(SDI) MAPUTO DEVELOPMENT CORRIDOR

Key facts to concentrate on with regards to the prescribed Spatial Development Initiative (SDI):

• Definition and difference between an IDZ and SDIs.

• Map showing the location of prescribed SDI.
• Factors influencing the location of the prescribed SDI.
• Main development activities in the region.
• Factors that favour and hinder the development of the prescribed SDI.
• Economic and social impacts of the SDI.
• Case studies to illustrate the above.
Key SDI - MAPUTO DEVELOPMENT CORRIDOR
questions

Where is
it?
(Location)

• An approximately 630km transport route from Johannesburg in Gauteng to the port of Maputo in Mozambique on the
Indian Ocean. It consists of road, rail, border posts, port, and terminal facilities.

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The Maputo Corridor forms part of a larger transport route that connects the Atlantic and Indian Oceans through the sub-continent of
Southern Africa. It extends as far east as the deep-sea port of Walvis Bay in Namibia, through Botswana and from there with direct rail
and road connections to the Maputo Corridor and through the provinces of Northwest, Gauteng, Mpumalanga to Maputo the capital of
Mozambique.

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What is it? SDIs are transport and communication links between major industrial areas, metropolitan areas, and harbours. They are
development corridors stretching across parts of South Africa and, also into neighbouring countries.
(Definitions)
IDZs are purpose-built industrial estates with tax incentives linked to an international seaport or airport. They provide
Difference transport, logistics and business services tailored for export-oriented industries.
between an They are generally located around transport routes that have international links e.g., a harbour, to promote exports.
IDZ and SDI.
What are the • to develop & improve existing transport infrastructure to move raw materials & finished goods by road and rail.
aims? • to attract infrastructure and business investment too poor areas.
• to initiate economic activities along the transport corridors and improve trade. • to improve internal trade for export
by reducing transport costs
• to increase accessibility to markets.
• to promote agriculture, mining, tourism, environment, forestry, infrastructure (roads and railways), industry and ports.
• to create job opportunities.
What factors  Maputo Corridor connects South Africa's highly industrial and economic core in Gauteng, with the nearest deep-water
influenced the port in Maputo, Mozambique.
location?  The Maputo Corridor connects the Limpopo Province, which is a major producer of fruit and an exporter of minerals to
the nearest deep-water port.
 The Maputo Corridor passes through Mpumalanga where most of South Africa's electricity is generated, and coal is
exported.
 The Corridor provides access to the breathtaking national and international tourism destinations such as the Highland
Meander, escarpment and the Lowveld region of Mpumalanga where the largest national conservation area, the Kruger
National Park is located.
 The Maputo Corridor connects the Atlantic and Indian Oceans through Botswana to as far east as the deepsea harbor
of Walvis Bay in Namibia.
 Through direct road and rail connections, the Maputo Corridor runs through the provinces of North West, Gauteng and
Mpumalanga to Maputo, the capital of Mozambique.

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Main  The upgrading of the N4 highway.
developments  Maputo harbor, 129 hectares and 300m quay with a depth between 8 and 12 meters.
 The Ressano Garcia border post at Mozambique has been upgraded.
 The railway line between Johannesburg and Maputo.
 The gas pipeline between Sasolburg and Maputo.
 The Mazal aluminum smelter in Mozambique.
 Toll plazas
 Steel manufacturing in Middelburg.
 Vehicle manufacturing in Pretoria.
 Mbombela was developed as a regional service center.
 Improved electricity and communication connections between SA and Maputo.
 Overall infrastructure development.

Factors that  N4 Maputo corridor makes the area accessible.

favor /  Tourist attractions that attract investors and visitors to the area, as well as Mozambique and Swaziland. ✓ Maputo port
promote handling 6.5 million cargo.
development  Coal and power stations for energy sources.
 The extraction of coal and its processing into various products.
 The processing of sugar cane and the upgrading of the sugar terminal at the Maputo port. Mozambique, Swaziland,
Zimbabwe, and South Africa have jointly expanded sugar capacity.
 The Corridor passes through the most highly industrialized and productive regions of Southern Africa, such as Gauteng.

Factors that  High maintenance costs of the N4 highway.

hinder / limit  Maintenance costs of the Ressano Garcia border post, as well as delays at the border post.
development  Lots of unskilled labor.
 Inadequate transport services and high fees / tariffs for road, rail, port, terminals, and shipping.
 High toll gate fees.

