Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, on 20 February 2026, signed two strategic Memoranda of Understanding aimed at rebuilding Pilanesberg Airport and strengthening municipal infrastructure delivery in the North West Province.
Speaking at Pilanesberg Airport, the Minister said the location symbolised both the setbacks experienced in recent years and the potential for renewal. The airport was severely damaged by fire in 2023, an event that disrupted connectivity, tourism flows and investor confidence in the region.
The first Memorandum of Understanding, concluded between the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, through Infrastructure South Africa, and the North West Provincial Government, establishes a structured programme of project preparation and packaging support for the North West Aviation Infrastructure Programme over the next 24 to 36 months.
The programme will focus on disciplined project preparation, strengthened business cases, improved governance standards and the positioning of the airport redevelopment to attract blended finance and private sector participation where appropriate. The approach is intended to address historical weaknesses in infrastructure delivery, particularly inadequate preparation, insufficiently developed designs and poor risk assessment prior to implementation.
Infrastructure South Africa will provide technical support to ensure that projects entering the pipeline are fully prepared and capable of delivery. The North West currently has 38 infrastructure projects within the ISA pipeline. The aviation MoU is intended to ensure that Pilanesberg Airport and related aviation assets are structured for implementation rather than remaining dormant plans.
The redevelopment is expected to generate construction employment during the build phase, create supply chain opportunities for local businesses, and support tourism growth once connectivity improves. It is also anticipated to strengthen logistics supporting mining and agriculture in the province.
The Minister acknowledged the role of North West Public Works MEC Elizabeth Mokua in initiating the partnership discussions. He also noted the participation of the private sector, including Sun International, whose Sun City Resort is located approximately thirteen minutes from the airport and is a major employer in the region.
Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality
The second Memorandum of Understanding brings Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality into Infrastructure South Africa’s Presidential Adopt-a-Municipality Pilot Programme.
The programme, approved by the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission, is designed to strengthen municipal capacity to plan, package, fund and implement infrastructure projects effectively. It recognises that many municipalities face challenges in translating budgets into functioning infrastructure, particularly in water, sanitation and electricity systems.
Over the next 24 to 36 months, Ramotshere Moiloa will receive targeted technical support focused on water and sanitation, electricity and energy, and waste management. Seven priority projects have already been identified.
The intervention will apply the Five-Case Model methodology, requiring projects to demonstrate strategic alignment, economic value, commercial viability, financial sustainability and deliverability prior to implementation. The objective is to reduce stalled or incomplete projects and improve long-term infrastructure performance.
For a province with a population of approximately 3.8 million and unemployment at around 40 per cent, improved infrastructure reliability is expected to enhance business confidence, support investment and contribute to employment growth.
The Minister stated that the MoUs are intended to ensure that construction remains a sustained engine of growth rather than a temporary rebound. He emphasised that strengthened preparation, coordination and oversight are central to restoring credibility in infrastructure delivery.
The agreements signal a coordinated effort between national, provincial and municipal stakeholders to reverse infrastructure decline through structured preparation and partnership. According to the Minister, the objective is to position infrastructure delivery as a central driver of economic growth, job creation and improved service delivery in the North West and nationally.
