The 2025 edition of Big 5 Construct South Africa, co-located with the inaugural South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo, concluded in Johannesburg, following three days of high-impact networking, CPD learning and industry collaboration. The events brought together 8,858 construction and infrastructure professionals, placing industry excellence and innovation at the centre of discussions and solutions. 

The co-located events provided a unified stage, facilitating public-private collaboration aimed at supporting the country’s National Infrastructure Plan 2050, improving infrastructure for sustainable water supply and overall construction ambitions. 

“With busy aisles and a high level of engagement across all three days, the 2025 edition of Big 5 Construct South Africa and the launch of South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo reinforced the importance of construction, infrastructure and water development in advancing the country’s agenda,” said Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President – Construction, dmg events. “This year’s events stood out for the quality of participation, industry dialogue and commercial opportunities and we look forward to building on this success in 2026.” 

Industry solutions in the spotlight

The events featured exhibitors from more than 20 countries, with international pavilions from China, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Poland. Highlights included Acero Building Systems, a Dubai-based firm delivering pre-engineered steel structures; Al Ayed Industrial Group from Saudi Arabia, showcasing industrial materials and polymers; Masa, a German company with advanced plant technology; and Tilara Polyplast, an Indian major producer of extruded plastic sheets.

Sustainability was a key theme across the exhibition floor, reflecting South Africa’s ongoing challenges around power, water and climate resilience. Exhibitors presented a range of green infrastructure solutions, from GPT Renewables’ solar battery hybrids to FAW Vehicle Manufacturers South Africa’s water management and recycling solutions and Invest Northern Ireland’s smart fleet and waste reduction technologies. Water-focused innovations included advanced treatment and storage systems by Absolute Energy Solutions and Matra, designed to achieve long-term efficiency and resource security.

Strategic content: Policy, people and partnerships

South Africa Infrastructure & Water Forum, Big 5 Talks, Infra360 and Water360 attracted 1,284 attendees, generating fascinating and insightful discussions around urban resilience, smart infrastructure, sustainability, water resource management and related topics. 

In a focused discussion on governance at South Africa Infrastructure & Water Forum, speakers agreed that sustainable infrastructure development hinges on strong, transparent institutions and ethical leadership. One of the top discussions moderated by Zweli Mahlangu, Civil Engineer Technologist, Jones & Wagener and featuring Friedrich Slabbert, President, The South African Institution of Civil Engineering called for strong, adaptable governance to meet South Africa’s changing infrastructure needs. 

Some of the standout sessions at South Africa Infrastructure & Water Forum, Infra360 and Water360 addressed key sector challenges. In one, infrastructure experts Engr Wynand Dreyer, Director, Dreyer Project Dynamics; Johnson Mwawasi Kilangi, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Miundo Misingi Hub; Hendrik Malan, Partner & Chief Executive Officer, Frost & Sullivan; and Engr John Samuel, PPP Expert, South African Institution of Civil Engineering, advocated for greater transparency, smarter risk allocation and expanded use of PPPs in areas like housing, healthcare and climate resilience. In another, Kumeran Pillay, Project Director, and Vivien Naidoo, Director at Turner & Townsend, highlighted that replacing static spreadsheets with cloud-based dashboards enables real-time tracking of spend, milestones and risks, improving accountability and delivery. Additionally, a panel on D&I in construction featuring Takalani Netshipale, Head of the SAICE Ethics Committee; Sekadi Phayane-Shakane, CEO of SAICE; and Tshidi Mndzebele, CEO, Avenir Holdings advocated for inclusive industry strategies and gender equity at executive levels.

Celebrating industry excellence at Big 5 South Africa Impact Awards

Alongside the events, the 3rd edition of Big 5 South Africa Impact Awards presented 12 awards during a gala ceremony at the Gallagher Convention Centre, spotlighting excellence across South Africa’s construction and infrastructure sectors.

Speaking of the awards, Heijmans said: “Every year, our awards play a critical role in highlighting excellence, validating innovation and strengthening credibility by celebrating standout contributions in South Africa’s construction sector.”

Winners were selected based on merit by an independent panel of judges comprising industry professionals and sector leaders, ensuring an objective and credible selection process.

This year, the Residential Project of the Year award went to Boogertman + Partners for The One, Stellenbosch, a $55 million (R1 billion) student accommodation development.

“This year’s edition recognised the people, partnerships and public-private progress shaping the future of infrastructure and construction in South Africa,” said Heijmans. “We’re proud to have created a space that reflects the country’s potential and supports the goals of every professional working to build something better.”

As exhibitor and visitor sentiment echoed the events’ relevance and timeliness in a market undergoing growth and transformation, Big 5 Construct South Africa will return in 2026 from 10 to 12 June at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Big 5 Construct South Africa is part of Big 5, the world’s largest portfolio of construction events. For South African businesses looking to explore trade opportunities further afield, Big 5 Global is the flagship event held annually in Dubai, UAE. It serves as a key gateway to tap into trade, export and partnership opportunities across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, regions with strong commercial ties to South Africa’s construction sector.