Operation Vulindlela’s latest Phase II progress report points to tangible gains across South Africa’s major structural reform priorities, from electricity and rail to water, visas and digital government.

In the electricity sector, the new South African Wholesale Electricity Market has begun internal trading with 32 participants, while around 32 GW of new generation projects are now in the grid connection process and expected to connect before 2030. Recent projects reaching commercial operation include 330 MW of wind power in the Eastern Cape and 155 MW in Mpumalanga.

In freight logistics, Rail Access Agreements have been concluded with 11 private train operating companies. These operators could add around 24 million tonnes of freight rail volumes over the medium term, supporting government’s target of 250 million tonnes. Plans are also underway for a leasing company covering roughly 500 locomotives and 17,000 wagons.

Progress in water and sanitation includes a pipeline of approximately R100 billion in water infrastructure projects, of which around R60 billion has already entered implementation. More than 800 water and sanitation projects are currently supported nationally.

On visa reform, electronic travel authorisations can now be processed within 24 hours, with airport processing taking under 60 seconds. The Trusted Tour Operator Scheme has already facilitated visas for more than 77,000 Chinese and Indian tourists, while a R12.5 billion PPP will redevelop six major border posts accounting for over 80% of cross-border flows.

In local government, seven metros are participating in the first phase of reforms covering 12 municipal trading services. Progress on spatial integration and housing, however, remains more preparatory. Government is developing new demand-side and capital subsidy models for affordable housing, working to accelerate the release of strategically located public land, and analysing the scale of the title deeds backlog. While these are important building blocks, implementation is still at an early stage and fewer measurable outcomes have yet emerged than in areas such as electricity or rail.

Meanwhile, passenger rail has recovered 35 of 40 priority corridors. Passenger journeys have risen almost fivefold, from 17 million in 2021/22 to 101 million in 2025/26, while on-time performance improved from 50% to 91%.

Finally, on digital government, more than 203,000 Smart ID and passport applications have been processed through 171 participating bank branches, alongside continued development of digital identity, payments and the MyMzansi platform.