South Africa faces a critical opportunity to transform budget allocations into real, visible infrastructure delivery - but only if decisive action follows. This is according to Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA), following the release of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana yesterday.
The MTBPS includes a R33.7 billion allocation for critical infrastructure projects and a commitment to advance infrastructure reforms that leverage public funds to unlock additional private investment and improve the quality of spending.
“We have heard the promises before, but time and again projects stall due to lack of clear policy direction, limited capacity within public institutions, and procurement processes that fail to value the intellectual services essential to infrastructure success. Without confronting deep-rooted procurement challenges and limited capacity within local government, these funds risk falling short of their intended impact,” says Chris Campbell, CEO of CESA.
He calls on government to match its fiscal commitment with urgent implementation reforms. “Strategic, well-resourced procurement of consulting engineering services - intellectual services, not commodities - is essential to unlock innovation and deliver projects that the country can truly benefit from. Lowest-cost approaches alone will not achieve these outcomes. A comprehensive ‘total cost of ownership’ approach that accounts for design, construction, operations, and maintenance is essential to safeguard infrastructure sustainability.”
Equally critical, explains Campbell, are policy certainty, political stability, and strengthened municipal capacity. “Political uncertainty remains a major deterrent to investment, undermining confidence both locally and internationally. Systemic risks such as corruption and the influence of illicit actors in the construction sector must be confronted head-on. Without accountability and clear consequences, unlocking genuine growth and trust will remain out of reach.”
While public-private partnerships can complement infrastructure delivery, Campbell stresses that custodial responsibilities must remain with the public sector to ensure oversight, affordability, and long-term service delivery. “Balancing this partnership dynamic is crucial for sustainable outcomes that serve the public interest.”
This is why, now more than ever, adds Campbell, the skills and expertise of the private sector must be harnessed to support government in cleaning up the public sector space and strengthening accountability, as well as implementing professionalisation of the public sector. “By working together, we can embed strategic, results-driven practices, build capacity within municipalities, and ensure that public funds are deployed efficiently and transparently.”
While CESA welcomes the MTBPS’s commitment to infrastructure development, bold and coordinated action is imperative to translate allocations into functioning, sustainable infrastructure.
“We call on government and all stakeholders to break free from bureaucratic paralysis and work collaboratively to address systemic challenges such as dysfunctional municipalities and outdated procurement models. Only with bold, clear, and coordinated action addressing these foundational challenges can South Africa’s infrastructure investment reach its full potential and support lasting economic growth,” Campbell concludes.
