STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING FOR A SUSTAINABLE IMPLEMENTATION OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE GOVERNANCE – A SOUTH AFRICA CASE STUDY
Keywords:
Institutional capacity building, Collaborative governance, Internal governance, Infrastructure governanceAbstract
Infrastructure governance in South Africa focuses on the interaction between internal governance
systems and collaborative governance mechanisms. The study adopts a qualitative, secondarydata-
based research approach to analyse how internal governance systems, including leadership,
performance oversight, risk management, ethical accountability, and knowledge management, interact
with collaborative governance arrangements to influence infrastructure governance outcomes. This
paper examines institutional capacity building as a foundational determinant of sustainable public
infrastructure. It draws on thematic analysis of academic literature, policy documents, institutional and
audit reports, and international case studies, synthesising fragmented evidence into an integrated
analytical framework. The findings indicate that institutional capacity constraints in South Africa
are not primarily the result of policy gaps, but rather of weak implementation driven by fragmented
governance arrangements, politicised decision-making, limited professional and technical capacity, and
poorly integrated data and monitoring systems. While collaborative governance offers opportunities
for improved coordination and legitimacy, its effectiveness is constrained where internal governance
systems lack accountability, professional capacity, and institutional resilience. The paper highlights the
need to shift from compliance-driven governance towards adaptive, data-driven, and professionally
managed infrastructure systems, supported by integrated monitoring, clear accountability, and protected
technical capacity. The conceptual framework provides a structured basis for future empirical testing
and policy reform to strengthen sustainable infrastructure governance in South Africa. Such reforms
are critical to ensuring resilience, efficiency, and long-term sustainability in the country’s infrastructure
sector.
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