GBCSA welcomes Minister Macpherson’s bold commitment to greening South Africa’s public buildings

Cape Town. 12 November 2025. The Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) has applauded Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson for his decisive leadership and commitment to embedding sustainability at the heart of South Africa’s built environment.

Delivering his keynote address at the 2025 Green Building Convention yesterday, the Minister outlined a clear plan to transform how public buildings are designed, managed and reported on – and announced that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has become a full member of the GBCSA.

The Ministerś speech was widely welcomed by delegates from across the property and construction sectors for its clear intent to move beyond policy towards measurable delivery. In his address, he described buildings as “our most powerful solutions,” announcing that all new government buildings will target at least a 4-Star Green Star rating, with retrofits and performance certifications planned across the Department’s vast portfolio of more than 80 000 public buildings.

He also committed to installing solar panels on suitable rooftops, introducing time-of-use metering, and publishing an annual State of Public Works Green Building Report to track progress on energy, water, waste and job creation. Importantly, he revealed that key DPWI staff are already being trained through the GBCSA Academy to become accredited Green Star professionals – and that he himself will be enrolling in a GBCSA Academy programme.

“The Minister’s address marks a defining moment for South Africa’s built environment,” says Lisa Reynolds, CEO of GBCSA. “For the first time, the country’s largest landlord – the custodian of 80 000 public buildings – has made a public commitment to meet the same green standards it encourages others to adopt. This is leadership in action, and it sends a powerful message to the entire industry that sustainability is now central to delivery, not an afterthought.”

Reynolds added that GBCSA is proud to formally welcome the Department as a member. “The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure’s membership of GBCSA is not symbolic – it’s practical. It opens the door for collaboration, shared learning and accountability. The Minister’s intention to train with the GBCSA Academy himself demonstrates a deep, personal commitment to understanding and driving this change from within.”

Georgina Smit, Head of Technical at GBCSA, says the Minister’s emphasis on transparency, skills development and measurable performance aligns perfectly with the Council’s vision for a sustainable, resilient and equitable built environment.

“Embedding sustainability expertise inside the public sector is a game-changer,” Smit says. “By training public servants – from architects and engineers to facilities and asset managers – through the GBCSA Academy, the government is building the technical capability needed to deliver sustainable outcomes at scale. This will not only improve the performance of government buildings, but will also transform the market by normalising green practices in procurement, design and construction.”

Smit added that the GBCSA’s certification tools, training programmes and technical frameworks are ready to support this next phase of implementation. “We look forward to working closely with the Department to help turn policy into performance. Every building that becomes more energy-efficient, water-smart and resource-conscious is another step toward a low-carbon, resilient South Africa.”

Reynolds concluded: “The Minister has challenged all of us in the public and private sector alike to step up, innovate and deliver. This is the start of a powerful partnership between government and industry, united by a shared vision: to ensure that every building in South Africa contributes positively to people, planet and prosperity.”