By Thapelo Molefe
Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi has unveiled an aggressive infrastructure expansion plan aimed at stabilising water supply, expanding rail networks, building new schools and securing long term electricity reliability in the province.
Delivering the 2026 State of the Province Address (SOPA) at Nasrec Expo Centre on Monday night, Lesufi made it clear that infrastructure delivery will define his administration.
“As the economic heartland of our country, Gauteng should never be allowed to stop beating, for the consequences would be too dire for all of us,” he said.
Addressing the January water crisis triggered by an explosion at a Rand Water plant, Lesufi apologised to residents and defended government’s emergency response.
“On 27 January 2026, we were hit by an unexpected water shortage. Immediately thereafter, our water supply was deeply affected. We then went into emergency mode,” he said.
“The challenge is not water availability, but the interruptions caused by infrastructure failures, leaks and high demand peaks.”
The province has committed R760 million towards bulk water upgrades in Johannesburg, including a new reservoir and tower in Brixton, an emergency boosting pumping station and a five kilometre pipeline to be completed later this year.
“To permanently resolve these issues, a massive infrastructure investment upgrade is underway,” Lesufi said.
He also confirmed preparations to receive additional supply from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
“We are about to conclude the expansion of our water infrastructure so that we can be ready to receive additional water… thus cementing our water security permanently.”
A major highlight was the expansion of the Gautrain.
Lesufi announced that by the end of March, the R52 billion rail infrastructure will be fully handed over to the provincial government.
“To maximise this investment later this year, we will resume the process to expand Gautrain to Soweto, Mamelodi, Springs, Atteridgeville, Fourways,” he said.
He confirmed that the concessionaire process for the next 15 years is being finalised.
On the proposed Gauteng Limpopo speed rail link, Lesufi said: “Over 30 investors have raised their hands willing to bankroll this project. This dream is about to be realised in our lifetime.”
The province has also adopted the Integrated Transport Master Plan and taken over the R20 billion e toll debt.
“The Provincial Government took a deliberate decision to assume responsibility for the e-toll debt to relieve residents of the financial burden and open our roads for maintenance,” he said.
On electricity, Lesufi said Gauteng is shifting focus from crisis management to long term energy security.
“Our efforts to eradicate loadshedding and stabilise energy provision have yielded positive results. We are now shifting from emergency expansion to long term energy security,” he said.
A R10 billion Integrated Waste Management Facility will serve the three metros, converting waste into energy through biogas, material recovery and green hydrogen technologies.
“Faced with the challenge of rapid landfill airspace depletion in our province, we are undertaking Waste to Energy Projects in Gauteng,” Lesufi said.
He also pointed to the LNG import terminal at Richards Bay, which will enable gas to be transported to Gauteng industrial users for the first time.
“To grow the economy of Gauteng, we must improve our infrastructure,” he said, adding that bulk services, rail, water and energy upgrades are central to job creation and investor confidence in the province.
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