Minister Sihle Zikalala’s Initiative to Tackle Unfinished Infrastructure Projects in Free State Province Minister Sihle Zikalala has taken significant action to improve the public works and infrastructure sector by addressing unfinished projects in the Free State Province. On June 8, 2023, the Minister conducted inspections of various stalled projects to drive accountability and enhance service delivery.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is responsible for managing and maintaining governmentowned properties and infrastructure projects in South Africa. This includes building and maintaining government offices, hospitals, and schools, managing public transport systems, and constructing and maintaining roads and highways.
The South African Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is contributing to the country’s economic recovery and job creation. For the 2023/24 financial year, the department has been allocated R8.782 billion, with R4.5 billion earmarked for infrastructure, property management, facilities, and asset management.
As South Africa commemorates Africa Month, it is an opportunity to reflect on the country’s strides in building a united, nonracial, nonsexist, and prosperous society. Among the key areas where progress has been made is infrastructure development, spearheaded by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) under the stewardship of Minister Sihle Zikalala.
Robben Island, a symbol of South Africa’s journey to democracy, has recently captured the government’s attention. The government recognizes the island’s historical and cultural significance and plans to allocate increased funding for the island’s muchneeded infrastructure maintenance. The move is aimed at preserving and revitalizing the World Heritage Site, which has been grappling with financial and governance challenges over recent years.