• There are four technological hubs planned for the KZN province and the first will be located in Port Shepstone.
• The hub will be comprised of five areas spread across 20-hectares.
• This project forms part of the Eastern Seaboard Development Initiative.

This morning a smorgasbord of organisations announced the establishment of the first of four technological hubs planned for the KwaZulu-Natal province.

Established as part of the Eastern Seaboard Development Initiative, and said to be run by provincial government as well as the Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality, the Port Shepstone Techno Hub will be the first location.

These hubs will be a space where investors and entrepreneurs can collaborate in a bid to stimulate the economy of the areas they’re located in.

“We are proud that the KZN South Coast has been chosen as one of the key locations for the development of a techno hub, a development investment that will undoubtedly benefit the youth,” chief executive officer of the South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise, Phelisa Mangcu, said in a media statement.

“The location of Port Shepstone is particularly well chosen. As the business and administration hub of the KZN South Coast, there is now even more reason for individuals and organisations to consider setting up shop here. There are great things in store for this region!” Mangcu added.

The hub in Port Shepstone will cover 20 hectares made up of five zones each covering a specific use case.

These areas include a light industrial/commercial zone, a techno hub / hotel / conference centre zone, a mixed-used commercial zone, and a mixed-use residential zone. The project is currently in Phase 1 which includes the completion of fencing and the establishment of an administrative building which includes training rooms and a boardroom.

A media release says that the Radisson Hotel Group has already committed to the hub though what this commitment entails is unclear.

This hub is said to have the potential to benefit other sectors from the insights garnered through it. These sectors include manufacturing, renewable energy, logistics and agriculture.

“This is not solely about job creation, but about creating a productive space for entrepreneurial thinkers to get together and collaborate on ground-breaking ideas and projects. The Port Shepstone Techno Hub really has the potential to drive socio-economic development, increase competitiveness, and grow the area in line with the fourth industrial revolution,” concludes Mangcu.

Those looking to invest in this and other projects can get in touch with the South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise through its website.

[Image – CC 0 Pixabay]