By BAKANG MOKOTO
16 July 2025 – The Select Committee on Public Infrastructure and Minister in the Presidency reiterated on Tuesday the importance of improving service delivery and ensuring the transformation of the infrastructure sector. The committee received a briefing from the Independent Development Trust (IDT) and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) on the entities’ strategic and annual performance plans for the 2025/26 financial year.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Rikus Badenhorst, reminded the members of the role that infrastructure development plays in the nation’s development. Badenhorst said some members also stressed the importance of delivering essential social infrastructure, particularly in underserved communities.
“Stressing the importance of empowering local communities, members wanted to know how the IDT plans to source materials locally for infrastructure projects to stimulate local economies.
“Other issues they sought clarity on were gender mainstreaming and youth empowerment in infrastructure projects. There were also concerns about allegations of contractors who receive grades without completing any projects, and members wanted to know how the IDT verifies contractor qualifications,” he said.
Badenhorst further said in response, the IDT committed to setting clear targets for including youth and women in its projects. He added that the entity also assured the committee that efforts are underway to strengthen verification and compliance processes.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tebogo Malaka, told the committee that the entity is committed to transparency and accountability in its operations.
“We are actively working to establish partnerships with local suppliers and contractors to ensure that our projects benefit the communities they serve,” she said.
Badenhorst said the CIDB, as a crucial regulatory body, is a Schedule 3a public entity created to lead industry stakeholders in construction development. He said among its main focuses is to “facilitate and promote the improved contribution of the construction industry to South Africa’s economy and society” – a role the committee acknowledged and welcomed.
“Members heard that professionalising the contractor base and empowering and supporting emerging contractors were among the entity’s strategic goals. The committee was also concerned about budget constraints and their impact on transformation initiatives.
“Members also wanted to know about legislative amendments that may strengthen the CIDB’s regulatory powers, as some were concerned about the increase in non-compliance,” said Badenhorst.
The CEO of the CIDB, Bongani Dladla, assured the committee of the entity’s commitment to address the impact of budget cuts.
“While we have had to navigate some fiscal constraints, we are consolidating our efforts through the BUILD programme, which will enhance our support for emerging contractors and ensure that we maintain our commitment to transformation,” he said.
Badenhorst said the committee also heard that steps are underway to improve enforcement and reduce non-compliance on its contractor register. He said they reaffirmed the committee’s support for programmes that create jobs and promote local economic development.
“It is important for continuous monitoring to ensure that infrastructure development delivers meaningful change with tangible improvements in the lives of South Africans. The deliberations today reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to ensure that infrastructure development is responsive, inclusive and accountable,” said Badenhorst.
The Guardian 