New airport planned for South Africa in R200 billion development

Gauteng’s Finance and Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile, has revealed plans for a new airport in the Sedibeng District as part of an estimated infrastructure investment of R200 billion.

This initiative aims to stimulate economic growth and development in the region.

The proposed airport is expected to enhance connectivity and create numerous job opportunities, contributing to the province’s economic revitalisation.

Maile emphasised the project’s potential to attract both local and international investors, positioning Sedibeng as a significant economic hub.

Maile did not comment on specific details about the project’s timeline, and funding sources have not been disclosed.

However, he mentioned that the airport is part of broader infrastructure development and economic expansion plans for the province.

He said this includes expanding the Gautrain and developing the country’s National Rail Masterplan, which includes a new high-speed train from Gauteng to Limpopo.

During his latest State of the Province Address (SoPA), Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi revealed that the expansion to the Gautrain is expected to create in excess of 10.1 million jobs in construction over a five-year period.

In 2022, the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) announced that the passenger rail service would be nearly tripled in size in the coming years, from the current 80km to an impressive 230km, connecting previously underserved communities to the country’s main economic hubs.

The upgraded Gautrain will also form an integral part of the new high-speed railway planned between Gauteng and Limpopo.

The project is expected to kick off in 2026 when the Gauteng Provincial Government will assume ownership of the commuter rail system after the current concession expires.

“To uphold the position of Gauteng as the economic hub, we will accelerate our infrastructure investment. In less than two years, the Gauteng Government will invest R120 billion in the expansion of Gautrain to the following areas: Soweto via Fourways; Mamelodi; Atteridgeville; Lanseria; and Springs,” said Lesufi at the SoPA.

The cost of the new Gauteng-Limpopo railway has yet to be disclosed, and the National Treasury still needs to approve the project before a tender can be issued.

However, Lesufi has stated that two institutions – one local and one based in China – are already willing to provide financial backing.

According to a recent video published by the ANC’s Limpopo branch, the Gauteng-Limpopo Rail Link Project will incorporate parts of the existing north-south corridor and will be built in two phases.

By the time the high-speed network is finished, it will run through the following towns and cities:

• Pretoria
• Hammanskraal
• Bela-Bela
• Mokopane
• Polokwane
• Louis Trichardt
• Musina

Every town connected by the new rail line is expected to become a new economic hub, creating jobs within the region.

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