The Integrated Wild Coast Development Programme (IWCDP) is a strategic, integrated initiative whose goal is to bring about significant changes in the wild coast area stretching across the eastern part of the Eastern Cape, incorporating the district municipalities of OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo and Amathole.
Driven by the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism on behalf of the Eastern Cape Government, the initiative is built around the three pillars of agro-processing, green industries and tourism supported by major infrastructure projects.
In addition, it includes the promulgation of a number of new towns with coffee bay being the pilot project. Baseline studies and spatial planning for this have been completed and the consultation process concluded. Other new towns that have been identified are at Qora, Qolorha, Mzamba and Mthatha Mouth.
The major infrastructure projects underpinning the IWCDP are the N2 highway for which an environmental record of decision has been issued and the designs completed; the wild coast meander, a low volume road hugging the coast on which work is already underway and the Mzimvubu Dam for which detailed designs are being completed.
The construction is expected to begin in the last quarter of 2014 and scheduled for completion in 2019. About R200 million will be made available to continue with the construction of Mthatha Airport as the gateway to the wild coast. This will cover construction of a terminal building, raising the airport tower, perimeter fencing and upgrade of the airport access road.
Application has been made for the wild coast to be declared a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) focusing on agro-processing, tourism and green industries. Anchor value chains identified for agro-processing include sub-tropical and citrus fruit, essential oils, cash crops, maize, beans, tea and red meat.
The department has developed a business case for the establishment of a wild coast SEZ that looked at infrastructure and logistic considerations, the socio-economic to the area, possible anchor investments and the sectors that will be the major area of focus.