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 What is the impact of the Maputo – Development corridor?
Economic  Creates employment opportunities for locals. Earning potential of locals increase.
advantages  Buying power of locals increase.
 Enables the growth of SMME (Small, Medium & Micro Enterprises).
 Transportation networks improve accessibility for trade.
 Communication networks enable growth of the SDI through technology.
 Attracts informal and other formal economic activities.
 Improves local infrastructure.
 Tourism provides opportunities in the informal sector for the buying and selling of arts and crafts.
 Standard of living (wealth of people) improves.
 Poverty (the state of not having enough material possessions) is reduced
 New business and business investments.
 The corridor makes travel and transport between countries easier, especially without the use of rail transport.
 The total GNP of South Africa and Mozambique is increased.
 Growth in the construction industry.

Social  Quality of life (well-being) improves. More and better services.

Advantages  Access to services and amenities improve.
 Money generated is used to develop community projects.
 Develop ethnic/cultural pride.
 Mobility of people improve.
 Reduces rural – urban migration.
 Skills of locals improve.
 Entrepreneurs are created.
 Reduces crime rate.
 Better housing.
 General upliftment of the local community.
 Medical sectors develop, new hospitals are built.

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Social justice Concept:
 Decisions and activities that positively influence communities or individuals.
 It promotes and develops the human and social environment.
 People are uplifted and provided with opportunities to improve their prosperity and well-being.
SOCIAL JUSTICE in the vicinity of the Maputo Corridor SDI:
 Creating jobs (human / social / economic)
 Uplifting the skills of communities (human / social)
 Economic growth takes place (human / economic)
 Foreign investors are attracted (economic)
 Improvement and maintenance of infrastructure (human / social / economic)
 Local markets are opened abroad (human / economic)
 Expansion and introduction of the tourism industry (human / economic) ✓ Development increases food security of
the area.
 Expansion of services such as health, education, power, and clean water.

Environmental Concept:
injustice
• Environmental injustice can be defined as the NEGATIVE effect that human activities or influences have on the
environment. The environment can include the physical (natural) or the human environment.
• Negative effects can be due to pollution (soil, water, air, noise), erosion, industrialization, urban development.
PHYSICAL INJUSTICE in the vicinity of the Maputo Corridor SDI:

❖ Coal mines destroy natural habitats (natural / physical)

❖ Noise, water, air pollution (natural / physical & human / social)
❖ Power stations require large amounts of water (natural / physical & human / social)
❖ Contaminated water causes diseases (human / social)
❖ Farming activities are disturbed, and agricultural land is reduced (human / social)

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3.6 ACTIVITY 1 - Read the extract on the Maputo Development Corridor in FIGURE 3.6
and answer the questions that follow.

3.6.1 What does the abbreviation SDI stand for? (1 x 1) (1)

3.6.2 Name ONE development project associated with the Maputo

Development Corridor. (1 x 1) (1)

3.6.3 How does the Maputo Development Corridor contribute to the

economy of South Africa? (1 x 2) (2)

3.6.4 The establishment of the Maputo Development Corridor will

address the problem of industrial centralisation in Gauteng.
Explain this statement. (2 x 2) (4)

3.6.5 Outline the economic advantages for communities living along

the Maputo Development Corridor. (4 x 2) (8)
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ACTIVITY 2 – MAPUTO DEVELOPMENT CORRIDOR

4.5 Refer to the newspaper extract on the Maputo Development Corridor FIGURE 4.5

4.5.1 Give evidence from the extract that confirms that the Maputo Development Corridor is a
successful initiative. 1x1

4.5.2 Which core industrial area in South Africa benefits the most from the Maputo Development
Corridor? 1x1

4.5.3 Name TWO infrastructure facilities that support the growth of the Maputo Development
Corridor. 2x1

4.5.4 Refer to the statement, ꞌTrade is largely outward bound.ꞌ

a) What does the statement trade “outward bound” mean? 1x2

b) Comment on why this type of trade is an advantage to South Africa. 1x2

4.5.5 In a paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines, explain how South Africa and Mozambique
have benefited from the Maputo Development Corridor. 4x2

Compiled by: Alma Snyman and Hyran Gillion

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