Green Economy Journal Issue 41

GROWTH REFORMS
Green economy
Out of the 25 projects related to the energy sector that were reviewed,
only 11 projects were chosen. The projects had an estimated investment
value of R270 billion. When evaluating projects, the environmental, social
and governance (ESG) matters, legal and regulatory aspects as well as the
market potential of each project were considered.
These projects will include technologies such as solar, wind, gas turbines
and energy efficiency measures. With the use of these technologies,
3125-million CO 2 emissions could be reduced. It is believed that these
projects will create more than 200 000 jobs, either directly or indirectly.
Transport planning
The National Development Plan 2030 set specific and ambitious targets
to provide affordable and safe public transport to all South Africans
across the country, as well as allowing safe transport of goods from
production to consumption and developing transport alternatives that
are less harmful to the environment.
This became the responsibility of the central government who created
the National Transport Master Plan 2050 (NATMAP 2050) for South Africa.
In this plan, key priorities were identified. Detailed plans were documented
and implemented by state-owned enterprises.
Food and agriculture
The Scheepersvlakte Citrus Farm has become the catalyst project for the
agriculture sector. The farm will grow more than 500 hectares of citrus
in the Kirkwood region of the Eastern Cape. There will be employment
opportunities while the farm is being established. It is estimated that over
5 years the farm will support more than 100 jobs each year.
When the farm is operational there will be employment opportunities
for farmworkers and in the processing of fruit and nuts.
Digital infrastructure
Two of the seven projects that were submitted will be the compound
projects for the country’s development of its digital sector. Project Thobela
and The Space Infrastructure Hub for National Development have a
combined investment of more than R12 billion. The project is anticipating
to amass more than 9 000 jobs by the year 2026. The Space Infrastructure
Hub will include satellites that will independently feed information to
South Africa. This information will help create products and services
unique to the challenges that our nation faces.
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Human settlements
The Greater Cornubia project for the human settlements sector began
in 2015 with an investment period of 16 years. The Greater Cornubia, a
mixed-use and mixed-income development, is a new city that is situated
about 25km from Durban CBD and 7km from the King Shaka Airport.
The project consists of commercial, industrial, open and residential
spaces. In the future, there will be more than 50 000 housing opportunities
for various income groups. It is estimated that by the year 2027 more than
15 000 employment opportunities will be available.
Water and sanitation
More than 40 projects were submitted with a projected investment value
of R170 billion. The catalyst project for this sector is the Mokolo Crocodile
Water Augmentation Project (Phase 2A). The objective of this project is to
increase the water supply to the Lephalale region. During the first year,
there will be at least 3 000 direct employment opportunities. By the year
2022, the number will increase to 16 985 available positions for semi- and
low-skilled workers.
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