Gauteng occupies a strategic position in South Africa’s infrastructure and economic landscape. It is the economic hub of our country and a centre of opportunity, innovation, movement, enterprise and ambition.
But Gauteng also carries significant infrastructure pressures. The province continues to experience population growth, urban expansion and increasing demand for reliable infrastructure systems. Memorandum: Pagewe must continue investing in roads, water and sanitation, public facilities, human settlements, transport infrastructure and economic infrastructure that supports growth and improves the quality of life of our people.
Here in Sedibeng, infrastructure investment must also support local economic participation. It must create opportunities for emerging contractors, small businesses, suppliers, artisans and workers.
Communities must not only see infrastructure being built around them. They must also participate in building that infrastructure.
That is the purpose of this Roadshow.This Roadshow is informed by what contractors themselves have told us.
Ahead of this engagement, contractors were asked what is holding back the growth of their businesses and what support they need most.
The message was clear.
Nearly half of respondents, 47%, identified access to public sector opportunities as the biggest challenge limiting their growth.
A further 24% identified access to finance as a major barrier.
The survey also showed that 53% of contractors have struggled to access loans or guarantees over the past year.
In addition, 70% of respondents identified partnerships and subcontracting opportunities as one of the most valuable forms of support they would like to see.
These insights confirm that the challenges facing contractors are practical, immediate and serious.
Contractors are asking for access to opportunities, access to funding, skills development, business support, partnerships and a fair chance to grow.
As government, we must listen to these concerns and respond with practical interventions. Memorandum: Page
