Methembeni Moyo Says Infrastructure Investment Could Help Address Unemployment

The Head of Africa Practice at law firm NSDV, Methembeni Moyo, says greater investment in infrastructure could help address South Africa’s unemployment crisis by creating jobs and supporting economic growth.

Moyo said spending on roads, water, sanitation and electricity infrastructure could have benefits beyond improving essential services.

Construction projects can generate employment directly, while also creating work for suppliers and other businesses connected to the sector.

His comments come as South Africa continues to face high unemployment. Statistics South Africa data released earlier this week showed the rate rose slightly to 33.7% in the third quarter.

Moyo said the country’s infrastructure shortfall should be viewed as an opportunity to expand construction activity and employment.

He highlighted the sector’s capacity to provide work for people with different levels of education and experience, including young people who may struggle to enter the job market.

“When you talk about the infrastructure deficit in South Africa, I see a massive opportunity.

As a construction lawyer, when you see an infrastructure deficit, you are thinking of massive opportunities for construction and infrastructure companies and then the downstream industries they employ.

And then also just the labor. It’s a very labour-intensive sector, and it doesn’t need highly skilled and highly qualified workers.

So, all those people with matrics, with no matrics, and this massive youth employment gap we’re talking about can be solved by massive infrastructure capital expenditure.”

Infrastructure projects often require workers across a range of roles, from construction and site operations to transport, materials supply and support services.

Moyo’s comments point to the potential for public and private investment to benefit not only major contractors but also businesses operating throughout the supply chain.

The emphasis on labour-intensive work is particularly relevant to youth unemployment, which remains a major challenge in South Africa.

Many young jobseekers have limited qualifications or work experience, making it difficult to secure employment in sectors that require specialized skills.

Construction projects, Moyo argued, could offer opportunities to people with and without matric certificates.

Investment in infrastructure is also an issue of service delivery. Reliable roads, water systems, sanitation and electricity can support households and businesses, while improving the conditions needed for economic activity.

Better infrastructure can help businesses operate more efficiently and connect workers, customers and markets.

However, turning the infrastructure deficit into widespread employment would depend on projects being planned, funded and delivered effectively.

Sustained capital expenditure would also be needed to keep construction activity and related job opportunities moving beyond individual projects.

Moyo’s remarks frame infrastructure spending as both an economic and employment measure.

With unemployment at 33.7% in the third quarter, investment in essential infrastructure could provide a route to job creation while addressing the country’s long-standing development needs.

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