Welkom’s old airport revamped with R5bn Cargo Project

Welkom’s ageing airport is being turned into a multi-billion-rand cargo hub in a bid to breathe life into the Free State Province’s struggling economy.

The R5-billion project was officially handed over on Wednesday, June 18 by Matjhabeng Local Municipality mayor Thanduxolo Khalipa to French logistics firm Sébastien Investment et Logistique, which is overseeing the development.

The airport will be transformed into a facility capable of handling international freight, with plans including a 5km runway and capacity for large cargo and private aircraft.

Khalipa said the development would bring much-needed economic relief to the region, which has been hard hit by declining mining activity and job losses.

R5 billion will be invested in the development of this airport. It brings hope of jobs, business opportunities and infrastructure growth for our communities

he said.

The mayor urged contractors and stakeholders to stick to timelines and deliver on their promises.

According to Sébastien Investment et Logistique CEO Mark Brummer, formal site inspections are expected to start on Tuesday, 24 June. The project has been in the planning stages for several months, with intergovernmental negotiations and technical assessments now complete.

“We’re now entering the implementation phase,” said Brummer.

The company also confirmed that the airport would not only handle cargo operations — including the transportation of gold — but would also be used for passenger and private flights.

Brummer said part of the company’s plan includes skills development for local residents. Training centres will be set up to ensure people from Welkom and surrounding areas are employed during and after construction.

“We want local people to fill those roles, rather than long-term contract staff,” he said.

The project has drawn interest from local business forums and civil society leaders, who say the region needs new sources of income following years of economic decline.

Construction is expected to create hundreds of temporary jobs, with long-term positions in logistics, aviation, maintenance, security, and customer services once the facility is operational.