An extraordinary South African holiday experience.
Kayak on the Orange River, follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs in Fraserburg. Discover the dark skies sanctuary in Kgalagadi, be enchanted by the sky lore of the Khomani San – or be fascinated by glimmering constellations at Sutherland. This is the Northern Cape where you can experience Real Culture, Real Nature and Real Adventure. Create your own “bucket list” experiences and make family memories to last a lifetime! Visit: www.experiencenortherncape.com
Six “must do” reasons to choose the Northern Cape as your family holiday destination:
The distinct cultural groups that make up the Northern Cape are as rich as the country’s history. Unlock the secrets of the African bush in the company of the oldest human inhabitants of the region, the ‡Khomani San near the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, our newest World Heritage Site. Swim in the hot pools of Riemvasmaak, discover the ancient wisdom of the Nama of
the Richtersveld, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore living villages, shop at craft markets, indulge in regional authentic cuisine at local eateries and be transported to the world of our ancestors through campfire storytelling and dancing. It’s the best way to experience the heartbeat of the province and to take some of the soul of the Northern Cape with you on your return journey home.
For the active, it’s an ideal environment for exploration and adventure. We have an aweinspiring setting for any enthusiast. Whether you are stargazing in Sutherland, hunting for fossils in the Karoo or searching for San rock art deep in the caves of the Diamond Fields, experiencing the world’s richest floral offering in Namakwa, camping deep in the bush surrounded by wildlife and the famed black-maned lion of the Green Kalahari, or kayaking down the mighty Orange River, the Northern Cape is more than an adventure, it’s an enriching life experience.
The Northern Cape has always been a familyfriendly destination. Its mix of culture, adventure, wildlife and wide accommodation choices offers family fun that is both entertaining and educational. The province is home to six national parks and two of the country’s largest rivers, which makes it perfect for fun activities the entire family can enjoy. These include game safaris, bird-watching, dune-surfing, leisure hikes and walks to winery tours, museum visits and archaeological discoveries.
The Northern Cape is arguably South Africa’s most beautiful and naturally real province. Visitors are hard-pressed to choose between our two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, two Transfrontier Parks, the Kgalagadi and the |Ai-|Ais Richtersveld with its red and golden sand dunes or the Augrabies Falls National Park with the mighty Augrabies Falls thundering down an 18km abyss. Not to forget the Mokala National Park near Kimberley and Namaqua and Tankwa Karoo National Parks in the Namakwa region. Alternatively explore any one the six Provincial Nature Reserves, Goegap, Witsand, Oorlogskloof or one of our many private game and nature reserves. Share the intimate bush knowledge of a Nama or San Bushman guide/tracker. The Northern Cape’s natural beauty is enhanced by its enigmatic wildlife. From the small five to the big five, watching wild animals at close range is something truly unforgettable. There are walking, horseback, 4x4, little five, glamping and many more wildlife experiences to incorporate in your trip.
Each spring, the dormant and arid winter plains of the Northern Cape’s Namakwa region are transformed into a kaleidoscope of colour with the arrival of the flower season. The wildflowers of the Namakwa are a remarkable natural phenomenon and best discovered on foot, which makes it ultimately appealing to hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The best time to visit for the floral splendour is from end July to early October.
The Battlefields Route allows visitors to relive the war between Great Britain and the Boer Republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State from 1899 to 1902. The Northern Cape played a decisive role in the war with the famous Kimberley siege and you can relive the siege, its victories and the setbacks suffered by both sides at the Magersfontein and McGregor Museums.
The route meanders away from Cape Town along the N7 and includes small towns, each with its own local flavour and a story to tell. Visitors will encounter towns which capture the Nama heritage of the province. Slow down and appreciate the unique stories of the people of Garies, Kamieskroon, Springbok, Okiep, Steinkopf and Vioolsdrift. During spring time, this route takes visitors into the core of the floral kaleidoscope that is the Namakwa floral season. Don’t miss: River-rafting along the mighty Orange River.
The route includes hidden gems like Garies, Kamieskroon, Hondeklip Bay, Koiingnaas and Kleinzee. Dozens of adventure and leisure options are available: Namaqua National Park, nature reserves, some of the most remote hiking and 4x4 trails imaginable. Go succulent sleuthing with a botanical guide, hike the Springbok Klipkoppie for a dose of Anglo-Boer War history, explore the countless shipwrecks along the coastline. Breathtaking scenes of the Atlantic Ocean with sightings of dolphins and whales combined with great vistas of mountains and veld with endemic wildlife makes travelling in this area remarkable.
Don’t miss: Slow-packing through the Namaqua National Park in early Spring (September) when the usually dusty plains are transformed into kaleidoscopic flower carpets of colour.
The Richtersveld is South Africa’s only mountain desert and the route travels along
rugged gravel roads to quaint towns such as Eksteensfontein, Sendelingsdrift, Lekkersing, Kuboes and Sandrift. The Orange River presents a more leisurely pace with river-rafting and the best wilderness fly-fishing in South Africa, while the entire Richtersveld is a mountain biker’s dream. Don’t miss: Learn about the lives of the nomads, be transported through dancing and storytelling.
Named after the indigenous quiver tree, the Quiver Tree Route stretches along the mighty Orange River. It features the quaint towns of Upington, Kakamas, Keimoes, Augrabies, Marchand, Kanoneiland, Kenhardt and Riemvasmaak. The route will appeal greatly to families, adventure and adrenaline seekers. Experience the hot springs at Riemvasmaak, riverrafting, fly-fishing, kayaking, river cruises, 4x4, hiking and MTB trails and excellent bird-watching. With the longest wine-producing area in the Southern Hemisphere there are many opportunities for worldclass wine and brandy tasting along the route. Don’t miss: A visit to the Augrabies National Park and the world’s sixth-largest waterfall.
Discover the essence of the province in the heart of the Kalahari. Golden dunes, wide-open skies and flat-topped acacia trees epitomise the Kalahari Red Dune Route. Enjoy dune hikes at dawn, eagle-owl encounters, sand-duning and surfing in the red sand and close encounters with meerkats. Explore the Khomani San Cultural Landscape and join a guided walk with the San Khomani to rediscover the wisdom, customs and folklore of this ancient tribe. Don’t miss: In the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, magnificent oryx hold sway and you can discover the mighty Kalahari male lion. The largest conservation area within Africa, it is also one of only 10 Dark Skies sanctuaries in the world.
Explore famous archaeological sites, historic towns, amazing architecture and a selection of nature and game reserves. Visitors can trace the early geological history (from three-billion years ago) which created vast mineral wealth like iron, manganese, diamonds and limestone. Follow in the footsteps of the early explorers and missionaries such as David
Livingstone, Henry Stanley and Richard Moffat. Relive the Anglo-Tswana and Anglo-Boer Wars, explore the Wonderwerk Caves between Kuruman and Danielskuil. Rediscover the Khoisan history in Wildebeest Kuil near Barkly West.
Don’t miss: Kuruman Eye is a natural spring delivering about 20-million litres of clean, clear water daily.
Karoo Oasis Route
The route traverses the towns of Warrenton, Kimberley, Hopetown, Britstown and Victoria West along the N12. It is the perfect stopover for travellers between Johannesburg and Cape Town. Trace the rich mining history of the region before stopping at one of the myriad national game and nature reserves for game drives and world-class birding. Anglo-Boer War enthusiasts can relive the tribulations of war at the McGregor and Magersfontein Museums and at Hopetown. Beautiful arts and crafts are for sale throughout the route and there are opportunities to meet local artists.
Don’t miss: Hanover has South Africa’s largest privately-owned Karoo nature reserve, the Karoo Gariep Nature Reserve. Olive Schreiner, the author of The Story of an African Farm, lived in Hanover and her house is a museum.
Karoo Highlands Route
Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Karoo with its wide-open plains. The area was named by the Khoi and San people, who left their legacy as art on the rocks. Explore many unique experiences such as dinosaur hunting in Richmond, the SKA radio telescopes in Carnarvon, Karoo architecture and corbelled houses, Anglo-Boer War sites, rock art, ancient Palaeo Surfaces, farm stays and great Karoo cuisine and hospitality. This route includes several charming small towns – the heart of the Great Karoo. Nieuwoudtsville is your last stop before crossing the majestic Van Rhyns Pass en route to Cape Town.
Don’t miss: Sutherland is famous for snowy winters, excellent stargazing and dramatic landscapes. It is home to the South African Large Telescope, the largest single optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere.
Publishing director:
Chris Whales
Editor: John Young
Managing director: Clive During
Online editor: Christoff Scholtz
Designer: Tyra Martin
Production: Yonella Ngaba
Ad sales:
Gavin van der Merwe
Sam Oliver
Shiko Diala
Gabriel Venter
Vanessa Wallace
Graeme February
Tahlia Wyngaard
Tennyson Naidoo
Administration & accounts:
Charlene Steynberg
Kathy Wootton
Sharon Angus-Leppan
Distribution and circulation
manager: Edward MacDonald
Printing: FA Print
he 2023/24 edition of Northern Cape Business is the 13th issue of this highly successful publication that has, since its launch in 2009, established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Northern Cape Province.
Officially supported and used by the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Northern Cape Business is unique as a business and investment guide that focuses exclusively on the province. Specific investment opportunities are treated in detail in this journal, with a focus on geographic hotspots that are due to become the focus of sector-focused infrastructure development. Green hydrogen is the subject of a special feature in the early pages of the journal, but the subject comes up again in the Energy Overview. This is a subject that is increasingly going to play a larger role in the regional and national economy. The Northern Cape is almost uniquely qualified to play a lead role in the development of the country’s green hydrogen economy, given its bountiful resources of land, wind and sun. The blending together of an earlier idea to develop a deepwater port at Boegoebaai with the creation of a Special Economic Zone devoted to green hydrogen production is particularly exciting. To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution of the print edition, the full content can also be viewed online at www.globalafricanetwork.com under e-books. Updated information on the Northern Cape is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.gan.co.za, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well our flagship South African Business title. In 2020, the inaugural Journal of African Business joined the Global Africa Network stable of publications. ■
Chris Whales Publisher, Global Africa Network | Email: chris@gan.co.za
Northern Cape Business is distributed internationally on outgoing and incoming trade missions, through trade and investment agencies; to foreign offices in South Africa’s main trading partners around the world; at top national and international events; through the offices of foreign representatives in South Africa; as well as nationally and regionally via chambers of commerce, tourism offices, airport lounges, provincial government departments, municipalities and companies.
Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations
COPYRIGHT | Northern Cape Business is an independent publication published by Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. Full copyright to the publication vests with Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd.
CREDITS |
Grinaker-LTA; The Karsten Group; Kangnas Wind Farm; Kathu Solar Park; Northern Cape Rural TVET College; SARAO; Savage + Dodds Architects; TymeBank.
PUBLISHED BY
Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd
Company Registration No: 2004/004982/07
Directors: Clive During, Chris Whales
Physical address: 28 Main Road, Rondebosch 7700
Postal address: PO Box 292, Newlands 7701
Tel: +27 21 657 6200 | Fax: +27 21 674 6943
Email: info@gan.co.za | Website: www.gan.co.za
ISSN 2074-0654
DISCLAIMER | While the publisher, Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd, has used all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained in Northern Cape Business is accurate and up-to-date, the publishers make no representations as to the accuracy, quality, timeliness, or completeness of the information. Global Africa Network will not accept responsibility for any loss or damage suffered as a result of the use of or any reliance placed on such information.
