South Africa Releases 24 State-Owned Properties For Requests For Proposals

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) on Wednesday revealed that it made 24 state-owned properties available for proposal submissions from both public and private organizations across South Africa.

This move follows a historic agreement signed by Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, KwaZulu-Natal MEC Martin Meyer and eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba, aiming to use public assets for the benefit of the public, SA News reported.

This release marks a change for the department, which had previously kept valuable properties even when they were not being used. In this round, 24 properties across the country have been released for proposals, with more properties potentially being released if this round is successful.

A month after signing the agreement to use public assets for the public good, the DPWI has now opened underused state-owned properties across the country for proposals. The department said this is the first phase of the program.

The proposals will be evaluated after March 13 to determine which ones are feasible. The process may include long-term leases, public-private partnerships or selling the properties.

Macpherson said that this is a massive milestone for the department, as it fulfills the promise to involve both public and private sectors in finding ways to use these properties for the benefit of South Africans, either by repurposing or redeveloping them.

He also mentioned that, when possible, the state may collaborate with the private sector to ensure the properties contribute to economic growth and job creation. The minister believes that these properties will attract investment and create jobs through redevelopment.

The minister also pointed out that these properties will serve as an example of how underused state-owned assets across the country can be better utilized. Furthermore, similar agreements will be signed with other metropolitan municipalities in Gauteng and the Western Cape to expand the program.

He explained that this shift marks the end of the department holding on to properties that served no purpose, which in the past led to empty state-owned buildings attracting crime and discouraging investment.

The minister praised the department's public officials, especially the head of the Property Management Trading Entity Siza Sibande, and his team, for their hard work in making the vision of using public assets for the public good a reality.

By collaborating with the Municipality and the Provincial Government, the minister said they are setting a new path for how state-owned properties can be used to benefit the people of South Africa.