Transnet and Eskom are set to invest billions of rands in infrastructure programmes in a bid to create an enabling environment for private sector investment, bolstering localisation and supporting small and medium enterprises.

This came out when the Department of Public Enterprises briefed their Parliamentary counterparts to account and give progress on the impact of the Build Programme as far as support to small businesses, skills development, job creation and beneficiation is concerned.

Matsietsi Mokholo, the department’s Acting Director General, said the Build Programme has also helped government address infrastructure backlogs that have hindered investment in the economy.

“The state of our electricity, ports and rail infrastructure is a clear sign that there has not been enough investment in our infrastructure and we have had to play catch up.

“The Build Programme has been helping us do just that.”

Eskom powered up to create jobs

As part of the Build Programme, Eskom has since 2005 been expanding its generation and transmission capacity to meet the country’s growing demand for energy.

Makgola Makololo, the department’s chief director responsible for energy, said Eskom has contributed to its developmental mandate through the creation of direct and indirect jobs.

While the direct jobs have been created within the power utility’s business environment, the indirect jobs have come from contractors servicing Eskom, especially through the build projects.

“Over the past three financial years, Eskom suppliers have committed to create 7000 jobs and retain 700 jobs when they are awarded a contract.

“As a direct result of Eskom business in the New Build projects, there were 24 251 jobs created by suppliers in Medupi, Kusile, Ingula and Power Deliver Project at the end of December 2014,” she said.

Transnet on track to create half a million jobs

Transnet – in a bid to contribute to skills development, job creation, localisation, empowerment and transformation – has set a goal to roll-out a capital investment programme over a seven year period.

Kgomotso Modise, the department’s Deputy Director-General responsible for transport, said with the vision of moving freight from the road to rail, while the investments will go towards ports and pipeline infrastructure, a bulk of it will go towards rail.

She said most of these projects would be fast-tracked as part of Operation Phakisa, a model which President Zuma introduced in June last year to fast-track the delivery of services in the oceans economy and in clinics as part of the first two phases.

Modise said Transnet aimed to create one million jobs by 2022.