Pretoria: Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has welcomed the R1 trillion earmarked for infrastructure investment in the budget outlined by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday. The hefty investment is primarily targeted at transport and logistics, energy, and water and sanitation.

According to South African Government News Agency, the investment is seen as a significant step towards achieving the Government of National Unity’s goal of economic growth and job creation. Minister Macpherson emphasized the readiness of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, along with Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), in contributing to this objective. He stated that by collaborating effectively, a better South Africa can be built.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of strengthening Infrastructure South Africa to coordinate, prepare, and plan major infrastructure projects. He noted that ISA has already demonstrated its ability to cut red tape and expedite project implementation. The formalisation of ISA through legislation is expected to ensure its legal mandate to turn South Africa into a construction site, thereby attracting increased infrastructure investment and successfully implementing more projects.