The Ekuvukeni Water Supply Project in KwaZulu-Natal's Alfred Duma Local Municipality has now officially been completed, bringing a significant boost in water access to communities in Wards 30 to 36. The handover ceremony, held 25 September 2025 at the Ekuvukeni Sportsfield, was presided over by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa. Invited guests included the KwaZulu-Natal CoGTA MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the Mayor of Alfred Duma Municipality Zama Sibisi, the Mayor of uThukela District Municipality Inkosi Ntandoyenkosi Shabalala, as well as officials from the Department of Water and Sanitation, Umngeni-uThukela Water, local leadership, and MISA. Speaking at the event, Hlabisa underscored that access to water is a constitutional right, referencing Section 27 of the Bill of Rights. He stated that this right is “not negotiable” and that government must deliver on it. Infrastructure rollout & impact This project, funded through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and implemented by the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), reaches over 14,500 households, benefiting roughly 75,655 people. Among the completed works are: • More than 1.5 km of bulk pipeline • 8.4 km of reticulation (distribution) pipelines • Installation of 52 valve chambers and 25 communal standpipes • Yard connections for multiple households • Partial refurbishment of the Oliphantskop Water Treatment Works and the Petronella Booster Pump Station • Construction of an 8 million-litre steel storage tank to boost capacity Hlabisa also highlighted the socioeconomic dimensions: 32 local labourers (including youth and women) were employed, and eight local subcontractors, with contracts exceeding R6.1 million, were appointed through the Project Steering Committee. He reiterated that the project was more than infrastructure: it represented human dignity. He added that the improvements mean an elderly woman no longer must walk long distances for water; children now go to school in cleaner, healthier conditions. Challenges & next steps Despite the completion, Hlabisa acknowledged ongoing challenges: water losses from leaks and illegal connections, seasonal source water shortages, limited reservoir capacity, and a funding shortfall of about R18 million needed for full system stabilization. To confront these, stakeholders formalised a Section 63 intervention agreement on 19 August 2025. Under that agreement, CoGTA, the Department of Water and Sanitation, Umngeni-uThukela Water, and uThukela District Municipality will entrust Umngeni-uThukela Water with managing district infrastructure for five years. Hlabisa urged communities to protect the newly installed infrastructure from vandalism, theft, and misuse, stating it was built for current residents and future generations. He also congratulated Alfred Duma Municipality for being selected to receive the Intermediary Cities Grant under the Intermediate City Municipalities Programme, which will assist smaller urban areas with development, infrastructure, governance, and sustainable growth.

Google is ramping up its investment in Africa's connectivity, with South Africa earmarked to host one of four new subsea cable hubs across the continent. The expansion builds on the firm's existing footprint with the Africa Connect programme and its Equiano cable initiative. Alongside the infrastructure plan, Google will grant free one-year access to its Google AI Pro offering for university students in seven African nations, including South Africa. The package provides access to AI-powered research and productivity tools such as Gemini 2.5 Pro. In addition, the company has pledged USD 9 million (approximately R166 million) toward African universities and research institutions in the year ahead. This commitment adds to over USD 17 million previously invested in curricula, training programmes and computing resources since 2021. According to Google, its connectivity initiatives have already enabled 100 million Africans to access the internet for the first time, and the Equiano cable alone is projected to boost South Africa's GDP by USD 5.8 billion (R107 billion) this year. Alex Okosi, Google's managing director for Africa, communicated that these moves are part of a holistic strategy to champion the continent's youth. He noted that Africa's digital economy has vast potential and will be powered by the talents of its next generation. Over nearly two decades on the continent, Google has committed around USD 1 billion toward digital transformation efforts. Its contributions include digital skills training for more than seven million Africans and support for 153 startups across 17 countries.

Balwin Properties has inaugurated a dedicated artisan training centre at its Mooikloof Smart City estate in Pretoria. This initiative aims to address critical skills shortages in South Africa's construction sector by providing vocational training in bricklaying, tiling, electrical work, and work-at-height applications. The centre is designed to train and certify 300 candidates annually, with a curriculum comprising 70% practical experience and 30% theoretical instruction. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a certificate of competency. Additionally, Balwin plans to assist graduates in securing long-term employment with its subcontractors, thereby fostering sustainable employment opportunities within the community. Balwin CEO Steve Brookes stated that the training programme is a response to the skills gap exacerbated by the construction sector's slowdown since the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized that empowering local communities through skill development not only benefits individuals but also enhances the quality of construction projects. Looking ahead, Balwin intends to evolve the training programme into a Red Seal-certified three-year qualification, aligning with national standards for trade competence. This progression aims to further professionalize the workforce and improve the overall standard of craftsmanship in the industry. The Mooikloof Smart City development, with an estimated value exceeding R84 billion, is being rolled out in seven phases. The project includes plans for 15,000 apartments, educational institutions, sports facilities, and retail spaces, positioning it as a significant catalyst for regional development. Through this training initiative, Balwin Properties demonstrates a commitment to community upliftment and the long-term sustainability of the construction industry. By equipping individuals with valuable trade skills, the company contributes to reducing unemployment and promoting economic growth in the region.

