Six consortia have been selected for a R12.5b public-private partnership (PPP) to redevelop South Africa’s busiest land ports, including two in Mpumalanga, Lebombo and Oshoek.

Announcing this on April 27, the commissioner of the Border Management Authority, Dr Michael Masiapato, said the redevelopment aims to modernise border infrastructure to enable secure and efficient border management.

The preferred bidder for the Oshoek Port of Entry, located in the south-eastern corridor to Eswatini in the Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality, is the Baobab Concession. Construction is expected to take place in phases over two years. The concession comprises Yakani Group, Wendra Infraco, Matla Integration, Tau Capital, Navigator Holding, and the Baobab Community Trust.

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For the Lebombo Port of Entry, located in the eastern corridor to Mozambique in the Nkomazi Local Municipality, the preferred bidder is the Raulux Consortium. Work is expected to be completed in phases over three years. The consortium includes Luxus Developments, Raubex, Exhantini Investments, Vulindlela Concessions, and Harith General Partners.

Masiapato said negotiations with the preferred bidders are at an advanced stage and will be followed by the submission of a final value-for-money report and a financial liability report for approval, leading to commercial close.

“All selected bidders have been found to comply with the requirements set out in the Request for Proposals, hence the decision to announce them today,” he said.

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Construction is expected to begin later this year or early next year at some ports, with a phased rollout over two to three years.

“Although engagements have been ongoing, we will in the coming weeks intensify discussions with key stakeholders at affected ports, including communities, municipal leadership, traditional leaders, business chambers, freight associations and cross-border traders, to understand their concerns before construction begins,” Masiapato said.