It is no secret that South Africa’s construction sector is in an extremely perilous state. The decline in workflow and the squeeze on margins have left large and small construction companies struggling for survival. Some of the country’s biggest firms have applied for business rescue while others have sold or are planning to sell their South African general construction divisions to focus on global niche markets, such as mining, or infrastructure opportunities abroad. This unsupportive environment has been made all the more hostile, as several construction sites have become targets for criminality and violence. These difficulties are partially reflected in this Projects in Progress supplement, with very few new projects being featured. Amid the gloom, however, there are a few behind-the-scenes developments that, if successful, could offer hope.