Gauteng unveils digital tender system as province gets R3.3bn budget boost

The Gauteng Provincial Government has launched a new e-procurement platform, TenderSwift, designed to digitise and fully automate the province’s tender management system.

Gauteng Finance MEC, Lebogang Maile, made the announcement on Tuesday while tabling the 2025 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, confirming major financial gains for the province — including a R3.3-billion budget boost and more than R1-billion generated from hosting the recent G20 Summit.

Presenting the budget at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Maile said the province is overhauling its internal systems to strengthen efficiency and combat the persistent fraud and corruption in government procurement.

TenderSwift is now accessible on the Provincial Treasury’s e-tender website. Maile described it as a modern solution that streamlines processes, enhances transparency, and brings Gauteng’s procurement operations firmly into the digital era.

He noted that for years government depended on manual, paper-based submissions, which created delays, inefficiencies and opened the door to malpractice.

The MEC added that moving to a digital system is not just a technological upgrade but a strategic step to ensure equal access to tender opportunities for all suppliers.

The platform digitises the full procurement value chain, including advertising tenders, bid submissions, evaluation, adjudication, property audits, and contracting.

Maile confirmed that one Provincial Treasury tender has already been advertised on TenderSwift, with another from the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency set to go live on Friday.

Alongside the introduction of TenderSwift, Maile announced the province’s R3.3-billion budget boost, with R2.2 billion allocated directly to strengthening provincial departments:

– Office of the Premier: R43.9 million, including R40.8 million for outstanding Life Esidimeni Mental Health Users claims and R2.8 million to fill critical posts.

– Department of Health: R1.19 billion (R1.1 billion for Goods and Services pressures; R90 million for infrastructure).

– Department of Education: R507.8 million (R200 million to ease Compensation of Employees pressures; balance for Scholar Transport, School Nutrition, and School Safety).

– Department of Social Development: R103.9 million (R35.5 million for infrastructure; remainder for Goods and Services).

– Department of Community Safety: R92.6 million for Goods and Services pressures.

– Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation: R10 million (R6 million for the Summer Games in December 2025; R3 million for Goods and Services; R1 million for Compensation of Employees).

– eGovernment: R400 million (R200 million to upgrade Gauteng Provincial Network equipment; R200 million for Goods and Services commitments).

– Department of Infrastructure Development: R33 million (R20 million for Goods and Services; R13 million for Compensation of Employees).

Maile emphasised that Gauteng remains the country’s economic engine, contributing R33 of every R100 produced in South Africa, and recorded economic growth in the second quarter of 2025 despite pressures such as rising electricity costs. Indicators suggest economic momentum is expected to continue into the third quarter.

He also revealed a new revenue strategy aimed at improving collections and ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability.

Turning to major events, Maile confirmed that hosting the G20 Summit generated over R1-billion for Gauteng, with economic benefits extending across tourism, hospitality, and local industries.

The province will continue leveraging high-profile events to drive growth, including the LIV Golf Tournament, scheduled for March 2026 at Steyn City. The event has already sold 60,000 tickets and is expected to attract significant local and international visitors. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi highlighted that proceeds will benefit townships such as Diepsloot, which face service delivery challenges.

Maile said the tournament is part of broader initiatives to revitalise townships and the inner city, efforts that will continue long after the immediate impact of the G20 Summit.

PICTURES| MEC @LebogangMaile1 delivered the @GautengProvince MTBPS, highlighting Gauteng’s key budget priorities: protecting vulnerable communities, improving procurement efficiency, and focusing on infrastructure projects ready for delivery.#GautengMTBPS2025… pic.twitter.com/vdcarSCEZt

— Gauteng Treasury (@GautengTreasury) December 2, 2025

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe