Welcome to the 13th edition of the South African Business journal. First published in 2011, the publication has established itself as the premier business and investment guide to South Africa, supported by an e-book edition and website at www.southafricanbusiness.co.za.
A special feature in this journal focusses on the vital focus on infrastructure that is seizing the attention of the political and business leadership of South Africa. This is not the arena of endless talk shops. Rather, 160 CEOs of some of the country’s most influential companies are rolling up their sleeves and trying to make things work better. The article looks at steps being taken by a combination of the public and private sectors to beef up the country’s railways, ports and energy network. Crime is also under the spotlight. As this journal goes to print, South Africa will ascend to the presidency of the G20, a singular honour and an opportunity for the country to put its best foot forward. A brief overview of each of the country’s provinces is also provided.
South African Business is complemented by nine regional publications covering the business and investment environment in each of South Africa’s provinces. The e-book editions can be viewed online at www.globalafricanetwork.com. These unique titles are supported by a monthly business e-newsletter with a circulation of over 35 000. The Journal of Africa Business joined the Global African Network stable of publications as an annual in 2020 and is now published quarterly.
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An entrepreneur working in the Enterprise Development Hub’s Rent-a-Bench workshop.The Bonaero industrial operations boast animpressive refrigeration and PV system that reducesdemand on the grid. In addition, all water sourcesare monitored through a comprehensive buildingmanagementsystem. Because of all of this, In2foodBonaero is one of the few industrial facilities in SouthAfrica that has achieved four-star green accreditationand net-zero carbon level 1 certification, setting thebenchmark for other industrial developments.Since its opening, this facility has created over2 500 operational jobs and has also supported andpromoted emerging farmers that provide inputs tothe facility for value addition.Mineral-Beneficiation ClusterThe remaining part of the Precinct is where theJewellery and Diamond Manufacturing Cluster islocated.Comprising more than 40 000m² of developedspace, the JMP is home to 19 companies that sharesimilar characteristics and operating requirements.These include a precious-metal refinery, diamondcutting and polishing companies, jewellerymanufacturers, diamond-trading entities, anEnterprise Development Hub as well as regulatoryagencies that support the industry. In addition,sector-specific service providers that support theprovision of high-level security requirements,inclusive of the movement of goods to airside, alsoform part of the development.Enhanced connection and collaborationThe location of like-minded businesses atthe Precinct is an intentional move by the ORTambo SEZ aimed at ensuring that the mineralbeneficiationcluster functions competitively andefficiently. This is because worldwide, the clusterapproach to economic development has beenshown to not just foster industrial development, butalso promote connection and collaboration, leadingto increased creativity and productivity.It is anticipated that through this approach,minerals mined and beneficiated in South Africa forglobal consumption will increase.The next frontier: ORTIA Precinct 2 and theSprings PrecinctWith the completion of ORTIA Precinct 1, the focusof the SEZ’s development is on ORTIA Precinct 2,a 29ha land parcel projected to have 265 000m²of developable space and the Springs Precinct, a13ha land parcel projected to have 45 000m² ofdevelopable space.Over and above their individual competitivelocations, each precinct is positioned to promotethe production and export of products best suitedSOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 202524
to their locations. In respect of ORTIA Precinct 2,because it is located a stone’s throw away from ORTIAPrecinct 1 and OR Tambo International Air Cargo,the focus will be on mineral-beneficiated products,pharmaceutical and health products, electronics andother just-in-time products such as fresh food.Specific to the health cluster, plans are alreadyunderway to ensure the design and delivery of aglobally competitive medical manufacturing clusterthat includes sub-assembly, labelling and packagingservices, logistics, warehousing and cold storagefacilities, regulatory and testing facilities as well asresearch, development and innovation.The OR Tambo SEZ is excited about thisnext frontier and the opportunities it offers theAfrican continent in the production, export andconsumption of pharmaceutical and health productsmanufactured in Africa.A pharmaceutical cluster is to be developed withinthe OR Tambo SEZ.Platinum potentialIn addition to the sectors to be located at ORTIAPrecinct 2, the OR Tambo SEZ is also pursuingthe production and export of platinum-relatedproducts at its Springs Precinct. This is because ofthe competitive location of this land parcel next toa major platinum refinery, allowing for easy accessto platinum required to manufacture productssuch as platinum-based fuel cells and electrolysers.Electrolysers are a central input into Africa’s multibillion-dollarhydrogen economy.Available opportunitiesOR Tambo SEZ is open to interest from investorslooking to set up manufacturing operations in thesectors identified for location at ORTIA Precinct 2 orSprings Precinct. ■For more information:Email: info@gidz.co.zaWebsite: www.ortambosez.co.zaPHOTO: Chokniti Kongchum/Pexels25 SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 2025
