London: The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will see the United Kingdom provide expertise and capacity support worth nearly R10 million to South Africa’s infrastructure development efforts. This significant agreement was signed by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and UK Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, Chris Bryant, in London.
According to South African Government News Agency, the signing follows the announcement of collaboration by Macpherson and UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, in Durban earlier this year. The collaboration aims to capacitate the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) as it focuses on using public assets for the public good and transforming South Africa into a construction site.
The partnership will focus on three key areas. Project Capstone will support the effective operationalisation of the DPWI’s Special and Strategic Delivery Unit (SSDU), which aims to accelerate infrastructure delivery by concentrating on high-impact projects and addressing inefficiencies that hinder implementation. Project Speed will enhance the management of public assets through improved public sector asset management and resource efficiency. Lastly, the Infrastructure South Africa’s Adopt-a-Municipality Programme will aim to strengthen infrastructure delivery at a municipal level in selected focus municipalities.
Minister Macpherson highlighted the importance of the partnership, emphasizing how international collaboration can unlock South Africa’s infrastructure potential and improve the state’s capacity to deliver. He expressed that this initiative is part of the vision to use public assets effectively and transform South Africa into a hub of construction activity.
Macpherson stated that the MoU is a significant step in the efforts to ensure that public assets are used for the public good and that every project contributes to job creation, local economic development, and building modern, resilient public infrastructure. He emphasized the goal of transforming derelict buildings into community assets and delivering construction projects on time and within budget.