PHOTO Images supplied by Anglo American; Beefmaster; Big Tree Copper; DEDAT; Department of Water and Sanitation; E-Kalahari;Sol Plaatje University will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in 2023. For the 2023 academic year a total of 28 454 applications were received. This is an increase of just under 9 000 compared to 2022. The university intends increasing the number of students enrolling in Natural and Applied Sciences and Economic and Management Sciences.
The university excels in teacher training, but an expanding curriculum speaks both to being able to exploit the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope link through subjects such as ICT and data science and an appreciation of the past via heritage studies and paleo-sciences. The university’s location in an arid region gives it a locational advantage in studies of agriculture in water-stressed conditions.
Building on the campus, which will eventually cover 190 000m², is expected to continue for another decade. The fine buildings which have been created so far were the result of a series of architectural competitions. Some of the completed buildings went on to win national
and international awards. Expenditure on the university’s infrastructure since 2013 has amounted to R2.2-billion. In 2022, R350-million was spent.
“Infrastructure investment is the backbone of a thriving economy,” says Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul. Provincial priorities are schools, health facilities, roads, housing, energy, water and sanitation. Over the three years to February 2023, R10-billion was spent by the Northern Cape Provincial Government, R4.2-billion of it on social infrastructure. Invest SA, through the National Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), has established a provincial One Stop Shop for investors, lowering the cost of investing and helping to iron out any bureaucratic delays. Another angle for attracting investors to the province is to be part of the drive to improve infrastructure.
One of the most important types of infrastructure in the Northern Cape is Special Economic Zones. Various articles in this journal highlight the special focus of each of the Namakwa Special
Green hydrogen is expected to drive the creation of a deepwater port at Boegoebaai and stimulate investment in the province’s Special Economic Zones.
Economic Zone (with Vedanta Zinc International as the core tenant), the Upington Industrial Park, the Kathu Industrial Park, the De Aar Logistics Hub and the Boegoebaai Port and Green Hydrogen Cluster.
The Northern Cape, as a dry province that relies heavily on agriculture, has adopted a Northern Cape Climate Change Adaptation Response Strategy. This allows for a framework to tackle climate change issues. Floods, droughts and fires are becoming more frequent and more severe; planning can at least mitigate the negative outcomes to some extent.
Other support for agriculture will come in the form of infrastructure at the Upington Industrial Park, which will act as a services centre for road, rail and air transport, agriculture, agro-processing and manufacturing.
Farmers and agro-processors are increasingly drawing attention to the need for good roads for the delivery of their products to market and they will be hoping that these parks will help to provide the necessary infrastructure.
In a similar vein, the Namakwa SEZ in Aggeneys will become an industrial cluster for mining and agriculture services, beneficiation and manufacturing.
The Boegoebaai Port and Green Hydrogen Cluster has the potential to be transformative, especially as it might signal a real and significant step towards the establishment of a green hydrogen market in South Africa, and therefore a step towards a cleaner, greener energy environment.
Bid Window 6 of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) was launched in April 2022, promising to bring a further 2 600MW to the national grid. However, it has been found that the national grid, especially in provinces like the Northern Cape where many projects have already been rolled out, lacks capacity to accommodate new projects. In the short term, this means that provinces like Mpumalanga will receive proportionally more projects while grid constraints are sorted out.
Since the first bid was finalised, a total of 66 756GWh of renewable energy has been procured, much of it in the Northern Cape which has a particularly strong suit in solar power projects.
The single biggest mining investment in South Africa is moving ahead smoothly near Aggeneys where Vedanta Zinc International has been extracting zinc since 2018.
The impact of large mining projects was made clear by Premier Dr Zamani Saul in his 2023 State of the Province Address. He highlighted the social and community efforts being made by Vedanta Zinc International over and above the investments in the two phases of the Vedanta Mine. The mining investment amounts themselves are considerable: phase one, R6-billion (2 700 permanent jobs) and phase two (R7-billion; about 3 500 jobs and many opportunities for SMMES). The company has also contributed to the construction of an oncology treatment centre in Springbok. The centre is designed to strengthen support for cancer patients on the way to referral pathway to the tertiary hospital in Kimberley. New manganese projects are being undertaken in the eastern part of the province with the new mine near Hotazel, Mokala, one of the most prominent. Interest in copper mining (and retreatment) is growing, not least because copper has a role to play in the green economy. Electric vehicles are dependent on copper and it can transmit and help store energy.
The province’s vast iron-ore mines continue to produce huge quantities of material, subject only to the capacity of the rail network run by Transnet to deliver what is produced to the country’s ports. Minerals Council South Africa, the industry’s employer organisation, estimates that the opportunity cost to the minerals sector of bad transport logistics in 2022 was about R50-billion. ■
Hydrogen is a clean fuel that can be made from any number of sources. The prospect of producing hydrogen from clean, renewable sources is exciting scientists, investors and governments all over the world.
Electrolysers split water into oxygen and hydrogen. If the power that is used to run the electrolyser is clean, then the resulting hydrogen is said to be “green hydrogen”.
The Northern Cape has everything that is needed to make green hydrogen in large quantities: great solar and wind resources, lots of land and provincial and national governments eager to harness the energies of the private and public sectors.
The National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Research, Development and Innovation strategy (Hydrogen South Africa) was established in 2008. South Africa currently uses fossil fuels to make two types of hydrogen: “brown” (coal) and “blue” (gasification with carbon capture).
Studies have started to appear about the creation of hydrogen valleys in parts of South
Africa and there has been an understandable focus on areas that produce platinum group metals. Platinum is a vital part of hydrogen fuelcell technology because of its ability to tolerate high temperatures and to act as a catalyst for generating electricity.
However, one of South Africa’s key points of difference in the competition to become a global green hydrogen hub – and there will be lots of competition – is access to renewable energy resources (a Northern Cape strength) and Sasol.
Sasol is a chemicals and energy company with a large global footprint and a history of innovation. One of the key projects that Sasol is putting its weight behind is in the Northern Cape.
The company has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Northern Cape Development Agency (NCEDA) to lead the feasibility study to explore the potential of Boegoebaai as an export hub for green hydrogen and ammonia. The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is involved in funding the study.
One of the province’s biggest investors, Anglo American, is running a project to power its trucks with green hydrogen and rolled out the first massive truck at one of its mines in another province. Its intention is to get its truck fleet running on hydrogen at all mines, including in the Northern Cape.
The Northern Cape Green Hydrogen strategy was announced in 2021 at COP26. A master plan for a green hydrogen Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is being developed, which aims to support 40GW of electrolyser capacity by 2050.
The Boegoebaai project is one of several green hydrogen, ammonia and power-to-X (P2X) potential projects which Sasol is assessing as part of a new strategy. The process of pre-qualification has begun, with consortiums entering bids to develop the port. One such grouping includes logistics operator Newyln Group, who are teaming up with international partners.
As Priscillah Mabelane, Executive Vice President for Energy at Sasol, says, “We believe that Southern Africa is well positioned to play in the global green hydrogen economy due to key structural advantages. In particular, our proprietary FischerTropsch technologies and renewable endowments are some of the best in the world.”
Fischer-Tropsch refers to the technology that creates synthetic oils and fuels from coal, natural gas or biomass through gasification. Sasol has decades of experience in this field.
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) research into green hydrogen shows that from 2030 Japan intends importing about 300 000 tons of hydrogen per year (at a target price of $3 per kilogram), rising to between five-million and 10-million tons of hydrogen per year by 2050.
As the Principal Research Engineer of CSIR, Thomas Roos, states: “CSIR modelling has shown that the combination of South Africa’s excellent solar and
wind resources and the expected cost reductions over time in solar PV, wind and electrolyser equipment allows green ammonia produced in South Africa to be delivered to Japan in 2030, meeting the Japanese cost target.”
Germany will only generate 14% of the green hydrogen it will need to meet its decarbonisation targets. Namibia and South Africa are in its sights. Three German federal ministries are funding projects that involve the CSIR to develop the green hydrogen economy in South Africa.
Local partnerships were to the fore at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the provincial governments of the Northern Cape and the Western Cape in 2022. The aim is to develop a green hydrogen corridor stretching along the west coast.
Four of the nine projects published as part of the Green Hydrogen National Programme (GHNP) are in the Northern Cape: the Prieska Power Reserve, the Ubuntu Green Energy Hydrogen Project, the Upilanga Solar and Green H2 Park and the Boegoebaai Green Hydrogen Development Programme.
The national Just Energy Transition Investment Plan has committed R1.6-billion over five years to pilot Skills Development Zones SDZs in the Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape. ■
Green hydrogen is a game-changer in the global pursuit of decarbonisation and renewable energy adoption.
The global shift towards renewable energy sources and decarbonsation is gaining momentum, and one of the key players in this transition is green hydrogen. Green hydrogen, produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable electricity, has emerged as a promising solution for achieving the goals set by international agreements like the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal. In this thought leadership article, we will delve into the significance of green hydrogen and its potential to revolutionise the energy landscape.
Green hydrogen offers a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based energy sources. While the term “green hydrogen” is often used broadly to describe hydrogen produced from any non-fossil fuelbased source, its strict definition pertains to hydrogen produced through electrolysis using renewable electricity. Essentially, green hydrogen represents renewable electricity stored in chemical form, enabling long-term energy storage and facilitating decarbonisation efforts.
The importance of green hydrogen lies in its ability to support the decarbonisation goals outlined in the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal. While direct renewable electrification is the most efficient and cost-effective decarbonisation approach in many cases, there are scenarios where it is not always feasible. One such scenario involves regions with high energy demand but limited renewable electricity supply, as exemplified by Japan. Japan, facing energy constraints and limited natural resources, plans to transition its economy towards hydrogen-based solutions, including fuel-cell vehicles, fuel-cell-powered homes, and combined-cycle power stations fuelled by green ammonia. South Africa, with its abundant solar and wind resources, can seize the opportunity to export green ammonia to Japan, thus supporting both countries’ decarbonisation efforts.
Green hydrogen also holds immense potential in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors, particularly heavy-duty, long-range transportation and carbonintensive industrial processes. Battery-powered solutions face limitations in terms of range, power density, weight and charging time, making green hydrogen itself a viable option for long-distance trucking. Green hydrogen is used to make sustainable aviation fuel (e-kerosene) for commercial aviation and green ammonia or green methanol as sustainable bunker fuel for maritime shipping. Additionally, carbon-intensive industries like iron and steelmaking, cement production, ammonia manufacturing and plastics production can benefit from green hydrogen and its derivatives, including green ammonia and green methanol, to decarbonise their operations.
Germany, in pursuit of its decarbonisation targets, acknowledges the crucial role of green hydrogen. The National Hydrogen Strategy of the German Government highlights the need for 2.7-million to 3.3-million tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030, with only a fraction of this amount producible domestically. Germany will rely on imports, including from renewable-rich countries like South Africa, to meet its demand. Multiple German Federal Ministries are actively funding projects to develop the green hydrogen economy in South Africa, creating a symbiotic development relationship. The oversubscription of recent funding initiatives demonstrates the growing market appetite for green hydrogen projects.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is well-positioned to support the energy transition and the development of green hydrogen. Leveraging its extensive capabilities, the CSIR plays a crucial role in various projects and collaborations, driving research, implementation and policy development related to green hydrogen.
