Debate on Vote 10: Infrastructure – Western Cape Adjustments Appropriation Bill

• Honourable Speaker,
• Premier Winde,
• Fellow Ministers
• Honourable Members,
• Guests,

Firstly, I would like to thank Minister Baartman for tabling the Western Cape Government’s Adjustment Budget last week, which includes a major and welcome injection into our infrastructure portfolio.

And Speaker, this investment is not coincidental - it is fully aligned with this government’s apex priority: enabling a growing economy that creates jobs.
Her aptly themed budget, “Scaling for Growth,” captures precisely what we are driving in the Western Cape’s infrastructure space.
Speaker, ons het reeds vanjaar besondere vordering gemaak, met implementering wat die hoogte ingeskiet het. Hierdie projekte verbeter waardigheid, verbind gemeenskappe, en maak ekonomiese groei vir werkgeleenthede moontlik.

Under the human settlements programme alone, we have launched major inner-city social housing projects including:

• The R918 million Leeuloop Precinct, delivering more than 840 units;
• The landmark R2 billion Founders’ Garden Development, the largest inner-city project undertaken by this government, with over 2 630 units; and
• The upcoming Prestwich Precinct, which will yield 310 units.

In totaal, Speaker, het ons reeds meer as 9 630 behuisingsgeleenthede oorhandig - uitgesluit sosiale behuising - en 3 880 titelaktes in die eerste drie kwartale van die huidige boekjaar gelewer. Dit is waardigheid in aksie.
On road infrastructure, we have seen again how strategic investment unlocks opportunity. In just nine months of this financial year, we opened:

• The R115 million Rondevlei Road near Sedgefield;
• The R195 million Main Road in St Helena Bay;
• The R38 million Citrusdal Road, rebuilt after flood damage;
• The R43 million Boontjieskraal Road near Bot River;
• The R331 million Baden Powell dual carriageway upgrade;
• The R491 million Stanford–Gansbaai Road in Overstrand; and
• The R54 million Maalgate Bridge near George.

Each of these projects connects communities, strengthens local economies, and supports hundreds of work opportunities - especially for emerging contractors.
This is what scaling for growth looks like.

And with the significant adjustment of R1.1 billion to our infrastructure budget, we will be able to do even more.

Speaker, ek is trots om ons Aansuiweringsbegroting van R10.928 miljard vandag ter tafel te lê.
When Honourable Members look closely at Vote 10 in this Adjustments Budget, a very clear picture emerges:

We are not only scaling for growth - we are sharpening the tools that enable growth.

Programme 1: Administration - R16 million
A focused adjustment to strengthen governance, controls, and support systems - ensuring that as our delivery pipeline expands, our institutional backbone stays agile and fit for purpose.
Good governance is not optional. It is the foundation of credible infrastructure delivery.

Programme 2: Public Works Infrastructure - R110.8 million
This adjustment prioritises maintenance, property-related obligations, and the professional and technical expertise required to keep projects moving.
It supports essential mandates such as youth care centre maintenance and key capital commitments.
This is the scaffolding that keeps government infrastructure safe, compliant, and operational.

Programme 3: Transport Infrastructure - R777.4 million
Our largest adjustment, and a clear signal of intent.

This strengthens:

• Provincial road upgrades and resurfacing;
• Municipal support for local road maintenance;
• Investments through the Provincial Roads Maintenance Grant; and
• Earmarked projects that unlock growth corridors and reduce travel times for residents.

This is how we stitch opportunity into the landscape of our province. Infrastructure is not merely asphalt and concrete - it is dignity, safety, and access.

Programme 4: Human Settlements - R195.6 million
This ensures that the momentum from Leeuloop, Founders’ Garden, and others is matched by the resources needed to accelerate delivery.

It strengthens:

• Human Settlements Development Grant allocations;
• Title deed restoration;
• Municipal planning and implementation support; and
• Our provincial commitment to fast-tracking housing delivery.

This is how we narrow the gap between policy and the lived reality of families waiting for a place to call home.

Programme 5: Community-based Programmes / EPWP - R390 000
A targeted adjustment that continues supporting job-creation and contractor development - ensuring smaller enterprises gain experience, income, and dignity.
Growth is not only about mega-projects; it is about people gaining pathways into the economy.

Agbare Speaker, saam stuur hierdie aanpassings - ter waarde van R1.1 miljard - ’n duidelike boodskap:

Hierdie regering praat nie net oor ekonomiese groei nie. Ons begroot daarvoor. Ons bou daarvoor. En ons lewer daarvoor.

Hierdie aansuiweringsbegroting is ’n mosie van vertroue in die hardwerkende mense van ons provinsie; in ons vennote regoor plaaslike regering en die privaatsektor;
en in die oortuiging dat infrastruktuur die kragtigste hefboom is om ’n Wes-Kaap te skep wat groei, werk skep en mense bemagtig.

Speaker, I hereby table the 2025/26 Adjustments Appropriation Bill for the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure.

Thank you.