4 minute read
Regional Focus - Northern Cape
On The Road To Infrastructure Development
By Jessie Taylor
The Northern Cape has a significant role to play in South Africa’s future mining and energy sectors. To allow the province to reach its full potential, focused investment in infrastructure is underway, particularly in creating improved road corridors.
Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul said that the provincial priorities are schools, health facilities, roads, housing, energy, water and sanitation. Between 2020 and 2023, R10-billion was spent by the Northern Cape Provincial Government, R4.2-billion of it on social infrastructure. “Infrastructure investment is the backbone of a thriving economy,” said Saul.
However, the investment over the next few years is likely to increase, with targeting projects looking to improve road infrastructure.
Investing in Road Infrastructure
Among the projects on the horizon are efforts to improve national roads in the province. The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced two new Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) contracts for the John Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) District of the Northern Cape, which are expected to create scores of opportunities for subcontracting and local labour over a period of five years.
SANRAL is currently evaluating tenders received for these contracts and hopes to appoint contractors later this year.
SANRAL Project Manager Rudi Joubert said the project will bring significant opportunities for job creation, skills development, training and enterprise development. “The work will focus on maintenance of the N14 and will include grass cutting, removal of alien vegetation, cleaning of culverts (a tunnel carrying a stream or open drain under a roadway), clearing of litter at rest areas and keeping the road reserve and the fences clean," he said.
“Maintenance of the N14 will be done on an ongoing basis, and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) should prepare to take advantage of the opportunities for subcontracting." The first of the two projects includes 250 kilometres between Olifantshoek and the North West border.
The second project starts between Danielskuil and Kuruman, through Kuruman, past Hotazel, and continuing to the Botswana border. In addition, an R300-million project connecting Laxey village to Lurie in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District is expected to create 200 job opportunities while constructing a 20-kilometre road.
The upgrade of the MR974 road is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the district, as it links Kuruman to the rural communities of Maphiniki, Metsimantsi, Laxey, Lurie, Perth and ending in Heuningvlei. MEC for Roads and Public Works Fufe Makatong said: "This development will improve infrastructure and connectivity. The project is expected to create over 200 job opportunities, significantly contributing to the district’s economic growth."
The project is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026. Makatong pointed out that the project would contribute towards the development and economic upliftment of the John Taolo Gaetsewe District.
Potential For Mining and Energy Sectors
The Northern Cape is a rich resource for the mining sector and has the potential to expand into new and productive terrain.
The Kalahari Basin contains 80% of the world’s manganese reserve, but only 15% of global production comes from this area. This leaves significant development opportunities. In addition, the world receives 7% of its diamonds from the Northern Cape, and exports of zinc and lead from the province account for 13% of global demand.
Other minerals, such as cobalt, copper, lead, nickel and zinc –which are needed for technology such as cellphones, renewable energy batteries and electric vehicles – also increase the mining potential of the Northern Cape. In addition, the Northern Cape's abundant wind and sun provide ample opportunities to generate renewable energy.
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe says the Northern Cape is expected to play a big role in South Africa’s mining and energy corridor of the future. “The green economy is heavily dependent on the mineral potential of South Africa and several of these critical minerals occur and have been discovered in [the Northern Cape]. Therefore, the voice of this province in what we do with those minerals is going to be critical in the future," he said.
The Minister added that R500 million has been set aside by the Council for Geoscience to support emerging companies that want to do mining exploration.
“Over the past five years of the investment drive led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, well over R90 billion in investments have been pledged in the mining and energy sector in the Northern Cape alone. Some of these investments have translated into actual projects which are under construction with some completed and connected to the grid, thus supporting both mining activities and the economy," said Minister Mantashe.
