Department budgets for international licence for airport in Hoedspruit

This became apparent during the R2.7 billion 2024/2025 budget speech by the MEC of Transport and Community Safety, Florence Radzilani, on Tuesday, March 19. “We shall continue with our engagements with the Maruleng Municipality, the National Department of Transport, the Department of Defence and Military Veterans, and other critical stakeholders to repurpose the Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit,” she said.

“Engagements are at an advanced stage to acquire an international operating licence for this airport. Once concluded, this will open a seamless flow for both passengers and agricultural products between Maruleng and other parts of the globe.” Radzilani also referred to a review and update of the provincial freight strategy which was developed, over a decade ago.

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“For the 2024/25 financial year, we have allocated an amount of R5m to assist the Maruleng Local Municipality in the Mopani District to develop its integrated transport plans (ITPs),” the MEC said. She said in total the provincial budget is 5.1% higher from last year. “The increase is an intervention mechanism to inject funds into the bus subsidies programme, and assist the Gateway Airports Authority in its management of the Polokwane International Airport and adjacent facilities.”

She said her department, as the main contributor to the province’s revenue, envisages collecting more than R2.7 billion over the 2024 medium-term expenditure. “The new registering authorities in Lephalale, Polokwane, Makhado and Tzaneen will be a ‘jerk in the arm’ towards the realisation of this goal,” said Radzilani. She said the department has also tailored its programmes to address poverty, inequality, and unemployment.

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R330m will go towards compensation of employees, a growth of 5% from the 2023/24 financial year. R192m will go towards contractual obligations such as cleaning services, security, office space, procurement of machinery and equipment, and vehicles. R8m has been set aside for maintenance and repairs of buildings to ensure they are compliant and fit for human occupation, she concluded.