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President Cyril Ramaphosa described his visit to the Port of Nqgura in Nelson Mandela Bay on Tuesday as a "good day at the office."
Ramaphosa, who is leading his cabinet on an oversight visit to the Eastern Cape, said he received a briefing from Transnet officials and the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, on plans to upgrade the port and the further development of the Coega Special Economic Zone.
In a brief exchange with the media afterward, president Ramaphosa said they wanted to see how the port was operating and to hear about what developmental opportunities there were to take the port to a "much higher level", adding that the briefing with Transnet executives was also to hear about their plans for the Coega SEZ.
"This has been a most impressive inspection visit because I have been able to see and listen very carefully to some of the plans that they have to upgrade this port and to make sure that as the deepest water port in the country, it's able to service ships that come around here and in fact to attract ships," he said.
He said the country was "well endowed" with wonderful harbours and ports.
President Ramaphosa said being at the Coega SEZ had given him and his ministers the opportunity to see that "we can grow our economy enormously", and make South Africa a hub insofar as the oceans economy is concerned.
He said the SEZ, being part of our oceans economy masterplan, is well positioned for this, but the president added that a lot of investment would be needed.
"We have to bring in a lot of investment, and is to this end that the government will play its role in investing, as well as attract the private sector to come and invest quite a bit of their money," he added.
President Ramaphosa also commended the Transnet team, saying under CEO, Michelle Phillips, "good work" was being done under the guidance of the minister and deputy minister.
"So, it has been a good visit and a good day at the office," he concluded.
Meanwhile, President Ramaphosa and his cabinet are in the province as part of the government's bid to strengthen intergovernmental cooperation, collaboration, and consultation.
The Presidency said on Wednesday, the President and cabinet will meet with Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane and his executive council to discuss conditions and opportunities in the province as part of strengthening intergovernmental cooperation, collaboration, and consultation.
"The national and provincial executives will discuss various approaches to improving service delivery at local government level," said spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