Green hydrogen is a game-changer in the global pursuit of decarbonisation and renewable energy adoption. With its ability to store renewable electricity in chemical form, green hydrogen offers solutions to address challenges in energy demand, hard-to-abate sectors, and international decarbonisation targets. ■
Invest in green hydrogen and drive the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable world. Together, we can make a difference, one hydrogen molecule at a time.
Email: THroos@csir.co.za
Climate change is presenting new challenges.
website Food For Mzansi that she was working around the clock together with the provincial government to ensure that the province remains food secure. Farmers’ concerns on a range of issues would be addressed.
The MEC has met with farmers and representatives of Eskom to find ways to mitigate the power supply issue. A task team has been established by the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRD), where four sub-committees will report to the minister.
After many years of drought, Northern Cape farmers have been battered by floods.
For livestock farmers whose infrastructure has not been destroyed by overflowing rivers, the rain at least has the effect of reviving the veld to the point where sheep can graze again.
Farmers dependent on irrigation, of whom there are many in the Vaalharts region and along the banks of the Orange River, face the additional uncertainty of the supply of electricity being unreliable as Eskom struggles to keep its power stations functioning optimally. And then the locusts swarmed, a regular occurrence.
The fact that charities have been created with names such as “Save a Farm” and “Save the Sheep” is indicative of tough times. Both provincial and national government have reacted to the severity of the situation
The Northern Cape MEC of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Mase Manopole, told the
In response to the death of several farm workers from what appeared to be heatstroke in January 2023, another national minister, the Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi, joined the MEC on a tour of three farms in the Kakamas area. He warned that food security would be affected if the preservation of the livelihood of farmworkers was not prioritised.
The Provincial Government of the Northern Cape has announced that the Upington Industrial Park will act as a services centre for road, rail and air transport, agriculture, agroprocessing and manufacturing.
In a similar vein, the Namakwa SEZ in Aggeneys will become
Upington Industrial Park will be a services centre for the sector.an industrial cluster for mining and agriculture services, beneficiation and manufacturing.
Farmers and agro-processors are increasingly drawing attention to the need for good roads for the delivery of their products to market and they will be hoping that these parks will help to provide the necessary infrastructure.
Premier Dr Zamani Saul referenced all of these problems in his 2023 State of the Province Address but added sinkholes and severe fires to the list. As he said in his speech, “The effects of climate change have been felt very close to home.”
Dr Saul went on to list dealing with the effects of climate change as one of the priorities of the provincial administration for the 2023/24 period. In attempting to improve food security, the provincial government has pledged to help recipients of farms in terms of the land reform process to increase production and to supply technical and advisory services. Subsistence farmers receive garden starter packs and equipment.
Northern Cape MEC of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Mase Manopole, has vowed to help farmers and farmworkers.
The Unemployed Agriculture Graduate Programme places candidates in a commercial business for a two-year period. The next intake will be in 2023/24 when about 80 graduates will be placed.
Occupying 36-million hectares, the Northern Cape is the largest province in the country, almost a third of South Africa’s total land area. Although the province is a predominantly semi-arid region, agriculture is a major component of the regional economy and the province’s farmers contribute 6.8% to South African agriculture.
The agricultural sector also plays a vital role in the broader economy of the Northern Cape, employing about 45 000 people. This represents about 16% of employment, a much higher figure than the national figure of 5.5%
Agricultural development takes place along defined corridors within the province. In the Orange River Valley, especially at Upington, Kakamas and Keimoes, grapes and fruit are cultivated intensively.
High-value horticultural products such as table grapes, sultanas and wine grapes, dates, nuts, cotton, fodder and cereal crops are grown along the Orange River. Wheat, fruit, groundnuts, maize and cotton are grown in the Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme in the vicinity of Hartswater and Jan Kempdorp. The Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme
is one of the biggest systems of its kind in the world. Ranging over more than 30 000ha, it has transformed a semi-desert zone into a productive area that sustains cotton, wheat, maize, lucerne, citrus, peanuts, fruit, grapes, olives and pecan nuts.
Vegetables and cereal crops are farmed at the confluence of the Vaal River and the Orange River in the vicinity of Douglas.
Of the nearly 40-million 10kg bags of onions produced in South Africa (outside of linked production chains set up by supermarkets), about 10-million 10kg bags come from the Northern Cape.
Wool, mohair, karakul, Karoo lamb, venison, ostrich meat and leather are farmed throughout most of the
province. The province is second only to the Eastern Cape in terms of the number of sheep farmed and it is the fourth-largest woolproducing province based on annual sale of producer lots. The Beefmaster abattoir in Kimberley is one of three abattoirs in South Africa to export frozen beef to China. The company processes and packages about 30 000 tons at the abattoir.
Rooibos has not yet made a big dent in the 200 000 tons of tea consumed by Japan every year, but sales are growing steadily. Introducing a new variety to a country of tea aficionados is easier than tackling a nation of coffee drinkers. A total of 2 000 tons was shipped to Japan from South Africa in 2018.
Rooibos is competing in the “Healthy Tea” segment and a popular restaurant chain’s decision to use the tea as a complement to its pork bone broth has helped to promote the product. Brazil is being explored as a potential market.
About 6 000 tons of tea is exported to more than 30 countries and domestic consumption is about 8 000 tons. The South African Rooibos Council states that more than 5 000 people are employed in the rooibos industry.
Another niche product of the Northern Cape is karakul pelt, which is a speciality of the Gordonia district of Upington. Agricompany KLK is the only organisation that handles these pelts in South Africa. Glove-makers in Milan are among the international clients to whom farmers of the dorper sheep breed sell the wrinkle-free skins of their sheep, at good prices. Horse stud breeding provides yet another exclusive niche. This is a speciality of the area around Colesberg, where the cold evenings and warm days combine to drive out disease and promote strong growth.
KLK is based in Upington and does much more than karakul pelts. The company’s interests include 19 retail outlets, 12 petrol stations,
Agricultural Research Council: www.arc.agric.za
Red Meat Producers Organisation: www.rpo.co.za
South African Pecan Nut Producers Association: www.sappa.za.org
South African Rooibos Council: www.sarooibos.co.za
four Build it franchises and a strong auction division.
KLK runs three abattoirs in Calvinia, Carnarvon and Upington that slaughter lamb and beef carcasses. SA Dorper manages the production and export of dorper skins and the production of cattle hides.
GWK is another company with its headquarters in the Northern Cape, in this case the town of Douglas. Senwes is one of the country’s biggest agri-companies and its Northern Cape area of operation is mostly around the Vaalharts irrigation area, which is close to the headquarters just over the provincial border in North West, at Klerksdorp. Storage and handling of grains and oilseeds are the speciality of Senwes.
OVK controls the large Gariep abattoir at Strydenburg, which has a daily capacity of 1 300 sheep, 100 cattle and either 250 ostriches or 750 small game animals. OVK also has trade branches, vehicle dealerships, a finance division and manufacturing facilities for maize meal and wheat meal.
Kaap Agri, a Western Cape company, has a significant presence in the Northern Cape and Namibia. ■
Infrastructure is under pressure from multiple sources.
The small town of Danielskuil was in the news in October 2022 – for running out of water because it had rained too much.
Huge thunderstorms overwhelmed the town’s systems, already under pressure because of electrical outages and theft. The story, by Keamogetswe Thomas, appeared on the IOL website and had its own interesting backstory: it was produced through the Youth Citizen Journalism Fellowship, an initiative of the Rural Action for Climate Resilience project, which is co-funded by the EU and the Heinrich Boll Foundation.
Places like the normally dry Northern Cape will increasingly be the focus of attention as the earth warms and extreme events become more common. Municipalities in the Northern Cape have consistently struggled to supply good services to citizens. With the declaration of the entire province as a Priority Human Settlements Development Area by the National Department of Human Settlements, this situation could improve.
Progress has been made in terms of fixing leaking and burst water pipes and dealing with major blockages in the sewerage system. Six municipalities have been identified for the eradication of informal settlements. Land has been purchased on the N12 near Kimberley where houses will be built once provision for bulk capacity has been made.
In 2023 it was announced that National Treasury had allocated R1.9-billion to the Sol Plaatje Municipality to improve water and sanitation services. Phase one of the important Vaal-Gamagara Bulk Water Scheme (pictured) has been completed. The scheme supplies water to several towns and mines in the province’s mining corridor.
Two of South Africa’s great rivers meet in the Northern Cape at a point south-west of Kimberley. After absorbing the Vaal River, the Orange River continues westwards to the Atlantic Ocean and provides the basis for agriculture along its path.
North of Kimberley, the confluence of the Vaal and the Harts rivers encompasses one of South Africa’s most intensely irrigated areas. The
National Department of Water and Sanitation: dws.gov.za
South African Association of Water Utilities: www.saawu.org.za Water Research Commission: www.wrc.org.za
Nearly R2-billion has been allocated to fix Kimberley’s water systems.
Vaalharts irrigation system is one of the most productive in the country, covering about 38 000 hectares with a variety of crops. Two of South Africa’s biggest dams, the Gariep and Vanderkloof, also provide water for irrigation and hydro-electric power. Many parts of the province are dry with sections of the north and north-west classified as semi-arid and arid. The southern Kalahari Desert receives rain but the fact that mining is a primary economic activity in the dry regions of the province presents many challenges. The town of Kuruman is an exception in that it has a natural and prolific spring, the Eye of Kuruman.
One of the major private suppliers of water in the province is Sedibeng Water. ■
Extra measures are producing high-quality fruit for select markets.
SECTOR INSIGHT
its second century.
SATI, the grape industry in the Northern Cape employs 1 215 people permanently, with a further 12 415 people finding seasonal work. Harvesting happens from early November to early February.
Almost a third of South Africa’s table grape crop is produced in the fertile region. The South African table grape industry has been investing in hardier varietals which produce a better yield.
The Northern Cape has just 3% of South Africa’s vineyards but 18% of the nation’s white wine grapes are cultivated along the Orange River. Within the region, about 64% of grapes are white seedless and about 21% are red seedless (SATI).
A final table grape crop national estimate for the 2022/23 season estimated that volumes would be significantly down on the previous season.
Although volumes were expected to be as much as 18% down on the 2021/22 figure, the country would still export about 63.6-million 4.5kg equivalent cartons in the 2022/23 shipping season.
The final production figure for the Orange River Region for 2022/23, where the season finished slightly earlier than other areas, was 16.4-million cartons produced, down from the 22.3-million cartons packed the year before.
Exports of South African grapes and wine to China have been on an upward trend for several years but South Africa’s wine exports are still subject to tariffs on entering China, despite both countries being members of BRICS.
Dippenaar Choice Fruit, an Orange River region grape producer which is headquarted in Kakamas, already exports to seven countries in South-East Asia and the Far East, including China and Singapore.
The region as a whole has 5 688ha of vines and the Orange River Producer Alliance represents its farmers. According to the
About a quarter of raisins exported by South Africa go to Germany, and in the 2022/23 season, extra attention was paid to that market in terms of the quality of fruit, with the aim being to produce fruit with few residues.
Industry body Raisins SA is leading efforts to improve farming practices with a view to improved products. Specific areas of focus include improved soil preparation, drying infrastructure and trellis systems and using water more efficiently.
