Statement by Bonginkosi Madikizela MP – DA Spokesperson on Public Works and Infrastructure:
The Democratic Alliance welcomes the appointment of Ms. Mameetse Masemola as Head of Infrastructure South Africa. Her transition from Acting Head to permanent appointment provides much-needed stability and continuity at this critical juncture for our nation’s infrastructure development.
Ms. Masemola inherits a massive challenge. South Africa needs R1.7 trillion in infrastructure investment to meet our National Development Plan targets – that’s R140 billion annually.
Thanks to Minister Dean Macpherson’s leadership, this department is already showing signs of improvement. StatsSA reports that construction added 130,000 jobs in Q3 2025, accounting for nearly half of all new employment. This demonstrates the sector’s potential when properly supported, making it even more crucial to unlock infrastructure delivery at scale.
The DA looks forward to working constructively with Ms. Masemola to advance critical infrastructure projects that will stimulate economic growth and create jobs. We trust she will prioritize transparency, efficiency, and value for money in all infrastructure initiatives. Her focus must be on cutting red tape, fast-tracking project approvals, and ensuring proper maintenance of existing infrastructure.
We call on Ms. Masemola to urgently address the coordination challenges between government spheres that have historically delayed infrastructure rollout. South Africans cannot afford further delays in delivering the infrastructure necessary for economic recovery and improved quality of life.