Ramaphosa: Infrastructure is the Engine of South Africa’s Future

Image: GCIS

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africans to rally behind a bold vision of infrastructure-led growth, declaring that the country’s future depends on turning plans into projects and construction sites into symbols of progress.

Speaking at the National Construction Summit 2025, the President addressed ministers, premiers, mayors, industry leaders, and representatives from business, labour, academia, and civil society. He emphasised that the summit was not just about building an industry, but about building a nation.

“We are gathered here to share a dream and determination to build a country that works for all its people,” Ramaphosa said. “A country where everyone has water, sanitation and electricity; where no child has to swim across a river to get to school; and where all schools have safe and appropriate sanitation.”

Infrastructure as a Catalyst for Growth

Ramaphosa underscored the transformative power of infrastructure, noting its role in improving quality of life, reducing inequality, and driving economic competitiveness. He reminded delegates of the painful legacy of apartheid spatial planning, which left many communities without basic services or economic opportunities.

Yet, he pointed to the post-democracy investments in electricity, water, sanitation, and housing as proof of how infrastructure can change lives. “The roads we build, the bridges we construct, the schools and hospitals we erect are the foundations of opportunity and hope,” he said.

Signs of Recovery in Construction

The President highlighted encouraging signs of recovery in the construction industry. Statistics South Africa’s latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows unemployment falling from 33.2% to 31.9%, with 248,000 new jobs created in the third quarter—130,000 of them in construction.

“This reflects an upswing in the industry,” Ramaphosa noted, adding that earlier this year, government showcased over 250 fully-funded projects worth more than R230 billion at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium.

R1 Trillion Commitment

To sustain momentum, government has committed R1 trillion in infrastructure spending over the medium term, shifting expenditure from consumption to investment. Capital payments are now the fastest-growing item in the national budget, expected to rise by 7.5% over the medium term.

Alongside public spending, Ramaphosa announced reforms to enable greater private investment, including amendments to public-private partnership regulations and new guidelines on unsolicited bids.

Accountability and Reform

The President stressed that delivery must be guaranteed. He highlighted the South African Construction Action Plan, recently announced by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, which sets measurable targets, timelines, and consequences.

The plan includes:

• Blocking underperforming contractors from new state contracts

• Fixing cash-flow constraints

• Using technology to track projects in real time

• Establishing Procurement War Rooms in every Public Works department to fast-track evaluations and approvals

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Ramaphosa was firm on law enforcement: “We will not negotiate with construction mafias. We will not yield to cable thieves or those who vandalise infrastructure. The law enforcement agencies will deal with those who break the law.”

Global Leadership

Looking ahead, Ramaphosa noted that South Africa will host the first G20 Leaders’ Summit on African soil next week. He commended the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group for placing resilient infrastructure at the centre of the global agenda, ensuring countries are prepared for extreme weather events and equipped to rebuild after disasters.

A Nation at Work

Closing his address, Ramaphosa envisioned a South Africa alive with construction activity: cranes rising above skylines, vehicles moving through townships and villages, and communities transformed by new opportunities.

“We look forward to the outcomes of this National Construction Summit, confident that it will place infrastructure development on a new trajectory turning plans into projects and accelerating progress towards a South Africa that works for all.”