Confirmation of the imminent resumption of direct flights between Margate and Johannesburg, albeit with a different carrier (Airlink) was welcome news for the local economy.
Economic development depends on access and mobility of both capital and physical goods, and any developments that support this can only be positive.

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The importance of this route should not be underestimated, and there are a myriad of benefits that could accrue to local economic development.

Sustainable

Firstly, the trend towards ‘younger semi-retirees’, either business owners or professionals who opt to split where they live and where they work is growing.

Entrenching the Margate-Johannesburg route as a sustainable and cost effective one to this sector could encourage more people to relocate to our shores – with all the attendant positive economic knock-on benefits (property market, employment of domestic staff etc.)

Tourism

Secondly, we need to re-ignite investment in the tourism sector: our beaches (Blue Flag or not) are not going to shield us from growing regional and international competition.

New routes and destinations are vital in order to be able to attract the tourism spend, especially in foreign currency.

A well-serviced and supported air route will hopefully give potential investors some confidence in the future.

Thirdly, the silo mentality that sees a division between the ‘tourism’ and ‘business’ sectors of the local economy must end.

Tourism is business, and closer co-operation between all players in the local economic sphere is vital. 

Travellers flying into Margate for ‘business’ could quite easily be convinced to become ‘leisure’ travellers with the right marketing.

Catalyst

Finally, I would hope that the re-establishment of this route will be a catalyst for the long-in-the- planning redevelopment of Margate Airport.

While we acknowledge the challenges and impediments, we need to all put our heads together, and our proverbial shoulders to the wheel, and make it. Like Nike says, ‘JUST DO IT’!

The impact of a well-functioning regional airport could very well be the game changer the district economy requires.

After matriculating, Vijay Naidoo studied Economics in the UK. Upon his return, he joined the family construction business as MD for 10 years.

He subsequently joined his sister in their furniture manufacturing business as director for quality assurance and operations. He was responsible for all quality aspects of their products, and led the project to the business achieving an ISO 9000 quality accreditation. As an export focused business, this was important for our international competitiveness.

Mr Naidoo has an abiding interest in quality management and productivity improvement, particularly in manufacturing.

More recently, he has focused a lot of his time on giving back to the community by way of mentorship of small businesses and sitting on the executive of the South Coast Chamber of Commerce. He also sits on the Board of the Ugu South Coast Development Agency.

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