Since its launch in 2009, Northern Cape Business has established itself as the premier business and investment guide to the Northern Cape Province. The 2019/20 edition is officially supported and used by the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
Northern Cape Business is unique as a business and investment guide that focuses exclusively on the province. In addition to comprehensive overviews of sectors of the economy, this publication has a particular focus on specific, packaged investment opportunities.
The massive potential represented by the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope project and the rapid progress being made by Sol Plaatje University are also highlighted in this edition.
CONTENTS CONTENTS
CONTENTS CONTENTS NorthernCapeBusiness2019/20 Edition Introduction Foreword4 The NorthernCape’s unique guide to business and investment. Special features Regional overview 6 Major infrastructure is under construction in the NorthernCape – or it will be soon – as the province prepares to move its economy into top gear. A competitive destination 10 A trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) profile for the NorthernCape. Investment projects 12 A wide range of investment opportunities are available for potential investors in the province. Upington Special Economic Zone 26 More than 500 hectares of prime land is availible for investors. Tourism sector boom 28 Adventure tourism continues to grow, and investors are sought for a steam train revival. Education creating opportunity 30 Sol Plaatje University is reaching for the stars as the world’s biggest telescope project ramps up in the NorthernCape. NORTHERN CAPE BUSINESS 2019/20 2
Economic sectors CONTENTS Agriculture40 Agri-processing is set to drive economic growth. Grapes and wine 44 Record harvests are being recorded. Mining48 A huge zinc project near Pofadder could lead to the NorthernCape acquiring a smelter and a refinery. Water56 Water projects are stimulating economic growth. Renewable energy 58 Technical innovation comes to the NorthernCape. Banking and finance 60 New banks are targeting niche markets. Development finance and SMME support 61 An industrial park at Kathu will boost SMMEs. References Key sector contents 38 Index64 ABOUT THE COVER: Credit: NRF|SARAO. The MeerKAT radio telescope in the Karoo region of South Africa comprises 64 antennas and is currently the largest radio telescope in the world. MeerKAT is the precursor to the giant international project, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope. When the prototype Karoo Array Telescope (KAT) was expanded, the name for the expanded telescope was adopted to reflect the fact that more receptors were to be built (“meer” in Afrikaans) and to call to mind the much-loved animal that roams the Karoo. NORTHERN CAPE BUSINESS 2019/20
