14 BUSINESS AND
14 BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT BREEDING HIGH-QUALITY BUSINESSES Horses, cattle and onions make for successful and sustainable enterprises. Mining still contributes to the economy and manufacturers which sell to mining companies are also still operating but three well-established enterprises in the agricultural sector give a flavour of just how successful business can be in the Frances Baard District Municipality: BEEF PRODUCERS Beefmaster Group, which had already been going for several decades in a neighbouring province, opened an abattoir and processing facility in Kimberley in 2003. All of the Beefmaster Group cattle are processed in the provincial capital, as are cattle from other feedlots. Aside from running feedlots and the production and processing of beef, the company has retail outlets and exports beef to several countries. In addition, fleet management and earth-moving equipment is handled in-house and workshops service the group’s operations. Beefmaster supports staff members aiming to upgrade their skills and qualifications in animal production and technical and maintenance skills, quality assurance, meat-cutting techniques and food processing. A recently introduced apprenticeship programme is progressing well, with candidates completing and passing their trade tests. One of those apprentices has been employed as a technician at the Kimberley facility. Danon Platina, pictured, are winning three times in four attempts. Mauritzfontein was bought by Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer in 1945 when Mr Oppenheimer was chairman of De Beers Mining Company. In the Anglo-Boer War the farm had served as a remount station for the British forces. HORTICULTURE Anyone who follows schoolboy rugby in South Africa will know the name, Wildeklawer. What they might not know is that the sponsor of the nation’s biggest schools rugby festival is also Africa’s biggest producer of onions. Wildeklawer is the Afrikaans name for wild clover and it’s also the name of the farm on the banks of the Vaal River near Barkly West that Louis and Cora de Kock bought about 30 years ago. Driven by an intense focus on planning and technology, the farm’s irrigation system was revamped and today, carrots, potatoes, beetroot, onions and wheat and maize are produced in huge quantities from three main production units, one of which is on the banks of the Orange River near Hopetown. The company supports the Wildeklawer School Sports Academy (WSSA). STUD FARM A 15-minute drive south of Kimberley takes you to Mauritzfontein, which is part of the Nama Karoo. But this farm is no ordinary Karoo farm. Firstly, this stud farm has produced some of the finest racehorses ever to run races and secondly, there is on the property a remarkable nine-hectare garden. So unusual are the gardens that when they were revitalised in 2014, a book, Mauritzfontein: The Story of a Karoo Garden, was brought out to celebrate the occasion. More regular celebrations are held during race season when stallions such
15 INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FRANCES BAARD DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY PROJECT DESCRIPTION INVESTMENT VALUE CONTACT Barkly West Waterfront, Dikgatlong LM Specialist studies need to be done as part of a fully-fledged feasibility study for this multifaceted development project with a key focus on real estate, retail, leisure and recreation. Not yet costed. Relevant sectors: retail, property, tourism/recreation Eddie Manuel: LED Manager, Dikgatlong LM Tel: +27 53 531 6500 Mobile: 082 521 3149 | Email: eddiemanuel@dikgatlong.co.za Tourist facilities at Gong Gong Village, Dikgatlong LM Three-star lodge with accommodation for 120, restaurant and conferencing facilities. Various trails will take advantage of the waterfall that is an established attraction. R36.6-million (PPP, equity investors, BBBEE investors, property developers) Eddie Manuel: LED Manager, Dikgatlong LM Tel: +27 53 531 6500 Mobile: 082 521 3149 | Email: eddiemanuel@dikgatlong.co.za Ganspan Wetland Reserve, Phokwane LM Development and upgrading of infrastructure on the banks of Ganspan to restore the area as a safe and attractive tourism attraction. Facilities to include hiking and cycling trails, camping and caravanning, picnic spots and birding facilities. R109.4-million (PPP, equity partners, investors, BBBEE investors) Lesego Ngwira and Boitumelo Kwena: LED and Tourism Managers, Frances Baard DM Tel: +27 53 830 0939 |Mobile: 060 751 6381/079 426 9531 Goat farming, Phokwane LM Assist small-scale farmers to market their products and be more profitable by commercialising goat meat, promoting the use of goat milk and milk products and the curing and processing of skins. Not determined yet (PPP, equity partners, BBBEE partners, investors) Boitumelo Koena: Manager LED and Tourism, Phokwane LM Tel: +27 53 474 9700 Mobile: 079 426 9531 | Email: boitumelo@phokwane.gov.za City Gates mixed-use development, Kimberley, Sol Plaatje LM City Gates is a residential development proposed by the Christian Revival Centre Church, currently under construction next to the N12. The development seeks to address rental housing demand in Kimberley by developing more than 100 sites. Approximately R100-million (property developers, investors) Ms Nomonde Kesiamang: Executive Director: Strategy, Economic Development and Planning, Sol Plaatje LM Tel: +27 53 830 6303 Mobile: 082 550 5660 | Email: ntyabashe@solplaatje.org.za Sol Plaatje University, Bultfontein Road, Central Business District, Kimberley The Sol Plaatje University has established itself as a significant institution in Kimberley. Construction is still ongoing on South Campus and Central Campus while building plans for North Campus at Oppenheimer Gardens have been approved. About R150-million (property developers, investors) Ms Nomonde Kesiamang: Executive Director: Strategy, Economic Development and Planning, Sol Plaatje LM Tel: 053 830 6303 Mobile: 082 550 5660 | Email: ntyabashe@solplaatje.org.za Student accommodation at Sol Plaatje University, Kimberley Eris Property Group intends to develop a private student accommodation facility which will have about 670 beds. Rezoning and building plans have been approved. Approximately R196-million (equity partners, investors) Ms Nomonde Kesiamang: Executive Director: Strategy, Economic Development and Planning, Sol Plaatje LM Tel: +27 53 830 6303 Mobile: 082 550 5660 | Email: ntyabashe@solplaatje.org.za Warrenton shopping centre, Magareng Municipality The proposed development of 135ha on the N12 highway will entail retail, business, restaurant, office, public garage, service station and other complementary land uses. About R150-million (PPP and property developers) Tumelo Thage Designation: Acting Municipal Manager, Magareng LM Tel: +27 53 497 3111 Mobile: 071 890 5036 | Email: tumelo.thage@gmail.com
