Turnaround Strategy Drives Stronger Infrastructure Delivery Across Gauteng

Yesterday, at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, the MEC for Infrastructure Development and CoGTA, Jacob Mamabolo affirmed; continued site inspections, progress evaluations and collaboration with Municipalities are central pillars of the Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) Turnaround Strategy and the broader G13 Service Delivery Operations making the work of the A-Team critical.  MEC Mamabolo emphasised that safety, quality assurance and accountability are non-negotiable as Gauteng accelerates its infrastructure rollout.

As part of the DIDs Turnaround Strategy, Gauteng’s Project Readiness Matrix (PRM) multidisciplinary infrastructure team known as the A-Team continues to intensify oversight and strengthen infrastructure delivery throughout Gauteng. Through detailed on-site inspections and continuous progress monitoring, the A-Team ensures that construction projects comply with building regulations, meet quality standards and align with approved designs. Recent site inspections at St Ansgar’s Combined School, Semphato Secondary School and Nancefield Primary School reflect both the progress achieved and the challenges impacting timelines across these developments.

St Ansgar's Combined School, Randburg

The Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hub A-Team, led by Siphiwo Ngesi, conducted an inspection at St Ansgar’s Combined School to assess progress on upgrades and additions aimed at improving the school’s infrastructure. The project includes replacing asbestos classrooms with mobile units, installing new mobile classrooms, refurbishing several existing facilities, constructing a new ablution block, adding parking bays, and undertaking comprehensive electrical, sewer, and stormwater reticulation works.

While progress has improved compared to the previous week, heavy rainfall over the past three consecutive weeks has significantly slowed excavation and stormwater installations. Additional concerns include issues related to approved drawings, the need to relocate three recently installed prefabricated classrooms, and scope items already completed independently by the school.

Semphato Secondary School, Tshwane

The Tshwane Maintenance Hub A-Team, led by Dikeledi Mabaso, inspected the upgrades and additions underway at Semphato Secondary School. The project includes civil works, stormwater systems, parking and roadworks, water reticulation, electrical and mechanical installations, a new combi court, soccer and rugby fields and ICT infrastructure.

However, several critical items remain outstanding, posing risks to the targeted completion date. These include procurement of the generator and minisub, construction of retaining walls, installation of the underground irrigation tank and pumps, relocation of the main water supply, and commencement of work on sports fields and courts. Additional outstanding elements include cold room installation, paving, landscaping, roof coverings, and furniture fittings.

Nancefield Primary School, Eldorado Park

The Tulisa Park A-Team, led by Myeki Luyolo, carried out an inspection at the Nancefield Primary School construction project. The development, which involves the full construction of the school, is making steady progress despite delays caused by rain and extended lead times for specialised bricks required for the attenuation pond.

Work across Blocks A to F continues, with activities such as installation of benches, shelving, sanitary fittings, ceilings, skirtings, drinking fountains and general housekeeping being undertaken. Final-fix plumbing, tiling, painting, and metalwork are progressing in various blocks. External works are also ongoing, including walkway paving, installation of fire hose reels, repairs to the steel palisade fencing, construction of attenuation pond manholes, stormwater grid inlets, and V-drains. Upcoming tasks include installation of extractors in the kitchen, ducts in the hall, walkway roofing, firefighting equipment, drinking fountains, clear view fencing, V-drain concrete casting and more.

As Gauteng intensifies efforts to improve infrastructure performance and intergovernmental coordination, the work of the A-Team remains critical in identifying challenges early, guiding corrective action and ensuring that service delivery commitments are met.