South Africa’s infrastructure challenges are well documented, although there is less focus on the innovations and the numerous success stories that abound in this space. The first challenges that spring to mind are the load-shedding crisis, which has resulted in a massive increase in solar installations, and the growing water issues increasingly in the spotlight.

With this in mind, Infrastructure looks at the latest innovations in the solar energy arena and the numerous challenges – and potential solutions – relating to the nation’s water infrastructure. We also delve into the more successful efforts to improve municipal infrastructure projects in recent times, alongside some of the latest innovations in sustainable construction. The latter dovetails with the views on green building practices outlined by the Construction Alliance SA.

We also talk to an environmental law firm to determine the legal requirements when developing new infrastructure projects. While there is no doubt that our country still faces many infrastructure-related challenges, and it is easy to become despondent over South Africa’s plight, the articles in this issue demonstrate that there are also many positives.

Rodney Weidemann, editor