President Jacob Zuma will provide a progress report to stakeholders on work being done to implement the Operation Phakisa Oceans Economy fast results priority project in Durban, on Friday, 06 October 2017.
The President launched Operation Phakisa in 2014, as one of the means of fast-tracking the implementation of the National Development Plan aspects dealing with reigniting growth and job creation and to improve socio-economic services. The Operation Phakisa is being implemented in the oceans economy, expansion of information and communication technologies in schools, building ideal clinics, mining, tourism and the agriculture and rural development sectors.
The President will first visit the tugboat building facility at the Southern African Shipyards in the Port of Durban, to witness the work being done, particularly at the training facility, and interact with the workers. Southern African Shipyards is the biggest the largest Shipyard in Southern Africa and provides complete in-house marine solutions including shipbuilding, ship repair, naval maintenance, mechanical and fabrication and oil and gas departments.
The stakeholder briefing session will be attended by stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including labour, academia and civil society. Government works with all these sectors to strengthen partnerships and cooperation with the private sector while creating an enabling environment for investment in the oceans economy sector.
Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy initiative was launched in July 2014 as a results-driven approach to development, involving various sectors such as business, labour, academia, civil society, State-owned Entities and Government.
South Africa has a coastline of 3 900 kilometres, with Executive Economic Zone (EZZ) of 1.5 million square meters, with the potential to contribute up to R 177 billion to the gross domestic product (GDP) and create just over one million jobs by 2033.
The ultimate goal of the Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy is to advance the fight against the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality, through the following work streams:
- Marine Transport and Manufacturing;
- Offshore Oil and Gas;
- Aquaculture;
- Marine Protection Services and Ocean Governance;
- Small Harbours Development; and
- Coastal and Marine Tourism.
The details of the event are as follows:
Part One: Southern African Shipyards, Port of Durban
Date: Friday, 06 October 2017
Time: 10h00
Venue: Southern African Shipyards, Port of Durban
Part Two: Presidential stakeholder briefing to stakeholders
Time: 11:30
Venue: Chief Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, Durban
Media attending the event are required to send their details including ID/passport numbers preferably on or before Wednesday 04 October 2017 by 17h00 to Ernest Mulibana on EMulibana@environment.gov.za or 082 263 7372 or Professor Ndawonde on 079 891 2782 or proffesor@presidency.gov.za.
NB: Members of the media are also requested to present their valid press cards at the point of entry to access the venue.
Enquiries: Dr Bongani Ngqulunga on 082 308 9373 or bongani@presidency.gov.za
Issued by Government Communications (GCIS) on behalf of The Presidency