Operation Phakisa making waves in Oceans Economy

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma launched Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy in July 2014 in Durban as a results-driven approach to development, involving various sectors such as business, labour, academia, civil society, Stateowned Entities and Government.

The sectors worked together to develop detailed delivery action plans, set targets and monitor progress on an on-going basis.

Operation Phakisa is an adaptation of the Big Fast Results methodology that was successfully applied by the Malaysian Government in the delivery of its Economic and Government Transformation Programmes.

Two years into its launch, Operation Phakisa Oceans Economy is growing the aquaculture sector, having created 450 direct jobs and produced 2 000 additional tons of fish. This is a 35% increase for the sector, which has added R500 million to the country’s GDP.

The South African government to date has unlocked a total of R17.7 billion in investment through the Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy process in the five initially identified areas which are Offshore Oil and Gas, Aquaculture,

Marine Manufacturing and Transport, Oceans Governance and Tourism.

The focus in the oceans economy has meant a new wave in aquaculture, making it one of the fastest growing food production sectors.