Pilanesberg airport set for major redevelopment

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson signed two historic infrastructure cooperation agreements aimed at speeding up service delivery and unlocking investment.

This happened on Friday at Pilanesberg International Airport, where Macpherson, accompanied by the North West Premier, said through Infrastructure South Africa, the government will strengthen project preparation, support the redevelopment of Pilanesberg International Airport, and provide structured technical assistance to Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality through the Presidential Adopt-a-Municipality Pilot Programme.

He said the partnership demonstrated a coordinated national, provincial, and local commitment to using infrastructure as a driver for economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.

“We signed two strategic MoUs to rebuild critical infrastructure and strengthen municipal delivery in the North West. From redeveloping a fire-damaged airport to restoring water, electricity, and sanitation in Ramotshere Moiloa – this is delivery,” Macpherson said.

He added that construction has created 165,000 jobs in two quarters and that the government will continue to sustain that momentum through disciplined project preparation, stronger governance, and partnerships that crowd in investment.

This week, Premier Mokgosi told Parliament that this was part of a multibillion-rand project that will anchor job creation and reposition the province as a competitive investment destination.

Speaking during the State of the Nation Address debate in the National Assembly, the Premier framed the Bojanala SEZ as the centrepiece of North West’s turnaround strategy, backed by investment commitments amounting to R12 billion.

“We envision the SEZ to be licensed in the next financial year,” he said.

To reinforce the economic node, Mokgosi confirmed that the province will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to resuscitate Pilanesberg Airport.

The airport is expected to serve as a strategic gateway to Sun City, Pilanesberg National Park, and the planned SEZ, enhancing tourism flows while strengthening logistics capacity for investors.

He said infrastructure spending has been aligned to support this growth corridor, with a total of R980 million set aside for four major road projects in Madibeng, Moses Kotane, and Taung municipalities, creating stronger links between North West, Gauteng, and the Northern Cape. The projects are designed to improve freight mobility and reduce transport bottlenecks that have historically constrained regional trade.

The Premier positioned the SEZ within a broader narrative of administrative reform and fiscal stabilisation, arguing that improved audit outcomes across provincial departments have created the institutional stability required to attract investors.