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Projects & Programs

Driving strategic development initiatives that stimulate economic growth, investment, and sustainable opportunities in Port St Johns.

Strategic Development Initiatives

The Port St Johns Development Agency is responsible for facilitating and supporting strategic projects that contribute to economic development, investment promotion, and improved livelihoods within the region. These initiatives focus on unlocking local potential, strengthening key economic sectors, and creating sustainable opportunities for communities and businesses.

Majola Tea Estate

The Majola Tea Estate is one of the strategic agricultural initiatives aimed at supporting rural economic development, sustainable farming, and employment creation within the Port St Johns region. The estate contributes to local agricultural production while creating opportunities for skills development, enterprise participation, and community upliftment. The project plays an important role in strengthening the agricultural economy and promoting sustainable land use within the area.

The tea estate supports local employment opportunities through farming, processing, maintenance, and operational activities. It also contributes to broader economic participation by supporting small-scale agricultural initiatives and local supply chains. Through continued development and strategic partnerships, the project seeks to improve productivity, create long-term sustainability, and strengthen agricultural investment opportunities in the region.

Fruit Cluster Development

This program focusses on the establishment of a community-based fruit production in wards 10, 11 and 12 of Port St Johns, with 2 Agro-processing plants for juice manufacturing, dried fruit production, jam and canned fruit production. The main purpose is job creation, SMME development, Income generation, skills development, value adding as well as access to markets.

Small Harbour Development

The Small Harbour Development initiative is aimed at improving marine infrastructure and unlocking economic opportunities linked to the ocean economy within Port St Johns. The project seeks to strengthen coastal economic activity by supporting fisheries development, tourism growth, marine services, and related investment opportunities. Improved harbour infrastructure is expected to enhance accessibility for local fishing communities and contribute to long-term regional development.

The development forms part of broader efforts to position Port St Johns as a strategic coastal destination that supports sustainable marine-based economic activities. The initiative is also expected to contribute to job creation, enterprise development, and increased participation in the ocean economy sector. The harbour project supports government objectives aimed at improving infrastructure, facilitating investment, and creating inclusive economic opportunities for surrounding communities.

Aquaculture and Oceans Economy

The Aquaculture and Fish Processing Initiative focuses on developing sustainable marine-based economic activities that contribute to employment creation, food production, and regional economic growth. The project seeks to support fish farming and processing opportunities while strengthening participation in the ocean economy sector. Through aquaculture development, the initiative aims to create opportunities for local communities, emerging enterprises, and sector-specific skills development.

The project intends to support the following outcomes:
• Descent employment, through inclusive economic growth (Outcome 4).
• Efficient, competitive and responsive economic infrastructure network (Outcome 6).
• Vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities and food security (Outcome 7).

Tourism Development

This program leverages our subtropical mountainous, ocean view, and community experiences to encourage visitor inflow to PSJ, while growing tourism-related SMMEs and improving infrastructure at tourism sites.

Airstrip Development

This program focuses on fencing and developing a viewing deck on Mt. Thessiger, including development of the former military landing airstrip into a small local airport with hotel, conference, cable car, and related tourism infrastructure.

Cannabis & Medicinal Plants Agro Processing

This program entails leveraging the favourable unique climatic conditions that encourage growth of cannabis (Intsangu) to form backward linkages in producing medicinal products.