The recent adoption of SAGAP (derived from the Global Good Agricultural Practices) will help to raise and maintain standards with the sector. The
SA-GAP Certification Programme is a set of practices that address environmental, economic and social sustainability for on-farm processes and results in safer and higher quality food and non-food agricultural products.
With certification, small growers and producers are more easily able to have to access to international markets.
One of the Northern Cape’s and the country’s biggest producers is Carpe Diem Raisins which processes and markets about 25% of South Africa’s total raisin production annually. The company farms 400ha of organic grapes for producing raisins and there are plans to develop a further 400ha by the end of 2025.
Most of the raisins produced by the company are these varietals: Thompson Seedless, Golden Sultanas, SA Sultanas and Flame Seedless. About 5% of production is sold into the domestic market with the balance exported to buyers in Europe, the UK, North America, Scandinavia, Australasia, the Middle East and Asia.
Carpe Diem uses an interesting variation on drying techniques, the dried-on-vine method (pictured). Grape clusters and their shoots stay attached to the trellis system despite being cut loose from the vine. This helps to protect the fruit from rain, reduces contaminants and the amount of handling of the fruit.
In the centenary year of the raisin sector in the Orange River region, 2019, a record 74 830 tons was harvested from 13 085ha (Western Cape and Northern Cape combined). Hopes of reaching more than 81 000 tons were dashed in 2020 by too much rain at the wrong time, but the industry
Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform: www.agrinc.gov.za
Raisins South Africa: www.raisinsa.co.za
SA Wine Industry Information & Systems: www.sawis.co.za
South African Table Grape Industry: www.satgi.co.za
is geared for growth. In 2022 the total marketable volume of raisins produced was 67 000 metric tons.
The Northern Cape’s Orange River wine region accounts for 25.6% of South Africa’s Colombard vines and 10% of Chenin blanc. The focus is on Colombard and Hanepoot grapes. Orange River Cellars (ORC) is the region’s biggest producer, sourcing its grapes from 850 grape producers in the area known as the Green Kalahari. ORC has a winery at its head office in Upington and a further four at Keimoes, Groblershoop, Kakamas and Grootdrink.
Orange River Concentrate
Producers (part of the ORC group) produces about 7.5-million litres of white grape juice concentrate, a percentage of which is exported to Japan where the Itochu Corporation uses it in soft drinks and food.
The Douglas Wine Cellar produces about 6 000 cases per year. Together with the Landzicht cellar (just over the border in the Free State), the Douglas Wine Cellars is a GWK company. The Douglas cellar crushes 7 000 tons of grapes every year and produces 5.6-million litres of wine. Hartswater Wine Cellar is a part of the region’s other big agricultural company, Senwes.
Two wine brands (Overvaal and Elements) are produced in the Hartswater irrigation area north of Kimberley. Vinpro represents 2 500 South African wine grape producers, wineries and wine-related businesses. ■
New funds for new growers, a new training academy and improved standards are all on the agenda of this dynamic sector, reports Raisins SA’s Chief Executive Officer, Ferdie Botha.
How many members does Raisins SA represent?
Raisins SA represents approximately 700 growers. The main areas for raisin production are in the Orange River Valley (Northern Cape) and Olifants River Valley (Western Cape). The Northern Cape produces 84% of South African raisins: the climate is hot and dry, with ample water and land to grow the finest raisins globally.
Do farmers specialise, or do they have both table grapes and raisins?
Most farmers are diversified, growing various crops such as raisin, table and wine grapes. Dedicated grape cultivars are used for the production of the aforesaid product categories. Raisin production comprises different product types which include Thompson raisins (dark brown), goldens (bright golden, pictured), OR raisins (light brown to greenish) and currants (small berries, primarily used for baking).
How is the sector improving sustainability?
Ferdie is an experienced agricultural economist with 16 years’ experience in the agri-sector. He joined the driedfruit industry in 2017 to concentrate on his career as an agricultural economist and expand his skills set. He has played an instrumental role in the restructuring of the driedfruit industry. Once this reform was successfully implemented, he was tasked to refocus the national raisin industry association, Raisins SA, setting a new vision and driving strategic priorities.
Sustainability addresses how a sector or industry positions itself in terms of People, Profit and Plant (PPP), hence following a balanced approach in its quest to grow and develop over time.
Raisins SA’s strategy addresses all three spheres of sustainability. Firstly, understanding that its natural resources water and land are key production factors that should be preserved and used efficiently. Research on water quality and soil health are among the industry’s priorities. From a people perspective, industry comprehends the importance of the social wellbeing of its community. Various enterprise, skills and socio-economic development activities are performed by the organisation. Importantly, economic viability is key to having a thriving local economy that can support both job and wealth creation. Strong research and a market-orientated approach is fundamental to ensuring that the South African raisin value chain remains competitive internationally.
What are the areas where quality is being improved?
Quality starts at farm level, where emphasis is placed on best practices to ensure vineyards are healthy and free of pests and diseases. Pruning and harvesting techniques are world class to ensure that optimal production levels are achieved, coupled with quality fruit. In 2017, SA GAP, a certification programme, was introduced to the SA raisin industry. This aims to uplift the drying facilities and to improve traceability, enhance food safety and ensure best practice in terms of hygiene.
Which countries are the biggest markets for SA raisins?
The main export destinations for South African raisins are Europe, the USA and Canada.
Has the Russian invasion of Ukraine affected export volumes?
We have not seen a material, direct effect on our export volumes due to the invasion. The indirect effects of the invasion (inflation, economic crises) have had a more substantial impact at grower level, through rising input costs. Furthermore, the war has created uncertainty globally and has placed consumers under pressure from a purchasing power perspective. Hence, reduced demand as rising fuel prices have impacted disposable incomes.
Yes, 20% of our annual levy income is earmarked for transformation in the industry, as recommended by the National Agriculture Marketing Council. The transformation portfolio mainly focuses on enterprise development, skills development and socio-economic development. Raisins SA has been successful in securing approximately R50-million additional funding for its emerging growers over the next five years from funding partners.
Do you have any special projects?
A new strategic industry-led initiative called the Vine Academy and Model Farm has been developed over the past 24 months. Raisins SA has identified two key challenges, namely: humanresource capabilities for the general labour market and young professionals entering the sector, as well as research and development capabilities.
The Vine Academy will have the first intake of students on 17 July 2023. Accredited courses focusing on vineyard management from NQF level 2-7 will be offered, with various short courses and practical training incorporated into the programme.
There are various trials already in process on the Model Farm, including rootstock trials, research on various drying methods, irrigation trials and cover crops in vineyards.
For more information on the Vine Academy and Model Farm, please contact marketing@vamf.co.za
Copper and zinc are fuelling increased investment.
Orion Minerals has secured an $87-million funding package.
copper demand is clearly also good news for the town of Nababeep. Founded in 1860 by the Okiep Mining Company, Nababeep is in the Namakwa District Municipality just north of Springbok.
Copper is one of the most important elements needed to power the renewable energy transformation and so it’s no surprise that areas mined historically for that mineral are now back in the news.
Batteries need copper, as do systems used to transmit energy from solar or wind sources. Electric vehicles contain an average of 85kg and, according to the CEO of newly-formed Copper 360, Jan Nelson, the world had a stock of copper equal to only three weeks supply at a certain point in February 2023 (Financial Mail, 23 February).
Copper 360 was formed in November 2022 following a reverse takeover of copper producer Big Tree Copper (a producer of copper) and SHiP Copper (a mining company). The company was due to list on the AltX of the JSE at the end of February but at the time of writing, it had not yet listed.
Copper 360 produces 1 200t/y of A-grade copper cathode and has set a target of achieving 7 700t/y inside two years. Three new copper flotation plants are being built at a cost of R280-million.
With 280 new employees over the last two years and plans to recruit a further 1 000 staff members in the next two years, global
An old zinc mine at Prieska that produced a million tons of zinc and 430 000 tons of copper before it closed in 1991 is being revived by Australian miner Orion Minerals. Orion Minerals has secured a funding package of $87-million from subsidiaries of Triple Flag Precious Metals. The funding is conditional on the rest of the plan for the mine’s development also receiving funding and on the approval of South Africa’s regulatory authorities.
Another funder of the early development of the mine is the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), one of the country’s largest institutional investors. The IDC has identified key opportunities for the national economy on the path to zinc industrialisation:
• fertiliser phospates: sulphuric acid as a byproduct can enable the establishment of a sulphuric acid plant in the Northern Cape in support of agriculture in the lower Orange River
We are located at the Kimberley Diamond Jewellery Centre in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. We have entrenched ourselves as the only incubator in the Precious Stones exchange, shared infrastructure and technology support services to the unemployed,
have work experience or informal sector businesses.
To be the premium incubator in the diamond and precious metal
• Provide an enabling environment that gives access to technology and business development;
• Assist entrepreneurs and sustainable.
Our Values
• Integrity;
• Innova
• Transparency;
• Reliability;
• Customer centric.
• zinc-coated steel: availability of zinc concentrate provides opportunities for South African steel plants
• battery storage: zinc is cheaper than lithium when deployed in battery technology. The New Industries unit of the IDC has developed a strategy for zinc-bromide redox flow batteries.
• copper smelter plant: potential for copper smelter plant in the Namakwa Special Economic Zone (NAMSEZ), which would further stimulate exploration and mining.
The National Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, in collaboration with the Northern Cape Provincial Government, hosted the Northern Cape Mining and Minerals Investment Conference in March 2022 in Kimberley. The department’s stated goal is that all South Africans should derive sustainable benefit from the country’s resources. The province’s considerable mineral wealth was outlined to potential investors and plans for infrastructure development (such as industrial parks and Special Economic Zones) were highlighted.
The Kathu Industrial Park is particularly well placed to support the mining sector as it is close to the Postmasburg-Hotazel iron-ore/manganese belt (or Gamagara Mining Corridor) and is easily accessible from the N14 highway.
The Namakwa SEZ in Aggeneys is being envisioned as an industrial cluster for mining and agriculture services, beneficiation and manufacturing.
The biggest new mine in the country is a zinc mine at Aggeneys, the Gamsberg project of Vedanta Zinc International, which will deliver 600 000 tons of zinc when phase three is complete. The provincial government is using the mine’s location (and possible future smelter) as the basis for a new Namakwa Special
Economic Zone. The SEZ forms part of a larger “multi-nodal” corridor envisaged for the province.
Afrimat continues to expand its commodities portfolio with the purchase for R300-million of Coza Mining, an iron-ore mining company in the Northern Cape.
The Afrimat transaction includes the share previously held by ArcelorMittal SA, which will receive iron ore from Coza in terms of a supply agreement. Coza’s three mines, Doornpan, Driehoek and Jenkins, are close to Afrimat’s exisiting Demineng Mine, which is south-west of Kuruman.
The Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s “Economic and Investment Profile” reports that the province is responsible for:
• 95% of South Africa’s diamond output
• 97.6% of alluvial diamond mining
• 13.4% of world lead exports. Aggeneys, in the Namaqualand district, is responsible for approximately 93% of South Africa’s lead production
• 80% of the world’s manganese resource
• 25% of the manganese used in the world
• 100% of South Africa’s tiger’s eye
• Largest national production of sugilite (a semiprecious stone).
