Despite widespread challenges, companies that embrace digital tools and pursue diverse project portfolios will have a strategic edge over the competition. Opinion Published Jan. 5, 2026 By Daniel Danielle Kaiser is an attorney at Kansas City, Missouri-based law firm Spencer Fane. Opinions are the author’s own. Several forces are expected to make construction especially challenging in 2026, including cost, labor, regulations and project delivery. These issues will affect owners, contractors and trades across both vertical and horizontal work. Cost pressures Material costs for steel, concrete, lumber and key mechanical/electrical components are projected to stay elevated or rise again due to tariffs

KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer has vowed to double the women’s representation in the construction industry. Speaking at a historic launch of the first advisory women’s body under the department for the construction industry on Tuesday, Meyer said he is going to work hard to increase the number of women-owned companies from 11% to double in the construction industry, particularly those doing work for the department. The advisory body, known as She Builds, is the first of its kind by a government department and would advise the MEC and the department in all matters affecting women companies

Durban, South Africa — After a painful December that saw diesel prices soar by up to 82 cents per liter and petrol climb 29 cents, South African motorists are finally catching a break. But knowing exactly when to fill your tank could mean the difference between paying December’s inflated rates and enjoying January’s projected relief. The Critical Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 Mark your calendars. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) adjusts fuel prices on the first Wednesday of each month, which falls on January 7, 2026. This means the new, lower prices will take effect at midnight on Tuesday, January

PRETORIA — South Africa has successfully issued its first-ever sovereign infrastructure bond, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to address its critical infrastructure deficit and stimulate economic growth. The inaugural Infrastructure and Development Finance Bond auction, held in early December 2025, raised R11.795 billion (approximately $692 million) and attracted overwhelming investor interest, with bids totaling more than R26 billion—achieving a subscription rate of 2.2 times the amount offered. Bond Structure and Terms The National Treasury structured the offering as two separate tranches to accommodate different investor preferences and project timelines. A 10-year bond raised R6.996 billion at an interest

Eskom is set to take control of electricity services in 47 defaulting South African municipalities, and while it hasn’t named the impacted towns and cities, it has listed the worst offenders. The plan for Eskom to take control of electricity services in the 47 defaulting municipalities was revealed in the 2025 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS). MyBroadband asked Eskom if it could name the 47 municipalities in which it will assist with electricity services through Distribution Agency Agreements (DAAs). “The debt relief programme is owned by the National Treasury — designed to support the municipalities. The details pertaining to the 47 municipalities

By Kopano Gumbi PRETORIA (Reuters) -South Africa’s unemployment rate fell slightly in the third quarter of this year, as jobs were added in construction, social services and trade, the statistics agency said on Tuesday. The official jobless rate stood at 31.9% in July-September, down from 33.2% in April-June. Unemployment rose above 30% five years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been stuck there since, despite repeated government initiatives to try to boost job creation. Six of the 10 industries tracked by Statistics South Africa recorded employment gains in the third quarter, while four saw decreases. The most jobs were

Northriding, Johannesburg – 3 November 2025 – Timbercity has announced the relocation of its Northriding store to a new, modern space just 900 metres from its previous location. The upgraded store, now situated at Unit 7 Northlands Retail Park Phase 1, Epsom Avenue, Hoogland Extension 56, Randburg 2169, represents Timbercity’s continued investment in convenience, innovation and community-focused service delivery. Under the leadership of Store Manager Sylvester Moyaha and his dedicated team of 16 staff members, the store continues to uphold Timbercity’s trusted reputation for high-quality wood, board, and hardware solutions.  “Our move allows us to serve our customers even better with

Key shifts within the infrastructure development landscape mean positive tailwinds for South Africa’s construction industry, with R322.2 billion currently planned for public infrastructure projects in 2025 alone. According to Roelof van den Berg, CEO of the Gap Infrastructure Corporation (GIC), this comes as technological advancements and evolving market dynamics drive important innovations, new streamlined regulations for public-private partnerships (PPP) cut project approval times, and government turns its focus to transforming South Africa into a “construction site”. “These changes mark the start of what former Finance Minister Tito Mboweni is said to have called the ‘infrastructure years’ – a period that

By integrating crushing, screening and rock-breaking solutions through its Africa sales channel, Sandvik Rock Processing is delivering tailored, efficient and cost-effective solutions for mining and infrastructure projects across the continent. Designed for versatility and strength, Sandvik mobile crushing and screening solutions help operators maintain consistent output under the toughest conditions.  Sandvik Rock Processing is accelerating its growth across Africa by combining an expanded product portfolio with a sharper customer focus, delivering integrated solutions from a single point of contact. “By bringing together stationary and mobile crushing, vibrating screens, screen media and attachment tools such as rock breakers, we can address