<\/p>\n
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed strong confidence in the Northern Cape\u2019s economic trajectory, describing the province as \u201ca linchpin\u201d in South Africa\u2019s push toward industrialisation, manufacturing, and a green economy.<\/p>\n
Speaking during the sixth presidential cabinet oversight visit to the Northern Cape on Friday, Ramaphosa praised the coordinated efforts between national, provincial and local government, saying such alignment is already bearing fruit in one of the country\u2019s most underdeveloped but resource-rich regions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a province that\u2019s on the move,\u201d the President told journalists after receiving progress reports on several infrastructure and economic development projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were impressed with the vision laid out by the provincial leadership – the various projects they have in the pipeline can turn the economy of this province around.\u201d<\/p>\n
Long viewed as geographically isolated and economically marginal, the province has in recent years emerged as a focal point for large-scale renewable energy investments, thanks in part to its exceptional solar radiation levels – among the highest in the world.<\/p>\n
This natural advantage has positioned the province as South Africa\u2019s renewable energy hub, attracting billions in private sector investment.<\/p>\n
Ramaphosa noted that this momentum was expanding beyond energy into industrialisation and manufacturing.<\/p>\n
According to the president, plans were underway to establish a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) that will anchor new industries in the province, particularly those leveraging local mineral resources and renewable energy infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see this province as central to driving the next phase of our economic development\u2026 We\u2019re looking at setting up an SEZ and bringing manufacturing here, which will be underpinned by the natural resources this province holds,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In addition to economic infrastructure, Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of human capital development, noting that youth skills training will be a critical component of the province\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a province with great promise and a great future. We\u2019re not just investing in infrastructure – we\u2019re investing in people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Friday\u2019s visit was part of an ongoing government initiative to evaluate service delivery and fast-track development across the country\u2019s provinces.<\/p>\n
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za<\/p>\n
Politics<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed strong confidence in the Northern Cape\u2019s economic trajectory, describing the province as \u201ca linchpin\u201d in South Africa\u2019s push toward industrialisation, manufacturing, and a green economy. Speaking during the sixth presidential cabinet oversight visit to the Northern Cape on Friday, Ramaphosa praised the coordinated efforts between national, provincial and local government, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[1209,8999,11287,1718,426,588,18597],"class_list":["post-246812","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-politics","tag-cape","tag-economic","tag-northern","tag-power","tag-ramaphosa","tag-sas","tag-takeoff"],"yoast_head":"\n