Why fixing South Africa’s water infrastructure requires accountability over expansion

The infrastructure project pipeline only becomes real when the skills behind it are strong enough to carry the responsibility. 

Making decisions that protect quality on-site

Engineers and project managers will have to make decisions that protect quality on-site, says Olebogeng Manhe, the Group Chairman & Co-Founder of Gap Infrastructure Corporation (GIC). 

This is as South Africa is preparing for one of its biggest construction periods in decades.

The government has committed R1.07 trillion over the next three years to critical infrastructure across the country. Roads and energy will form part of that work, with water infrastructure also sitting high on the national agenda.

Without that depth of skill, even well-funded infrastructure plans can become harder to deliver properly.

Contractors will need teams who understand the required standard of work, while artisans need proper routes into experience and long-term opportunities, Manhe says. 

He adds that without that depth of skill, even well-funded infrastructure plans can become harder to deliver properly.

“I think this is one of the most important parts of the construction period ahead, with technical capability a vital piece of the puzzle.” 

Many projects never reach construction because the groundwork for delivery is not ready. 

Social infrastructure is where investment meets impact, says Roelof Van Den Berg, the Co-Founder & Group CEO of GIC. He says clinics, schools and community facilities form the foundation of a country’s well-being, yet many projects never reach construction because the groundwork for delivery is not ready. 

“In South Africa, the issue is often less about funding and more about structure. Projects stall when planning, capacity, or accountability are unclear.”

“When those basics are strengthened, investors gain the confidence to participate. There are proven ways to make this happen.”

Ensuring that investment translates into long-term value for communities

The CEO says blended finance models share risk between public and private partners in ways that attract sustainable capital.

He adds outcome-based contracts align funding with measurable results such as access to healthcare, improved education, and local employment. 

“These mechanisms ensure that investment translates into long-term value for communities. When capital is directed into projects that improve lives, it builds confidence across the economy. That is how investment becomes a tool for development and lasting change!” Van Den Berg says.

Water and wastewater systems are not beyond saving

Meanwhile, Sizwe Amanzi says decentralised water management is not solved by installing more assets.

The underperforming water and wastewater systems provider says it is solved by making someone accountable for performance. 

“Many water and wastewater systems are not beyond saving. They are underperforming because operations, maintenance, data, controls, and accountability have broken down over time.” 

The company says that is where their Rehabilitation + Operate model starts. It says it goes thus:

•Stabilise first: Arrest decline, restore control and recover baseline performance.

•Operate deliberately: Bring discipline, reporting, maintenance and accountability into daily management.

•Invest only where required: Add the equipment, upgrades, automation or process changes needed to meet the required outcome,

•Link capital to performance: Ensure every intervention delivers measurable improvement, not equipment sales.

•Recover value: Extend asset life and defer unnecessary replacement.

The company says they are not anti-infrastructure

“We are against unnecessary infrastructure. If the existing system can be recovered, we recover it. If the system needs targeted intervention to deliver what the client requires, we make that intervention and remain responsible for the result.” 

The provider says capital should earn its place: through performance, compliance continuity, and risk reduction, not hardware sales.

”Because in water, the real value is not in what gets installed. It is in what keeps working.” 

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