The Hard Hat Professional

The South African construction industry has experienced a prolonged downturn, with the fourth consecutive quarter of decline signaling an extended period of weakness. The industry faces numerous challenges, such as seasonal fluctuations, high capital costs, increased interest rates, and inefficiencies in local government approval processes for building plans, all contributing to the decline. South Africa's construction and infrastructure sectors require substantial, long-lasting stimulus. Siseko Maposa, a director at Surgetower Associates, a management consultancy specializing in government, corporate, and foreign affairs, contemplates whether the new government can enact policies to promote sustainable infrastructure growth. Maposa proposes that the new government should concentrate on striking a balance between public intervention and private involvement. This necessitates leadership that is constantly in tune with the economic climate. He emphasizes that a long-term boom can onl