The 11 Blue IQ projects
Moleketi said in his Budget speech to the legislature in June that “Blue IQ has accelerated its campaign to raise awareness of business opportunities with its projects in the current 2002/2003 financial year.
“Expected highlights of the year are the completion of the Metro Mall and trading facility in July this year, together with the Turbine Hall development in Newtown [and] the turning of the first sod at the site of The Innovation Hub in Tshwane.
“The government is committed to excellence through skills development and training of our citizens. The Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) has already signed a R12-million agreement with four Gauteng-based tertiary institutions.
The agreement - entered into with Soshanguve College, Technikon Northern Gauteng, Technikon Pretoria and the University of Pretoria - aims to improve capacity in technical skills training, automotive engineering and managerial skills in the automotive industry. Already over 3 000 students have completed courses offered at the institutions.
“The Supplier Park Development at Rosslyn is a clear example of our partnership with the industry. After discussions on their specific needs, the partnership has resulted in the Supplier Park now being a reality. Our plans for Supplier Park are far advanced. We will be turning soil for construction in the first week of July, and we will also announce our first tenant.
“In a recent development, Blue IQ has committed R299-million to the development of Kliptown, its eleventh project. Plans are ahead to develop Kliptown into a major national heritage site and ‘struggle’ tourism destination. Kliptown is historically important as the place where the Congress of the People was held and the Freedom Charter adopted in 1955. On June 26 this year, we will announce the winning design for the National Monument that will be erected at the site. The square on which the monument will be erected will be called the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication.”
Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site
These 47 000-hectares of fossil-rich ground that lie in the north-western corner of Gauteng and part of North West province have attracted great interest from scientists around the world. The area provides some of the earliest evidence of the origins of humans. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1999, the Cradle of Humankind contains many caves, 13 of which have been explored.
A large variety of bird and plant species are found in the area. With Blue IQ’s contribution of R150-million, this site is to become a major tourist attraction in Gauteng. Developments at the site include the building of an interpretation centre, hotels, restaurants and conference facilities, and improvement of roads for easy access.
Kliptown
Kliptown is located in Soweto between the residential areas of Eldorado Park, Pimville, Dlamini and Klipspruit West. Kliptown is historically important as the place where the Congress of the People was held in 1955. This meeting adopted the Freedom Charter on which the present South African constitution is based. Blue IQ is contributing R299-million to this project to develop Kliptown into a major national heritage site and a tourist destination. Developments include the upgrade of roads and transport systems, construction of Freedom Square, cleaning of the Klipspruit River, improvement of the environment, construction of offices and shops, as well as housing.
Constitution Hill
Constitution Hill is located at the site of the Old Fort in Hillbrow, overlooking Braamfontein in Johannesburg. Blue IQ is contributing a total of R375-million to develop this area into an attractive tourist destination for people who live in or visit Johannesburg. Developments for this site, where political prisoners such as Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were once imprisoned, include the construction of South Africa’s first Constitutional Court, offices for constitutional commissions, hotels, libraries, restaurants and sports fields. Investment opportunities include:
- Cultural tourism initiatives
- Museums, heritage sites, archives and libraries
- Recreational grounds
- Commercial and housing developments
- Hotels, restaurants and retail space.
Significant opportunities also exist for donor funding of heritage programmes.
Dinokeng Game Park
Located less than an hour’s drive from Johannesburg International Airport and on the east of Pretoria, Dinokeng is home to the Ndebele and Shangaan people. It is rich in historical monuments and has a variety of wild animals. A contribution of R140-million will help to turn this area into a nature-based tourist destination. Planned developments over the next few years include game reserves, hotels and lodges, conference centres and the improvements of roads into the area. Investment opportunities include:
- Establishment of visitor and tourism facilities
- Hospitality industry services
- Conference facilities
- Bulk infrastructure and roads.
Newtown
Newtown is the centre of arts, music, crafts and culture in Johannesburg. Blue IQ is spending R300-million to improve this area to make it attractive, accessible and safe for visitors and people who live and work in the area. The improvements include the building of houses, the Nelson Mandela Bridge and construction of roads connecting Newtown to the highway, making it easier for both motorists and pedestrians to reach the area. Newton is becoming a preferred place for tourists to visit.
Gautrain Rapid Rail Link
Gauteng’s public transport system will significantly improve with the introduction of the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link, covering 79km with more than eight stations between Pretoria and Johannesburg International Airport. Project benefits include job creation, reduced pollution and fewer traffic jams on major roads between Pretoria and Johannesburg.
The successful bidders, Bombela Consortium & Gauliwe Consortium, who pre-qualified for the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link, were announced by Premier Mbhazima Shilowa on 2 May 2002. This project will be funded both by government through Blue IQ and by the private sector. Investment opportunities include:
- International financing partners, using build-operate-transfer and other public-private partnerships models
- Construction work
- Station developments
- Technology applications
- Feeder and distribution systems, and integrated fare collection systems
- Rolling stock, track and stations
- Signalling and control systems, as well as telecommunications
- Commercial property developments in and around stations.
Johannesburg International Airport IDZ
Johannesburg International Airport is the busiest airport in Southern Africa, which makes the surrounding area an ideal location for companies that rely on rapid transport for their exports and imports. It is here that Blue IQ is establishing an industrial development zone (IDZ).
This IDZ will attract businesses involved in industries such as information technology, electronics, defence and aerospace as well as light manufacturing. Blue IQ is investing R190-million in this project. Roads and highway interchanges will be improved for easy access to the IDZ and the airport. Investment potential includes:
- Electronic, IT and telecommunications production and distribution
- Air freight distribution and logistics
- Plastics, packaging, pharmaceutical and toiletries
- Tourism and associated opportunities
- Aerospace, avionics and related industries.
Wadeville Alrode Industrial Corridor
The towns of Wadeville and Alrode in Ekurhuleni form a well-established manufacturing area in Gauteng. This Blue IQ project aims to revive this industrial area and encourage new firms to locate inside the corridor. Blue IQ is contributing R72-million for the upgrade of roads, taxi ranks, improvement of road signs and access controls into the area. Support is also being given for start-up firms in order to help them develop and be more profitable.
City Deep Terminal IDZ
More than 40% of all cargo exported via the main port of Durban originates in City Deep. Blue IQ is investing R60-million towards the development of an industrial development zone in City Deep Terminal. This IDZ will bring together companies involved in manufacturing, transport, storage, chemicals and plastics, food, metal and machinery as well as businesses in professional services. Developments include construction of major roads and improvements in highway access.
Gauteng Automative Cluster
Gauteng is a leading producer of cars in South Africa, with brands such as BMW, Fiat, Nissan and Ford being manufactured in the province. Most of the automotive industry players are located in the Waltloo and Rosslyn areas of Pretoria. Through the Gauteng Auto Cluster project, Blue IQ has entered into partnership with leading manufacturers as well as research and academic institutions to assist in the training of manpower, skills and technology transfer and the development of automotive suppliers to the automotive industry. Blue IQ is contributing R30- million to this project.
The Innovation Hub
Located in Pretoria between the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the University of Pretoria, The Innovation Hub is a centre intended to encourage the start-up and growth of knowledge-intensive hi-tech industries. On completion, it will provide an excellent environment for knowledge sharing, training, marketing and human resource development for hi-tech companies. Blue IQ’s contribution to this project is R258-million. Investment potential ranges from high-tech incubators and R&D; facilities to corporate and regional headquarters for high-tech companies, and back office support centres. The Innovation Hub is also ideal for venture capital funds.
