vandalised stations have been refurbished, providing safer and more efficient services to commuters,” he said.
Transforming Freight Logistics
The government will also continue with reforms to transform South Africa’s freight logistics system through the implementation of the Freight Logistics Roadmap. “To drive inclusive growth, we need an efficient freight rail network to carry our minerals, agricultural produce, and manufactured goods to market. The work we are doing with business and unions through the National Logistics Crisis Committee has already contributed to improvements in the operational performance of freight rail and ports,” the President concluded.
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