Away from the underground kimberlite pipes and fissures, river and coastal deposits of diamonds are also present in the Northern Cape. Diamonds have been recovered along the Orange, Buffels, Spoeg, Horees, Groen, Doom and Swart rivers in the province, while coastal deposits have been found from the mouth of the Orange River to Lamberts Bay. ■
Minerals Council South Africa: www.mineralscouncil.org.za
National Department of Mineral Resources and Energy: dmre.gov.za
Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism: www.northern-cape.gov.za/dedat
PCZM plans to open the old Prieska Copper Mine, active between 1971 and 1991, in order to exploit the previously unmined open-pit, old pillars and deep sulphide mineral resource at depth.
The focus of the project is on:
• Exploration and development to mine copper and zinc
• By-products include gold, silver, pyrite and barite
In order to adapt to the current local and global economic challenges, PCZM instituted a number of financial and technical studies to consider the viability of various scenarios for accelerating early cashflow. This resulted in the current plan to start the operation on a smaller scale and ramp-up to the final development scenario. Work has begun and the project remains positive.
Work with the local mine community and proactive up-skilling programmes continue, working towards local provision of many of the required skills.
The project focuses on the following sectors: mining and renewable energy.
As of end July 2022, R623-million had been spent on the project. The R4.1-billion announced to construct the mine will be in addition to this amount.
Initially around 100 jobs are anticipated to be created, scaling up to more than 1 500 employees and contractors during construction, with a steady-state employment estimate of 840. This excludes new jobs created for service provision to the mine and its employees.
Public-private-partnership (PPP); equity investors and offtake related / prepayment funding; BBBEEE-equity partners and investors; service providers.
The mine concluded a positive Bankable Feasibility Study in May 2020 and is currently in the late financing stage and early construction stage in anticipation of receiving the remainder of the requis ite funding.
• Project feasibility and business case complete
• Government approval and procurement stage
• Financial close and start of construction
• Trial mining and dewatering of the mine has commenced
The PCZM Project falls under the auspices of Orion Minerals Limited which is dual listed on both the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), allowing for equity participation by South Africans. In addition to the BBEEE partnerships, the project has also procured funding from the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Ltd (IDC) as well as from TFR&S Canada Ltd and Triple Flag Ltd (together, Triple Flag).
Orion CEO: Errol Smart
Orion CFO: Peet van Coller
Email: info@orionminerals.com.au
Website: www.orionminerals.com.au
Reasons for investing in the Northern Cape Orion consciously chose to invest in the Northern Cape because of the potential of the province with abundant natural resources and its reliable infrastructural advantages. The Northern Cape offers knowledgeable and experienced service providers. The central location of the project within South Africa with access to all the main ports and transport-distribution hubs is advantageous. ■
Green hydrogen is the next big thing.
Green hydrogen is the next big thing. The topic is dealt with in detail in a special feature elsewhere in this journal, but the implications to the energy landscape for South Africa and the Northern Cape in particular cannot be overstated – this could be a genuine game-changer.
Efforts are underway to create a Western SADC Green Hydrogen Corridor, encompassing Namibia and the three Cape provinces of South Africa, Northern, Western and Eastern. In 2022 a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the Northern Cape Provincial Government and the Western Cape Provincial Government to firm up these commitments; more are expected to follow.
The province has a Green Hydrogen Strategy, which was launched at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021 and a national programme, the Green Hydrogen National Programme (GHNP), has been gazetted. A series of projects located across the country are expected to attract investments of close to R600-billion. Of the nine projects identified by GHNP, four are located in the Northern Cape:
• Prieska Power Reserve
• Ubuntu Green Energy Hydrogen Project
• Upilanga Solar and Green H2 Park
• Boegoebaai Green Hydrogen Development Programme.
All of these projects have been registered with Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), the body within the national presidency which is keeping track
of and promoting infrastructure development in the country. Another project in the Northern Cape, the Enertrag Postmasburg Project (ammonia), is in the ISA pipeline, awaiting approval.
While green hydrogen is generating a lot of excitement and plans are being put in place, the country’s pursuit of solar and wind power is continuing.
Expanding the grid’s capacity in the Northern Cape must be a national priority. In the round announced in 2021, the Northern
Cape was allocated 450MW in approved bids. In less than a decade, an entirely new sector has been created through legislation that invited local and foreign investors to bid for and then build renewable energy generation plants. South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) requires 20 000MW of renewable energy by 2030.
However, the latest bid window (Round 6) for the most recent round of the national Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) in December 2022 came up against the fact that the country’s transmission grid can only cope with so much new capacity. As a result, only 860MW of solar capacity was awarded to projects in the North West and Free State provinces.
The first project to reach commercial operations from an earlier bid window, Round 4, was the Kangnas Wind Farm (pictured), a 140MW project near Springbok. Somewhat delayed by the Covid-19 lockdown, the project ultimately provided 550 jobs when construction work peaked and reached a local content level of 45%. This included the mega-transformer and the windturbine towers.
In a similar way in which each of the province’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial parks is being aligned with renewable energy in some way (either generation or manufacturing), the Boegoebaai Port and Rail Development project has now been expanded to include the adjacent Hydrogen SEZ. The Boegoebaai Port and Green Hydrogen Cluster is regarded as a key priority programme, coordinated by the Northern Cape Economic Development Agency (NCEDA) and ISA.
Four of the 11 Renewable Energy Development Zones (REDZs) planned for South Africa are located in the Northern Cape. REDZs will encourage localisation through the development of manufacturing hubs that can make components for the sector. The Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being phased in across the Northern Cape will complement this trend. REDZs are being developed in support of the implementation of the national Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2019). One of the Strategic Transmission Corridors identified at national level, the Northern Corridor, begins at Springbok in the west and runs through Upington and Vryburg on the way to Johannesburg in Gauteng. Each of those towns will be the focus of an REDZ, with the other REDZ in the province located in the provincial capital of Kimberley.
Small businesses are getting help from the provincial government to enable them to participate in the renewable energy economy.
IPP projects: www.ipp-projects.co.za
South African Photovoltaic Industry Association: www.sapvia.co.za
South African Renewable Energy Council: www.sarec.org.za
South African Wind Energy Association: www.sawea.org.za
A renewable energy strategy focussing on rooftop solar PV installation has seen more than 50 SMMEs receive PV Green Card training and, with the launch of the Northern Cape Solar Energy Business Incubator (NOCSOBI), training will be available to smallbusiness owners to learn how they can make their businesses compliant so that they can bid for power-purchase agreements and get loans from banks to buy solar systems.
Approximately 60% of the projects so far allocated have been in the nation’s sunniest province. Projects such as Kathu Solar Park, a concentrated solar power project, and the Roggeveld Wind Farm are indicative of the large scale of most of the energy generation that is being rolled out.
The Northern Cape is the natural home for the generation of solar power. Long-term annual direct normal irradiance (DNI) at Upington is 2 816kWh/m2, according to a survey done for Stellenbosch University by Slovakian company GeoModal Solar. To assist investors, a One Stop Shop has been launched in the Northern Cape.
Invest SA, through the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), will provide investing companies with advice and services to fast-track projects and reduce red tape. ■
Harvesting biomass for charcoal and energy.
Quiver Green Group (Pty) Ltd is classified as an ecosystem-based adaptation business. As a bio-economy sector enterprise it operates throughout the various value chains of the green economy in South Africa, with a primary focus on the Northern Cape.
The business focuses on harvesting biomass for firewood, woodchips, charcoal production and for the establishment of a bioenergy generation plant.
Plants are to be located in the towns of Barkly West (Frances Baard District Municipality), Prieska and Carnarvon, both of which fall under the Pixley ka Seme District Municipality. Quiver Biomass Industries as a project is active in both downstream and upstream economic opportunities of the biomass value chain utilising and beneficiating biomass sourced from clearing invasive alien plant species and bush-thinning of woody species. The benefits from this biomass beneficiation project are significant as they contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation and result in various other benefits such as: economic benefits in the bioeconomy; environmental benefits which speak to biodiversity and ecological benefits; and social impact benefits that are aligned to driving a Just Energy Transition.
Quiver Biomass Industries will produce value-added products for the following domestic and international markets:
• Energy market: pellets and woodchips
• Pyrolisis market: charcoal and activated-carbon products
• Agricultural input market: soil additives and animal feeds
• Carbon/compost market: biochar and sequestration products
• Restoration market: landscape clearing and restoration products
• Timber/fibre market: eco-furniture and innovative green building materials
• Niche markets: biofuels and chemicals
Quiver Green Group (Pty) Ltd is currently looking for future export markets to sell 10 000 tons of environmentally-friendly charcoal per annum, as well as export markets for its woodchips.
Targeted sectors
Primary: green economy and bioeconomy
Secondary: cross-cutting sectors through value addition in manufacturing, trade and energy sectors
Investment value
Phase 1: R50-million
Phase 2: R100-million
Job creation
Minimum of 16 rural micro-enterprises and 256 to 500 direct and indirect jobs within five years from establishment.
Project financed by Public-private-partnership (PPP); equity partners and investors; commercial companies; industrial companies. Advisors still required.
Project status
• Project feasibility and business case complete
• Government approval and procurement stage
Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform.
Project contacts
Department of Economic Development and Tourism
Director: Trade and Investment: R Warie
Tel: 079 877 2828
Quiver Green Group (Pty) Ltd
Managing Director: P du Toit
Tel: 078 600 5156
Email: polycarpd@gmail.com
De AarRenewable energy will power an ammonia plant.
The project, located within the industrial area of Prieska, was initiated by the Central Energy Corporation (CENEC) during 2018 and developed in partnership with Mahlako A Phahla Investments (Pty) Ltd and the Industrial Development Corporation.
The Prieska Power Reserve Project has been gazetted under Infrastructure South Africa as a Strategic Integrated Project (SIP).
The first phase of the project involves producing more than 77 000 tons of green ammonia per year, with a green hydrogen content of approximately 13 800 tons per year from 2026.
The project makes use of renewable energy sources, including 180MWp solar, fixed-tilt and single-axis tracking, 130MWp of wind and 110MWh of battery storage.
Construction of the ammonia-production facility will begin in 2023 and will include a 140MW electrolyser and 300mtpd Ammonia Synthesiser, which will be operational in 2026.
The project intends to incorporate next-generation technology that is more affordable and more efficient, hence unlocking additional economies of scale that will make the selling price competitive when compared to grey ammonia/hydrogen.
Targeted sectors
The project focuses on the following sectors: renewable energy; hydrogen fuel and ammonia fertiliser.
Investment value
Total value: R 10.7-billion
Job creation
Permanent employees: 300 post construction, supported by 25 young professionals and 75 artisans
Project financed by Equity partners and investors; BBBEE equity partners and investors.
The Prieska Power Reserve Project is a Strategic Integrated Project (SIP). The project is far advanced under Feasibility Study with the main focus areas being:
• Legal and spatial: land and environmental rights and permits
• Statutory: SPV, structure and governance
• Technical feasibility: detailed technical design and capital expenditure costing
• Bankable financial model and structuring and arranging of debt and equity funding
• Marketing: off-take agreements
Private developers and project owners: Central Energy Corporation and Mahlako A Phahla Investments (Pty) Ltd
Development finance institutions: IDC
Local government (land owner): Siyathemba Local Municipality
Main project contacts
Prieska Power Reserve, CENEC
Director: Cobus Vermeulen
Tel: 082 444 2219
Email: cobus@cenec.com
De AarDark skies make for great stargazing.
The Northern Cape has long been known as the best location for astronomy. The town of Sutherland is the site of several huge optical telescopes that attract scientists and tourists every year.
