Buffalo City Metro (BCM) should position itself as a strategic centre servicing the eastern part of the Eastern Cape to galvanise development rather than looking inward.This was the message from the deputy minister of trade and industry Madala Masuku yesterday at the metro’s two-day Growth and Development Summit.
Municipal, business and labour leaders cloistered with experts from various sectors at the summit to plot BCM’s growth prospects over the next 15 years.
The city has already prepared a baseline document which identifies the opportunities and challenges of future development.
It lists various proposed catalytic projects for development.
Executive mayor Alfred Mtsi said when he envisioned the future Buffalo City, he saw a prosperous city where the growth building blocks currently under discussion had been realised.
These included expansion of the Mercedes-Benz SA production facilities and re-establishment of the port as a logistics hub.
Mtsi said the metro needed to manage its land use, to redress the effects of apartheid planning.
Both Mtsi and deputy mayor Xola Pakati highlighted the issue of the perceived high cost of doing business in the metro and potential negative impact on reinvestment by the business sector.
Masuku drilled down into the areas of opportunity which the metro should be pursuing in the future.
He said Johannesburg had been able to position itself as a centre of service for the entire country on the back of its gold and mineral resources.
“What is Buffalo City’s gold? If we can’t identify what the gold is then what the executive mayor wants will never happen,” Masuku said.
He said apart from East London’s location on the coast which presented opportunities for aquaculture and as a logistics hub, the city’s automotive industry, especially the supplier park centred on Mercedes-Benz SA’s operations, were critical aspects of future growth opportunities.
Developments in the industrial development zone and agriculture also presented growth prospects, and BCM should look at becoming a strategic service centre for the eastern part of the province.
The metro could develop this opportunity by partnering with local and district councils elsewhere.
As an example, he said the procurement of goods and services for the construction of the future Wild Coast toll road should be centred on Buffalo City.
“If we don’t, we will cry and say everything is coming from Joburg.”
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Senzeni Zokwana said his department was implementing a number of projects in the province to increase aquaculture production to recognise the potential presented by the oceans for economic growth, job creation and food security.
These included:
lThe Hamburg cob project which produced the first harvest of 260 dusky cob in September. Already 76 people were employed and the department has also proposed the revitalisation of the Hamburg oyster farm.
lLand-based aquaculture development zone at Qolora in the Mnquma municipality.
lSea-based aquaculture development zone in Algoa Bay near Port Elizabeth harbour where yellowtail production is expected to reach 1000 tons a year and lead to 220 direct and 780 indirect jobs.
lCoega industrial development zone (IDZ) where finfish, abalone and seaweed will be harvested.
lEast London IDZ where OceanWise operates and where there is potential for two more farms.
The department intended growing acquaculture output from 4000 tons to 20000 tons over the next five years.
A strategy for BCM to grow, prosper
This was the message from the deputy minister of trade and industry Madala Masuku yesterday at the metro’s two-day Growth and Development Summit.
Municipal, business and labour leaders cloistered with experts from various sectors at the summit to plot BCM’s growth prospects over the next 15 years.
The city has already prepared a baseline document which identifies the opportunities and challenges of future development.
It lists various proposed catalytic projects for development.
Executive mayor Alfred Mtsi said when he envisioned the future Buffalo City, he saw a prosperous city where the growth building blocks currently under discussion had been realised.
These included expansion of the Mercedes-Benz SA production facilities and re-establishment of the port as a logistics hub.
Mtsi said the metro needed to manage its land use, to redress the effects of apartheid planning.
Both Mtsi and deputy mayor Xola Pakati highlighted the issue of the perceived high cost of doing business in the metro and potential negative impact on reinvestment by the business sector.
Masuku drilled down into the areas of opportunity which the metro should be pursuing in the future.
He said Johannesburg had been able to position itself as a centre of service for the entire country on the back of its gold and mineral resources.
“What is Buffalo City’s gold? If we can’t identify what the gold is then what the executive mayor wants will never happen,” Masuku said.
He said apart from East London’s location on the coast which presented opportunities for aquaculture and as a logistics hub, the city’s automotive industry, especially the supplier park centred on Mercedes-Benz SA’s operations, were critical aspects of future growth opportunities.
Developments in the industrial development zone and agriculture also presented growth prospects, and BCM should look at becoming a strategic service centre for the eastern part of the province.
The metro could develop this opportunity by partnering with local and district councils elsewhere.
As an example, he said the procurement of goods and services for the construction of the future Wild Coast toll road should be centred on Buffalo City.
“If we don’t, we will cry and say everything is coming from Joburg.”
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Senzeni Zokwana said his department was implementing a number of projects in the province to increase aquaculture production to recognise the potential presented by the oceans for economic growth, job creation and food security.
These included:
lThe Hamburg cob project which produced the first harvest of 260 dusky cob in September. Already 76 people were employed and the department has also proposed the revitalisation of the Hamburg oyster farm.
lLand-based aquaculture development zone at Qolora in the Mnquma municipality.
lSea-based aquaculture development zone in Algoa Bay near Port Elizabeth harbour where yellowtail production is expected to reach 1000 tons a year and lead to 220 direct and 780 indirect jobs.
lCoega industrial development zone (IDZ) where finfish, abalone and seaweed will be harvested.
lEast London IDZ where OceanWise operates and where there is potential for two more farms.
The department intended growing acquaculture output from 4000 tons to 20000 tons over the next five years.
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