THE MINISTRY OF DPWI VISIT POTSDAM AHEAD OF SIDSSA

Article by Nolwazi Ndhlovu, Pictures by Caroline Mokotedi and Nolwazi Ndhlovu

25 May 2025

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Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala, today visited the Potsdam Water Treatment Works, in Cape Town, Western Cape. This water treatment works is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Cape Town.

The visit to Potsdam was the kick-off to this year’s Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA). The symposium to be held from the 26th to the 27th of May, aims to facilitate alignment with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP). The symposium will further bring together key stakeholders, experts, and decision makers in the field of infrastructure development.

Joining the Minister and Deputy Minister at the site visit were the DG of the department, Sfiso Mdakane, the Head of PMTE Siza Sibande, PMO DDG Luyanda Kafile, and many more DPWI managers. Also part of the site visit delegation were Ministers from eSwatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Uganda.

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The Potsdam project entails the upgrade and extension of the treatment plant. The R5,2 Billion project will extend the treatment plant’s capacity from 47 million liters per day to 100 million liters of treated wastewater per day. There are also plans to bring in pioneering technology, such as membrane technology to treat wastewater. This will bring significant improvement to the restoration of the Milnerton Lagoon’s environmental health. The lagoon has seen a build-up of pollution for decades.

To date, upgrades at Potsdam are on track. “To see how this team is actually ahead of their timelines and on budget is spectacular,” said Minister Macpherson. The minister also commended the work that the City of Cape Town is doing on infrastructure projects, stating that Cape Town is the leading city driving the department’s vision of a “country under construction that is igniting growth and growing jobs” Minister Macpherson added.