LOOK: New bridge cuts travel time from Kosi Bay to Maputo by 4.5 hours

The new bridge linking KZN (SA) with Mozambique was officially launched by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Chair Sihle Zikalala

The new bridge linking KZN (SA) with Mozambique was officially launched by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Chair Sihle Zikalala

Published Nov 11, 2018

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Durban - A new bridge linking KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique will create jobs and boost trade between the countries, said KZN's Economic Development MEC Sihle Zikalala. 

Mozambique has officially opened the Maputo–Catembe bridge – which at 3 041 metres is the longest suspension bridge in Africa. The bridge connects the Mozambican capital of Maputo on the northern bank with Katembe on the southern bank and is also expected to have a direct impact on South Africans and Mozambicans travelling between the two countries.

Zikalala was at the opening of the new bridge on Saturday. 

“This bridge will boost both countries’ economy and create more jobs as it will enhance trade opportunities which will make it easier for exports and imports and imports between among the two countries,” said Zikalala. 

The bridge will see the travel time between Maputo to Kosi Bay (on the KZN border) reduced from six hours to 90 minutes. Zikalala added that the bridge will boost trade and tourism between South Africa and Mozambique. 

Advancing African Integration. The new bridge linking KZN (SA) with Mozambique was officially launched 2day pic.twitter.com/lF3gf3n3Dr

— Sihle Zikalala (@sziks) November 10, 2018

"The more trade increases in a country the more jobs it creates and therefore this bridge will create a lot more jobs and make in easier for exports and imports between South Africa and Mozambique, " said Zikalala.

Zikalala said that when South Africa joined more than 50 African states in signing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTFA) agreement, which is aimed at facilitating a single market for goods and services on the continent, this is one of the things that the agreement aimed at achieving.  

Sunday Tribune

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