At least three new small harbours are to be built at neglected coastal towns around South Africa.

Port Shepstone on KwaZulu-Natal’s south coast has been named as the site of one of the new harbours in the government infrastructure programme, which was officially launched by Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala on 31 October.

The South African Government News Agency reports that new small harbours will also be built in the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape, though the exact sites are yet to be revealed.

‘The new harbours will be the first to be built since the dawn of democracy. The programme aligns with government priorities on job creation, regional economic development and inclusive access to maritime infrastructure,’ the department said.

‘This forms part of coastal government initiatives including the District Development Model, Eastern Seaboard Development, N2 Corridor and Operation Phakisa, Oceans Economy, with the intention of developing a project pipeline for new harbour and coastal infrastructure development along the coastline of South Africa,’ it said.

According to IOL, the Port Shepstone harbour will be located less than 1 km from the town’s central business district and the Oribi Plaza shopping centre.

‘The small harbours will help create work and business opportunities in industries such as fisheries, tourism, transport and logistics, while also promoting property development, including hospitality. These are sectors that benefit from the marine economy,’ Zikalala said.

11 November 2025
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