SOUTH AFRICA’S CONSTRUCTION SECTOR MARKS MAJOR TURNING POINT AT SECOND CIDB NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION SUMMIT

Article by Fanisa Makhubela, Pictures by Caroline Mokotedi and Mahlogonolo Makwela

13 November 2025

South Africa’s construction industry entered a new phase of acceleration and confidence today as the second CIDB National Construction Summit kicked off at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni. The summit first held in KwaZulu-Natal last year brought together government, industry leaders, contractors, professionals, regulators and built-environment stakeholders for a high-impact opening day.

The event began with a keynote address by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who reaffirmed the national imperative to “turn South Africa into a construction site” as a foundation for economic revival.

Addressing delegates, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, announced that the construction sector has “turned a corner and begun delivering real results,” with over 130,000 new jobs created in the third quarter alone. This, he said, confirms the sector’s position as the leading driver of employment growth in South Africa.

Construction Mafia Crackdown Showing Real Results

Reflecting on progress since last year’s summit, Minister Macpherson reported major gains in the fight against construction site extortion and intimidation.

He noted that:

• Hundreds of cases of construction-related extortion have been reported,
• Multiple arrests and convictions have been secured, and
• KwaZulu-Natal once the epicentre of disruptions has seen monthly site stoppages fall dramatically.

“We are dismantling organised criminal networks that have long terrorised the industry,” the Minister said, crediting coordinated action between SAPS, PSIRA, industry and public entities.

Summit Must Deliver Practical, Measurable Reforms

The Minister stressed that this year’s summit must go beyond discussion and deliver measurable, practical actions that accelerate infrastructure rollout.

This includes:

• Implementing the South African Construction Action Plan (SACAP)
• Reducing approval timelines
• Strengthening procurement systems
• Enhancing project readiness and governance
• Expanding localisation through the Integrated Social Facilitation Framework
• Scaling up contractor development programmes such as B.U.I.L.D

Macpherson emphasised that reform work is already underway, with provinces preparing procurement “war rooms” and new real-time project dashboards.

A United Sector Ready to Accelerate Delivery

With more than 2,000 delegates, this year’s gathering is one of the largest construction summits ever hosted in South Africa. Minister Macpherson called for deeper collaboration between government and the private sector, noting that integrated infrastructure requires an integrated industry.

He said the Summit provides an opportunity to “identify the next wave of obstacles and remove them with urgency,” ensuring that the sector continues to create jobs, attract investment and restore confidence.

Day Two Ahead — 14 November

Day Two of the Summit, taking place tomorrow, 14 November, will focus on technical commissions and sector-specific sessions dealing with procurement reform, innovation, inclusion, skills, and infrastructure growth. Delegates will refine a joint programme of action that government and industry will report back on at the next Summit.

As South Africa prepares to host the G20 Summit next week, the National Construction Summit has reaffirmed the country’s determination to rebuild its economy through a strong, modern and inclusive construction sector.