4 INTRODUCTION PIXLEY KA
4 INTRODUCTION PIXLEY KA SEME DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY In the heart of the Karoo Towns: Carnarvon, De Aar, Douglas, Colesberg, Hanover, Hopetown, Marydale, Noupoort, Norvalspont, Prieska, Richmond, Victoria West. The district covers 102 000 square kilometres in the central Karoo and has four national roads passing through it. De Aar, the site of the municipal headquarters, has national significance as a railway junction and has recently become a hub for major solar farm activity. It also hosts the De Aar Campus of the Northern Cape Rural TVET College. Star gazing is Carnarvon’s great claim to fame, and it hosts the globally significant Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope, pictured. Not only is this a scientific megaproject, but it is already boosting educational opportunities and creating jobs. The district is home to three of South Africa’s major dams. Agricultural production includes wheat, maize, peanuts, grapes, beans, potatoes, nuts and sheep farming, a particular strength of the southern part of the district. Pixley ka Seme is the largest wool-producing district in South Africa, but most of what is produced is processed in the Eastern Cape. As a consequence, opportunities exist for the establishment of a cotton mill, a tannery and a facility to add value to semi-precious stones. Horse breeding is a valuable contributor to the regional economy. INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES COVERED IN GREATER DETAIL IN THIS PROSPECTUS INCLUDE: • Harvesting biomass • Production of green ammonia using renewable energy • Refurbishment of the Victoria West Aerodrome Further opportunities exist in sectors such as transport and logistics (De Aar rail cargo hub and workshops and vehicle testing in Hopetown), engineering and science (the SKA project), tourism (Douglas holiday resort), mining (zinc, copper, tiger’s eye), Booktown Richmond festivals, wool, pistachio nuts and venison processing, and water tourism activities on dams. LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHY Located in the south-east of the Northern Cape Province, in the heart of the Karoo, the district is bordered by three other South African provinces, the Eastern Cape to the south-east, the Free State to the east and the Western Cape to the south-west. The district’s landmass accounts for nearly a third of the geographical area of the Northern Cape. A large part of the Northern Cape Province falls within the Karoo, the great inland plateau that defines much of the central and western regions of the country. Although the Karoo generally receives low rainfall there are variations of climate. For example, the central and eastern parts of the Karoo into which the Pixley ka Seme district falls also contains areas of grassland. Hot days and cold nights are a feature of the climate. Where the Orange River runs through the province, it plays a major role in the economy and the Vanderkloof and Gariep dams form part of the eastern boundary of the district. There are few other rivers but underground water is available. Boreholes have made farming viable and sheep thrive. Population: 195 595 (2016) DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY INFORMATION The Pixley ka Seme District Municipality is a Category C municipality. Municipal headquarters: De Aar Postal address: Private Bag X1012, De Aar 7000 Physical address: Culvert Road, De Aar Tel: +27 53 631 0891 Website: www.pksdm.gov.za
STATISTICS PIXLEY KA SEME DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY 5
