NEW BUSINESS opportunities are being opened up in the former Transkei area by the refurbishment of the East London – Transkei railway line. “One element that deserves special attention, and one that provides me with deep satisfaction, is the manner in which the Kei Rail project provides integral support to the success of the restructuring of the Safcol forests here (in the Transkei), says public enterprises minister Jeff Radebe. He was speaking at a function to mark the start of a R40-million third phase in the project to improve the rail links between the port of East London and the Eastern Cape hinterland to the east. The long-term vision of the project is to develop a modern railway line in the corridor, which will contribute to high standards and integrated rail/road/sea/air freight and passenger services. “Conceptually, what stands out about this project is the fact that although the line provides a link between its two ends, i.e. the Umtata hinterland and East London on the coast. It also provides access and opportunities to communities as far apart as Port St Johns, Stutterheim, Umtata itself, Ugie, Langeni, and other villages beyond the immediate iron highway of rail. This line will encourage economic activity and community involvement for farmers, marketers, traders and shop owners, transporters, and boost growth practically along each of its 281 winding kilometres. Thus, potential growth and development will emerge around the primary railway stations along the route, places other than East London or King Williamstown and Umtata that include Bisho, Mdantsane, Komga, Butterworth, Idutywa, and Viedgiesville. We foresee also significant growth in towns and villages that straddle the feeder roads such as Kentani, Willowvale, Mqanduli and Nquamakwe. Many of these rural villages are already the centre of important community-based public works programmes centred on educational, health or community garden projects. Once again, the circles of impact of formerly disparate development projects are overlapping more and more towards greater sustainability and success,” said Radebe.