THE Coega Development Corporation continues to make significant strides as a trusted implementing agent of choice in South Africa. Since the inception of its non-SEZ infrastructure development programme in 2004, Coega has successfully implemented infrastructure projects valued at R48.3 billion. It has thus enhanced state capacity for service delivery and enabled inclusive growth and socioeconomic development throughout the country.
During the 2023/24 financial year, from April 2023 to March 2024, Coega has proudly supported the Eastern Cape Department of Education (DoE) and Department of Health (DoH) with the successful completion of infrastructure projects valued at R4 billion, pursuing its vision to be a leading catalyst for socioeconomic development.
Transforming public education facilities
“Coega’s capacity, dedication, and prowess in the development of infrastructure in South Africa is evident through its collaboration with the DoE on major infrastructure projects. From April 2023 to March 2024, Coega has played a crucial role in the completion of key educational facilities totalling R415.45 million,” says Dr Mpumi Mabula, Coega’s executive manager for infrastructure planning and development.
“The DoE infrastructure development projects by Coega include the Cebe Junior Secondary School in Kentani, valued at R59 million, which created 89 jobs, and allocated 34% procurement spend to local SMMEs. Krazukile Senior Secondary School in Kentani, with a project value of R52 million, created 75 jobs, with 35% of the construction work awarded to local SMMEs. Tyali High School in Kentani, with a value of R74 million, created 84 jobs and directed 25% of procurement spend to SMMEs, to name a few,” says Mabula.
Other school projects handed over to local communities in February and March 2024, and located in the Eastern Cape, include the R49 million Nkululeko Senior Secondary School (SSS) in KwaNobuhle, and the R126 million Zibi Meyer Junior Secondary School (JSS) in Mount Fletcher. Nkululeko SSS generated 31 local employment opportunities, including two internships, and utilised the services of 13 SMME contractors to ensure inclusive economic growth and 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 was to the community of Keiskammahoek. The R55,5 million Vukile Tshwete SSS project provided employment to 76 local workers and will positively impact the lives of close to 1000 learners enrolled at the school, providing them with a conducive and dignified learning environment.
In KwaZulu-Natal, 36 projects have reached practical completion from April 2023 to March 2024, across various districts with Coega as the trusted IA. Collectively, the projects amount to a project award value of R181 million.
The health sector
Coega’s impact extends to the health sector, with the successful completion of three Eastern Cape health infrastructure development projects valued at 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. The 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.
Other hospitals with Coega as IA include the following:
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 64% of beneficiaries categorised as local labour.
The Bambisana District Hospital in the Eastern Cape, valued at R515 million, 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’s success as a leader in the public sector infrastructure development and trusted infrastructure IA is rooted in its adherence to best practices, transparency, and accountability. The organisation follows a rigorous project management approach, ensuring that infrastructure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards while ensuring good corporate governance. Through effective international best practices in project management, ISO-certified processes, and excellent customer service, Coega has consistently earned the trust of clients and stakeholders. This trust has extended to clients outside of South Africa, into the rest of the continent where Coega is also implementing infrastructure projects. The auditor-general issued a “clean audit” to Coega for the last four years, further demonstrating its excellence in supply chain management, says Dr Ayanda Vilakazi, Coega head of marketing, brand and communications.
Supporting 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 programme, the Turnkey Projects Programme, valued at R1.3 billion.
These projects, which are largely in the planning phase, range from much-needed repairs and upgrades to public facilities to the construction of new facilities located across eight provinces including the cities of Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Gqeberha, and Mahikeng, amongst others.
These projects further extend Coega’s footprint and portfolio of projects to every province in the country. This follows Coega’s excellent achievement on the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) development, in which the organisation completed R4,2 billion in infrastructure development in two years during the Covid-19 pandemic, to the satisfaction of all partners and stakeholders who played a crucial role during construction.
As the new financial year 2024/25 starts, Coega will continue to play a pivotal role in advancing infrastructure development as a key priority of the South African 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 demonstrated remarkable success spearheading infrastructure development and maintenance projects for health, education, public works, and other programme sectors by virtue of its competence and expertise,” concludes Mabula.
