Mthatha Airport is set for a major facelift as part of an economic liftoff in the former Transkei capital that has already attracted a number of new businesses and developments.

A local agricultural development service provider, Norris Sokutu Moahloli (NSM) networking services, has been awarded the right by the Department of Transport to develop about 300 hectares of arable Mthatha Airport land.

This comes as two multimillion-rand developments are already in progress and three more have been approved.

A number of national chainstores like Reliable Music Warehouse, AutoZone Motor Spares and Tata have also opened branches in the city in recent months.

The R15 million airport development will transform the land surrounding the airport into fresh produce fields which will also serve as training grounds for farmers from the nearby Ncise village.

Meanwhile, the New J Consortium, which includes NSM, has also proposed an additional development of more than R35m that includes construction of a 150-bed three-star hotel with conference facilities, an upmarket restaurant and a revamp of the airport's runway for use by cargo airplanes.

The consortium comprises provincial business groups, World Focus, Earth Conservancy and the JH Group, together with NSM.

According to well-placed sources it is expected to be awarded the rights to revamp the entire airport after a final interview later this month.

NSM emerged as the winning bidder for developing the 300 hectares after the provincial Department of Transport invited proposals for the revamping of Mthatha Airport and the Bulembu Airport near Bhisho.

NSM focused in the Mthatha Airport "in preparation for the day that Nelson Mandela dies*, and the possibility of practice games for the 2010 World Cup being held at a 65000-seater stadium that is also on the cards for Mthatha, according to NSM chief executive Peter Moahloli.

"And, most importantly, to revive the economy of Mthatha,* he said.

They have already applied for funding from the Industrial Development Corporation, and appointed tomato growers Happy Veg as project managers.

NSM spokesperson Matshawe Sokutu said their objective was to integrate the operations at the airport with the agriculture projects around the city and the multibillion-rand Kei Rail project.

NSM is currently running a R2,4m fresh produce farm in Decolygne Farm near Mthatha and is in the process of establishing another agricultural development next to Mthatha Dam that is worth R38m.

"We want cargo planes that will be able to transport fresh produce to other markets, as well as some of the wood products that will be produced for the Kei Rail project," said Sokutu.

Meanwhile, development is generally booming in Mthatha.

A R130m shopping complex is currently under construction on the old site of the Independence Stadium, and it is expected to house a number of chainstores like Game and Rhino Supermarket.

The construction of a R30m shopping centre along the N2 towards KwaZulu-Natal is expected to begin in March.

The King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality council also recently approved a R500m development on land along the N2 to East London near the Nkululekweni Complex.

This will involve the construction of a shopping complex, motor showrooms and dealerships, office parks and residential townhouses.

The downtown taxi rank near Mthatha River bridge is also due for a R16m facelift, which the KSD council has approved.

Daily Dispatch
 
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge