Colossal Concrete
Colossal Concrete Products is making precast concrete at De Aar. market in South Africa, and therefore a step towards a cleaner, greener energy environment. Roads National roads agency SANRAL has taken over responsibility for several “strategic” roads that used to fall under the provincial government. This handover happened in 2023 and takes SANRAL’s responsibility in the province to 4 409km. SANRAL announced a R14-billion three-year plan for the province’s roads in the same year, covering maintenance and improvements. The N14 highway is an important element of the infrastructure of the province. Also known as the Industrial Development Corridor and passing through the Kathu Industrial Park, the N14 runs from Springbok to Pretoria, crossing the Orange River at Upington and providing the main connection between the various existing and proposed industrial parks and SEZs in the province. SANRAL’s most recent work on the N14 involves a R60-million upgrading of three intersections between Olifantshoek and Kathu. This included increasing the size of roundabouts to allow for wider turning circles and improved traffic flow. This was in response to growing numbers of heavy vehicles passing through the Kathu South circle every day. The following roads-related projects also serve to provide employment opportunities: Valazonke Projects, a labour-intensive programme to fix potholes; Welisizwe Programme, construction of rural bridges; S’hamba Sonke Projects, road maintenance on secondary and rural roads. The Operation Vala Zonke programme had fixed 23 334 potholes at the time of the Premier’s State of the Province in February 2024. In addition, a potholefixing programme forms part of the curriculum of the staff taken on by the newly established Northern Cape Construction Company. In the course of studying for a Road Construction Level 3 learnership offered by the Construction Education & Training Authority (CETA), the group’s pothole repairs made a difference to the state of the local roads. Water The Vaal Gamagara Water Supply Scheme (VGWSS) was originally built to supply water to the semi-arid areas of Kalagadi. It has been expanded to supply to the Dikgatlong, Tsantsabane, Gamagara and Joe Morolong municipalities and nearby mines and farmers. The first phase of an upgrading and replacement project of a 75km between Roscoe and Blackrock has been completed, benefiting about 6 000 households, mines, municipalities, farmers and Transnet. However, the VGWSS has struggled to keep up with demand. Minerals Council South Africa reports that more than 20 mining companies are paying a premium compared to other users for water in the scheme towards a capital-raising fee to pay for the second phase of the VGWSS. So far R268-million has been raised from the premium and it is ringfenced for the second phase of the pipeline upgrades, which includes upgrading the 260km pipeline between the Vaal River extraction point and Roscoe near Kathu. The Northern Cape’s biggest town and provincial capital, Kimberley, has been facing infrastructure challenges for some time, particularly regarding water provision. National Treasury has approved funding of R2.5-billion through its Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) for the Sol Plaatje Municipality to repair and upgrade water infrastructure and to improve water quality. ■ NORTHERN CAPE BUSINESS 2024/25 18 PHOTO: Colossal Concrete Products
Lubango Oshikango Otjiwarongo Windhoek Aus Ondangwa Otavi Tsumeb Grootfontein Okahandja Mariental Gobabis Keetmanshoop Upington Katima Mulilo Gaborone Kolwezi Francistown Lusaka Livingstone Lubumbashi Ndola Johannesburg Bulawayo Harare Lilongwe Republic of Congo Tanzania Angola Zambia Namibia THE Walvis Bay ULTIMATE Lüdertiz PORTS EXPERIENCE The Ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz lies on the West Coast of Africa. The Namibian Ports Authority is a body corporate established by the Namibian Ports Authority Act, 1994 (Act 2 of 1994) as a state-owned enterprise. Namport’s mandate is to exercise control and manage Namibia’s ports, lighthouses and other navigational aids in Namibia and its territorial waters. OUR SERVICES & THE INDUSTRIES WE SERVE The Port of Walvis Bay oversees container imports, exports, and transshipments, along with bulk and breakbulk cargo for various industries, including petroleum, mining, construction, and fishing. Additionally, it caters to the tourism sector through a dedicated cruise liner berth and terminal. The Port of Lüderitz oversees the export of mining commodities from the southern region of Namibia and the Northern Cape of South Africa. Additionally, it supports the local fishing industry and operates as a supply base for the oil and gas drilling campaigns. TRADE ROUTES NAMPORT SERVES Strategically located along the Namibian coastline, Walvis Bay provides direct access to principal shipping routes, making it a natural gateway for international trade. Its world-class infrastructure and equipment ensure reliable and safe cargo handling. The favorable temperate weather conditions of the bay enable timely operations, thus facilitating Namibia’s largest commercial port, the Port of Walvis Bay, to accommodate approximately 1,600 vessel calls annually, with a handling capacity of 10 million tons of cargo. South Africa Botswana Lesotho Zimbabwe Swaziland GEARED FOR GROWTH Mozambique Namport focuses on being the best performing seaports in Africa. Therefore, Namport continues to invest in port infrastructure to ensure Namibia is not only compliant with the International Ship and Port Facility Security code (ISPS), but is also geared towards opportunities for future growth. In 2019, a new container terminal worth N.2 billion was brought into operation. It provides infrastructure and deployment of ship-to-shore gantry cranes for the first time in Namibian port history, firmly establishing a competitive position in relation to other ports for the critical hinterland markets. This raises the handling capacity to 750 000 TEUs, which is double the previous 350 000 TEU’s. Malawi VISION: To be the best performing seaports in Africa MISSION: To provide excellent port services to all seaborne trade, creating sustainable value for all our stakeholders. NAMPORT ACTIVITIES Vessel Traffic Container Cargo Import/ Export Vessel Repair Fuel Imports Passenger Traffic Supporting Fishing Industry Warehouse Facilities To get customized shipping solutions, contact customercare@namport.com.na or alternatively +264 64 208 2377
