Note to editors: The following statement was delivered today by Build One South Africa (BOSA) Leader, Mmusi Maimane MP, at an event in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape.
Today we are in KwaNobuhle, Nelson Mandela Bay, where the community has been abandoned by those entrusted to serve them.
Months after National Treasury allocated disaster relief funds to repair critical flood-damaged infrastructure—including the construction of a vital bridge—this municipality has done nothing.
Not a single cent has been spent. Not a single contractor has been appointed. Now, there is a real risk that these funds will be surrendered back to Treasury, leaving residents stranded and ignored.
This is a disgrace. The people of KwaNobuhle are tired of empty promises. They are tired of watching their community fall apart while politicians and bureaucrats delay, deflect, and do nothing.
Roads are collapsing. Water and sanitation infrastructure is in a dire state. And yet, despite having the money to fix these problems, the municipality chooses inaction. This is not just incompetence; it is criminal negligence.
Investment in infrastructure is the bedrock of economic growth and prosperity. This is evident in every successful, modern society. When we invest in roads, water systems, and energy security, we invest in the economic future of our nation.
Yet in South Africa, we are falling woefully short. Infrastructure investment currently sits at just 14% of GDP—less than half of the 30% target set by the National Development Plan (NDP).
The consequences of this neglect are devastating. Residents of KwaNobuhle face daily water interruptions, uncollected refuse, broken roads, and a bridge that should have been built by now but remains a dream.
This is not just an inconvenience; it is a violation of their basic rights. The community and key stakeholders are up in arms—and rightfully so. They need action, not more excuses.
Just yesterday, the National Budget confirmed that this government has no clear strategy to fix the infrastructure crisis. They claim to prioritize economic recovery, yet they fail to act on the very foundation of a thriving economy: reliable infrastructure.
BOSA will not allow this injustice to continue. We demand immediate intervention:
- The Municipality must appoint a contractor for the unbuilt bridge within the next 14 days. No further delays. No further excuses.
- The community must be consulted transparently on timelines and progress, with weekly public updates.
- As Chair of the Standing Committee on Appropriations, I will bring this matter before the committee in Parliament to ensure accountability and explore avenues to halt any return of money that is earmarked for infrastructure in Nelson Mandela Bay. This will include summoning those responsible in the NMB government before SCOA to explain and account.
KwaNobuhle deserves better. Nelson Mandela Bay deserves better. South Africa deserves better. And together, we will fight to ensure that the people’s money is used to rebuild communities—not lost to bureaucratic incompetence and corruption.
Media Statement by
Roger Solomons: BOSA Acting Spokesperson
Thursday 13 March 2025
Media Enquiries:
Roger Solomons – BOSA Acting Spokesperson – 072 299 3551