The Small Harbours and State Coastal Property Development project
Operation Phakisa – a broad national strategy to tackle projects that will reap benefits quickly – has a number of priority streams, one of which is the Oceans Economy.
The Oceans Economy has been chosen as one of the key sectors for Operation Phakisa because of the massive opportunity to create value that resides onshore and offshore.
As part of the Oceans Economy strategy within Operation Phakisa, a unit within the National Department of Public Works has been created, the name of which explains its mandate – the Small Harbours and State Coastal Property Development (SH&SCPD) unit.
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the new interest in developing a maritime economy. The province has 800 km of coastline, three ports, two Industrial Development Zones and an academic community geared to maritime research.
The Eastern Cape’s maritime sector is anchored by its three large ports in the metropolitan municipalities of Buffalo City (Port of East London) and Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth and Ngqura). The Nelson Mandela University has established a campus for Ocean Sciences.
The ports of East London and Ngqura serve Industrial Development Zones, the ELIDZ and the Coega IDZ. Apart from attracting foreign direct investment and boosting employment, IDZs play a role in helping to add new sectors or sub-sectors to an economy.
Beyond the metropolitan municipalities, three district municipalities host other coastal properties, existing small harbours or areas that could become small harbours.
The tourism potential of the sandy beaches along the Eastern Cape coastline is already well known. With investment and targeted projects, some of the “hidden gems” among the small harbours, bays and coastal properties may turn out to be providers of income and improved turnover in unexpected ways.
Priority projects
Port St Johns
- Development of a new harbour and development of coastal property, with economic activities such as a new economic zone, fishing and aquaculture and the establishment of a waterfront.
Port Alfred
- Development of coastal property, with economic activities such as tourism and aquaculture.
Gonubie
- Development of coastal property, with economic activities such as a mini-waterfront, leisure activities and recreation.
Contact the Department of Public Works for more details about upcoming opportunities.
Learn more about Operation Phakisa, the Oceans Economy and the Small Harbours and State Coastal Property Development project.
Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism:
www.dedea.gov.za
- Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality: www.nelsonmandebay.gov.za
- Assets: Ports of Port Elizabeth, Ngqura.
- Sarah Baartman District Municipality: www.sarahbaartman.gov.za
- Coastal local municipalities: Greater Kei LM; Sundays River LM; Kouga LM; Ndlambe LM.
- Coastal assets: Jeffreys Bay, Port St Francis, Port Alfred.
- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality: www.buffalocity.gov.za
- Assets: Port of East London, Gonubie.
- OR Tambo District Municipality: www.ortambodm.go.za
- Coastal local municipalities: King Sabata Dalindyebo LM; Nyandeni LM; Port St Johns LM; Ingquza LM; Mbizana LM.
- Coastal assets: Port St Johns, Mcwasa, Hole in the Wall.
- Amathole District Municipality: www.amathole.gov.za
- Coastal local municipalities: Ngqushwa LM; Great Kei LM; Mnquma LM; Mbashe LM.
- Coastal assets: Morgan Bay, Kei Mouth.
Learn more about Operation Phakisa, the Oceans Economy and the Small Harbours and State Coastal Property Development project.
