By 
It is with pride that I announce a major milestone for the Northern Cape: the designation of the Namakwa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on the 21st of May 2024. This ground-breaking project marks the first SEZ in our province, signalling the dawn of a new era of industrial and economic prosperity.
The Namakwa SEZ, spanning an impressive 1 270 hectares, is a beacon of opportunity and a testament to the vision and hard work initiated by this Sixth Administration. This SEZ aligns seamlessly with the industrial policy direction adopted by our country, underscoring our commitment to fostering economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development.
The economic potential of the Namakwa SEZ is truly staggering, with a confirmed investment of R29.3-billion. This significant investment is led by our anchor investors, Vedanta Zinc International and Frontier Rare Earths. Their confidence in our province’s potential speaks volumes about the strategic importance and the untapped opportunities within the Northern Cape.
This SEZ is more than just a geographical designation; it is the cornerstone of the Northern Cape Industrial Corridor. Our province; rich in natural endowments, is perfectly poised to leverage its vast resources and transform them into economic catalysts. The Namakwa SEZ will enable us to harness our mining throughput, facilitating both upstream and downstream integration and creating a robust, diversified economic ecosystem.
The establishment of the Namakwa SEZ is a critical step towards the green transformation of our industry, grid, and mobility. This aligns perfectly with our Northern Cape Green Hydrogen Strategy, positioning us at the forefront of the global green economy. Through this SEZ, we will pioneer sustainable industrial pathways that not only boost our economic landscape but also contribute to global efforts in combating climate change.
Namakwa SEZ spatial layout
Today, we lay the foundation for a brighter future. The Namakwa SEZ will be a catalyst for job creation, fostering Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), and stimulating innovation across various sectors. We are dedicated to ensuring that this SEZ provides enhanced opportunities for our people, from direct employment to new business ventures within the ecosystem and value chains.
The pathways we create here will open doors to unparalleled opportunities, making the Northern Cape a hub of economic activity and a beacon of growth.
As we hand over this legacy to the Seventh Administration, we do so with great optimism and anticipation. This SEZ is more than an economic project; it is a pledge to change the socio-economic landscape of our province. It sets us on a path towards a future where the Northern Cape is not just a place to visit, but a place to invest, innovate, and thrive.
We offer this SEZ to investors as a brilliant opportunity, underpinned by world-class infrastructure and focused incentives as outlined in the SEZ Act and guidelines. This is our commitment to fostering an environment where businesses can flourish, and where the Northern Cape stands as a premier destination for industrial investment.
Let us embark on this journey together, harnessing the power of collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development. The work starts here, and the future is ours to shape.
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