Infrastructure in South Africa is at a critical juncture. It presents a significant opportunity to spur equitable economic growth and prosperity but also comes with extensive existing challenges. In response to the concerning state of municipal service delivery challenges, as highlighted in the Auditor General’s report of 2023, Infrastructure South Africa, through the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure has initiated the Adopt-a-Municipality Programme. The initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure and improving essential services in local municipalities.

On 21 November 2024, the programme was endorsed by the Presidential Infrastructure Coordination Commission (PICC) Council, the apex governance structure provided for in the Infrastructure Development Act (No. 23 of 2014) and chaired by H.E President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The first phase of this pilot initiative is designed to provide targeted support to four (4) local municipalities, namely:

• Metsimaholo Local Municipality – Free State Province
• uMngeni Local Municipality – Kwa-Zulu Natal Province
• Govan Mbeki Local Municipality – Mpumalanga Province
• Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality – Northwest Province

The priority infrastructure sectors are the following:

• Water and Sanitation
• Electricity and energy
• Waste Management

Under the direction of Public Works & Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson, ISA has been directed to execute the programme and will support the development of a strategy and implementation plan to accelerate service delivery in municipalities through the programme.