NOW Ep 96: How to fix SA's broken infrastructure

Loading player...
South Africa’s economic revival hinges on mobilising private capital for infrastructure. With fiscal pressures mounting, public-private partnerships (PPPs) offer a crucial path to sustainable growth. Lourens van Rensburg, head of Corporate and Institutional Banking at Investec, and Martin Meyer, head of Energy & Infrastructure Finance, dissect key insights from Investec’s SA Economic Reform Conference. What will it take to unlock investment—and why is time running out?

Podcast key moments:

00:00 - Introduction
01:29 - Is there a fundamental shift in the relationship between the public and private sectors?
04:25 – What factors have contributed to the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) success?
06:31 - Eskom has added a new 800-megawatt unit at the Kusile Power Station, are we out of the woods regarding electricity generation?
09:30 – What can improve the bankability of infrastructure projects?
13:11 - What strategies are crucial for revitalising our manufacturing sector, and how can public-private partnerships play a role in this effort?
15:40 - How do you ensure that infrastructure development prioritises not only economic growth but also sustainability and the needs of local communities?
18:30 - What key infrastructure development lessons can South Africa draw from India?
20:18 - What is the one thing that needs to happen to get the flywheel of private sector investment turning?

Read more on www.investec.com/now

Hosted by seasoned broadcaster, Jeremy Maggs, the No Ordinary Wednesday podcast unpacks the latest economic, business and political news in South Africa, with an all-star cast of investment and wealth managers, economists and financial planners from Investec. Listen in every second Wednesday for an in-depth look at what's moving markets, shaping the economy, and changing the game for your wallet and your business.
Chapters
  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:29 Is there a fundamental shift in the relationship between the public and private sectors?
  • 04:25 What factors have contributed to the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) success?
  • 06:31 Eskom has added a new 800-megawatt unit at the Kusile Power Station, are we out of the woods regarding electricity generation?
  • 09:30 What can improve the bankability of infrastructure projects?
  • 13:11 What strategies are crucial for revitalising our manufacturing sector, and how can public-private partnerships play a role in this effort?
  • 15:40 How do you ensure that infrastructure development prioritises not only economic growth but also sustainability and the needs of local communities?
  • 18:30 What key infrastructure development lessons can South Africa draw from India?
  • 20:18 What is the one thing that needs to happen to get the flywheel of private sector investment turning?
1 Apr 2025 English South Africa Business · Investing

Other recent episodes

Macro Monday Ep103: Precious metals’ dramatic fall

Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, Investec Wealth & Investment International, makes sense of a busy few days on financial markets, which saw sharp falls in precious metals prices. Despite the dramatic drop in gold, platinum and silver prices, precious metals prices are back to where they were in early January.
2 Feb 8 min

Art in Focus Series 2 | Ep 2: Women leading the way in art

From discovering and nurturing emerging artists, to building trust-based relationships with collectors, Emma van der Merwe of Everard Read, Shona van der Merwe of RESERVOIR Projects and Anelisa Mangcu of Under the Aegis, discuss the increasing prominence and role of women in the art ecosystem. These three gallerists open up…
28 Jan 40 min

Everything Counts | Episode 40: Debt management for young professionals

Starting your first real job with a decent pay check should feel exciting but what if it mostly feels confusing, stressful and a little scary? If you’ve made money mistakes before, missed payments or taken on debt you didn’t fully understand, you’re not alone… and you’re not out of options…
26 Jan 16 min

Macro Monday ep102 | Are US consumers living beyond their means?

Standing in for Chris Holdsworth this week, investment strategist Osagyefo Mazwai looks at the latest US growth numbers. While GDP growth at a headline level looks robust, it reveals some concerns about personal income, which has been lagging expenditure. The US labour market has also been softening, so while the…
26 Jan 7 min

NOW Ep119: Davos 2026 | Navigating the new disorder

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos offered fewer illusions, and more realism. The rules-based order is no longer assumed. Geopolitics is now embedded in balance sheets. Scale matters. Delivery matters more. In the final episode of our Davos Debrief podcast series, Investec Group Chief Executive Fani Titi argues…
22 Jan 17 min