Over the past two weeks, Cape Town has seen a rising interest in a new favorite word: privatisation.
Cabinet members and President Cyril Ramaphosa have emphasised the role of private sector partnerships in rescuing South Africa from economic decline.
Ramaphosa, speaking at the opening of the seventh Parliament, pledged to simplify regulations for public-private partnerships (PPPs) to attract investment in social and economic infrastructure. He outlined plans to transform the country into a construction site, with projects ranging from roads and bridges to broadband internet and power lines.
This sentiment echoed throughout the recent budget speeches, with ministers across parties advocating for private sector involvement. Enoch Godongwana, ANC Minister of Finance, highlighted initiatives to expedite private investments in water and transport infrastructure. Parks Tau, ANC Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, committed to collaborative efforts with the private sector to drive industrial policy and economic transformation.
Dean Macpherson, DA Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, set ambitious targets for private sector investments in expanding government property portfolios. Gwede Mantashe, ANC Minister of Mineral Resources, proposed private investments to rebuild the Sapref refinery, acquired from BP and Shell.
