CAPE TOWN – Thousands of jobs are expected to be created as the Western Cape accelerates delivery of major infrastructure projects worth an estimated R131 billion, following a meeting of the Infrastructure Ministerial Committee (IMC) last week.
The IMC met on Friday 6 February with a directive to fast-track priority infrastructure by improving coordination, unlocking partnerships and ensuring funding is aligned with projects that are ready for construction.
Health and education projects advance
Progress was reviewed across health, education and core provincial infrastructure. In the health sector enablement work is continuing on the New Tygerberg Central Hospital public-private partnership to ensure the project meets procurement requirements.
Planning is also moving forward on two regional hospitals in the metro, with funding secured to continue planning for one facility, while professional teams have been appointed for the second.
In education several projects implemented by the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure were already under construction. The Manenberg School of Skills was progressing following site handover, while construction of Sunningdale Primary School is underway to accommodate rapid learner growth. Dal Josaphat Primary School was also advancing as a replacement school that will significantly expand learner capacity once completed.
Province-wide infrastructure rollout
The Department of Infrastructure reported that hundreds of public works projects were under construction or nearing completion across health facilities, schools and general infrastructure.
The IMC also reviewed the province’s Single Integrated Infrastructure Pipeline, which includes 52 priority projects valued at approximately R131 billion. These projects span transport, health, education, human settlements, water, energy and catalytic economic infrastructure, and have been prioritised for readiness and accelerated implementation.
Unlocking investment and partnerships
Progress was also noted on integrated infrastructure investment initiatives aimed at packaging priority projects for blended finance, private sector participation and development finance support. This work was being reinforced through collaboration with the Water and Energy Council to align bulk water security and energy resilience projects with broader infrastructure delivery.
Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers said accelerating delivery requires focus and discipline.
“Acceleration is about discipline and focus,” he said. “It means choosing the right projects, funding them properly and removing the friction that slows delivery. What we are seeing is real progress. Projects are moving through planning, into construction, and towards delivery where it matters most.”