JSE-listed PPC has announced impressive financial results for the year ending March 31, showcasing significant improvements in key metrics such as margins, profitability, and cash generation, reaching levels not seen since the 2018 financial year. The company's strategic turnaround plan, dubbed 'Awaken the Giant,' has successfully rebuilt its foundations and transformed its operational approach, leading to double-digit increases in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (Ebitda) and free cash flow. During the review period, Ebitda surged by 28% to R1.59 billion, while the Ebitda margin expanded by 3.8 percentage points to 16.1%. Free cash flow from continuing operations skyrocketed by 306% to R1.05 billion, up from R260 million the previous year. Earnings per share and headline earnings per share rose significantly, with earnings per share increasing from 6c to 32c and headline earnings per share from 19c to 40c. Despite a 1.9% decline in group revenue to R9.87 billion, attributed to a 6.7% drop in Zimbabwe's revenue, PPC's South Africa and Botswana operations remained stable with a slight revenue increase. PPC's CEO, Matias Cardarelli, noted that these results are remarkable given the lack of significant market growth. The company has resumed ordinary dividend payments from its South African segment for the first time since 2016, declaring a dividend of 17.6c per share, up from 13.7c last year. Cardarelli emphasized that the year marked the beginning of PPC's turnaround strategy, with substantial results achieved ahead of schedule. Looking ahead, PPC is focused on sustainable growth and value creation, with plans to unlock additional value in the coming years. The company has signed a contract with Sinoma Overseas Development Company for a new R3 billion integrated cement plant in the Western Cape, expected to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Cardarelli stated that the benefits of this project will begin to materialize in the 2028 financial year, securing PPCs competitive position in the market.

The R520 million road infrastructure project in the Garden Route District Municipality is the largest provincial government investment in the area and is expected to span approximately 44 months. Designed to improve mobility, safety, and economic growth, the project is currently about 57% complete and is on track for completion by the end of the second quarter of the 2026/27 financial year. Tertuis Simmers, the Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, highlighted the challenges posed by the project's location, which includes numerous underground services and aging infrastructure. He noted that delays were necessary to replace these aging services to prevent future failures. Additionally, unexpected discoveries of unrecorded services during excavations required the project team to develop quick engineering solutions. Garret Street, a crucial link between Mossel Bay's industrial area and residential suburbs, has faced restricted access due to construction. The construction team prioritized the needs of the majority, leading to temporary road closures. Despite these challenges, the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) is committed to reopening Garret Street for Bayview access by March 20, 2025. As of February 2025, R35 million of the R85 million budget has been spent, with 31,000 person-days of work created, resulting in 218 job opportunities. The project has also engaged 29 local subcontractors, with a total value exceeding R8 million. Upcoming milestones include the re-alignment of the Langeberg Mall entrance and the completion of new on- and off-ramps from the N2 by the end of April 2025. The project team has implemented innovative strategies to expedite work, including closing intersections to facilitate quicker construction. Minister Simmers acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the roadworks but assured that the long-term benefits would outweigh the short-term disruptions. He also addressed a petition against a new pedestrian footpath connecting Sonskynvallei to Hartenbos, confirming that the footpath was part of the approved plans aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety and access to economic opportunities. The DOI appreciates the patience of road users during this significant infrastructure investment.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has extended the deadline for requests for proposals (RFPs) regarding the redevelopment of 31 state properties due to significant interest from potential bidders. Interested parties now have until April 30 to submit their proposals for these properties, which are valued at R1.4 billion and located across South Africa. Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson noted that the department has been encouraged by the overwhelming interest in these properties, many of which are strategically situated near key economic hubs but have been neglected for years. The initiative aims to revitalize these assets and stimulate local economies. According to Macpherson, the program represents a significant policy shift for the department, allowing public properties to be transformed into public-private partnerships, leased on a long-term basis, or even sold, depending on the outcomes of the RFP process. This shift reflects a strong appetite from the private sector, which is expected to attract essential investment into communities and create job opportunities. The DPWI anticipates that the first phase of this initiative will generate over R10 billion in investment and create more than 165,000 jobs. After the April deadline, an independent panel will assess each proposal to determine the most suitable option for each property, paving the way for a revitalized future for these state assets.