INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH STRATEGIC TECHNICAL VISIT TO THE UAE

By Maanea Maselesele

16 May 2025

Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) Director-General (DG) Sifiso Mdakane, has led a departmental delegation of senior managers on a five day technical visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The delegation comprised of the head of the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE) Siza Sibande, PMTE Chief Director Tebogo Phiri, the Deputy Director General (DDG): Construction Project Management Batho Mokgotho, the head of the office of the DG, Sean Cox and Special Advisor to the Minister Dr Gavin Kode.

The purpose of the visit was to strengthen South Africa’s infrastructure development initiatives and advance international cooperation by benchmarking from globally recognised best practices in construction and facilities management.

The visit commenced with a high-level engagement with ALEC Construction, one of the UAE’s foremost infrastructure development firms. During this engagement, the DPWI delegation received an in-depth overview of ALEC’s innovative project management approaches, which prioritise accelerated delivery timelines, advanced design technologies and integrated planning systems. The insights gained highlighted the potential for South Africa to adopt similar methodologies to improve the efficiency and quality of its own infrastructure projects.

The delegation also held a strategic meeting with Chairperson of the South African Business Council (SABCO) Richard Harris, in the UAE. The meeting focused on strengthening economic ties and identifying opportunities for foreign investment into South African infrastructure projects, with SABCO positioned as a key facilitator of investor relations in the region.

“South Africa’s growth and development are closely tied to the modernisation of our infrastructure. This visit offers a valuable opportunity to gain insights from the UAE, whose rapid infrastructure growth has established global benchmarks. We aim to incorporate innovative practices that will enhance the quality of our own projects, ultimately contributing to the improvement of South Africa’s economy,” said DG Mdakane, during the meeting.