- Plans for 51 infrastructure projects have been gazetted, in order to fast-track the approvals required to get them off the ground quickly.
- Approvals (including municipal rezoning and water rights) should be secured within 56 days, and all of the projects should be launched within the next three months.
- The new projects include many water developments, fish farming and a satellite hub.
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Government has gazetted details of 51 infrastructure projects that have been declared strategically important, and will be fast-tracked to secure the necessary approvals (including municipal rezoning and water rights) within 56 days.
During a briefing on Monday, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, head of the Infrastructure Investment Office in the Presidency, said that work on the projects should start within the next three months, or at the very least tenders should have been issued in this time. The projects are being fast-tracked to bolster job creation and the economy following the havoc wreaked by the coronavirus crisis.
Of the R340 billion needed to develop the projects, the necessary sovereign guarantees and approvals for increased borrowing have been secured, and funding has been agreed with private-sector banks and development organisations.
Many of the projects – particularly in housing – will be financed by private-sector partners.
Here are the projects that will be fast-tracked:
Water and sanitation
Some R106 billion has been committed to water projects in all nine provinces, and 25,000 jobs are expected to be created.
Vaal River System including Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project: Gauteng
Phase 2A of the Mokolo Crocodile River (West) Augmentation Project: Limpopo
Some 160km of pipeline, and pump stations to move water down it, will be built from the Mokolo dam in the mountains south of Lephalale. This will ensure more water to the local municipality – and secure water for the Medupi and Matimba power stations. It will also supply water to surrounding mines.
uMkhomazi Water Project: KwaZulu-Natal
Olifants River Water Resource Development Project - Phase 2: Limpopo
Vaal-Gamagara: Northern Cape
Mzimvubu Water Project: Eastern Cape
Rehabilitation of the Vaalharts-Taung Irrigation Scheme: Northern Cape & North West
Groot Letaba River Water Development Project - Nwamitwa Dam: Limpopo
Berg River Voëlvlei Augmentation Scheme: Western Cape
Rustfontein Water Treatment Works: Free State
Orange-Riet Canal Increase of Bulk Raw Water Supply: Free State
The project will increase bulk raw-water supply to Letsemang, and help to support agricultural and renewable energy projects.
Energy
Allocations worth R58 billion will be fast tracked, and 6,000 jobs will be created.
Emergency/Risk Mitigation Power Purchase Procurement Programme (after installation, these sustainable energy producers should deliver 2000MW in power)
Small IPP Power Purchase Procurement Programme (100MW)
Embedded Generation Investment Programme (EGIP)-4 00MW
Transport
Projects worth R47 billion have been approved, to create 50,000 jobs
N1 Windburg Interchange to Windburg Station: Free State
N1 Musina Ring Road: Limpopo
N1 Polokwane Eastern Ring Rd Phase 2: Limpopo
N1 Ventersburg to Kroonstad: Free State
N2 Mtunzini Toll Plaza to Empangeni T-Junction: KwaZulu-Natal
N3 Cato Ridge to Dardanelles: KwaZulu-Natal
N3 Dardenelles to Lynnfield Park: KwaZulu-Natal
N3 Paradise Valley to Mariannhill Toll Plaza: KwaZulu-Natal
N2 Edwin Swales to South of EB Cloete Interchange: KwaZulu-Natal
N3 Ashburton Interchange to Murray Road: KwaZulu-Natal
The upgrade of this section of the N3 highway will allow the road to accommodate the increase in traffic volumes expected over the next 30 years.
N3 Mariannhill Toll Plaza to Key Ridge: KwaZulu-Natal
N2 EB Cloete Interchange: KwaZulu-Natal
Small Harbours Development: National
N3 New alignment via De Beers Pass: Free State
Boegoebaai Port and Rail Infrastructure Project: Northern Cape
Satellite hub
Some R4 billion will be used to develop satellite infrastructure, including “earth observation satellites” and satellite bases.
"Domestic access to this type of infrastructure will reduce South Africa’s reliance on other countries for the type of information that these satellites can make available and is expected to reduce the timeframes for collecting necessary data,” government said previously. It is estimated that the investment will generate R1.38 billion in GDP in the first year.
This should create 700 jobs.
Agriculture and Agro-processing
Some R7 billion will be invested, which should create 4,000 jobs.
Marine Tilapia Industry: Eastern Cape
One project that was previously touted is a farm that will breed tilapia fish in the rural Mbashe municipality. The project could inject close to R600 million into the country’s economy every year, government said recently.
Natural Dehydrated Foods: Mpumalanga
Affordable housing
Some R139 billion will be invested in these projects, with an estimated 190,000 jobs that will be created.
Greater Cornubia: KwaZulu-Natal
Situated 7km from King Shaka International Airport, the Greater Cornubia project will include 58,000 houses, as well as industrial and commercial properties. The Cornubia development is a joint venture between the eThekwini Municipality and Tongaat Hulett, and covers 1,300 hectares.
Vista Park II & III: Free State
Lufhereng: Gauteng
Malibongwe Ridge: Gauteng
N2 Nodal Development: Eastern Cape
Matlosana N12 West: North West
Green Creek: Gauteng
Mooikloof Mega Residential City: Gauteng
Fochville Extension 11: Gauteng
Germiston Ext 4 Social Housing Project: Gauteng
Newcastle Hospital Street Social Housing Project: KwaZulu Natal
Hull Street Social Housing Project Phase Northern Cape
Kwandokuhle Social Housing Project: Mpumalanga
Phola Heights - Tembisa Social Housing Project: Gauteng
Sondela Phase 2: Gauteng
Willow Creek Estate: Mpumalanga
Joe's Place Social Housing: Gauteng
Jeppestown Social Housing Project (Unity House): Gauteng
Special projects:
Rural Bridges “Welisizwe” Programme
This programme will “upscale” pedestrian bridges in “far-flung” rural areas.
Rural Roads Upgrade Programme
With 80% of South Africa’s 780,000km road infrastructure still gravel roads, this is a priority, Ramokgopa said.
Repair of Township Roads in Municipalities Programme
PV and Water Savings on Government Buildings Programme
Comprehensive Urban Management Programme
Digitising of Government Information Programme
Some 10,000 young people will be employed to digitise government information, including hospital files and police dockets.
Removal of Alien Vegetation and Innovative Building Materials Programme
National Upgrading Support Programme (NUSP)
The NUSP is aimed at upgrading informal settlements.
Solar Water Initiatives Programme
Student Accommodation
SA Connect Phase 1B
This involves government's plan to roll out broadband to more communities.
Salvokop Precinct
This is a big new property development in Tshwane, which will house government departments and commercial buildings.
Of the 51 projects, Gauteng will see the big allocation of new developments:
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