The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr John Steenhuisen, has welcomed the launch of KwaZulu-Natal’s Government Property Finder Portal, describing it as an important step towards unlocking the economic potential of government-owned assets, attracting investment and creating opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.
Steenhuisen said the initiative demonstrates how government can use innovation and technology to turn underutilised public assets into opportunities for economic growth, industrial development and job creation.
“Government is sitting on an enormous portfolio of land and property that has the potential to stimulate economic activity. Yet too often, these assets remain underutilised while entrepreneurs struggle to find affordable premises, businesses search for suitable locations to expand, and communities face unemployment. We need to change that. Government property should not simply be an asset on a balance sheet. It should be an asset that works for the economy and the people of South Africa,” said Steenhuisen.
The portal provides a more transparent and accessible platform for identifying government-owned properties, their locations and potential uses. For the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), this presents an opportunity to connect businesses seeking premises with available public assets, while supporting investment, enterprise development and industrial expansion.
Steenhuisen emphasised that the initiative should serve as a model for other provinces and government departments to replicate, particularly where unused or underutilised properties could be repurposed for productive economic activity.
“We need to move away from a situation where government owns properties that stand empty while small businesses cannot afford premises and potential investors struggle to find suitable locations. Imagine turning these properties into manufacturing hubs, business incubators, innovation centres and spaces where young entrepreneurs can build businesses and create jobs. That is the kind of practical thinking we need if we are serious about growing our economy,” he said.
Steenhuisen highlighted the potential for stronger collaboration between the dtic, provincial governments, development finance institutions and enterprise support agencies to link available properties with funding, business development programmes and investment opportunities.
“Making properties visible is the first step. The real opportunity lies in bringing together government departments, investors and business support institutions to ensure these assets are put to productive use. We should be making it easier for entrepreneurs to start businesses, for manufacturers to expand and for investors to invest, rather than allowing unnecessary administrative barriers to stand in their way,” said Steenhuisen.
He also welcomed the portal’s use of technology to improve transparency, reduce administrative barriers and make government information more accessible to citizens and businesses.
He commended the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works and Infrastructure for developing the platform in-house, without relying on external consultants.
“This is a practical example of the kind of innovation we should be encouraging across government. It demonstrates that meaningful improvements in public service delivery do not always require enormous budgets or complicated interventions. Sometimes they require government to think differently, use the capabilities it already has and focus on making it easier for people to do business,” he said.
Steenhuisen concluded that South Africa cannot afford to leave valuable public assets idle while the country urgently needs investment, economic growth and employment.
“Every government-owned property that can be put to productive use represents a potential opportunity for a new business, a new investment or a new job. We should be looking at every possible way to unlock that potential. KwaZulu-Natal has taken an important step, and I hope to see this approach replicated across the country,” said Steenhuisen.
The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr John Steenhuisen, delivering address during the launch of the KwaZulu-Natal’s Property Finder Portal in Pietermaritzburg.
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Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
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