Macpherson Hails Growth in Construction Jobs Amid Unemployment Decline

Minister Macpherson emphasized the positive signs of recovery within the construction industry, noting that "green shoots" are evident as new investments and reforms take effect.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dr. Dean Macpherson, has commended the recent growth in the construction sector, highlighting it as a key driver of South Africa’s economic recovery. According to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey released on Tuesday by Statistics South Africa, the construction industry saw the highest employment gains across all sectors, adding 176,000 jobs from Quarter 2 to Quarter 3. This growth contributed to a 1.4% decrease in the national unemployment rate, which now stands at 32.1%.

Minister Macpherson emphasized the positive signs of recovery within the construction industry, noting that "green shoots" are evident as new investments and reforms take effect. He expressed optimism that the sector’s revival would drive further job creation and improve lives, reflecting growing confidence in the construction market.

The minister credited several strategic interventions designed to boost infrastructure investment and job growth, including the following:

Restructuring of Infrastructure South Africa (ISA): ISA will serve as a single-entry point for major infrastructure projects, streamlining approvals and coordination.

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Reforms: New, streamlined PPP regulations aim to attract private-sector investment, making construction projects more accessible and feasible.

Expansion of the Infrastructure Fund (IF): With a broader role, the IF is set to attract additional private funding and blended financing models to support construction projects.

Introduction of Project Preparation Financing: This novel funding approach will expedite project readiness and allow for quicker execution, addressing delays in the project pipeline.

The minister remarked that after years of subdued investment, the construction industry is turning a corner, with more projects breaking ground. These reforms, he added, are part of a national initiative to "turn South Africa into a construction site," where more projects are anticipated to generate employment opportunities.

Macpherson concluded with a vision for the future, stating, “In the coming weeks and months, South Africans will see cranes in the sky and shovels in the ground. We are actively building a better South Africa, and the construction sector is a vital part of this transformation.”