Matzikama Aquaculture Development Zone (MADA) Development of 4 land-based aquaculture farms in Doring Bay, Matzikama municipal area
Project history
Doringbaai was originally a crayfish-fishing village with a rock-lobster factory built in 1925. After the factory closed in the 1970s due to declining stocks, the site was repurposed. In 2011, the community established South Africa’s first community-owned, black-owned abalone farm — Doring Bay Abalone (Pty) Ltd — through the Doringbaai Development Trust and local entrepreneurs.
Farming operations began in 2013, with full production in 2014. The existing farm now employs more than 50 local people and produces around 60 tonnes of abalone per year for export.
Building on this success, Council has adopted a new strategic project in its Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and sector plan to expand the current abalone farm with four additional land-based farms, shifting focus from agriculture to aquaculture and further diversifying the local economy.
Targeted sector: Aquaculture – high-value marine cultivation with direct employment opportunities, economic development, foreign direct investment, export potential, rural development, SMME creation and wealth-generating opportunities.
Description of the project
This is a fully vetted and packed land-based aquaculture initiative in the fishing village of Doring Bay. The project has verified decision-ready information, has been assessed for feasibility, risk and relevance, aligns with the IDP and SDF, is compliant with regulatory requirements (EIA in its second 5-year cycle, expires March 2028), and has internal and external validation.
- Development area: Doringbay, Matzikama municipal area, West Coast region.
- Investment value: R600-million – R1-billion.
- Partnership: West Coast District Municipality (22 September 2025)
This project, valued at R600-million to R1-billion and at ‘Ready’ status, aligns seamlessly with our strategic goals… It will generate hundreds of skilled and unskilled jobs, boost exports, and stimulate ancillary industries.
— Municipal Manager Mr David Joubert
Invest / Partner: The project is open for investor engagement.
Contact
Interested parties are asked to contact the Matzikama Municipality or West Coast District Municipality:
Municipal investment profiling: A digital approach
In 2023, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA introduced the “Investment Profile Template Guide for Municipalities in South Africa” to help municipalities present their investment potential. Research showed only 15% of South African municipalities had investment profiles at the time.
However, limited financial and human resources have hindered digital promotion and investment attraction. SALGA has launched a programme to assist municipalities with digital initiatives, and the following municipalities are included in the first phase:
- City of Ekurhuleni (Gauteng)
- West Coast District Municipality (Western Cape)
- Mnquma Local Municipality (Eastern Cape)
- Matjhabeng Local Municipality (Free State)
The main objective of this project is to provide municipalities with a platform to market themselves as investment destinations to both domestic and foreign investors using an already existing platform and access to the Global Africa Network audience.
