South Africa’s first new harbour since democracy will be constructed in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal. The ambitious project aims to bring back economic activity to this and other ‘neglected coastal towns’ across the country. As such, southern KwaZulu-Natal was determined to be a perfect site for phase one.
Sihle Zikalala, Deputy Minister for Public Works and Infrastructure calls the new harbour in Port Shepstone ‘a watershed moment.’ Port Shepstone is situated near the largest river on KwaZulu-Natal’s southern coast, the Mzimkhulu River. It also serves as the main economic node in the south of the province, with manufacturing, commerce, leisure, hospitality and mining.
NEW HARBOUR COMING TO PORT SHEPSTONE
The reason behind the new harbour initiative comes courtesy of a recent Centre for Risk Analysis study. It found that South Africa’s smaller harbours handle more cargo than you might imagine. In fact, two of South Africa’s smallest – Saldanha Bay and Richards Bay – handle more than 80% of the country’s cargo. While the country’s two biggest ports – Cape Town and Durban – only move 8%.
With nearly 3 000 km of coastline, there is huge potential for new harbours in other smaller coastal communities around South Africa. This is why the deputy minister’s department unveiled its new Spatial Economic Development Framework (SEDF) last week in parliament.
FUTURE SEDF SITES
In it, it designated various sites for new harbour SEDF expansions. Including, Port Edward and Hibberdene in KwaZulu-Natal. While Port St. Johns in the Eastern Cape and Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape have also also earmarked for a new harbour. Zikalala believes the economic impact during construction will bring more than R4 billion into the economy of Port Shepstone. In addition to R1.85 billion in added GDP, creating as many 5 800 jobs in the process.
What do you think? Will these new harbour SEDF sites be a success in smaller coast communities? Let us know in the comments section below …