Even though the massive radio astronomy project under construction around Carnarvon, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), does not need dark skies, the huge number of dishes spread across the countryside will probably start attracting its own quota of tourists. Rather than darkness, the SKA needs minimal radio interference and actually operates in daytime.
The best kind of star-gazing can be enjoyed without any telescopes at all in the Northern Cape, so spectacular are the nightly displays in the wide-open outdoors. The view is wonderful, whether one is setting up a simple campsite or visiting the intriguing address of the !Kaus Lodge, 91st Dune, off the Auob River Road, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (pictured).
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (with Botswana) encompasses 3.7-million hectares, making it one of the biggest conservation areas in the world.
There are six national parks in the province, each with distinct geographical and biological features. Most of the province lies in the Nama-Karoo Biome and the annual display of spring flowers is spectacular. The Kalahari in the north-east is home to many of the province’s biggest mines, but also to great numbers of raptors, vultures and owls.
The Diamond Fields region contains the spectacular Big Hole, the Mokala National Park and portions of the famed South African War or Battlefields Route. The Magersfontein War Memorial is an iconic attraction.
Visitors are spoilt for accommodation choices on the N12 entrance to Kimberley.
The Karoo region encompasses the south-eastern portion of the province. While most of the region is dry, the Vanderkloof Dam is a major tourism asset.
The Namakwa region is famous for its flowers, but it also hosts the South African Astronomical Observatory, several historic mission settlements, the Namaqua National Park and the awe-inspiring Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.
The Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Springbok and Calvinia are the two major towns in this huge district, which is also the only Northern Cape region with a coastline and soon to be the home of a new harbour.
Tourists approaching Kimberely from the south on the N12 highway (Memorial Road) are spoilt for accommodation choices. The Horseshoe Inn, with 63 rooms and two flats, is conveniently situated in terms of tourist amenities and the city centre. The Inn is wellknown as a wedding and conference facility and it is home to the Crazy Horse Steak Ranch.
At the intersection with Landbou (the R31) is the Kalahari Lodge, with 30 rooms and further along the road is the Airport Hotel (52 rooms).
The Flamingo Casino in Kimberley is run by Sun International and offers gaming tables, slot machines and conference facilities. The Protea Hotel by Marriott Kimberley has 117 rooms and three suites and is located next to the Big Hole. Also near the capital city’s biggest attraction is the historic Kimberley Club Boutique Hotel. Tsogo Sun has two properties in Kimberley: a 135-room Garden Court and a 64room budget hotel, SUN1.
Northern Cape Tourism Authority: www.northerncape.org.za
Richtersveld: www.richtersveld-conservancy.org
South African National Parks: www.sanparks.co.za
World Wide Fund for Nature: www.wwf.org.za
With eight properties in the Northern Cape covering a range of accommodation options from camping to hotels, the investment strategy of Country Hotels has reached maturity. The group also has hotels in the northern Western Cape, catering to the same market of flower-lovers and tourists in search of the beauty of arid landscapes.
The riverside town of Upington has a large number of guesthouses and bed-andbreakfast establishments, together with a 90-room Protea Hotel by Marriott. ■
Country elegance, lush gardens and friendly personal service are hallmarks of the Horseshoe Inn.
• Winner of the best conference and wedding centre in the Northern Cape for four consecutive years.
• Close to The Big Hole and the Hoffe Park Stadium.
• Safe undercover parking and airport transfers.
We are famous for our top-notch pub lunches at the Crazy Horse Restaurant and the ladies’ bar. Guests can enjoy the pool, relax over cocktails or experience a typical Northern Cape BBQ at the Lapa.
Each of our 63 rooms and two spacious flats, which can accommodate 168 guests, was designed with maximum comfort in mind. Air-conditioning, en-suite bathroom with shower, flat-screen TVs with DStv and tea/coffee-making facilities are standard room features.
We have catered for brides from Namibia all the way to Cape Town. We are affiliated with the best wedding planners and our executive chef always delivers quality. We offer a wide range of services for every occasion from weddings to baby showers. We are the premier, all-inclusive conference, product launch and function centre in the province. Facilities are fully air-conditioned and equipped with TV monitors, video and overhead projectors, screens and flip charts. Our largest conference facility can accommodate 600 delegates cinemastyle and 350 people classroom-style. With more than 20382 functions/conferences behind us, who can do it better?
The country’s first CSP power plant presents engineering challenges.
Acomplicated renewable energy construction contract near Postmasburg awarded to Grinkaker-LTA’s Civil Engineering division has given that company a foothold in the burgeoning new market.
The Redstone Concentrated Solar Thermal (CSP) power plant project (pictured), the largest investment so far in terms of the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), has Saudi Arabian and Chinese lead investors. It was ACWA Power and SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction Limited which chose Grinaker-LTA for the work, which includes constructing several structures for the thermal power plant for steam generation and pumps for molten salt. Tanks for hot and cold salt, water treatment, effluent collection and fire protection are further elements to the scope of work.
The concentrated solar thermal power plant is equipped with a molten-salt central receiver and the 100MW Redstone CSP plant is designed to have 12 hours of full-load energy storage. It will deliver electricity supply to more than 200 000 homes during peak demand periods. Commercial operation is set to
begin towards the end of 2023.
Local artisans have built telescopes for a radio telescope array project in the Northern Cape. Drawn from the town of Carnarvon, the construction team grew to 20 at one point and has increased the skill levels of its members considerably.
The 350-dish HERA project is led by the US National Science Foundation with the South Africa Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) acting as the local partner, responsible for systems engineering and construction, among other duties. The Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA) is gathering data from a time in history further away from the present time than has ever been explored. The project should be complete in 2022 but data continues to be collected while construction continues. The HERA is a separate project to the much bigger Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which is under construction nearby.
The construction timeline of the technically demanding and scientifically advanced SKA project is eight years, giving ample opportunity for specialist engineers to deploy their skills.
International teams, including
MRO planned for Upington Airport.
An investor has identified a need to develop an MRO in South Africa and the viable location for it is Upington due to its arid climate, long airport runaway (5km) and other factors. MRO stands for maintenance, repair and overhauling. The establishment of an Industrial Park in Upington is also a critical factor which could lead to the success of this project as it offers lucrative incentives and other enabling factors.
The investor intends to develop an aviation park to accommodate maintenance, repairs and overhaul of aircraft and research and development. These activities will also include airline storage, dismantling, scrapping, painting and internal refurbishment.
Targeted sector
Aeronautics
Investment value
The total value that is requiredd for the project is R800-million.
Job creation
A total of 400 jobs will be created by this project.
Project financed by
The project will be financed by the private sector with the government providing enabling infrastructure.
Project status
The business case and feasibility studies have been completed.
Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (NCEDA) is the project leader. Partnerships are envisaged with the private sector, provincial government, local government and state-owned enterprises.
Upington Industrial Park, NCEDA
Contact person: Mr Hendrik Louw
Tel: +27 87 086 0365
Mobile: +27 60 997 7222
Email: houw416@gmail.com
South African engineers and scientists, have worked on the design phase of the latest in radio astronomy for many years, the result of which will see 197 dishes erected in South Africa (mostly around Carnarvon) and 131 072 antennas put up in Australia. South Africa has already erected 64 dishes, which make up the MeerKAT device.
In South Africa, the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), a facility of the National Research Foundation, manages all radio astronomy initiatives and facilities in the country, including the MeerKAT in the Karoo.
The SKA will be the world’s largest radio telescope. In 2021, the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) officially came into operation. The SKAO, with a head office in London, is tasked with delivering and operating the SKA.
Local communities are getting exposure to engineering as a result of the SKA project. The SARAO started offering artisan bursaries in 2011. More recently, the Klerefontein Training Centre was opened in Carnarvon, giving local high school pupils access to an accredited electrical engineering apprenticeship programme.
The training programme will provide the MeerKAT and SKA radio telescopes with qualified artisans for their operations and maintenance.
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and SKA are placing the recipients of bursaries in the data science programmes of Sol Plaatje University (SPU) and other students of astronomy are enrolled at Rhodes University.
The South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) has launched a branch in Kimberley. The SAIEE Northern Cape Centre will attend to the needs of members and hold events of interest related to electrical or electronic engineering. SAIEE has 6 500 members around the country and is registered as a nonprofit voluntary association with ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa).
Part of a project to remodel the Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works (DRPW) aims to ensure that it has adequate in-house technical and engineering knowledge in infrastructure planning, design and project implementation
Consulting Engineers South Africa: www.cesa.co.za
South African Institute of Electrical Engineers: www.saiee.org.za
South African Radio Astronomy Observatory: www.sarao.ac.za
Southern African Institution of Civil Engineering: www.civils.org.za Technology Localisation Implementation Unit: www.tliu.co.za
to enable it to complete important work.
The DRPW is making 3D printing technology available to engineers and designers to allow them to create prototypes at lower cost. A feasibility study is underway on the establishment of a Northern Cape state-owned construction company. The Coega Development Corporation is undertaking the study. Among the goals for such a company are the training of young people as artisans, building houses, roads and other infrastructure and incubation of small businesses.
The Northern Cape Innovation Forum (NCIF) has been established to bring together all sectors of society in taking advantage of innovation and technology in the province.
The NCIF falls under SPU, in partnership with the National Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Localisation Implementation Unit of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Most of the new structures for the Sol Plaatje University were subject to architectural design competitions.
From a total of 59 entries, nine architectural firms were selected to enter the second round of the competition with five firms chosen as winners to complete different aspects of the project. The Sol Plaatje University Library and Student Resource Centre earned Aurecon an award at the 2018 CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards. ■
Small businesses are getting a head start in renewable energy.
Although the arrival of wind turbines and solar farms has been good for the Northern Cape economy, more can be done to involve local residents in the business side of the renewable energy economy. There is a feeling that fractional community ownership and charitable trusts are not enough in themselves.
To that end, the Northern Cape will be one of three provinces in which Skills Development Zones (SDZs) will be sited over the next five years, as part of the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan. National government has committed R1.6-billion to this project.
As part of the Northern Cape’s renewable energy strategy, SMMEs will be supported to become installers of rooftop solar PV panels. The support will enable small businesses to get loans and enter powerpurchase agreements. As of March 2023, more than 50 SMMEs had received PV green-card training.
In addition, 2023 will see the launch of the Northern Cape Solar Business Incubator (NOCSOBI). A provincial Contractor Development programme is working to help small contractors become competitive. The aim is to install 50 small contractors on an incubation programme where business skills will be taught.
A fund has been launched to provide concessionary funding to local entrepreneurs. The R75-million Northern Cape Blended SMME Fund is a joint initiative of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDaT) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and is part of a broader enterprise development programme. DEDaT is also partnering with the National Department of Telecommunications and Digital Technologies, the National Electronic Media Institute South Africa and the Vaal University of Technology to train unemployed young people in cellphone repairs.
The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) will spend about R4-billion on road maintenance and improvements in the province over three years. A sum of R50-million has been set aside for entry-level road maintenance subcontractors and of the R500-million to be spent on routine maintenance, something between 40% and 60% will go to SMMEs. Operation Vala Zonke, the province’s pothole-
Northern Cape Solar Business Incubator: www.nocsobi.org.za
Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism: www.northern-cape.gov.za/dedat
Northern Cape Economic Development Agency: www.nceda.co.za
repair initiative, created more than 120 jobs in the course of 2022. The province’s biggest new mine, the Vedanta Zinc International mine at Aggeneys, spends extensively on corporate social responsibility.
