The Coega Development Corporation (Coega) says it has successfully implemented infrastructure projects to an accumulative value of about R48-billion since the inception of its development programme for infrastructure outside of its special economic zone (SEZ) in 2004.

During the 2023/24 financial year, Coega supported the Eastern Cape Department of Education (DoE) and Department of Health (DoH) to complete infrastructure projects to the value of R4-billion in pursuit of socioeconomic development.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

“Coega’s capacity, dedication and prowess in the development of infrastructure in South Africa is evident through its collaboration with the provincial DoE on major infrastructure projects.

“From April 2023 to March this year, Coega played a crucial role in the completion of key educational facilities totaling R415.45-million,” Coega executive manager for infrastructure planning and development Dr Mpumi Mabula says.

The provincial DoE infrastructure development projects by Coega include the Cebe Junior Secondary School (JSS) in Kentani, valued at R59-million, creating 89 jobs, and allocating 33.75% procurement spend to local small, medium-sized and micro enterprises (SMMEs); Krazukile Senior Secondary School (SSS) in Kentani, with a project value of R52-million, creating 75 jobs, with 34.7% of the construction work awarded to local SMMEs; Tyali High School in Kentani, with a value of R74-million, creating 84 jobs and directing 24.6% of procurement spend to SMMEs, among others, Mabula says.

Additional school projects handed over to local communities in February and March in the Eastern Cape include the R49-million Nkululeko SSS in KwaNobuhle, and the R126-million Zibi Meyer JSS in Mount Fletcher.

Nkululeko SSS generated 31 local employment opportunities, including two internships, and used the services of 13 SMME contractors to support inclusive economic growth and to address socioeconomic development imperatives.   

The Zibi Meyer JSS awarded contracts to 21 local businesses and created 80 jobs during the construction period.

The most recent school project handed over by Education MEC Fundile Gade and Social Development MEC Bukiwe Fanta was to the community of Keiskammahoek.

The R55.45-million Vukile Tshwete SSS project provided employment to 76 local workers and will positively impact the lives of close to 1 000 learners enrolled at the school, providing them with a conducive and dignified learning environment.

Coega’s efforts to implement projects align with the National Development Plan Vision 2030, National Infrastructure Plan 2050, and United Nations Sustainable Development (SDG) Goal 4, focusing on inclusive and equitable quality education.

In KwaZulu-Natal, 36 projects have reached practical completion since April last year, across various districts with Coega as the implementing agent. Collectively, these projects amount to a project award value of about R181-million.

HEALTH SECTOR 

Coega has also played a hand in the successful completion of three Eastern Cape health infrastructure development projects to a value of about R1.3-billion. These projects include the Sipetu District Hospital in Ntabankulu valued at R623.7-million, the Khotsong Tuberculosis Hospital in Matatiele valued at R549-million, and the Meje Community Health Centre in Bizana worth R223-million.

Major health facilities located in other parts of the country include the Dihlabeng Regional Hospital Phase 2 in Bethlehem, with a construction value of R750-million.

Coega also assisted with the R889-million Zithulele District Hospital, which has also achieved sectional practical completion in the King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality, has generated a total of 786 construction jobs, 417 employment opportunities for young people, nine graduate internships, and 115 technical training opportunities. Further, 939 people were afforded opportunities for life skills training, with about 64% of beneficiaries categorised as local labour.

Coega played in the Bambisana District Hospital in the Eastern Cape as well. This facility is valued at R515-million and has created 376 job opportunities, with 211 opportunities offered to young people, 49 opportunities created for women, seven internships, and training for 348 people.

Coega says it follows a rigorous project management approach to ensure that infrastructure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to high-quality standards while ensuring good corporate governance.

Coega is also working with clients outside of South Africa to implement infrastructure projects in other African countries.

The Auditor-General of South Africa issued a clean audit to Coega for the last four consecutive years, adds Coega marketing, brand and communications head Dr Ayanda Vilakazi.

PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Currently, Coega is implementing numerous infrastructure development projects across its departmental portfolios. Coega has been appointed to implement 26 projects across the country on behalf of the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure through its debut Turnkey Projects Programme to the value of about R1.3-billion. 

These projects, which are largely in the planning phase, range from repairs and upgrades to public facilities to the construction of new facilities located across eight provinces, including in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Gqeberha and Mahikeng.

This follows Coega’s achievement on the Tshwane Automotive SEZ development, in which the organisation completed about R4.2-billion worth of infrastructure development within two years during the Covid-19 pandemic.   

In the 2024/25 financial year, Coega aims to play a pivotal role in advancing infrastructure development as a key priority of the national Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.

“Based on 24 years’ expertise in infrastructure delivery and maintenance, and with projects underway across the country and into Africa, Coega has [been] spearheading infrastructure development and maintenance projects for health, education, public works, and other programme sectors,” Mabula says.