Vulnerable groups in southern Africa, such as the youth and women, must benefit from economic opportunities that arise from the Trans-Kalahari Corridor (TCK). This sentiment was expressed yesterday by South African (SA) transport minister Lydia Chikunga during the TKC Council of Ministers’ meeting in Windhoek, where she was joined by her Namibian and Botswana counterparts, John Mutorwa and Eric Molale, respectively.
During her opening remarks, Chikunga noted that a whopping 75% of regional commodities are transported on the TKC, which stretches from the Port of Walvis Bay through Botswana to Pretoria in South Africa. She gave an assurance of SA’s commitment to the TKC, and emphasised that the tremendous potential of the corridor must be unlocked. In fact, the SA transport minister is adamant that the regional transport sector can “rebalance” intra-African trade by providing efficient, effective and affordable transportation options for people and businesses.
“We need to move with speed to unlock potential volumes brough about by the African Continental Free Trade Area”, said Chikunga, adding that the prospect is bright for Africans to create the largest single market in the world.
“The TKC continues to grow exponentially, particularly in volumes traded. In this regard, we are still considering the expansion of the corridor,” she noted.
Chairing yesterday’s meeting, Botswana’s Molale said more regional integration is needed between people and between businesses. This, he said, will deepen regional peace and stability.
“We need to illustrate to the world that we have the willingness, the skills and the foresight to develop regional infrastructure,” observed Molale. He added that infrastructure projects in southern Africa should benefit all citizens, should not stop in the region, but be expanded to all of Africa.
Meanwhile, works and transport minister Mutorwa congratulated the three member states which comprise the TKC for achieving the objectives of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed some 20 years ago.
Part of the MoU, signed in Walvis Bay in 2003, stipulated the need for a Trans-Kalahari Corridor Management Committee (TKCMC), which is a tripartite trans-boundary corridor development and management organisation. This committee has been established, with a political and economic vision to pursue or contribute towards deeper regional integration in SADC, SACU and beyond.
Mutorwa underscored the indispensable role played by the Trans-Kalahari Corridor Secretariat, which he explained is tasked with ensuring the successful implementation of all corridor programmes and activities who use and will continue to use the Trans-Kalahari Economic Development Corridor.
– ebrandt@nepc.com.na