Reluctance to release the names or those responsible for the George Building Collapse in a bid to shield regulatory bodies and various departments is what political parties believe may be the reason why the answers have not been delivered 16 months after the tragedy. The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure announced that they did not receive the full forensic report due to its sensitive nature. The Victoria Street tragedy on May 8, 2024 claimed the lives of 34 people and left 28 injured. During a media briefing held in Cape Town this week, between DPWI, the Council for

Marking an important milestone for the Trust for Urban Housing Finance (TUHF), the financier has partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to expand affordable housing and advance green construction in South Africa. Source: Pexels The collaboration strengthens TUHF’s impact agenda, taking its green finance initiatives to new heights while positioning it as a leading impact financier delivering social and environmental outcomes. IFC’s up to R960m (equivalent to $54m) loan to TUHF will drive inclusive, sustainable urban development by supporting the company to finance mostly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to develop affordable green-certified rental buildings in South Africa’s inner cities

What Is The 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) There have been several “revolutions” in manufacturing and supply chain that have had major impacts. The First Industrial Revolution in the 1700’s was triggered by the invention of the steam engine that revolutionised production in textiles and other industries. The Second Industrial Revolution that occurred in the 1870’s and was powered by widespread electrification and the resulting machine manufacturing and automation processes that were introduced. The Third industrial revolution started in the 1970’s and was predominantly driven by the advances in computing and ICT technology. Although 4IR is also the product of technological

Greenwood Square is a new mixed-use development in Johannesburg’s Greenside that combines luxury apartments, retail convenience, and lifestyle amenities. Stephen Whitcombe, MD of leading Johannesburg property group Firzt Realty, which has the exclusive mandate to market the development’s residential component, said it is set to redefine Johannesburg urban living. “Designed by RUIM Architects, Greenwood Square offers a carefully integrated mix of retail and residential components,” he explained. Adding to the appeal, the development is set against the backdrop of Johannesburg’s central greenbelt. This includes Emmarentia Lake, the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and the surrounding sports and leisure amenities. “It effectively captures

South Africa’s infrastructure is on the edge of collapse and is increasingly one of the reasons why the local economy cannot grow.  Apart from the buildup to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa’s infrastructure has been poorly maintained, and little expansion has taken place to accommodate a growing population.  As a result, much of the country’s infrastructure is not fit for the future and is heading towards the end of its design life.  Apart from limiting the movement of goods and people, deteriorating infrastructure exaggerates the impact of catastrophic weather events.  This results in exaggerated insurance claims, rising coverage

Plans are now officially underway to redevelop Cape Town’s historic Golden Acre complex, transforming its office tower into affordable rental units. In February 2025, the Competition Commission confirmed that, following a complex negotiation process that took more than three years to complete, the sale of Golden Acre was approved for R781.5 million. The sale, which included the 11 Adderley Street building, is one of the largest property transactions of its kind in the City of Cape Town in recent years. Following the historic acquisition, Putirex, a joint venture between Cape Town-based property developers, led by Gary Moore and Roelof Delport,

The continued progress of structural reforms in South Africa – including at State-owned enterprises (SOEs) such as Transnet – is contributing to improved investor sentiment and growth in the construction sector. But for all the progress, the sector continues to be constrained by a litany of entrenched problems, chief among them overstretched government finances, late payment of contractors, project cancellations and underspending of budget allocations. Experts in the built environment also cite the operational effects of lacking infrastructure and service delivery capacity at local government level and extreme weather as factors weighing down performance, while cost volatility – despite easing inflation this year – remains concerning. The foremost factor inhibiting increased construction activity though is sluggish

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson have said that they want to turn South Africa “into a construction site” in hopes of improving economic growth and revitalise “We must become obsessed with infrastructure-led economic growth that will ignite job creation throughout South Africa,” said Macpherson, and echoed by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s at his opening address of Parliament. The South African construction industry is pivotal for socio-economic development and GDP growth, contributing significantly to both employment and the national economy. According to StatsSA’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey for Q1 2024, there are around 1.22 million people

Tensions are rising in Pretoria as a group of frustrated subcontractors involved in the Lynwood Road project saga is threatening drastic action after not being paid for months. They’re planning a sit-in at the City of Tshwane offices if their demands aren’t met. One of the subcontractors, Fridah Tshabalala, says their hard work has gone uncompensated, while the primary contractor was allegedly paid upfront before any work even began in December 2024. Community Liaison Officer Helen Alpino says workers were paid this past weekend, and the project will continue. The group accuses the Tshwane Metro of violating the Municipal Finance Management Act,