07 Feb Time to move beyond promises – CESA calls for swift action following SONA
By Chris Campbell, CEO of Consulting Engineers South Africa
While President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) acknowledges critical infrastructure challenges that have long plagued our nation, it reminds me of a ‘bird perched on a wire’ – aware of its surroundings but not yet taking flight. Years have passed, and despite numerous policy frameworks and statements of intent, we have not spread our wings to achieve the development our nation desperately needs.
As the consulting engineering sector, we cautiously welcome the President’s recognition of important issues, particularly the state of our local municipalities, the breakdown of essential municipal services and infrastructure, and the country’s water challenges. However, these are not new revelations – the private sector has been sounding these alarms for years, offering solutions that have often at times gone unheeded.
Professionalising the public sector must extend beyond local government to all spheres of public service. It is about creating a competent, technically skilled workforce capable of delivering sustainable services and managing complex infrastructure projects. We need decisive action to strengthen institutional capabilities across all levels of government.
These efforts must align with our broader national imperatives. By professionalising our public sector workforce and strategically leveraging infrastructure projects, we can create meaningful employment opportunities. This approach builds lasting technical capabilities, develops scarce skills, and creates sustainable career paths that reduce dependency on social support systems.
The proposed R940 billion infrastructure spend by the government over the next three years, including R375 billion for state-owned companies, represents significant potential. However, unless we address the current systemic challenges in project planning, procurement, inadequate contract management and governance, which continue to obstruct delivery, we risk squandering this investment opportunity and facing the same roadblocks that continue to hamper the delivery of much-needed infrastructure across our country.
We are particularly encouraged by the President’s acknowledgment of the country’s water challenges. However, an integrated approach that addresses chronic maintenance backlogs, strengthens technical and operational management capabilities and tackles the critical issue of revenue collection is needed. An analysis of South Africa’s water sector reveals a deeply concerning pattern of financial governance failures. The magnitude of irregular expenditure has reached unprecedented levels, with billions in public funds being compromised. This financial haemorrhage is further compounded by the stagnation of vital water infrastructure projects, where allegations of procurement malfeasance and systematic tender manipulation have effectively halted progress on essential developments.
Without these fundamental improvements, even the most ambitious infrastructure projects will fail to ensure sustainable and quality water security for our citizens.
The private sector stands ready with both expertise and resources to partner with the public sector. Our industry has the capacity not only to execute projects but also to mentor and develop the technical skills our public sector desperately needs. However, this requires a fundamental shift in how government engages with private sector expertise – moving beyond selective consultation to meaningful partnership.
The time for statements of intent has passed. I have repeatedly advocated that what South Africa needs now is ‘decisive and bold action and implementation’. The President’s address acknowledges the challenges, but acknowledgment without swift, concrete action merely leaves us, like that ‘bird on the wire, static and unrealised’. Implementation has never been more critical!
The consulting engineering sector remains committed to South Africa’s development, but we need more than promises. We need:
- Immediate clarity and implementation of existing policies
- True partnership with the public sector
- Protection of critical infrastructure
- Professional management of utilities
As we’ve consistently maintained – our call to the Government of National Unity is that policy certainty and political stability are non-negotiable prerequisites for private sector investment and economic growth. Without these foundations, even the most ambitious infrastructure plans will struggle to take flight.
We remain ready to partner in South Africa’s development. However, we must move beyond the comfort of our perch and take bold action. The time for flight is now.
Ends
About Consulting Engineers South Africa
Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) is a voluntary association of consulting engineering firms with a member base across the country totalling in excess of 580 companies. CESA is the custodian of the well-being of the industry supported by member firms who employ approximately 19 000 people. For more information, visit: www.cesa.co.za
Media Contact:
Brindaveni Naidoo | SWM Communications
Tel: 084 566 7459
brindaveni@swmcommunications.co.za
CESA Contact details:
Bonolo Nkgodi
Marketing and Communications Manager
Tel: 011 463 2022
bonolo@cesa.co.za