The 2018 edition of Western Cape Business is the 11th issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2005, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Western Cape.
In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, there are special features on the growth of tourism (spurred by an innovative programme designed to create more direct flights to Cape Town), medical technology as a growth sector and the pursuit of excellence that drives the Cape Winemakers Guild. The journal contains a message from Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, and contributions from significant business leaders from Accelerate Cape Town, the Cape Chamber of Commerce and the Western Cape Business Opportunities Forum. An interview with Tim Harris, Wesgro’s CEO, reveals some of the recipe for the province’s economic success.
Updated information on the Western Cape is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.globalafricanetwork.com, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well as our flagship South African Business title.
New opportunities for
New opportunities for investors in the West Coast New opportunities are emerging in specific sectors of the West Coast district. With the N7 being upgraded, the time it takes to travel from Malmesbury to Cape Town for instance is less than from Paarl, Somerset West or Stellenbosch. Businesses can serve the Cape Town market while enjoying lower operating costs, an excellent work ethic, lower crime and reduced risk with excellent local government support. Developers are providing new industrial, commercial and residential property. Protein, dairy and other food producers are moving closer to their markets to reduce transportation costs. They remain outside the metro boundaries, to gain cost advantages. Increasing numbers of logistics firms recognise the strategic location. Vehicle and equipment suppliers are growing as a services sector. The number of mines are increasing in Matzikama and a breakthrough with abalone production holds huge promise for supplying a lucrative market. In Cederberg the dam wall is being raised, meaning the bottleneck to agricultural growth is reduced. The Saldanha Industrial Development Zone, which is located at the deep-water port, includes a unique package of government incentives. The complete region offers a large variety of world-class tourism attractions, leisure activities and events. These include bouldering, hiking, kite surfing, surfing, skydiving, paragliding, cycling, canoeing, birding, music festivals, arts, culture, heritage and of course the unrivalled West Coast flowers. Country life at its best – topped off with local brews and great wine. A great place to live, work and play. Swartland Municipality Swartland Municipality covers an area of 3 700 square kilometres, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Berg River in the east. To the south it borders the City of Cape Town, to the east the Drakenstein Municipality, to the north the Bergrivier Municipality and to the north-east Saldanha Bay Municipality. In 2016 the estimated population was 133 000. Swartland has displayed resilient economic growth through some trying market conditions both locally and abroad. The main competitive advantages are strategic location, low costs, low risk, a municipality that values business and growing investor confidence. Add to this the benefits of a sophisticated city that is still close enough to leverage when needed, while employees get to enjoy the best of both country life and the city. Similar to growth patterns of towns on the outskirts of cities worldwide, both businesses and citizens increasingly view the Swartland as a good place to locate. Investment growth is expected from sectors such as protein, dairy, agro-processing, transport, logistics, retail, services and construction sectors. Phase 1 of the Schoonspruit industrial development consisting of 13 erven will be available in the near future. www.swartland.org.za
MATZIK AMA Vredenda l BERGRIVIER Vredenberg Piketberg SALDANHA BAY Moorreesbur g SWARTLAND Clanwillia m CEDERBERG Langeber g Cederberg Municipality Blessed by nature, rich in heritage and warm-hearted people, this a great place for tourism all year round. Cederberg boasts a beautiful and varying landscape that includes mountains, valleys and coastline with a multitude of attractions and activities. The area is rich in flowers and fynbos, including Rooibos, which makes this the heart of the international Rooibos tea industry. The Clanwilliam dam wall is being raised, which will soon provide more water. Unutilised fertile lands can then be irrigated to produce high yields to boost agricultural output. The Cederberg Rocklands is among the top five bouldering destinations in the world. www.cederbergmunicipality.co.za Matzikama Municipality Approximately 240km north of Cape Town, the Matzikama region has abundant water and fertile soil and therefore a thriving vegetable, fruit and wine farming economy. Investors visiting the region will find opportunities in aquaculture (especially abalone), fishing, mining, manufacturing, agriculture and property development. www.matzikamamun.co.za Bergrivier Municipality Situated north of Saldanha Bay, the Bergrivier region is particularly suited to agriculture. Livestock, fruit, vegetables and flowers are farmed in the area and there are opportunities in kelp farming and processing. The large cement factory and smaller salt-reclamation works are indicators of business development opportunities related to mining. www.bergmun.org.za If you have your eye on growth, you should invest on the West Coast! Find out more at www.westcoastdm.co.za
