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In a presentation to the Standing Committee on Economic Opportunities, Tourism and Agriculture in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, it was revealed that thousands of new jobs can be created in the development of an Aerotropolis surrounding Cape Town International Airport. 3 000 jobs stand to be created by just one regular scheduled long-haul service.

The development of Cape Town Aerotropolis will expand opportunities to a 20km radius around the airport. It will give access to opportunities to the poorest, youngest and most economically marginalised in the densest communities in the city.

The Metro South East represents more than 50% of the City population but only 3.2% of the City’s commercial investment. The Cape Town Aerotropolis can unlock the potential in the area, and is a strategic opportunity for the airport and the community for sustained growth.

An exciting development is the Swartklip Site, an undeveloped piece of land that is situated in the flight path of the planned runway. The site is in the process of being taken over by ACSA for the sake of a mixed development. It is situated between Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain.

The Swartklip Site will accommodate a new college, intended to accommodate up to 10 000 students. These students will be trained in the artisanal skills so desperately needed by the private sector. Their skills will match the needs of the Cape Town Aerotropolis. This is integration in practice, where the connective power of the airport is being used to transform the hinterland urban areas into an Aerotropolis.

Job-creation in the Western Cape is on the right track. Project Khulisa is a focused intervention program by the Western Cape Government (WCG) to accelerate economic growth in the tourism sector. It is expected that tourism will contribute 100 000 new jobs on top of the existing 240 000 jobs in the sector in the Western Cape.

The DA-led WCG shows how good governance, combined with government intervention programmes, creates an enabling environment for growth and jobs.

Issued by DA