SMMEs will be catered for in the planned Kathu Industrial Park which is being supported by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and companies in the mining sector. The park’s infrastructure will enable smaller companies to be in a position to tender for supply contracts to mines.
The Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) is a partner in the Kimberley incubation hub related to the Kimberley International Diamond and Jewellery Academy. The Kimberley Diamond and Jewellery Incubator (KIDJA) helps establish SMMEs, supports existing business and trains students. ■
With Sol Plaatje University celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2023, the chances of indigenous young people being able to study on its campus have been boosted by large donations from two Anglo American subsidiaries.
Kumba Iron Ore and De Beers Group are among the biggest mining companies active in the Northern Cape. Their donations of R20-million and R5-million towards the university’s Lesedi La Afrika Fund will support scholarships and social impact projects. The fund has set a target of R100-million over the next three years.
Qondakele Sompondo, Director for Institutional Advancement at SPU, said the funding would make a significant impact on the lives of the youth of the Northern Cape.
“The plight of the youth in indigenous communities (Nama, San, Khoi and Griqua) and in the Northern Cape is something that needs our urgent attention. Through the fund, we want to do something bigger than normal. We will award scholarships to augment what NSFAS is doing by funding the poorest of the poor,” he said.
Speaking at a gala dinner hosted by SPU as part of its 10-year celebrations, Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Andrew Crouch (pictured) reflected on the progress the university has made.
“Sol Plaatje University started humble and built up to where it is today because of people wanting to bring change in the province and ultimately the country through the power of teaching and learning and producing graduates,” he said.
SPU has seen major growth in its enrolment figures and staff recruitment in recent years, with 60% of its academic staff having PhDs. As part of its sustainable growth, the institution is committed to community engagement and scholarly activity. “The University should be embedded in the community and society and contribute towards producing knowledgeable graduates who plough back to their communities,” said Prof Crouch.
For the 2023 academic year a total of 28 454 applications (undergraduate and postgraduate) were received by SPU. This is an increase of just under 9 000 against the applications received for 2022.
Another milestone was reached in the university’s young history when the Risk and Vulnerability Science Centre (RVSC) celebrated its first birthday, on 9 September 2022. The RVSC is not only SPU’s first research centre, it is also an important national resource, tasked with vital challenges that include understanding a changing planet, reducing the human footprint, adapting the way we live and innovating for sustainability.
With the Northern Cape being one of the most waterscarce territories in a waterscarce country, the unit’s location is highly relevant. RVSC is a programme of the Department of Science and Innovation under the Global Change Research Plan for South Africa – funded through the National Research Foundation’s Global Change programme.
In 2022, a total of 11 897 students enrolled to study at the province’s multi-campus Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
The Northern Cape Urban TVET College comprises three campuses in Kimberley: City Campus, Moremogolo Campus and Phatsimang Campus where
teacher training is done. At City Campus, students have access to three departments: business studies, engineering studies and a business unit that organises short courses in partnership with various public and private partners.
The Northern Cape Rural TVET College has campuses at Kathu, Upington, De Aar, Kuruman and Namaqualand.
The Namaqualand Rural TVET College has been accredited as a Trade Test Centre for engineering trades. This will provide an opportunity for apprentices to be certified as artisans.
These colleges offer students courses in finance, economics and accounting; engineering; IT and computer science; management; hospitality; marketing; and tourism. NCR TVET College has a variety of part-time programmes and short skills programmes delivered in the form of learnerships, internships or apprenticeships. This enables adults and employed people to study after hours or to do enrichment courses.
In 2022, collaborative efforts across the province lead to a total of 11 852 unemployed youth benefitting from skills development programmes such as internships, learnerships, apprenticeship, artisanship, work-integrated learning and skills programmes (State of Province Address, March 2023).
The Provincial Government of the Northern Cape runs several skills programmes, including the Artisan Construction Programme, a three-year incubation programme aimed at young people, the Phakamile Mabija Apprenticeship (artisan incubation programme) and the S’hamba Sonke Contractor Development Programme.
In terms of the Expanded Publics Works Programme, 65 570
National Department of Science and Innovation: dsi.gov.za
Northern Cape Department of Education: www.ncdoe.ncpg.gov.za
Sol Plaatje University: www.spu.ac.za
Square Kilometre Array: www.ska.ac.za
work opportunities were created in 2022 and in 2023 a total of 7 000 Education Assistants and General School Assistants will be appointed in Phase IV of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative. This began as a project related to coping with the stresses of the Covid-19 pandemic but has been retained to boost employment and support schools.
In addition, agricultural graduates are placed in commercial enterprises for two years through the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme (CASP).
The University of the Free State is running the ETDP SETA New Venture Creation Skills Programme and another programme, the UIF Skills Programme, offers training in civil construction, plant production, assistant-chef, animal production and arc-welding.
Artisan training has benefitted from the presence of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project in Carnarvon. The new technical training centre has trained students as electricians, fitters and turners, in instrumentation, diesel mechanics, in IT and boiler-making, as well as in carpentry, plumbing, bricklaying and welding. With support from SKA, Carnarvon High School is the only school in the area offering maths and science. ■
NORTHERN CAPE’S PATH TO PROGRESS THROUGH HIGHINTELLECTUAL PROGRAMMES TODAY AND TOMORROW
Sol Plaatje University is the first and only university in the Northern Cape.
As the region’s sole public Higher Education Institution, Sol Plaatje University (SPU) is committed to providing quality education and professional development opportunities that cater to the unique needs, competence, and characteristics of its community.
Positioning itself as a niche university, SPU offers academic programmes of high intellectual nature in fields that align with the South African thrust to develop a nation that is proud of its heritage and roots. To this end, the university has honed its focus on areas such as teacher education, ICT and data science, heritage studies, paleo-sciences, and creative writing in African languages.
SPU is driven by its vision to be critically engaged in learning, research, and development while enhancing democratic practice and social justice in society. In pursuit of this vision,
SPU seeks to produce outstanding, internationally accredited graduates who are innovative, analytical, and articulate. These graduates are expected to harbour a life-long love of learning that will contribute to the advancement of international scholarship, the Northern Cape, and Southern Africa as a whole.
With consistent growth in student numbers and an expanding range of programmes, SPU has become a vital mechanism for uplifting the Northern Cape region and its residents. By offering academic programmes that meet the diverse needs of the local community, SPU fosters a sense of pride in the region’s heritage and roots while empowering students to become agents of change in their communities and beyond.
For more information visit www.spu.ac.za
Recognising the need for a credible and accredited training and development partner in the Northern Cape, SPU established the Centre for Continued Professional Development (CCPD). The CCPD aims to become the training and development partner of choice for both public and private sector employers in the region, co-creating courses and programmes tailored to their needs. In line with this vision, we are excited to introduce cutting-edge courses through the CCPD.
The Centre provides short learning programmes taught by qualified academics, allowing you to benefit from our teaching and research excellence. Stay updated on the latest industry developments to enhance your expertise and employability.
These courses are designed as ongoing educational training and support for
working professionals, students and the general public.
All courses offered by the CCPD are subject to a rigorous internal quality assurance process at SPU and are fully certified by SPU.
For more information visit https://www.spu.ac.za/index.php/ccpd-homepage/
All CCPD courses cater for a range of critical workplace skills and can be customised and offered on an in-house basis to employers, taking into account their operational imperatives.
Our approach to continuous professional development is to help
individuals become more confident, more reflective, more innovative and more engaged as a means to advance their careers, their organisations and the outcomes of the populations served through a future-oriented lens.
BASIC FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
COMPUTER NETWORKS AND IT SUPPORT
DATA MANAGEMENT AND ANALYTICS
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
E-GOVERNMENT
FINANCE FOR NON-FINANCIAL MANAGERS
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FOR SSME’S
FUNDAMENTALS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT
INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE MANAGEMENT
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT ESSENTIALS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT WITH AGILE DEVELOPMENT TECHNOLOGIES
SOUTH AFRICAN SIGN LANGUAGE CONVERSATIONAL: BEGINNERS
SOUTH AFRICAN SIGN LANGUAGE CONVERSATIONAL: INTERMEDIATE
SOUTH AFRICAN SIGN LANGUAGE CONVERSATIONAL: ADVANCED
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING:
MARKETING FOR SSME’S
SPORTS MANAGEMENT
WEB DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
For more information on our courses and how to register, please contact ccpd@spu.ac.za.
Retail banking has taken on a new meaning.
TymeBank, one of the newer entrants onto the South African banking scene, is taking the concept of “retail banking” to another level. Having run banking kiosks within retailers such as Pick n Pay and Boxer for several years, TymeBank has signed a deal with TFG, a group that has a big presence in the Northern Cape.
What used to be known as the Foschini Group has 34 brands, including Markhams, Totalsports, Jet and Dial a Bed, and 30-million customers. In the short term, TymeBank will have access to 600 TFG kiosks, taking the bank’s total in South Africa to 1 450.
Another relatively new bank is Capitec. Investment holding company PSG has reduced its holding in Capitec Bank from 32% to 4%, earning about R4-billion by selling those shares.
Discovery Bank officially launched in March 2019 and is experiencing rapid growth with deposits of R3.7-billion. Discovery Bank is applying the behavioural model it uses in its health business to reward good financial behaviour.
In 2022, financial services group Old Mutual received permission from the prudential authority of the South African Reserve Bank to apply for a banking licence. The bank will spend R1.75-billion on setting up the bank and intends to launch in 2024.
With the renewable energy sector booming in South Africa, a new sector in need of project funding has opened up for banks. The Northern Cape has attracted a large number of independent power producers.
South Africa’s four big retail banks (Nedbank, Absa, Standard Bank and First National Bank) have a solid presence in the major towns in the province.
Most agricultural companies have financing and services divisions, as one would expect in a province with a strong and varied agricultural sector which exports much of its produce.
The Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank) is a major participant in the Northern Cape financial sector and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), as an equity investor, is another important player.
Association for Savings and Investment South Africa: www.asisa.org.za
Auditor-General of South Africa: www.agsa.co.za
Banking Association South Africa: www.banking.org.za
The launch by Sanlam Investments of a Sustainable Infrastructure Fund is a sign of the times. The South African state has promised a huge infrastructure drive but in the context of climate change caused by the use of fossil fuels, the investment community is increasingly putting emphasis on sustainability. Sanlam Group will invest R6-billion in the fund and aims to attract a further R5billion from institutional investors.
Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) is actively involved in several Northern Cape projects. A special purpose vehicle will be established, with development finance institutions, to tackle the backlog in school infrastructure and a similar idea underpins the financing of a rural roads programme. ■
Sol Plaatje University (SPU) is teaching data analytical skills to undergraduates and many of them are moving into the financial sector on graduation. Another area where these skills are in great demand is radio astronomy. One of the world’s great scientific ventures, the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope project, has been established near Carnarvon and the amount of data that it will generate is so great that it is difficult to comprehend. Many data analysts will be needed.
Another contribution by SPU to the acquiring of digital skills goes beyond the confines of the campus through Hackathons, VacWork programmes and skills development outreach projects. This is done in collaboration with lecturers, Geekulcha students and the NCDev ecosystem (the first app developer ecosystem in the Northern Cape).
