Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala has announced that plans are progressing smoothly for the construction of a Small Harbour in the Ray Nkonyeni District Municipality on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.
This development, projected to cost nearly a billion rand, will encompass a boat launching site, fisheries, and associated facilities, aiming to generate thousands of job opportunities.
The Small Harbour initiative is strategically targeting KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape, regions historically neglected during apartheid.
Zikalala pointed out that there were ongoing investigations into potential sites for a second small harbour in KwaZulu-Natal, with a view to maximizing the province’s coastal assets.
Speaking at the Umdoni Municipality Investment Conference in Scottburgh, Zikalala reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing economic and social infrastructure.
This commitment includes bolstering roads, bridges, dams, and fiber networks to bolster support for SMMEs and industrial growth.
“Collaborating with stakeholders, we aim to build technical, planning, and project management capabilities for sustained public infrastructure maintenance,” said Zikalala.
Zikalala affirmed government plans to ramp up support for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and cooperatives in historically marginalized communities such as townships and villages, thereby fostering employment opportunities.
As custodians of state assets, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has launched an asset optimization strategy.
This initiative seeks private sector partnerships to develop and utilize government-owned assets, ultimately facilitating their transfer back to state ownership.
Zikalala also urged both government and private sectors to invest in transformative initiatives, aiming to realise a national democratic society that is united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous.
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