The 2025/26 edition of Northern Cape Business is the 15th issue of this highly successful publication that has, since its launch in 2009, 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) at conferences and other events, 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.
Renewable energy investments continue to be made into the province, both in terms of wind power and solar farms, and plans to promote the green hydrogen economy are in place. The Northern Cape is almost uniquely qualified to play a lead role in this enterprise, given its bountiful resources of land, wind and sun. The idea to develop a deepwater port at Boegoebaai has been linked to the notion of a Special Economic Zone devoted to green hydrogen production.
The scale and importance of the giant radio astronomy project is given good coverage in this edition, with its economic impact, value as an educational and scientific catalyst and its potential role in boosting tourism all receiving attention.
To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution of the print edition, the full content can also be viewed online at https://www.globalafricanetwork.com under e-books. Updated information on the Northern Cape is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at https://www.southafricanbusiness.co.za, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well our flagship South African Business title.
FOCUSThe lasting impact
FOCUSThe lasting impact of Sol PlaatjeUniversity’s mission to drive changeand enrich lives in the Northern Cape.Moroka Hall of ResidenceSol Plaatje University (SPU), once just an idea,a notion discussed in boardrooms, apossibility waiting to take shape, becamea reality in 2013. For a child of the NorthernCape, it meant more than just a new institution; itwas the key to a future once out of reach. It washope, finally built in bricks and mortar. No longerjust a distant dream, SPU stands as a promisefulfilled, a dream realised not just for the youthaspiring to quality education, but for an entireprovince experiencing business growth, jobcreation and a thriving economy fuelled by theopportunities brought by a new university.As the largest but least populated province,the Northern Cape has long faced socio-economicchallenges including high unemployment,low education levels and limited economicdiversification. The province has struggled withslow economic growth, skills shortages andyouth unemployment. The remoteness of manyareas and a lack of access to higher educationinstitutions further limited opportunities for skillsdevelopment and upward mobility but, sincethe inception of the University, the province hasnever been the same, the institution’s presencehas transformed its landscape,culture and ambitions.Born and raised in Kimberley,SPU’s 2nd Vice-Chancellorand Principal, Prof AndrewCrouch, has led SPU since2020. He emphasisesthe institution’s role inshaping brighter futures:“At SPU, we believe thatour graduates shouldnot only excel academicallybut also become agents ofchange in their communities,”he said. "It is through theirknowledge, skills anddedication that cycles ofpoverty can be broken.”Under Prof Crouch’sleadership, the University haslaunched several initiatives,Professor Andrew Crouch,Vice-Chancellor and PrincipalNORTHERN CAPE BUSINESS 2025/2612
including the Talent Pipeline Programme (TPP),aimed at preparing learners from schools in theNorthern Cape for university education. A state-ofthe-artSport Precinct was launched in March 2023,the first of its kind in the Northern Cape. Communityengagement and partnership initiatives flourishedand entities such as the Centre for Creative Writingand African Languages, Centre for EntrepreneurshipDevelopment and Research, Centre for AppliedData Science, and the Centre for Global Changewere launched to expand the University’s researchimpact. The Centre for Continuous ProfessionalDevelopment and the Upington-based Centre forEntrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator aim to serveas spokes of knowledge and innovation, designednot only to advance academia but to deposit thiswealth of knowledge directly into the provinceand its communities.The University has experienced rapid growthin student numbers, beginning in 2014 with124 students, it now has over 7 000 registeredstudents. In its staffing and talent retention, SPUhas prioritised hiring qualified staff; currently 60%of SPU’s staff hold PhDs. However, maintainingthis level of expertise requires ongoing effortsto attract and retain top talent, especially in acompetitive academic landscape.SPU is actively planning to expand its academicofferings with the introduction of a fifth faculty,the Faculty of Health Sciences, alongside newprogrammes in Geology, Arid Region Studies andEarly Childhood Development. It also aspires tointroduce programmes in Law, Performing Arts andEngineering, as well as to develop regional hubsStudent Representative Council, 2025/26that foster both academic and community growth.Prof Andrew Crouch envisions that in the next50 years the university will truly belong to thepeople, a community-based institution in whichstudents, staff and the broader Northern Capesociety take pride.The University’s journey is one of transformationand growth opportunities not only of minds butof the broader landscape of the Northern Capethrough a consistent pursuit to invest in its peopleand build partnerships, foster innovation and workclosely with local communities, SPU is not justshaping futures; it is reshaping an entire province.SOURCE: This article was written by MsKealeboga Sibiya, building on the findings presentedin a 2023 report by Samuel Fongwa, Stewart Nganduand Bongiwe Mncwango: “University engagementas local economic development: Estimating theeconomic impact of a South African university usinga Keynesian multiplier approach”, African Journalof Higher Education. This article delves deeperinto the economic impact of the establishmentof a new university such as SPU. ■13 NORTHERN CAPE BUSINESS 2025/26
