Cape Winelands Airport and Stellenbosch University sign pact

Cape Winelands Airport and Stellenbosch University have entered a cooperation agreement to advance smart and green development through shared research and infrastructure innovation.

The partnership aims to align academic research with industry expertise to address challenges in agriculture, food processing, spatial planning, transport, logistics, space, and aviation research. The collaboration links airport operations with urban development as part of the planned R8bn expansion of Cape Winelands Airport.

Engineering collaboration will focus on technical cooperation, infrastructure innovation, and operational efficiency linked to aviation infrastructure development. The agreement includes building student capacity through applied research projects for master's students within the Stellenbosch University Engineering Management programme.

The parties will explore establishing facilities for testing, prototyping, and production related to smart technologies and logistics. According to Deon Cloete, Managing Director for Cape Winelands Airport, the expansion presents a long-term opportunity to connect academia and industry to benefit the aviation sector and the broader regional economy.

The airport expansion is projected to sustain approximately 35,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction and expansion phases. During its first 20 years of operation, the development is expected to support just over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs within the Western Cape.

Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University, said: "This initiative speaks directly to the kind of partnership-driven development we believe in, where infrastructure, innovation and skills come together to create real impact."

Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Internationalisation at Stellenbosch University, said the partnership opens significant doors for interdisciplinary work across sectors including agriculture and engineering. He added that strengthening ties between academia and the private sector would promote expertise-sharing and develop innovations that serve both the local area and the public at large.

As the airport evolves over the coming decades, the partnership aims to ensure that academic research, innovation, and skills development remain closely connected to the practical realities and opportunities emerging from one of the country's most ambitious aviation infrastructure projects.

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of the agreement between Cape Winelands Airport and Stellenbosch University?

The agreement aims to advance smart and green development through shared research and infrastructure innovation, aligning academic research with industry expertise across several sectors.

How much is the Cape Winelands Airport expansion expected to cost?

The expansion is projected to cost approximately R8bn.

How many jobs is the airport expansion expected to support?

The expansion is projected to sustain approximately 35,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction and expansion phases, and just over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs within the Western Cape during its first 20 years of operation.

What did Prof Sibusiso Moyo say about the partnership?

Prof Moyo said the partnership opens significant doors for interdisciplinary work across sectors including agriculture and engineering, and that strengthening ties between academia and the private sector would promote expertise-sharing and develop innovations that serve both the local area and the public at large.

Source: cbn.co.za, iol.co.za, smilefm.co.za