Northern Cape Business 2024-25

The 2024/25 edition of Northern Cape Business is the 14th issue of this highly successful publication that has, since its launch in 2009, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Northern Cape Province. Officially supported and used by the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDaT), Northern Cape Business is unique as a business and investment guide that focuses exclusively on the province. Specific investment projects are outlined in detail by DEDaT in this journal, covering opportunities in energy and mining, together with reports on dedicated investment zones. One of these new zones is on the Atlantic Ocean, a short distance north of Port Nolloth. The Northern Cape is almost uniquely qualified to play a lead role in the development of the country’s green hydrogen economy, given its bountiful resources of land, wind and sun. The blending together of an earlier idea to develop a deepwater port at Boegoebaai with the creation of a Special Economic Zone devoted to green hydrogen production is particularly exciting. With the year 2024 signalling the end of an election cycle, two special features in this edition focus on important elements of the brief of the public sector, namely education and infrastructure.

Kumba connects

Kumba connects communities through development Sishen Mine highlights how road infrastructure is bringing freedom of movement to the Kuruman area. For many rural communities, the challenge of freedom of movement between areas or travel to-and-from regional economic centre is a common issue. The lack of substantial infrastructure development is often the primary reason for communities becoming isolated and young people having to migrate to urban areas in search for better opportunities. In order to address some of these challenges within its area of influence, Anglo American’s Kumba Iron Ore Sishen Mine, has completed construction upgrades to the Klein Neira – Batlharos Road, situated in Kuruman. The scope of work carried out on the Klein Neira – Batlharos passage included the upgrading of the road from a gravel to a double-sealed surface and installing multiple stormwater management channels along the 6.4km route. This project is part of the broader work carried out in 2022 on the greater Churchill Road, which spans over 10km, at a cost of R44-million. George Benjamin, Corporate Affairs and Social Performance Manager at Sishen Mine, outlines the motivation behind the upgrade: “Upgrading this road was a priority for us. We recognised how it would significantly contribute to the freedom of movement of the surrounding communities. As the proud project founder, our objective is to bring development to our communities and help them thrive. We are very pleased with how the project has turned out and the positive impact it will have on our people’s lives”. During the construction period, a total of 54 temporary jobs were created as a result of the project. NORTHERN CAPE BUSINESS 2024/25 24

FOCUS Maletsatsi Manhe, Manager: Roads and Stormwater at Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality expressed positive sentiments about the importance of the project. He said, “The access link road upgrade was identified as a priority by the community during the February 2014/15 IDP roadshow. The main objective is to link Joe Morolong (Churchill and Batlharos) for easy access to the mines, healthcare facilities and surrounding areas. Also, the goal is to improve road conditions as stated on the Roads and Stormwater Master plan. “Kumba Iron Ore is one of the mining houses that has supported Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality through its Social and Labour Plan over the years. Such support assists the Municipality in reaching community target requests, as the equitable share and the grants are not sufficient to cover all the needs. We are thankful to Sishen Mine for supporting and partnering with us.” ■ George Benjamin with the Sishen Mine Corporate Affairs team.