DBSA Project Delivery - Building Jobs, Skills, and Community Pride

Polokwane, Limpopo – 27 May 2026 - The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), together with provincial leaders and stakeholders, successfully concluded a comprehensive two-day Board Oversight Visit to strategic infrastructure projects across Limpopo Province on 21–22 May 2026. The visit reaffirmed strong delivery performance, sound financial management, and most importantly, the visible socio-economic impact these projects are already bringing to communities.

Education and Healthcare: Limpopo Central Academic Hospital

The Limpopo Central Academic Hospital represents a significant long-term investment, the first academic hospital to be built in South Africa since 2004. With a budget of R5 billion and 43% of construction complete, the 488-bed facility will serve as both a healthcare hub and a training ground for future doctors, nurses, and specialists. To date, 1,541 jobs have been created and 78 SMMEs supported with R143 million in contracts.

Healthcare Transformation: Siloam District Hospital

At the Siloam District Hospital site, Board members witnessed how a R1.9 billion investment is strengthening access to healthcare services for more than 167,000 people. With Phase 3 at 99% completion and Phase 4 at 62%, the hospital is progressing to operational readiness to a region long underserved.

The project has already created 2,090 jobs and supported 131 SMMEs, including 24 women owned enterprises. “The Board is encouraged by the strong progress, prudent financial management, and visible developmental impact across these projects,” said Dr. Maselaganye Petrus Matji, Chairperson of the IDKC Board. “This oversight visit confirms that these investments are delivering long term value for the people of Limpopo.”

Water Security: Raising of the Tzaneen Dam Wall

On the banks of the Great Letaba River, the Tzaneen Dam Wall upgrade is advancing steadily. With 63% of work complete and R548 million spent to date, the project is increasing storage capacity by 193 million cubic metres; a lifeline for households, farmers, and industries across more than 50 surrounding communities.

Already, 276 jobs have been created and 33 SMMEs engaged. Chuene Ramphele, DBSA Group Executive: Infrastructure Delivery Division, emphasised: “This oversight visit demonstrates that infrastructure delivery is not just about construction progress, but about measurable socio-economic impact. We are seeing real benefits in job creation, skills development, and improved access to essential services for communities.”

Tourism infrastructure

Unlike the other sites still under construction, Matsila Game Lodge is already operational; a R39.7 million investment completed and handed over in October 2024. The lodge has created 54 construction jobs, 20 permanent jobs, and supported SMMEs to the value of R8.4 million. With a current occupancy rate of 60%, it is proving how tourism led infrastructure can stimulate local economies and restore community pride.

“Tourism has the power to do more than attract visitors,” noted DBSA representatives during the visit. “It can unlock opportunity, stimulate local economies, and create lasting community benefit. Matsila Game Lodge is living proof of that vision.”

The oversight visit underscored DBSA’s continued leadership in delivering high impact, large scale infrastructure projects that drive inclusive economic growth. From hospitals and water security to tourism assets, these projects are not only engineering achievements; they are investments in dignity, livelihoods, and resilience for Limpopo’s communities.

“We are seeing infrastructure that is designed to serve generations to come,” added Ramphele. “That is the true measure of success”.

About the DBSA

The Development Bank of Southern Africa is one of the leading development financial institutions on the continent. Our primary purpose is delivering impactful development finance solutions that ignite transformative change in South Africa and on the rest of the African continent. Improving the quality of life of people in Africa is the fundamental focus of our development impact. We aim to bend the arc of history towards shared prosperity through multifaceted investments in sustainable infrastructure and human capacity.

Our product solutions span all phases of the infrastructure development value chain from infrastructure planning and project preparation, across a range of financing and non-financing investments to infrastructure implementation and delivery. Our primary areas of focus include Energy, ICT, Transport, Water and Sanitation. Our secondary area of focus includes Education, Housing and Health.

Media Contact: Soneni Phiri, Head: Marketing and Communications,

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