President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the private sector to help quadruple South Africa’s infrastructure investment to R4 trillion, as the government commits R1 trillion towards critical projects. The president made the call during his keynote address at the 2025 Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium of South Africa (SIDSSA) in Cape Town.
Ramaphosa emphasized the need for public-private partnerships, stating that infrastructure development has significant multiplier effects on the economy.
“With the R1 trillion that the minister has announced, I want us to quadruple it. I want R4 trillion, and the other R3 trillion must come from you as the private sector,” he said.
The president highlighted that well-planned infrastructure would reduce business costs, boost trade, and position South Africa to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which offers access to a market worth R1.3 trillion.
Regulatory Reforms and Land Expropriation
Ramaphosa also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reforming regulations around public-private partnerships to attract more investment. Additionally, he addressed concerns over land expropriation without compensation, assuring that any such measures would follow a structured legal process.
“When it comes to expropriation, the views of everyone are heard. Even if it involves expropriation without compensation, it will go through a long process involving the judiciary and focus on specific cases, such as abandoned land or unpaid debts,” he explained.
Response to Controversial Chants
When questioned about the controversial “kill the farmer” chant, Ramaphosa referenced a Constitutional Court ruling that deemed it a historical liberation slogan rather than an incitement to violence.
“Our court decided that this slogan is not a call for anyone to be harmed,” he stated.
Government of National Unity Still Intact
Despite recent tensions with the Democratic Alliance (DA) over land reform policies, Ramaphosa confirmed that the Government of National Unity remains stable.
The symposium continues with discussions on sustainable infrastructure models to drive economic growth across the continent.
