In South Africa (SA), similar to nations globally, the prevailing tangible link between people and the state is public infrastructure. Infrastructure is an essential enabler for socioeconomic growth in communities and ultimately for a country. In this regard, infrastructure, being the backbone of a nation's prosperity, demands effective maintenance for optimum delivery of much-needed services. Currently, SA infrastructure is in a state of rapid deterioration and is adversely affecting economic growth. A significant quantity of SA infrastructure is on a path of dysfunction and collapse, due to deficiencies in maintenance practices and strategies. From the birth of democracy, the SA government has pursued socioeconomic transformation and delivery of basic services to constrict the broadening boundaries of disparity. In this regard, the National Infrastructure Plan (NIP) was prioritized by government, in delivering strategic catalytic infrastructure projects. The NIP was highlighted as a key initiative in unlocking opportunities that generate inclusive economic growth, curb joblessness and poverty, create entrepreneurial opportunities, and mitigate population and urban expansion. Socioeconomic transformation benefits from spending on new infrastructure is not being realised as initially anticipated. In this context, SA is currently in a state of weakening economic growth, with further amassed levels of joblessness, unremitting poverty and inequality. Due to investor reluctance, solicitation of strategic infrastructure funding is progressively becoming a debilitating challenge in all government institutions. Exacerbating circumstances further is the substandard functionality of existing infrastructure following compromised maintenance practices. This study of the state of infrastructure is to better understand principal reasons for infrastructure functionality regression. Furthermore, investigations into progressive maintenance strategies is focused upon. Recommendations are made for enhanced maintenance strategies to capitalize on infrastructure maintenance opportunities and important socioeconomic growth imperatives.

The South African (SA) government has for many years pursued much needed social and economic transformation. This journey is far from a path void of obstacles and complicated challenges. However, the significance of providing economic and social infrastructure is one of the strategies prioritised by government to enable entrepreneurship, employment opportunities, access to essential services by the poor, and empower people through education and skills development. In this regard, to address critical socio-economic challenges in SA, in 2012, the Government adopted a National Infrastructure Plan (NIP) supportive of the SA National Development Plan (NDP) imperatives. The vision of the NIP is to transform the economic landscape through the implementation of strategically integrated infrastructure projects. The NIP strategy foresaw economic sustainability for the future and an improved standard of living for many impoverished communities in SA. In this light, and in support of the NIP vision, the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) was established to integrate and coordinate the original eighteen Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs). SIP projects were selected based on their catalytic nature and grouped into several infrastructure programs (SIP-1 to SIP-18). In January of 2013, the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs formally directed the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) to take-up the program coordination role for SIP-3. This study is to better understand the SIP-3 Coordination function and performance through a review of the SIP-3 program. The paper highlights a path through SIP-3 Coordination experiences from its inception in 2012 to present (2021). The review is in line with, but not limited to, the SIP-3 program business plan, the coordination function of SIPs, the intended and realised impact of the program. Lessons are drawn from the review outcomes and recommendations are made for improving national infrastructure development and coordination that is supportive of economic and social advancement in South Africa.