MINISTER MACPHERSON LAUNCHES THE ‘ADOPT A MUNICIPALITY’ INITIATIVE TO FAST TRACK INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY

Article by Maanea Maselesele, Pictures by Caroline Mokotedi

09 May 2025

Today, Minister Dean Macpherson signed Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with three municipalities marking a significant step in strengthening collaboration between national and local government. This falls part of the departments ‘Adopt a Municipality’ initiative that aims to improve infrastructure delivery at local government level.

At the launch of the ‘Adopt a Municipality’ initiative that was held at the Bryntarian Estate Club House, in Pretoria. The department has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Metsimaholo Municipality of Free State, the uMngeni Municipality of KwaZulu Natal and the Govan Mbeki Municipality of Mpumalanga.

Minister Macpherson was joined by representatives from the participating municipalities, including Cllr Janis Holmes from uMngeni Local Municipality, Cllr Nhlakanipho Zuma from Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, and Cllr Jack Malindi from Metsimaholo Local Municipality, who signed the MOUs on behalf of their respective municipalities.

This initiative follows a directive that came from the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Council (PICC), that is chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa, and aims at enhancing the capacity of local government to deliver infrastructure effectively. “The PICC collectively decided that something had to be done. That is why we are here today — not to make another set of promises, but to change how delivery happens on the ground,” said the Minister at the launch.

The initiative will be led by Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), which will partner with municipalities to implement rapid infrastructure interventions to improve and execute delivery outcomes. ISA will also work closely with these three municipalities over the next 24 months, delivering rapid, targeted interventions in three critical service areas: Water and Sanitation, Electricity and Energy, and Waste Management.

With the Department’s vision of turning South Africa into a construction site, this initiative represents a pivotal step in driving the country’s infrastructure development in the right direction. It aims to address critical infrastructure challenges and accelerate economic growth across all spheres of government.