Inaugural Western Cape Infrastructure Ministerial Roundtable a rousing success
Media Release by Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers
On Thursday, 30 July 2026, the Western Cape Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers successfully hosted the Inaugural Western Cape Infrastructure Ministerial Roundtable at the Cape Town International Convention Centre,
At the occasion, Minister Simmers highlighted the ongoing work in refining the single integrated infrastructure pipeline. The evaluated priority projects currently consists of a total of 52 projects to the value of R132 billion. Minister Simmers highlighted that from this list, 11 projects have been identified to the value of over R20 billion from which the Province will systematically release projects to the market as they reach maturity.
Minister Simmers told the nearly 300 invited guests, "This Ministerial Roundtable is not intended to become another annual conference. It is a permanent platform for collaboration. A place where government, municipalities, investors, financiers, engineers, planners, contractors, researchers and communities work together to build our future Western Cape”.
As part of the Western Cape Government’s commitment to spatial transformation and redress, job creation and unlocking opportunity, Minister Simmers also announced the strategic release of seven parcels of land poised to produce an estimated stock of just over 10 018 housing opportunities in strategically and well-located land in Cape Town. Three of these projects are currently in procurement stage and will be presented to the market in the next couple of months. The rest is at various stages of enablement and de-risking to acquire requisite development rights.
By bringing together leaders from government, municipalities, financiers, industry and academia, the Western Cape Infrastructure Ministerial Roundtable explored how stronger partnerships can help accelerate infrastructure delivery across the Western Cape to improve the quality of life of all the people of the province.
Addressing the event, Premier Alan Winde stressed the importance of partnerships in in infrastructure development in driving economic growth. “Infrastructure is one of the most powerful levers available to our government to unlock economic growth, create jobs, and improve residents’ quality of life. Infrastructure is far more than concrete, steel and cables. It is the platform upon which economies grow. It enables investment and creates jobs. Through the Infrastructure Ministerial Roundtable, we are bringing stakeholders together to streamline and accelerate infrastructure-led growth,” Premier Winde said.
National Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, addressed attendees and stated that, “This Roundtable is timely. Infrastructure is the foundation upon which economic growth, social development and human dignity are built. It lowers the cost of doing business, improves access to markets and services, connects people to opportunity and strengthens the resilience of communities.”
Minister Simelane further added that, “The Western Cape Infrastructure Framework, Strategy and Implementation Plan 2050 provide an important foundation for this engagement. Together, these instruments articulate a long-term vision, identify strategic priorities, and seek to translate those priorities into a single integrated infrastructure pipeline”
Landmark partnerships were forged at the Roundtable, with Memoranda of Understanding undersigned between the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure and the Infrastructure Financing and Implementation Support Agency, Infrastructure South Africa, the Economic Development Council of South Africa, and the University of Cape Town. These partnerships will unlock projects to the value of billions of Rands that will allow our collective goal of fast-tracking infrastructure delivery and effecting meaningful change in the lives of all citizens.
The Western Cape Infrastructure Virtual Platform, also launched on the day, integrates complex National Treasury rules, national, regional and local legislative and regulatory prescripts as well as international investor and ISO 9001 standards directly into the system and automatically evaluates projects, tracks required milestones and builds investor-ready business cases.
As part of the Western Cape Infrastructure Virtual Platform, the Department of Infrastructure introduced EVE, the Virtual Platform’s specialised AI Infrastructure assistant, designed to enhance governance, speed up project approvals and facilitate interaction with an understanding of the prescripts of the state. EVE functions as both an AI agent and a chatbot that enhances transparency and governance.
Against the background of limited fiscal resources in the face of massive demand for catalytic infrastructure, delegates participated in a dialogue on alternative and blended financing and funding models led by Provincial Minister of Finance Deidre Baartman, Provincial Treasury Head Julinda Gantana, and the Head of Department of Infrastructure Chantal Smith.
Minister Baartman used the opportunity to announce the intent of the Province to approach the market through a transparent tender process to borrow - the first time that the Western Cape Government will do so.
Furthermore, delegates heard about several market-ready infrastructure projects which include developments in progress at the V&A Waterfront, the proposed new Overberg Dam, the Cape Winelands Airport, and a public-private partnership to develop the new Tygerberg Central Hospital, one of the Western Cape Government’s planned mega-hospitals.
Minister Simmers closed the day’s proceedings by saying, "What we do through occasions like today, we do it for the people of the Western Cape; for the young artisan in George seeking a fair start in life; for the family waiting or a dignified home in a safe, well-located neighbourhood; and for the small business owner in Khayelitsha or Malmesbury who relies on resilient roads, reliable power, and clean water to keep their doors open. Infrastructure machinery like this Roundtable exists for one fundamental purpose: to serve the people of our province”.
This Inaugural Western Cape Infrastructure Ministerial Roundtable has kicked off a structured engagement process of quarterly engagements between the state and infrastructure stakeholders. It ensures that everyone with a stake in infrastructure has a voice in its future.
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Media enquiries:
Melt Botes
Spokesperson to Provincial Minister Tertuis Simmers
Email: Melchior.Botes@westerncape.gov.za
Tel: 021 483 8067
Cell: 082 431 0068
Celeste Nell
Acting Head of Communications
Western Cape Department of Infrastructure
Email: Celeste.Nell@westernscape.gov.za
Tel: 021 483 4819
