By Refilwe Mochoari

Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul this week marked a major milestone in his drive to create 60,000 sustainable jobs, as more than R105 billion in investment commitments were secured during the inaugural Northern Cape Jobs and Investment Conference.

Held over three days at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre, the event drew over 900 delegates from across South Africa, all focused on strengthening the province’s economic prospects.

The conference showcased investment pledges across key sectors, including mining, agriculture, energy and tourism. These commitments are expected to boost the province’s GDP from R164 billion to R200 billion by 2030.

The pledges were formally announced and signed by various companies during the conference, held in Kimberley from April 12 to 15. Among those in attendance were Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, alongside private sector investors, government officials and business leaders.

In his closing remarks, Saul thanked investors for their commitments, noting that the pledges represent a significant step toward achieving the province’s economic growth and job creation targets by 2030.

Key investments include a R17 billion commitment from Vedanta Zinc International to expand its Gamsberg mine, positioning it as the largest zinc operation in the province. Anglo American has pledged R11.2 billion toward expanding its Kumba Iron Ore operations in Kathu.

Additional commitments include R2.8 billion from Northern Cape Protech and Agri Revolution for mining, beneficiation and agriculture projects; R16.8 billion from Ando Energy for green energy production; and R12 billion from Prieska Power Reserve for a catalytic green hydrogen and ammonia project. Meanwhile, South African Atlantic Salmon has committed R1.5 billion to develop the Nama Aquaculture Park, including a salmon processing facility.

“After all the deliberations over the past three days, significant commitments have been made. We assure all the corporate entities that have made these pledges that we do not take your commitments for granted,” said Saul.

Northern Cape MEC for Economic Development and Finance, Lorato Blennies-Magage, underscored the importance of the conference, saying it had set a clear path to unlock large-scale investment, promote economic inclusion and create sustainable jobs across the province.

of the event.                 

“We conclude with a clear pathway to unlock large-scale investment, foster economic inclusion, and create sustainable jobs for the people of the Northern Cape, she said.