In line with South Africa’s Development Agenda and National Infrastructure Plan 2050, the 12th Big 5 Construct South Africa and the 1st South African Infrastructure and Water Expo were opened by the Head of the South African-Polish Delegation, Mr. Jacek Chodorowicz (Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Poland in Pretoria, South Africa) and Mr. Mameetse Masemola, Deputy Director-General, Infrastructure Investment Planning. Surveillance, Infrastructure South Africa welcomes construction, infrastructure and water industries to the Gallagher Convention Center in Johannesburg for three days of networking, learning and discussion.
“From the moment the doors opened, the energy and turnout on the exhibit floor was incredible,” says Jocine Heymans, senior vice president of construction for dmg events. “With strong regional and international participation, Big 5 Construct South Africa and the 1st South African Infrastructure & Water Expo have become strategic meeting places for professionals looking to solve real-world challenges, deliver innovative infrastructure and build partnerships that will impact ongoing and upcoming development projects in the country.”
Focused on high-level discussions
The invitation-only South Africa Infrastructure and Water Forum, held in parallel with the exhibition, welcomed prominent government leaders and private sector stakeholders on its opening day to discuss key areas of growth and development and unpack South Africa’s $193 billion infrastructure ambitions.
A key session on public-private partnerships (PPPs), moderated by South African Infrastructure Projects Pipeline Development Program Leader Nomfundo Mbatha, explored how collaborative models can unlock infrastructure finance and accelerate delivery. The panel discussion featured Mr. Johnson Mwawasi Kirangi, Founder and CEO of Miundu Misingi Hub. Dreyer Project Dynamics Director, Wynand Dreyer Engineer. Dr John Samuel, PPP expert, South African Institute of Civil Engineers (SAICE). Hendrik Maran, partner and CEO of Frost & Sullivan, emphasized the role of clear regulations, fair risk sharing and private sector expertise in delivering sustainable infrastructure projects.
Another outstanding session focused on South Africa’s infrastructure market, with Mbatha Xolisa-Shombe, Acting Head of the South African Infrastructure PICC TTT Unit, outlining investment priorities across transport, energy, housing and logistics, and highlighting the importance of project readiness, planning coordination and focus of private capital to unlock long-term growth.
In addition, sessions on return to work, project risks and sustainable design at the Big 5 talks attracted strong interest from attendees. In an intensive session, Kutso Mokgele, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Coordinator at the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), provided a step-by-step overview of the reinstatement process for displaced professionals, providing practical guidance on efficiently recording CPD points and avoiding common delays to ensure long-term compliance.
Fellow speaker Professor Clinton Aigbaboah, Director of the CIDB Center of Excellence in the School of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying at the University of Johannesburg, highlighted how modular construction and 3D printing can enable faster project delivery, increased design accuracy, sustainability and scalable solutions for affordable housing across Africa.
“As we continue to welcome industry professionals across the construction and infrastructure value chain, our CPD-accredited content program, including Infra360, Water360, Big 5 Talks and Day 2 of the South African Infrastructure and Water Forum, will feature insights on pressing topics impacting industry development,” said Heymans.
Highlights international delegations, live demos and industry initiatives
In addition to a strong content program, the show floor attracted more than 250 national and international exhibitors, attracting engineers, consultants, contractors, and developers through live demos, technology exchanges, and business networking across next-generation building materials, HVAC systems, water technology, and project solutions.
The official Saudi delegation led by the Saudi Export Development Authority (SEDA) formed one of the largest international participants at the event. Saudi companies exhibited products and systems across MEP, manufacturing, building materials and services sectors. The country’s high-level participation and engagement highlighted the strength of the bilateral relationship and Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in Africa’s infrastructure and construction sector.
The event opened with a strong international presence, with pavilions in China, Germany, Greece, India, Italy and Turkiye, as well as exhibitors from countries such as Jordan, Malaysia, Mozambique, Pakistan, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. Day 1 of the event saw a strong showcase from key industry players, including Acero Building Systems, a global leader in pre-engineered and conventional steel building solutions; Ankara Metal Products Export Association represents over 4,000 Turkish metal manufacturers. Avenir Holdings and Decoral System are South African companies that provide infrastructure and engineering solutions. Their live product demonstrations always attracted attention and brought an energetic atmosphere to the rest of the event.
The Big 5 Construction South Africa and South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo will run until 20 June 2025 with more sessions, product demonstrations, discussions and conferences. Trade professionals over the age of 18 can register for free at www.big5constructsouthafrica.com. www.southafricainfra Structureexpo.com.
About Big 5 Construct South Africa, South African Infrastructure & Water Expo
The Big 5 Construct South Africa will be held from 18th to 20th June 2025 at the Gallagher Convention Center in Johannesburg. It is the largest construction event that connects construction professionals, fosters business partnerships and drives innovation across the sector. Coinciding with the newly launched South African Infrastructure & Water Expo, the event provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore sustainable construction and infrastructure solutions while addressing the key challenges and opportunities that will shape South Africa’s future. Together, these two flagship events form a dynamic hub for industry collaboration, complemented by the Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo, ensuring a holistic approach to the continent’s development landscape. Big 5 Construct South Africa is part of Big 5, the world’s largest portfolio of construction events.
About damage events
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We attract more than 650,000 participants and delegates each year, organizing events in the fields of construction, hospitality, interiors and design, energy, coatings, entertainment, food and beverage, and transportation. To better serve our customers, dmg events has offices in 10 countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, UK, Canada, Singapore, and India. Being in the field allows us to better understand market needs, foster relationships, and create unforgettable experiences for attendees. Our flagship events such as Big 5 Global, ADIPEC, Gastech, EGYPES, The Hotel Show, INDEX, The Saudi Food Show. For more information, please visit www.dmgevents.com. Founded in 1989, dmg events is a wholly owned subsidiary of Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT, www.dmgt.co.uk).
