Blog

In June, our CEO, Chris Campbell, represented member firms at two important industry platforms contributing meaningfully to shaping infrastructure development at national and international levels.

On 18 June, he attended the South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. The expo also convened industry leaders, professionals, and decision-makers to discuss innovative solutions and foster collaboration across South Africa’s infrastructure sector.

While Chris found it encouraging to see a strong turnout and a wide range of exhibitors South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo, he noted a concerning trend: the absence of South African manufacturers among the exhibitors. This, he believed is a reflection of the current state of our manufacturing sector and highlights the urgent need for South Africa to intensify efforts towards reindustrialization. “If we are to build a resilient and inclusive infrastructure sector, we must support and grow our local manufacturing capabilities,” Chris commented.

SAi20 Summit

From 24 to 25 June, Chris participated in the SAi20 Summit at Melrose Arch. SAi20 is the official engagement group of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) from G20 countries, focusing on enhancing public accountability and oversight of infrastructure delivery. During the summit, discussions centered on themes vital to future-ready economies and inclusive development, which are:

• Collaborative and integrative efforts for a future-ready workforce, bridging the skills gap for sustainable economic growth
• Unlocking and leveraging public infrastructure funding for equality, sustainable growth, and improving the lives of citizens

A key highlight from the summit was Chris’s engagement with the Auditor General. He personally requested a meeting to open the door to more direct communication and collaboration.

He acknowledged the importance of the Auditor-General’s findings in highlighting mismanagement of public funds, however, he stressed that the next crucial step is enforcing consequences for those who fail to perform their duties properly.

“It is another point of South Africa going nowhere slowly if we do not hold individuals accountable and enforce consequences for such actions,” Chris remarked.

Chris continues to advocate for stronger accountability, local industry growth, and collaborative solutions to advance South Africa’s infrastructure sector.