Nuclear would help Eastern Cape

DEAR SIR — The sustainability of the Eastern Cape economy was previously largely reliant on the automotive sector, with four vehicle manufacturers; namely Volkswagen, Ford, Daimler Chrysler and General Motors, all based there.

Most recently, the economy of the province has experienced increased diversification into sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure development and energy.

With the latter in mind, the energy ministry has encouraged the establishment of an energy hub in the Eastern Cape.

Given that the preferred site for the first new nuclear power station is Thyspunt, Eastern Cape, it would be strategically advantageous to locate the bulk of nuclear manufacturing in this region, and the Coega Industrial Development Zone and the Port of Ngqura would provide the perfect infrastructure backbone for this.

Besides logistical benefits, the Eastern Cape province is one of the country’s most economically underdeveloped, and establishing such a hub would provide a welcome boost to the province’s socioeconomic development. In addition, the future prospect of large-scale renewable energy industries and petrochemical plants for this region could benefit significantly from high-quality nuclear artisanal skills in the area.

As we have seen in many countries, whenever nuclear plants are built, it is important to provide employment and opportunity for the inhabitants of the region.

The development of a nuclear-manufacturing hub in the Eastern Cape would help improve business in the area through the participation of locals, create sustainable employment opportunities and contribute to infrastructure development, which remains one of the biggest challenges facing the province. Gaopalelwe Sants were Executive chairperson of South African Young Nuclear Professionals Society