Zikalala Launches Small Harbour Project to Revive South Africa’s Coastal Towns
Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala launches a small harbour project to boost jobs and growth in coastal communities.
image: Internet
by Kelebogile Matlou
Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, has launched the first phase of a revolutionary plan to develop new small harbours in South Africa’s neglected coastal towns. The launch occurred on Friday, October 31, 2025, in Port Shepstone, on the South Coast. The project’s goal is to increase coastline access, stimulate economic growth, and provide jobs in previously underserved communities.
This is the first time since 1994 that a democratic administration has constructed such facilities, addressing decades of uneven progress. Most existing harbours, primarily in the Western Cape, were built prior to democracy, leaving other provinces without comparable options.
During the launch, Zikalala issued Spatial Economic Development Frameworks (SEDFs), which identify significant areas for new harbors and detail how the projects will boost economic growth while respecting the environment. The gathering brought together community residents, local leaders, and investors to discuss the project’s status and impact.
Zikalala acknowledged the effort as a watershed event in equitable infrastructure development, adding that it is the first time a democratic government in post-apartheid South Africa has developed minor harbours.
The programme will be divided into three stages: feasibility research, planning and design, and construction. This organized method seeks to guarantee that projects are efficient, sustainable, and beneficial to local economies.
The potential benefits are enormous, especially in KwaZulu-Natal. During construction, the initiative is expected to generate around R4.41 billion in commercial sales, R1.85 billion in GDP, and over 5,800 employment. These advances will boost trade, tourism, and fishing, allowing communities to become self-sufficient.
The first small harbour will be developed in Port Shepstone, less than a km from the town’s central business sector and the Oribi Plaza shopping centre, a location chosen for its proximity to commerce and transportation networks.
Two additional locations in KZN, Port Edward and Hibberdene, have been identified for future development. The department has also submitted the SEDF for Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape, followed by Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape. These projects target underdeveloped coastal areas, spreading opportunities and economic growth across the country.
