Northern Cape Business 2018-19 edition

OVERVIEW
that is part of the fynbos family) are used in making rooibos
(Afrikaans for “red bush”). Harvested while still green, the leaves
are left to dry and ferment in the sun after being cut up. Naturally
high in a range of vitamins and potassium, zinc and iron, its low
tannin content makes it an excellent alternative as a hot drink. Fair
Cape Dairies has a product called Rooiboost.
Aquaculture and mariculture
The Northern Cape’s 313km-long coastline carries great economic potential,
even beyond the various land and sea-based mining operations
that have been carried on along the coast for many years.
The Northern Cape is well placed to take advantage of growing
global demand for abalone.
The aquaculture consultancy Sustainable Environmental
Aquaculture Services (SEAS) helped create an abalone farm at Kleinzee
which will produce 200 tons of product per year when it is at full
capacity. The Western Cape company Tuna Marine is contracted to
buy abalone from the Kleinzee facility, which is owned by Ponahalo
Holdings (the empowerment partners of De Beers Consolidated
Mining South Africa).
With food security an important consideration, the provincial
government has committed to supporting small-scale fishers. The
Premier of the Province, Sylvia Lucas, announced in her 2016 State of
the Province address that a feasibility study for a deep-water harbour
has identified a site 70km north of Port Nolloth, Boegoebaai. If this
ONLINE RESOURCES
Agricultural Research Council: www.arc.agric.za
Agri SA: www.agrisa.co.za
Dorper Sheep Breeders Association of South Africa:
www.dorpersa.co.za
National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
www.daff.gov.za
National Department of Science and Technology: www.dst.gov.za
Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural
Development: www.agrinc.gov.za
Rooibos Council: www.sarooibos.co.za
Rooibos Route: www.rooibos-route.co.za
South African Pecan Nut Producers Association:
www.sappa.za.org
Thoroughbred Breeders Association of South Africa:
www.tba.org.za
project is undertaken, it will significantly
boost the maritime sector in
the Northern Cape.
Forty farmers have signed up
for a Catfish Project in the Vaalharts
area. The scheme lies in the
Phokwane Local Muncipality, north
of Kimberley, which falls under the
Frances Baard District Municipality.
A joint venture by the National
Department of Science and
Technology (DST) and HIK Abalone
is running an abalone project in
Hondeklip Bay with the intention of
producing 120 tons of abalone for
sale. This seaside town is very well
known for its kelp. The coastline of
the Northern Cape has 2 000 hectares
of kelp beds. There is a growing
domestic and international demand
for kelp.
The old John Ovenstone factory
in Port Nolloth is now the site of
small scale hatcheries for abalone
and oysters. Premier Fishing has a
lobster-processing plant in Port
Nolloth.
37 NORTHERN CAPE BUSINESS 2018/19