STAFF REPORTER
THE South African government has pledged hundreds of billions of rand in infrastructure that will create thousands of jobs, according to public works department.
“Government has also committed R100 billion over 10 years to the Infrastructure Fund,” Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia de Lille said at a press briefing.
“The Infrastructure Fund is already encouraging private investors to help us build capability for infrastructure delivery within the state and to develop blended financing models. What is also new is that the new methodology assesses the projects in terms of how they will advance the national development goals, including the National Development Plan and the National 7 key priorities of the 6th Administration of and the African Union Agenda 2063.”
De Lille also noted that R340 billion would go to the private sector for 62 infrastructure development projects that the state recently approved.
She said a number of bridges across the nation will have been constructed by 2021.
“The plan is for the installation of 400 bridges in 3 years, with the priority provinces being Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, and Free State,” she said.
All these projects will add about 8,000 jobs.
All projects will result in major job creation and stimulation of the economy over several financial years,” she said.
The minister said the developments would revive the industry which suffered a 14.2 percent contraction due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn.
The Strategic Integrated Projects that are currently under construction include:
- Lufhereng in Johannesburg, Gauteng, a mixed use, Integrated Human Settlement development located in close proximity to Soweto. The development is envisaged to deliver over 24 000 housing opportunities of different typologies. Over 7000 jobs are to be created of which 2000 are already in existence. ISA is engaging the National Housing Finance Corporation determine how to fast track the disbursements of the FLISP subsidies for the Lufhereng SIP. Further, the local community and SMME’s are benefitting from the project through subcontracting, material supplies and secondary opportunities.
- Mooikloof and Green Creek in Tshwane, Gauteng which are two substantial integrated housing private sector projects with integrated affordable housing solutions, which together are estimated to yield about 60 000 jobs.
- Greater Cornubia in KwaZulu-Natal which is also a mixed use Integrated Human Settlement development located in eThekwini. The development is expected to deliver over 57 000 housing opportunities and 64 000 jobs across the project lifecycle; and
- Vista Park I & II in which is a Human Settlements development located in Mangaung, Free State. This project is expected to yield 33 300 units and 5 500 jobs are to be created over the project’s lifecycle.
(Additional reporting Xinhua)
