Command council outlines plans to revitalise economy

Mayors from Ekhuruleni and Johannesburg outline plans to help the economy grow following strict lockdown measures.

August 31, 2020

Laura Pisanello 3 minutes read

City mayors give updates on their plans to revitalise the economy. Photo: File

The Gauteng Provincial Command Council, led by Premier David Makhura, hosted the weekly Provincial Command Council briefing on 28 August.

Makhura said that the briefing would focus on the province’s move to Level 2 and the extent of the preparations for the economy.

He said that there are concrete projects that they will be rolling out to ensure that they protect jobs and create jobs.

Pumla Ncapayi, the head of the department for the Department of Economic Development said that the plan is to grow the economy and massively increase the number of jobs available while sustaining jobs that have already been created. She said that with the reopening of the economy, they will accelerate their implementation plan. “We will continue to improve ease of doing business in each sector, pursue measures aimed at developing a skilled workforce, pursue measures around special economic zones as well as identified industrial parks.”

Ncapayi added that the provincial government is committed to the implementation of three special economic zones in Ekurhuleni, Tshwane and Sedibeng, as well as a special agro-processing zone in the West Rand. Some of the infrastructure programmes to revive the economy included rolling out a bulk infrastructure investment scheme, allocating R50 billion to the Tshwane Industrial Hub and spending R20 billion by 2030 to consolidate Ekurhuleni as an aerotropolis among other plans.

Ekurhuleni Mayor Mzwandile Masina said that they are looking at developing a logistics corridor within the city as well as the revitalisation of the city and the townships.

He said that the OR Tambo airport is a key part of the aerotropolis plan however the roads leading to the airport are always congested. He said that they are working on a new road worth R8.6 billion which will lead to the airport to relieve congestion.

He added that there are plans to build about 600 trains to support Metrorail which will give the province over R3 billion and create jobs.

Masina said that there are also plans to develop the airport more which will contribute over R8 billion to the Gauteng GDP and create over 8 600 jobs. He highlighted that there are also plans for other developments including the River Field Development which will create 26 000 jobs.

He said that in total there are 11 plans which are being worked on. He added that they are working on a feasibility study to potentially create Disney Africa to enhance the tourism sector. He added that they are also discussing the potential of a Formula 1 circuit.

City of Johannesburg Mayor Geoff Makhubo said that there are plans in place to revitalise the Kelvin Power Station as electricity is a key component for development in the city.

He added that they are working to ensure that the infrastructure is able to handle the continuous growth within the city.

Makhubo highlighted that the tourism industry is a big part of the economy and they are working with the private sector to stimulate the township economy. He added that they are also focusing on urban agriculture to support emerging farmers.

Makhubo said that the finances are already stretched and by creating a well-functioning city they will help drive investment.

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August 31, 2020

Laura Pisanello 3 minutes read