Ortia ‘aerotropolis’ will support beneficiation goals

The OR Tambo International airport is one of Gauteng’s greatest assets and the development of an aerotropolis makes sense, according to Gauteng MEC Mandla Nkomfe. Speaking at a post-Budget breakfast in Johannesburg last week, Nkomfe said the Ortia Aerotropolis would attract industries from across the business spectrum while improving logistics in the province. An aerotropolis is a new type of urban form comprising aviation-intensive businesses. Blue IQ CEO Amanda Nair said the development of the aerotropolis and the subsequent industrial zone around the airport, one of the major plans of the organisation, was therefore all about beneficiation. “Most of our precious minerals leave the shores of South Africa, beneficiation happens everywhere else and we buy back the products at premium rates. So by developing the industrial zone we are saying we have a very clear focus on how we can start to reverse this cycle by creating a manufacturing hub around the OR Tambo precinct.” She said while this was a very ambitious and bold initiative, it made futuristic sense not just for Gauteng but South Africa. Aerotropoli, by their nature, typically include free trade zones providing incentives for businesses located within the business space. The plans for the OR Tambo precinct provide a new commercial hub for Gauteng with major investment opportunities. “We are planning to hold an investment conference later this year where we will invite investors to attend and brief them about the various initiatives.”