Galeshewe now has its own mLab for applications development, thanks to a partnership between the provincial government, the National Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Northern Cape Community Education and Training College. The syllabus will be aligned to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and skills such as building WordPress websites, social-media marketing and developing mobile apps will be tested at Youth Service Centres.
Mobile phone companies Vodacom and MTN will spend R410million in the Northern Cape in 2023. Vodacom Central Region’s investment of R230-million is to expand broadband coverage in deep rural areas, to upgrade base station sites and network resilience. MTN has built five new connectivity sites and is planning to build a further 25 new connectivity sites and modernise 48 sites at an estimated cost of R180-million.
Vodacom is partnering with the provincial government in the provision of digital call centres for emergency medical services (EMS) in Upington and Kimberley. Calls received have increased by 7 000 per month and response times for ambulances have improved dramatically. The Bokamoso Digital Health Strategy is connecting health facilities to a centralised system. In the course of 2023, Sub-Saharan Africa’s first Health Informatics Unit and the Provincial Health Emergency Operations
National Department of Science and Innovation: www.dsi.gov.za
Sol Plaatje University: www.spu.ac.za
Square Kilometre Array: www.ska.ac.za
Technology Innovation Agency: www.tia.org.za
Centre (PHOEC) will be launched in the Northern Cape.
The Provincial Government, with the World Health Organization, has established the unit in order to improve health management, data analysis, planning, emergency and disaster response.
The SA Connect Project is set to create 1 599 new sites for Phase Two of the project over three years to 2025 in clinics and schools. The Office of the Premier, together with the Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI), is leading a project to create a digital Thusong Service Centre app. The app will take government services to cell phones. ■
Nama Khoi Municipality
Tel: +27 27 718 8100 | Fax: +27 27 712 1635
Website: www.namakhoi.gov.za
Richtersveld Municipality
Tel: +27 27 851 1111 | Fax: +27 27 851 1101
Website: www.richtersveld.gov.za
PIXLEY KA SEME DISTRICT
MUNICIPALITY
Physical address: Culvert Road, Industrial Area, De Aar 7000
Tel: +27 53 631 0891 | Fax: +27 53 631 2529
Website: www.pksdm.gov.za
Emthanjeni Municipality
Tel: +27 53 632 9100 | Fax: +27 53 631 0105
Website: www.emthanjeni.co.za
Kareeberg Municipality
Tel: +27 53 382 3012 | Fax: +27 53 382 3142
Website: www.kareeberg.co.za
Renosterberg Municipality
Tel: +27 53 663 0041 | Fax: +27 53 663 0180
Siyancuma Municipality
Tel: +27 53 298 1810 | Fax: +27 53 298 3141
Website: www.siyancuma.gov.za
Siyathemba Municipality
Tel: +27 53 492 3394 | Fax: +27 53 353 1386
Website: www.siyathemba.co.za
Thembelihle Municipality
Tel: +27 53 203 0008/5 | Fax: +27 53 203 0490
Website: thembelihlemunicipality.gov.za
Ubuntu Municipality
Tel: +27 53 621 0026 | Fax: +27 53 621 0368
Website: www.ubuntu.gov.za
Umsobomvu Municipality
Tel: +27 51 753 0777/8 | Fax: +27 51 753 0574
Website: www.umsobomvumun.co.za
ZF MGCAWU DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
Physical address: Cnr Nelson Mandela Avenue and Upington Road, Upington 8801
Tel: +27 54 337 2800 | Fax: +27 54 337 2888
Website: www.zfm-dm.co.za
Dawid Kruiper Municipality
Tel: +27 54 338 7000
Fax: +27 54 338 7350
Website: www.dkm.gov.za
Kai! Garib Municipality
Tel: +27 54 461 6400 / 6700 | Fax: +27 54 461 6401
Website: www.kaigarib.gov.za
Kgatelopele Municipality
Tel: +27 54 384 8600 | Fax: +27 53 384 0326
Website: www.kgatelopele.gov.za
!Kheis Municipality
Tel: +27 54 833 9500 | Fax: +27 54 833 0690
Website: www.kheis.co.za
Tsantsabane Municipality
Tel: +27 53 313 7300 | Fax: +27 53 313 1602
Website: www.tsantsabane.gov.za
A guide to the Northern Cape’s provincial government departments. Provincial government website: www.northern-cape.gov.za
Office of the Premier
Premier: Dr Zamani Paul
Tel: 053 838 2900 / 838 2708 | Fax: 053 838 2690
PBag X5016, Kimberley 8300
PA: Ms Poppy Mathakgane
Tel: 082 647 4699
Email: lmathakgane@ncpg.gov .za
Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform
MEC: Mase Manopole
Tel: 053 838 9107 / 053 838 9165 | Fax: 053 832 4328
PBag X5018, Kimberley 8300
PA: Tlale Saane
Tel: 066 488 7738
Email: msaane@ncpg.gov.za
Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs
MEC: Bentley Vass
Tel: 053 830 9422/4 | Fax: 053 831 4832
Alternates: 086 205 9798 / 086 5622 651 / 053 831 2904
PBag X5005, Kimberley 8300
PA: Mr Jeffrey Saal
Tel: 082 922 4728
Email: jsaal@ncpg.gov.za
Department of Education
MEC: Zolile Monakali
Tel: 053 830 7160 | Fax: 053 830 7177
PBag X5023, Kimberley 8300
PA: Ms Sharon Plaatjies
Tel: 072 068 8410
Email: sharon.plaatjies@ncdoe.gov.za
Department of Health
MEC: Maruping Matthews Lekwene
Tel: 053 830 2000 | Fax: 053 833 1925
PBag X5049, Kimberley 8300
PA: Ms Nicky Hlakudi
Tel: 067 941 5917
Email: mhlakudi@ncpg.gov.za
Department of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism
MEC: Mr Abraham Vosloo
Tel: 053 833 9496 | Fax: 053 832 2672
State House: 060 577 3311
PBag X5054, Kimberley 8300
PA: Ms Anthea Van Wyk
Tel: 066 599 9099
Email: antheav80@gmail.com
Department of Roads and Public Works
MEC: Ms Fufe Makatong
Tel: 053 839 2285 | Fax: 053 839 2289
PBag X5065, Kimberley 8300
PA: Ms Phumza Mdibe
Tel: 060 997 5299
Email: pmdibe@ncpg.gov.za
Department of Social Development
MEC: Ms Nontobeko Vilakazi
Tel: 053 807 5600 | Fax: 053 807 5603
PBag X6110, Kimberley 8300
PA: Ms Alfreda Skermand
Tel: 053 807 5600 / 082 876 5985
Email: askermand@ncpg.gov.za
Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
MEC: Ms Desery Wellin Fienies
Tel: 053 831 4152 | Fax: 053 833 1454
PBag X6091, Kimberley 8300
PA: Mr Loyiso Busa
Tel: 061 319 4288
Email: loyisocosby@gmail.com
Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison
MEC: Ms Nomandla Bloem
Tel: 053 839 1700 | Fax: 053 832 4249
PBag X1368, Kimberley 8300
PA: Ms Keabetswe (Kea) Modise
Tel: 053 839 1719 / 073 899 9132
Email: kamodise@ncpg.gov.za
NOCCI was established on 22 February 2000 when the Chamber of Business and the Kimberley Afrikaanse Sakekamer amalgamated. At the time, these two organisations had served the business community of Kimberley for 120 years.
A Chamber assesses and evaluates the needs of the local business community, in particular the need for services to small business at a reasonable cost:
• Monitors developments at the local level
• Mobilises business opinion on local issues
• Exerts a positive influence on the environment in which business operates and helps prospective members grow their business
• Promotes and encourages the pursuit of a high standard of business ethics
• Disseminates information that is useful to the business fraternity
• Creates opportunities for improving business skills
• Extends business contacts locally, regionally and nationally, and allows individual businesspeople to share in the provincial and national business decision-making processes
• Upholds the market economy and private enterprise system
• Has committees which are ideal places for members of diverse interests to consolidate and unify their thinking as they work together – committees accurately sense the environment, process information and provide valuable guidance to the member
• Holds functions and special events, allowing members to network and learn about interesting topics
The increasingly complex business and social environment requires a comprehensive support structure to ensure the most favourable climate for the continued viable existence of individual businesses in a system of free enterprise. At the same time, the Chamber movement facilitates adjustment by business to those realities that cannot be altered. Involvement in the Chamber movement bears abundant fruit for the well-being of each business. If you are a businessperson with vision, you cannot afford not to join the Chamber movement.
President: Mr Pieter Botha (Nedbank)
1st Vice-Chairperson:
Vice President: Mr Francois du Toit (Cooling Solutions)
2nd Vice-Chairperson: Mrs Bianca Botha (Defensor)
Treasurer: Mrs Renel-Mari Nel (Neoteric Accountants)
Executive members: Jackie Gagiano (Redspot Marketing Solutions); Harry Hurndall (Roburn Construction); Lian Laing (Ekapa); Peter Michael Salo (Capption); Jan Kruger (GWK); Hamman Kriel (NEASA); Wickus Coetzee (Scorp Security); Louw Van Rheenen (Beefmaster). ■
The Northern Cape Economic Development Agency (NCEDA) is the host of the Northern Cape InvestSA One Stop Shop.
The InvestSA One Stop Shop initiative is geared towards providing investors with services to fast-track projects and reduce government red tape when establishing a business. It is part of the government’s drive to become investor friendly by improving the business environment by lowering the cost of doing business as well as making the process easier.
One Stop Shops house government entities such as the South African Revenue Service (to help with customs and tax), Home Affairs, Environmental Affairs, Eskom and the Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission under one roof.
An investor can make an appointment, meet a government representative and be guided by the representative through the process of setting up a business. The One Stop Shops simplify administrative procedures for issuing business approvals, permits and licences and thereby remove bottlenecks that investors may face in establishing and running businesses.
The offering includes, but is not limited to:
• Providing an accessible entry point for investors in need of regulatory compliance.
• Enhancing regulatory and legal processes.
• Improving approval turnaround timeframes.
• Providing information on incentives (tax, land, training, free trade zones, etc).
• Providing pre-approval information (market data, costs, incentives, project approval, local partners, etc).
• Providing post-approval information (facilitation of permit approvals, information relating to import of equipment and raw materials, central bank profit repatriation, etc) to investors.
Contact details
Mr Hendrik Louw, Acting CEO, NCEDAParticipating national government entities
• InvestSA is a division of the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
• Business registry: Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)
• Tax authority: South African Revenue Service (SARS)
• International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC)
• National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS)
• Public electricity utility: Eskom
• Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA)
Visa facilitation
Visa and permit applications can be made at Visa and Permit Facilitation Centres. Applications are then assessed by the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria. Non-South Africans with a legal residency permit in South Africa can apply for a visa or permit at these centres.
There are centres in every province. In the Northern Cape there is a facility in Kimberley. The South African government is reviewing its critical skills list as well as taking steps to make it easier for people who qualify to apply.
The Northern Cape InvestSA One Stop Shop and NCEDA team can advise you on investment opportunities and assist investment and trade opportunities from the same offices. The Northern Cape team is committed and qualified to assist and guide you from concept to investment phase.
We look forward to hearing from you and partnering with you to make your investment a success! ■
Address: DCS Office Block, Floor 1, 69 Memorial Road Kimberley, 8301
Tel: +27 87 086 0365 | +27 60 997 7222
Email: ceo@nceda.co.za | info@investsanc.co.za
Website: www.investsanc.co.za
