Pilanesberg Airport Rebuild and Free State Agriculture Boost: Two MOUs Signed

By Maanea Maselesele & Oageng Mathenje, Pictures by Caroline Mokotedi & Oageng Mathenje

23 February 2026

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson and Premier Lazarus Mokgosi sealed two landmark Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) aimed at rebooting the region’s infrastructure and economy on Friday.

On Saturday, Minister Macpherson, presided over the signing of the MOU between Infrastructure South Africa and AGRIBIZ Free State.

What the MOUs cover

The first agreement authorises Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) to provide specialised technical assistance to the North West Provincial Government’s Department of Community Safety and Transport Management. The goal is to redevelop Pilanesberg International Airport, which sustained significant damage from a fire in 2023. The redevelopment aims to restore and modernise the airport, a critical asset for tourism, regional connectivity, and broader economic growth in the area.

The second agreement formally welcomes Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality into ISA’s Presidential Adopt-a-Municipality Pilot Programme. Through this collaboration, the municipality will receive structured technical expertise to strengthen planning systems, improve project preparation, and enhance implementation readiness. The initiative is designed to unlock renewed momentum in local infrastructure delivery.

The Free State MOU focused on agricultural rural roads revitalisation under the Free State Pilot Initiative. The signing ceremony took place at Aeres University of Applied Sciences and was attended by, among others, the MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure in the Free State.

The agreement aims to fast-track infrastructure delivery and strengthen service provision across the province by improving the development and maintenance of agricultural and rural road networks, critical to supporting farmers, enabling market access, and stimulating rural economic activity.

Minister Macpherson underscored the significance of the projects, saying the airport, after a period of vulnerability, is poised to become a beacon of renewal. “Following the devastating fire in 2023, the intervention will help restore and modernise this strategic regional asset, critical for tourism, connectivity and broader economic growth,” he said.

Premier Mokgosi emphasised the broader economic impact, noting that the airport’s revitalisation is expected to generate a multiplier effect across industries within the Moses Kotane Local Municipality and the Bojanala-Platinum District. He described the agreements as a major step forward, for jobs and economic growth, in the North West province.

Reflecting on the Free State MOU Minister Macpherson welcomed the partnership, noting that the MOU provides clear guidelines to ensure effective execution of the agricultural rural roads revitalisation mandate. He stressed that strong intergovernmental collaboration is essential to developing municipalities and provinces holistically.

MEC Dibolele Mance reaffirmed the Free State province’s commitment towards ensuring that road infrastructure projects directly support agricultural productivity, rural development and strengthen the provincial economy.

Across the provinces, the signing of these agreements signals more than administrative cooperation — it reflects a renewed and energetic drive to transform infrastructure into a powerful instrument for economic recovery, inclusive growth and improved service delivery.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure continues to position infrastructure as a central pillar in building resilient communities and unlocking sustainable development across South Africa.