Views
1 year ago

Northern Cape Business 2022-23

  • Text
  • Economy
  • Industry
  • Sectors
  • Investment
  • Business
  • Infrastructure
  • Projects
  • South africa
  • Wwwglobalafricanetworkcom
  • Provincial
  • Kimberley
  • Mining
  • African
  • Industrial
  • Economic
  • Municipality
  • Province
  • Cape
  • Northern
Since 2009, Northern Cape Business has established itself as the premier business and investment guide to the region. It is unique as a business and investment guide that focuses exclusively on the province. Specific investment opportunities are treated in detail in this journal, with a focus on geographic hotspots that are due to become the focus of sector focused infrastructure development.

SPECIAL FEATURE The

SPECIAL FEATURE The Northern Cape’s unique landscape is endlessly fascinating. Credit: NCTA The Kalahari Basin contains 80% of the world’s manganese reserve, but only 15% of global production comes from this area so there is enormous scope for development. Several new black-owned manganese projects are underway. The world receives 7% of its diamonds from the Northern Cape, and exports of zinc and lead from the province account for 13% of global demand. Iron-ore miners have done particularly well recently but it is the development of new zinc and copper projects that are catching the eye. Vedanta Zinc International has invested 0-million in the first phase of its Gamsberg project and Orion Minerals has announced that its bankable feasibility study was positive for a planned zinc and copper project at Okiep. The modern global economy needs particular minerals for its cellphones, renewable energy batteries and electric vehicles, and the Northern Cape has a lot of them. Investors are expected to follow in search of cobalt, copper, lead, nickel and zinc. A notable feature of Northern Cape agriculture is its diversity, a result of the diverse soil and weather conditions. The 38 000ha Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme produces wheat, fruit, groundnuts, cotton and maize and along the banks of the Orange River many high-value horticultural products such as table grapes, wine grapes, sultanas and cereal crops are cultivated. A quarter of the country’s onions are produced in the Northern Cape and in the drier areas, goats and sheep do well. Niche products such as rooibos tea and karakul pelts are other provincial specialities, with aquaculture and mariculture showing great potential. The Northern Cape is home to six national parks and five provincial parks and nature reserves. The Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape is a World Heritage Site and the Namaqualand spring flower display draws many visitors. Most of the province is semi-arid (with a coastal strip) and it receives relatively little rainfall. Summers are hot and winters are cold. Municipalities The Northern Cape has five district municipalities. Frances Baard District Municipality Towns: Kimberley, Barkly West, Warrenton, Hartswater, Jan Kempdorp. This district accounts for 40.3% of the province’s economic activity. It is the smallest but with a population of approximately 325 500, it is the most densely populated. Strategically located and with good infrastructure, Kimberley is the leading centre in the province for retail, financial services, education, commerce and light industry. The Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre and the Sol Plaatje University are in Kimberley. Mining and agriculture are found in rural municipalities. Agriculture in the region comprises crop cultivation and stock and game farming. The Vaalharts Water Scheme is the largest irrigation project of its kind in the southern hemisphere. NORTHERN CAPE BUSINESS 2022/23 8

SPECIAL FEATURE John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality Towns: Kuruman, Kathu, Hotazel. Kuruman is the headquarters of local government in this region and contributes 19.7% to the province’s economy. The local spring produces 20-million litres of water every day. Most of the district is situated on the Ghaap Plateau, which is over 1 000 metres above sealevel and can experience extreme temperatures. Most agricultural activity is limited to grazing and boer goats are a popular breed among farmers, although game hunting is growing. The Sishen iron ore mine outside Kathu is a vast undertaking, providing employment for thousands of people. Samancor’s Mamatwan and Wessels manganese mines and plants are situated at Hotazel. Namakwa District Municipality Towns: Springbok, Calvinia, Niewoudtville, Garies, Williston, Fraserburg, Sutherland, Pofadder, Okiep, Port Nolloth, Alexander Bay. The Namakwa district stretches from the northwestern corner of the province, and the country, bordering Namibia and the Atlantic Ocean, to the southern border of the province with the Western Cape Province. It includes the famous star-gazing town of Sutherland on its southern edge. The district is sparsely populated, and predominantly rural. It contributes 11.1% to economic activity in the province. A major new investment has been undertaken in zinc at the Gamsberg project. The mining and agricultural sectors provide most employment, while tourism and small-scale manufacturing are also present. There are plans to upgrade the harbour at Port Nolloth. The region’s economy gets a boost every spring when tourists flock to see the veld in bloom. Niewoudtville is the site of a rooibos tea factory. The |Ai|Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, the Namakwa National Park and the Tankwa Karoo National Park have the potential to grow as travel destinations, as does the western coastline. Pixley Ka Seme District Municipality Towns: De Aar, Hanover, Carnarvon, Douglas, Marydale, Prieska, Hopetown, Richmond, Noupoort, Norvalspont, Colesberg. The district covers 102 000 square kilometres in the central Karoo and contributes 11.3% of the economic activity of the province. It has four national roads passing through it. De Aar, the site of the municipal headquarters, has national significance as a railway junction. The area around the town has several new solar farms. Star-gazing is Carnarvon’s great claim to fame, and it is host to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope project. The district is home to three of South Africa’s major dams. Agricultural production includes wheat, maize, peanuts, grapes, beans, potatoes, nuts and sheep farming. Pixley Ka Seme is the largest wool-producing district in South Africa, but most of what is produced is processed in the Eastern Cape, so opportunities exist for the establishment of a cotton mill, a tannery and a facility to add value to semi-precious stones. Horse breeding is a valuable contributor to the regional economy. ZF Mgcawu District Municipality Towns: Upington, Kakamas, Kenhardt, Groblershoop, Postmasberg. The Orange River supports a thriving agricultural sector and a growing tourism sector. The investment climate is ripe for tourism along the Orange River and around unique physical attractions such as the Augrabies Falls. Upington is already a busy town with processing facilities for agricultural products. Most of the population of the //Khara Hais Local Municipality lives in Upington. Agriculture is a prominent feature of the local economy, as well as wholesale and retail services in and around the town. Various kinds of high-speed car racing and testing takes place on the roads, tracks and airport runway in or near the town. The processing of wine and dried fruit is one of the biggest manufacturing activities in the province. Mining activities take place in Kgatelopele, where diamonds and lime are found. Together with sheep and cattle farming, mining provides most of the employment to be found in Siyanda. ■ 9 NORTHERN CAPE BUSINESS 2022/23

Other recent publications by Global Africa Network: