FROM THE CEO
As we prepare to vote next month, it’s a good time to reflect on Accelerate Cape Town’s journey in this city. ACT has worked with every mayor this city has had since we were founded in 2006, and with provincial and national administrations of different parties throughout.
That is worth saying out loud in an election month. Mayors change. The water network, the approvals queue, and the investment pipeline do not. An organisation whose relationships outlast administrations can carry work across the handover instead of restarting it, and this edition shows what that has made possible. Our members are making a significant difference. Nedbank’s R3.5 billion into the City’s infrastructure programme. Sanlam in Bellville. R18.9 billion in investment through the City’s growth-sector partnerships. A R120 billion ten-year pipeline that will need private capital and private expertise to deliver.
None of that came from a single meeting. It came from twenty years of the same people being in the room, through good years and difficult ones.
So our ambition for the incoming council is not a new relationship. It is a deeper one, with more members at the table, more technical capability lent to the City, and more of that pipeline actually built.
Vote on the 4th. Then join our community and let’s get to work with whoever wins.
FOCUS ISSUE
Speed and Certainty: What Business Wants from Local Government
As voters head to the polls on 4 November for our local government elections, regional businesses will be hoping for municipalities that capably deliver essential services, manage public funds responsibly, and create optimal conditions for investment and growth.
Reliable water and electricity, maintained roads, safe communities and efficient municipal processes are fundamental to a competitive local economy. This requires municipalities to reinvest revenue from essential services in the infrastructure that sustains them, while reviewing spending, including salary costs, to free up funding for service delivery. Better services must not simply translate into higher rates and charges for residents and businesses whilst the wage bill keeps rising.
Businesses also need speed and certainty. Delays in building plans, land-use approvals and infrastructure capacity can stall projects, increase costs and deter investment. Clear processes, published turnaround times and capable, stable municipal administrations are essential to removing these barriers.
Achieving this requires clear responsibilities, measurable targets and transparent public reporting. Business should be involved in identifying bottlenecks and shaping practical solutions, with municipalities remaining accountable for delivery. Smaller municipalities should also explore shared services and coordinated infrastructure planning to support growth across the region.
Question for members: What is the one change your municipality should prioritise to improve service delivery and give business greater speed and certainty?
MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT
Strengthening the Network
1. Nedbank: Financing Cape Town’s infrastructure
Project period: July 2024 – June 2027
Nedbank provided the City of Cape Town with R3.5 billion in financing towards its infrastructure investment programme. The funding supports critical infrastructure development and maintenance, including water, sanitation and other social infrastructure. The facility was structured to offer the City competitive pricing and long-term flexibility.
Cape Town’s historic R3.5 billion infrastructure leap with Nedbank CIB.
2. Sanlam: Revitalising public spaces in Bellville
Project milestone: June 2025
Sanlam partnered in the development of the Sanlam Urban Garden in Bellville as part of the “better. bellville. together.” placemaking initiative. The project is supported by the City’s funding of urban specialists through the Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP). The broader initiative aims to improve public spaces, attract foot traffic, support local businesses and stimulate economic activity.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
Public-Private Partnerships Delivering Jobs and Investment
The City of Cape Town’s strategic industry partnerships contributed R18.9 billion in investment, alongside 15,948 direct jobs, from City-funded projects during the 2025/26 financial year. The partnerships bring specialist industry expertise into sectors including marine manufacturing, business process outsourcing, green manufacturing and tourism. The results demonstrate the economic value of focused collaboration between the public and private sectors and the potential to build on these models to unlock further investment and employment.
Read more from the City of Cape Town.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
R120 billion
The City of Cape Town has a 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline valued at R120 billion, covering projects intended to meet the needs of a growing city. Investment spans essential infrastructure, including water and sanitation, transport, energy and housing. The scale of the pipeline highlights the importance of effective planning, delivery and accountability in turning infrastructure commitments into better services, greater resilience and long-term economic growth.
Read more in the City’s Infrastructure Report.
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