toralrial Road
toralrial Road Kimberley, 8301.zaCAPEINVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY І AgricultureInnovation and strategic developmentinitiatives are creating fertile ground forinvestment.rn, Growing and Successful Province”2022/23JOIN US ONLINEWWW.GLOBALAFRICANETWORK.COM | WWW.NORTHERNCAPE2022/06/01 13:03With its fertile river corridors, unique climateand extensive expertise, the NorthernCape has long been one of South Africa’smost important agricultural regions.Today, it is becoming something more: a modernagribusiness hub focused on exports, innovation andclimate resilience. “Our agriculture sector continues tothrive, thanks to strategic investments and improvedwater infrastructure,” says Northern Cape PremierDr Zamani Saul, underscoring the sector’s central role inthe administration’s vision for the province’s future.Agriculture contributes R10.3-billion annually to theNorthern Cape’s economy, accounting for around 8%of GDP, and is a significant driver of job growth, withofficial figures showing that employment levels haverisen to 52 000 in recent months, representing 4% of theprovince’s total.Among its key products, Karoo lamb was officiallyprotected under South African Geographical Indicationlaw in October 2023, affirming its status in terms ofquality and exclusivity. Geographical Indication (GI)law in South Africa protects products that possessunique qualities linked to their geographical origin,ensuring both heritage preservation and marketdifferentiation. This follows in the footsteps of anothersignature speciality, rooibos tea, which won similarrecognition from the EU in 2014 and continues to growits global footprint.High-value horticultural products including tablegrapes, wine grapes, sultanas, dates and nuts thrivealong the Orange River. The Northern Cape producesalmost one third of South Africa’s table-grape crop,and 18% of the nation’s white-wine grapes, signifyingThe NorthernCape is theprovince withthe second-largestconcentrationof sheep.High-value crops such as pecan nuts thrive in areaswatered by the Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme.the sector’s outsized importance to the nation’sagricultural output. Livestock remains a cornerstoneof rural economic activity, with wool, mohair, karakul,venison, ostrich meat and leather farmed throughoutthe majority of the province.Emblematic of the government’s commitmentto innovation in the sector, the Vaalharts IrrigationScheme has transformed a semi-arid region into alush productive zone that sustains crops as varied ascotton, wheat, maize, nuts, olives and citrus. Spreadover an area of 30 000 hectares, more than 1 000kmof concrete-lined canals nourish over 1 200 farms,creating a pivotal impact on the region’s productivity.The scheme is the largest in South Africa and one ofthe largest of its kind in the world, marking theNorthern Cape’s leadership in climate resilience projectsand innovative approaches to food security.Despite its importance domestically, the province’sagriculture strategy retains a decidedly internationaloutlook, with infrastructure to match. “Our focus is onstrengthening agricultural value chains, improvingmarket access for small-scale and emerging farmersand increasing agricultural exports,” says Member ofthe Executive Council for Finance, EconomicDevelopment and Tourism Lorato Venus Blennies-Magage. “With the combined logistical power ofBoegoebaai Port and the Upington cargo terminal,we’re creating real pathways for our agricultural productsto reach global markets.” ■PHOTO: GWK
WWW.NORTHERNCAPEBUSINESS.CO.ZAJOIN S ONLINE US ONLINEWWW.GLOBALAFRICANETWORK.COM | WWW.NORTHERNCAPEBU| | 10 REASONSWHY YOU SHOULD INVEST IN SOUTH AFRICA01.HOT EMERGINGMARKETGrowing middle class, affluent consumerbase, excellent returns on investment.02.MOST DIVERSIFIEDECONOMY IN AFRICASouth Africa (SA) has the most industrialised economy in Africa.It is the region’s principal manufacturing hub and a leadingservices destination.LARGEST PRESENCE OF MULTINATIONALSON THE AFRICAN CONTINENTSA is the location of choice of multinationals in Africa.03.Global corporates reap the benefits of doing business inSA, which has a supportive and growing ecosystem as ahub for innovation, technology and fintech.05.FAVOURABLE ACCESS TOGLOBAL MARKETSADVANCED FINANCIAL SERVICES& BANKING SECTORSA has a sophisticated banking sector with a majorfootprint in Africa. It is the continent’s financial hub,with the JSE being Africa’s largest stock exchange bymarket capitalisation.The African Continental Free Trade Area will boostintra-African trade and create a market of over onebillion people and a combined gross domestic product(GDP) of USD2.2-trillion that will unlock industrialdevelopment. SA has several trade agreements inplace as an export platform into global markets.07.YOUNG, EAGER LABOUR FORCE09.SA has a number of world-class universities and collegesproducing a skilled, talented and capable workforce. Itboasts a diversified skills set, emerging talent, a large poolof prospective workers and government support for trainingand skills development.04.06.08.PROGRESSIVECONSTITUTION& INDEPENDENTJUDICIARYSA has a progressive Constitution and an independent judiciary. Thecountry has a mature and accessible legal system, providing certaintyand respect for the rule of law. It is ranked number one in Africa for theprotection of investments and minority investors.ABUNDANT NATURALRESOURCESSA is endowed with an abundance of natural resources. It is the leading producerof platinum-group metals (PGMs) globally. Numerous listed mining companiesoperate in SA, which also has world-renowned underground mining expertise.WORLD-CLASSINFRASTRUCTUREAND LOGISTICSA massive governmental investment programme in infrastructure developmenthas been under way for several years. SA has the largest air, ports and logisticsnetworks in Africa, and is ranked number one in Africa in the World Bank’sLogistics Performance Index.10.SA offers a favourable cost of living, with a diversified cultural, cuisine andsports offering all year round and a world-renowned hospitality sector.EXCELLENT QUALITYOF LIFEPage | 219 SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 2022SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 202019
