The PR Mphephu Airport in Vuwani may soon get a facelift and become the aeronautical hub of the region if ambitious plans by the Gateway Airports Authority Limited (GAAL) take off. A Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued last month, asking bidders to submit proposals for the revival and management of the airport.
The PR Mphephu Airport is generally regarded as one of the region's biggest "white elephants." It was built during the era of the Venda Republic and named after its former president. In its heyday, it accommodated large and small aeroplanes as well as helicopters. Air shows were also held at the airport in the early 1990s.
In the Terms of Reference provided by GAAL, the airport's features are highlighted, including a terminal building, a fire station, and a runway of nearly 1,800 metres, suitable for "small props, small jets, medium jets, and long-range jets requiring maintenance and repairs."
However, over the past three decades, the airport has fallen into disrepair. The runway is no longer maintained, and the perimeter fence has been cut by villagers from nearby areas, who use the site for dumping purposes.
In 2016, the matter was discussed in parliament when a question was posed to the then Minister of Transport, Adv TE Mulaudzi. He referred to a feasibility study conducted by the Limpopo Department of Transport in 2010, which indicated that developing the airport might be viable. This study was part of the Limpopo Airlift Strategy, aimed at providing direction and guidance for aviation development in the province.
"The Limpopo Department of Transport decided to wait a few years for further analysis of the Vuwani/PR Mphephu Airport, as well as other public airports within the province. Such analysis would consider developments taking place in areas such as Lephalale, Musina (with its SEZ status), and Tubatse," the minister explained.
But a few years later, in 2021, the airport was closed. One reason cited for the closure was disclaimers received in its audit outcomes.
Not much progress appeared to have been made in the years that followed, until last month's announcement that GAAL had issued an RFP. A compulsory briefing session was held at the site last Thursday (3 October).
GAAL's CEO, Ms Mokgadi Matli, told the SABC in an interview that the decision to reopen the airport had been prompted by multiple requests to land at the facility. "The vision for PR Mphephu is to create a hub and network that will connect the airport to other national airports," Matli said.
The RFP makes it clear that the airport is not to be privatised. Instead, it invites proposals that will leverage the sector's access, development, utilisation, and activation of the airport economy to create jobs and economic opportunities in the Vhembe District.
GAAL will retain ownership of the airport but will cede operation and management to the investor during the contract period.
Potential bidders must address four critical components in their proposals:
Administrative/management of the airport.
Refurbishment/resuscitation of the airport.
Commercial and fixed-base operations of the airport.
Development/expansion of the airport.
"The entity - joint venture or consortium - must have the resources and experience necessary to satisfy all of the above components. GAAL encourages respondents to collaborate broadly and form the most experienced, capable, and creative team for the proposed components in and around the airport."
The closing date for proposals is 1 November.