Ngqura, Eastern Cape – April, 2025: President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasized South Africa’s untapped potential in its natural and maritime resources, calling for a scaling up of investment and development efforts to drive economic growth and job creation.
Speaking during a guided tour of the Port of Ngqura, Ramaphosa said South Africa’s extensive coastline and strategic port infrastructure should be more aggressively leveraged to position the country as a global maritime hub.
“South Africa has got huge and wonderful natural resources, which we need to exploit to a higher level,” the president said. “Being here has shown us just how much potential exists for growing the economy and making South Africa a leader in the ocean economy.”
Accompanied by Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, and Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa, Ramaphosa visited the Ngqura Container Terminal, a transshipment hub connecting Africa to global trade routes in the Far East, South America, and across the continent.
The President also boarded the tugboat ORCA, which plays a vital role in maneuvering vessels through the port.
A Maritime Vision
The Port of Ngqura is South Africa’s deepest water port, and Ramaphosa described the current operations and future upgrade plans as “most impressive.” The president said enhancing its capacity could attract increased international shipping traffic and solidify South Africa’s role in global trade logistics.
He emphasized the need for collaboration between government and the private sector, stating that both have crucial roles to play in funding infrastructure development and unlocking the economic potential of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) such as the one adjacent to Ngqura.
“We want to double or even triple the number of jobs here. Already a number of people are employed, but there is room for significant expansion,” he said.
Ramaphosa praised Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips and her leadership team, noting their efforts to modernize port operations and integrate them with the broader national economic agenda under the Oceans Economy Master Plan.
District Development Model in Action
Tuesday’s visit marked the start of a broader presidential oversight mission in the Eastern Cape. The President and his Cabinet are scheduled to meet with Premier Mabuyane and the provincial executive council to discuss development priorities, service delivery, and intergovernmental coordination.
The engagements form part of the District Development Model (DDM), which seeks to align national and provincial strategies with local implementation, focusing on the country’s 44 districts and 8 metros as integrated development spaces.
“This is about strengthening the coherence and impact of government service delivery,” Ramaphosa said. “When national, provincial, and local government work together seamlessly, we can deliver better services, create jobs, and grow the economy where people live.”
As the visit continues, discussions are expected to cover infrastructure development, investment attraction, youth employment, and long-term planning for sustained regional growth.