Strategic Planning Day 3 Strategic Workshop Hones DID’s Strategic Pillars

The Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) will conclude a three-day Strategic Planning Workshop later this afternoon chaired by the Head of Department, Masabata Mutlaneng. The workshop signalled a shift toward a more data-centric, economically impactful and transparent DID.

This morning, four Commissions were hard at work unpacking the DID’s four strategic pillars; as the custodian of the Gauteng Provincial Government’s (GPG) immovable assets, the infrastructure implementing agent for Client Departments, property and infrastructure maintenance and the coordination of poverty relief and employment programmes. The Commissions were led by the DDG for Property Management, Neo Morake, the ADDG Corporate Services, Wesley Jacobs, DDG Education and STARS,? Mmakwena Selepe and ADDG Health, Realeboga Mahapa.

This afternoon, the Commissions presented deliberations pertaining to the vision, mission, mandate, enablers, evaluations of our internal capacity and capabilities to the broader plenary. Senior Managers were able to robustly engage with each of the pillars and work towards consensus enriching the contributions which will inform the our 2025 – 2030 Strategic Plan.

The MEC for Infrastructure Development and CoGTA, Jacob Mamabolo flagged several challenges impacting the Department, “The DID’s reputation is in need of urgent repair not just with the public but also among critical stakeholders”. MEC Mamabolo emphasised the necessity for the DID to become a data-driven organisation by utilising data analytics to inform decision making so that the Department can unlock investment opportunities that will drive infrastructure development and contribute to economic growth.

During the course of days one and two, sector experts contributed valuable data helping to inform decision making. The Economic Modelling Academy’s Dr Pali Lehohla emphasised that the DID strategy must prioritise impact focusing on how projects can create jobs and reduce inequality and poverty. Meanwhile, Dr. Joynt from Infrastructure South Africa accentuated the importance of infrastructure investment and proposed several indicators to measure the effectiveness of infrastructure projects.

Organised labour representatives from the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU) and the Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA) urged senior managers to create an environment that is conducive for Team DID to reach their full potential in the new administration.

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