The vision and future of South Africa’s public Infrastructure
Hon. Sihle Zikalala, the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, praised new and upcoming partnerships and integration to align the public and private sectors.
Zikalala discussed the agenda of infrastructure which will be aiming by 2063, to create an Africa we all want, one that is prosperous. It will also encompass integration and Africa to be politically united. The goal is to have world class infrastructure whereby no one will be left behind. This will be implemented by connecting the various parts of Africa via one road: the TransAfrica Highway. Zikalala stated that this integration with other countries will bring huge opportunities with railway integration, cleaner sources of energy being implemented, and connectivity integrated into roads and railway.
Cities, towns and metropolitan areas throughout South Africa face an unprecedented economic, demographic, fiscal and environmental challenges that make it imperative for the public and private sectors to rethink the way they do business. These new forces are incredibly diverse, but they share an underlying need for modern, efficient and reliable infrastructure.
Infrastructure enables trade, powers businesses, connects workers to their jobs, creates opportunities for struggling communities and protects the nation from an increasingly unpredictable natural environment. From private investment in telecommunication systems, broadband networks, freight railroads, energy projects and pipelines, to publicly spending on transportation, water, buildings and parks, infrastructure is the backbone of a healthy economy.
It also supports workers, providing millions of jobs each year in building and maintenance. A Brookings Institution analysis Bureau of Labor Statistics data reveals that 14 million people have jobs in fields directly related to infrastructure. From locomotive engineers and electrical power line installers, to truck drivers and airline pilots, to construction laborers and meter readers, infrastructure jobs account for nearly 11 percent of the nation’s workforce, offering employment opportunities that have low barriers of entry and are projected to grow over the next decade.
Minister Sihle Zikalala described this as an important national goal which the country depends on it. The economy needs reliable infrastructure to connect supply chains and efficiently move goods and services across borders. Infrastructure connects households across metropolitan areas to higher quality opportunities for employment, healthcare and education. Clean energy and public transit can reduce greenhouse gases. This same economic logic applies to broadband networks, water systems and energy production and distribution.
In order to encourage the growth of the Richards Bay industrial Development Zone RBIDZ, Zikalala oversaw the implementation of a number of significant initiatives. These included the establishment of an Investment Promotion Unit to draw in investment, the development of services and infrastructure to support industrial development, and the implementation of a skills development program to aid in the expansion of regional industries.
At the 2017 launch of the RBIDZ Phase 1A infrastructure project, Zikalala stressed the role of the RBIDZ in stimulating economic growth and job creation in the area, stating: “The RBIDZ is a catalyst for the economic development of the province and the country at large.” In addition to being the center of the Richards Bay region, it stimulates investment, skill development, and job creation in the province.”
