4 INTRODUCTION NAMAKWA
4 INTRODUCTION NAMAKWA DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY THE NORTHERN CAPE’S LARGEST DISTRICT OFFERS ENDLESS VARIETY • Towns: Alexander Bay, Calvinia, Fraserburg, Garies, Niewoudtville, Okiep, Pofadder, Port Nolloth, Springbok, Sutherland, Williston. The Namakwa District stretches from the north-western corner of the province, and the country, bordering Namibia and the Atlantic Ocean to the southern border of the province with the Western Cape Province. It includes the famous stargazing town of Sutherland on its southern edge. The district is sparsely populated, and predominantly rural. It contributes 11.1% to economic activity in the province. It is the largest district in the province, making up over a third of its geographical area. There are six local municipalities: Nama Khoi, Hantam, Khai-Ma, Kamiesberg, Karoo Hoogland and Richtersveld. A major new investment has been undertaken in zinc at the Gamsberg project. The mining and agricultural sectors provide most employment, while tourism and small-scale manufacturing are also present. There are plans to create two major economic nodes in the Namakwa District Municipality, one around the zinc mining project, which will become the Namakwa Special Economic Zone (NAMSEZ) and the other a deepsea port and green hydrogen port to become the Boegoebaai SEZ. The goal is to position the district and the province at the heart of South Africa’s nascent green hydrogen economy. Sasol and the IDC are already involved in feasibility studies. The region’s economy gets a boost every spring when large numbers of domestic and international tourists flock to see the veld in bloom. Most of the province lies in the Nama-Karoo Biome and the annual display of spring flowers is spectacular. The region is particularly blessed when it comes to national parks. Each of the /Ai/Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, the Namakwa National Park and the Tankwa Karoo National Park have special qualities that appeal to a wide range of visitors. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (with Botswana) encompasses 3.7-million hectares, making it one of the biggest conservation areas in the world. The vast open spaces of the province lend themselves to stargazing, which can be done from a campsite or from the formal optical telescope which is open to visitors in Sutherland. Area: 126 836km² Population: 139 370 (2019) INVESTMENT OPPORTUNTIES Separate sections in this Prospectus lay out investment opportunities in detail. In brief these are: • Boegoebaai Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and deepsea port • Green hydrogen production at the same venue • Namakwa SEZ, centred on the Vedanta Zinc International mining operation in Aggenys • Namakwa Irrigation Scheme • Development of Springbok airport FRANCES BAARD JOHN TAOLO GAETSEWE NAMAKWA PIXLEY KA SEME ZF MGCAWU DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY INFORMATION The Namakwa District Municipality Category C municipality Municipal headquarters: Springbok Postal address: Private Bag X20, Springbok 8240 Physical address: Hendrik J Visser Building, Van Riebeeck Street, Springbok Tel: +27 27 712 8000 Website: www.namakwa-dm.gov.za
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