Richards Bay Airport move to N2 corridor investigated

THE City of uMhlathuze is conducting a feasibility study relating to the relocation of the Richards Bay Airport closer to the N2 freeway.

This was revealed by the municipality’s Head of Economic Development Facilitation, Simphiwe Morajane, at the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI) divisional meeting at the Empangeni Country Club on Thursday.

Morajane said the municipality, like other major cities in the country and internationally, also aspires to build an ‘airport city’.

‘That is why we are conducting a feasibility study for the relocation of the airport to either side of the N2, mainly because where the airport is situated right now is limiting us in developing and joining the fourth wave of airport cities,’ he said.

The ZCCI invited Morajane, who delivered a presentation on the challenges the municipality faces and future plans for development.

He highlighted the economic nodes the municipality intends to unlock, placing special emphasis on the development of the N2 corridor towards Mtunzini.

‘During the old era, the economy was driven by water, the sea and ports. Then came rail and national freeways.’

He said the city has a great deal of potential which is yet untapped.

‘In Richards Bay we haven’t taken much advantage of the port. We have the deepest harbour in Africa and the largest coal terminal in Africa and we haven’t done much on the beneficiation of the resources.

‘We must also diversify and hope areas such as uMlalazi will develop towards our direction.’

He also touched on the issue of land ownership and engaging the private sector on ways to make use of undeveloped land.

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