SA Launches ‘Adopt-a-Municipality’ Pilot to Boost Infrastructure Delivery

At the core of this initiative is Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), which will partner directly with the selected municipalities to provide technical and managerial support.

In a significant step towards revamping South Africa’s local government infrastructure systems, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson is set to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with three municipalities under a groundbreaking new pilot initiative. The signing ceremony is scheduled to take place today in Pretoria and marks the official launch of the 'Adopt-a-Municipality' programme.

Strategic National Intervention for Local Development

This initiative comes on the heels of a directive from the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Council (PICC), chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The PICC has identified the urgent need to enhance infrastructure delivery at the municipal level, where inefficiencies, financial mismanagement, and poor planning have frequently hampered service delivery. The ‘Adopt-a-Municipality’ pilot is thus a targeted response, designed to introduce swift and strategic interventions that can be scaled up nationwide.

The Role of Infrastructure South Africa (ISA)

At the core of this initiative is Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), which will partner directly with the selected municipalities to provide technical and managerial support. ISA’s role will be to assist municipalities in developing and executing infrastructure projects with greater efficiency, financial prudence, and quality assurance.

According to a statement issued by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), “The objective is to address cost overruns, poor workmanship and inadequate planning that have often plagued municipal infrastructure initiatives.”

Three Municipalities Selected for the Pilot Phase

The municipalities chosen for this pilot phase span three provinces, underscoring the national reach and potential of the programme. These are:

• Metsimaholo Local Municipality in the Free State

• uMngeni Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal

• Govan Mbeki Local Municipality in Mpumalanga

These areas will receive tailored support based on their unique infrastructure challenges and capacity levels. The selection was guided by both the need for urgent infrastructure intervention and the readiness of local governments to participate in a structured support programme.

A Path Towards Nationwide Rollout

While the programme is currently focused on three municipalities, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has made it clear that this is only the beginning. If successful, the model will be expanded across all provinces. The ‘Adopt-a-Municipality’ approach will serve as a blueprint for nationwide reforms aimed at stabilising local government infrastructure development, ensuring value for public money, and ultimately improving service delivery to citizens.

Importance for National Development Goals

This initiative aligns with South Africa’s broader National Development Plan (NDP), which emphasizes the importance of infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth and social inclusion. By strengthening the implementation capacity at the local level, the government hopes to unlock stalled projects, create jobs, and improve the quality of life in underserved communities.

As Minister Macpherson prepares to sign these landmark agreements, hopes are high that this pilot will set a new standard for infrastructure governance in South Africa’s municipalities.