Office of the Premier

The Northern Cape is rich in investment potential

We welcome the publication of the third edition of Northern Cape Business as an opportunity to showcase the opportunities that exist for local and international investors in our province.

Our province is rich in minerals and agricultural produce and our diverse and spectacular landscapes make for a perfect tourism destination. The iron ore and manganese mining sectors have recently received massive new investments and we stand ready to host innovative and important new developments in the fields of solar energy and radio astronomy. The Northern Cape is ready to go forward.

In the period following the successful hosting of the Uruguay national soccer team for the FIFA 2010 World Cup, we are pleased to announce the hosting of two major international events as part of our distinct reputation as a destination of extreme sports, namely the International Maloof Money Cup Skateboarding Championships and the Bloodhound Project which will be an attempt to break the current world land-speed record.

This is the first time that Maloof Money Cup Skateboarding Championships will be held outside the USA. Hosting the Bloodhound Project in June 2012 will not only impact on local economies but will also draw national and international attention, incorporating tourism, infrastructure development, community upliftment, skills transfer and overall economic development. Through the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Project, upgrades occurred at sports facilities at 50 schools, at the GWK Stadium and other sports facilities and at the Northern Cape Theatre.

The Northern Cape Provincial Government has identified tourism – through the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy – as a crucial and vibrant sector. We have decided to further develop a number of tourist routes and support no less than 15 festivals and events across the province.

In partnership with the hunting sector, the Northern Cape Province will host the 7th International Wildlife Ranching Symposium in October 2011.

Projects
Solar
The Northern Cape is strategically poised to play a leading role in the green economy given the province’s endless access to sunshine and wind. Gauging from the extremely successful Investors Conference we hosted in 2010, we are on course to create more jobs in the energy sector.

The Solar Park, which will be based in Upington, will change the economic landscape from over-reliance on agriculture and mining to other sectors such as manufacturing and the supply of solar-related components. The rapidly emerging environmental sector holds huge potential for job creation.

Health infrastructure
The construction of the new hospitals in Upington and De Aar is proceeding. New clinics have been opened in Hondeklipbaai in Namakwa and Olifantshoek and Jan Witbooi in John Taolo Gaetsewe. Galeshewe Day Hospital casualty section is receiving an upgrade. A 12-bed Forensic Unit for state patients is under refurbishment at the West End Hospital in Kimberley.

Astronomy
South Africa is bidding to host the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope (SKA) at Carnavon. The Northern Cape Province successfully delivered on its commitment to build the Karoo Array Telescope, also known as the KAT-7. This project of national significance has already provided 800 job opportunities and will create roughly a further 100 jobs in 2011. Important work has been done and significant resources have been devoted to this flagship initiative. Through the collaboration with other African partner countries the SKA bid is an African bid. The decision as to whether South Africa or Australia is the successful bidder will be made in 2012.

Agricultural beneficiation
The implementation of the two major projects under the Illima-Letsema programme, namely, the rooibos tea processing facility and the revitalisation of the Vaalharts irrigation scheme continues. The manufacturing of the pasteurising equipment of the rooibos tea facility has been completed.

Diamonds
The Provincial Government has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Economy of Armenia with regard to industrial modernisation. The Department of Economic Development and Tourism has signed a cooperation agreement with the Diamond and Jewellery Company of Armenia to establish a diamond cutting and polishing factory, which will provide training and employment opportunities.

Skills
In January 2011, the Kimberley International Diamond and Jewellery Academy opened for its first intake of 48 students who intend to pursue a career in the diamond industry. In the context of the development of skills, it is heartening to report that the matric class of 2010 managed to improve the overall pass rate for grade 12 from 61.3% to 72.3%. This improvement was achieved despite industrial action by educators and the 2010 World Cup. Furthermore, of the 10 182 candidates who sat for the examinations, 21.1% qualified to enrol for bachelors’ degrees which translates to an increase of 3% from 2009.

The educators and learners of the class of 2010 have made the Northern Cape proud! These gains will be consolidated through the Programme for Learner Achievement. Access to higher education for children of the poor will be expanded and includes the conversion of loans into bursaries for qualifying final-year students. Students in further education and training colleges who qualify for financial aid will be exempted from paying fees.

We will focus on scarce skills to respond to the needs of the province as articulated by the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy.

The establishment of a university in our province is a long-standing and fervent wish of the people of the Northern Cape. The Executive Council has appointed a Provincial Task Team to make substantive input to its national counterpart and is committed to getting the university up and running in the shortest time possible.

The Northern Cape is ready to welcome investors in agriculture, agri-processing, alternative energy, manufacturing, tourism and any other field, to assist in job creation as we strive to uplift all our communities. We are confident that this guide will assist you by providing the information required to make investment decisions.

Hazel Jenkins, Premier of the Northern Cape

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© 2009 Northern Cape Business

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