Gauteng’s MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, has unveiled plans for a new airport in the Sedibeng District, which forms part of an ambitious R200 billion infrastructure initiative aimed at spurring economic growth in the region.
The airport project is designed to improve connectivity and generate significant employment opportunities, contributing to the province’s broader economic revitalisation efforts.
Maile highlighted the potential for this development to attract both local and international investors, positioning Sedibeng as an emerging economic hub.
Sedibeng consists of three local municipalities: Emfuleni, Midvaal and Lesedi. Towns within these municipalities include Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, Meyerton and Heidelberg. Townships include Evaton, Sebokeng, Boipatong, Bophelong, Sharpeville, Nigel and Devon.
Although specific details regarding the project’s timeline and funding remain undisclosed, Maile said that the airport is part of a larger provincial strategy to enhance infrastructure, including expanding the Gautrain network and launching the National Rail Masterplan.
This includes a new high-speed rail line between Gauteng and Limpopo, with the Gautrain set to create over 10 million construction jobs over the next five years.
The Gautrain expansion will see the network grow from 80km to 230km, offering improved access to economic hubs across Gauteng.
The project is also set to integrate with the new high-speed rail line, connecting key areas such as Pretoria, Bela-Bela, Polokwane, and Musina, and boosting regional economic activity.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to investing R120 billion in Gautrain's expansion, with construction planned for areas like Soweto, Mamelodi, and Lanseria, alongside further developments to connect communities previously underserved by public transport.
While the exact costs of the Gauteng-Limpopo rail link remain unclear, two financial institutions, including a Chinese partner, are reportedly ready to back the project once it receives approval from the National Treasury.
Maile noted that the proposed Sedibeng airport would be a privately funded venture, with the government contributing to the essential bulk infrastructure.
He stated that investors, including Citibank, have already expressed interest in the project, signalling strong private sector confidence in Gauteng’s economic potential.
Maile said that the airport will play a critical role in revitalising the Sedibeng region, particularly benefiting municipalities like Emfuleni, which have faced economic challenges.
He referred to the airport as a "multiplier effect," driving revenue and economic activity into the local economy, with long-term job creation and growth in the surrounding areas.
In addition to these developments, Maile recently praised Bolt's €100 million (R1.87 billion) commitment to improving safety features on its platform, which aligns with the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to support innovation and technology-driven growth.
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