The Nkuna Smart City will transform Limpopo, South Africa into vibrant socio-economic city of the future. Initiated by the Masingita Group of Companies it is one more step towards upgrading rural territories in South Africa and contributing to sustainable development. Government of South Africa plans to unveil nkuna smart city as one of the leading projects since the demise of apartheid with R1.5 billion investment.
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Approximately 119 hectares of the city area will undergo redevelopment to provide industrial zones, residential area, shopping malls, hotel and conference centers, and transport interchange nodes. The site contains numerous commercial functions that will ensure the provision of basic human needs as well as better living standards for the inhabitants of this region and source of employment for the people and other clients in this area.
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To reduce half yearly commitment, the following programs will advance as construction of Nkuna Smart City will offer the best model of addressing key rural development problems in South Africa in the following way. Its focus on the development of new infrastructure, generation of employment opportunities, and opening up of new investment opportunities will yield its long term effects, making it a hallmark of the Limpopo region transformation.
Significance
The importance of this aspect of the project is one of the biggest prospects of the project the creation of new jobs. The construction phase of the project will employ more than 8000 people in the provision of temporary employment while over 6000 people will be permanently employed with the project after completion in different fields. This is a massive relief for the local economy, particularly on employment because for years the economy here has had the worst record with high unemployment and little means for infrastructure improvement. The industrial and commercial areas within the city will be critical in propelling the economic growth of the region, by wooing both regional and international investors.
Speaking during the launch of the project, Limpopo Premier Chupu Mathabatha said the project would act as a game-changer in the region. The Nkuna Smart City is driven by physical infrastructure change but also social change. It seeks to bring change to the structure of the rural economy and introduce industries, as well as enhance service deliveries which include health, education as well as internet connectivity. This is more so because the Nkuzana area is relatively new and has a poor base infrastructure as compare to other areas.
There is also firm support of the government of the Republic of South Africa on the project. Through the department of trade, industry and competition(DTIC) it allocated R50 million as grant funding to help with its development. It is also important to see that the government and private sector are willing to contribute to make Nkuna Smart City as a model for the other Smart Cities in the Country.
Project factsheet
Constructor: Masingita group.
Start date: 2022.
Cost: R1.5 billion.
Location: Nkuzana village, Limpopo, south Africa.
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