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The concept is mind-boggling, but the idea is simple - if we move down the West Coast, going past Port Nolloth, and stopped at a small fishing village called Hondeklip Bay, we will find a settlement of some 540 people, where the main occupations are dedicated to fishing and tourism - it lies about 95 km south west of the district capital Springbok.
Many years ago, this village was used as a harbour to export copper ore from the mines around Springbok but was later surpassed by Port Nolloth, which had a safer harbour as well as a railway line.
Today, Hondeklip Bay is a popular regional holiday destination and serves the fishing and diamond-mining community.
The mouth of the Spoeg River is located about 18 km SSE down the coast from Hondeklip Bay. There are caves of archaeological interest there, connected to the Khoisan people.
The population of this little fishing village consists of some 540 souls. The main occupation there, is connected to aquaculture - in fact, the breeding of Abalone or Perlemoen as it is known locally.
But that industry is only the start of something very exciting, that can set the jobs market alight across the country. However, if we start with the Abalone, another opportunity presents itself, in fact a wealth of opportunities, which ideally would complement one another. But how can we kick this project off?
We must commence right at the coast, by excavating a canal going inland, and whilst we are doing that we can extract the salt from the sea water in situ. That salt must be stockpiled, because it is going to be used at a later date for the generation of clean electrical power.
The next step, is to plant a variety of Salicornia, which has been grown very successfully in other parts of the world, particularly where there is poor soil, not normally suitable for traditional crops.
Salicornia is a genus of succulent, halophyte (salt tolerant) plants that grow in salt marshes, on beaches, and among mangroves. Salicornia species are native to North America, Europe, South Africa, and South Asia. Common names for the genus include glasswort, and pickleweed. The main European species is often eaten, called marsh samphire in Britain, and the main North American species is occasionally sold in grocery stores or appears on restaurant menus, usually as 'sea beans' or samphire greens.
However, apart from being a delicacy, there are many other uses for this plant, because it can be used to manufacture jet fuel, flour for baking and facial oils. NASA is already working on the Jet fuel aspect.
Now we get onto the planting of bamboo, and this can be used again, for a variety of applications, which include the manufacture of certain varieties of clothing, flooring, roofing and household furniture. They are probably many, as yet unexplored, other applications that it can be used for as well.
Next, the planting of commercial hemp or marijuana - this is particularly exciting in South Africa right now, because, with there is a strong move to legalise the use of the derivatives of this plant - mainly for the treatment of cancer. It is important to remember that the sale of medical marijuana has already become a legal product in 24 US states - the first of which was Colorado.
Now, all is this is just touching on the products that one could grow, or manufacture in situ. However, the excavation of canals and establishing of "Canal Stations" - lend itself to a form of transport which is very common in other parts of the world, but not yet in South Africa - if this was done, it would now lead to a huge boat or barge construction business.
This in turn, now leads us to the job market, and each of the products above, has a spin-off, in that one would require labour to perform just about every aspect, from the planting to the construction and to the marketing.
As the canals (and I say canals because they will be more units developed along the perimeter of the coast) are moved inland, this will lend itself to the spine of a totally new form of cheap and viable transport across the country.
Each unit, when it is established, will again become the foundation of technical schools, for the training of farmers, millwrights, electricians, plumbers and many, as yet unthought of occupations, required for each one of the steps mentioned above.
All of the work involved, will, by its very nature be environmentally friendly - there will be no talk of mining or fracking - no destroying the environment or killing of animals - in fact people and animal friendly across the spectrum.
Finally, each one of the units would be peopled by ALL South Africans, across the spectrum, and the number of jobs that will become available, will benefit the country for hundreds of years to come. What more can one ask than this?
The concept is mind boggling - but the application is down-to-earth. It needs somebody with vision... a visionary with the ability to see how this can turn South Africa upside down, and become self-sufficient... cultivating edibles, a cheap source of energy, fresh water, a country-wide system of canals.
In simple terms, once the excavation of the canals begin, the plans can be brought into action... once the 1st canal has been commenced, work can start on the next stage. Personnel can be trained in the Trades, followed by Engineers. The spectrum of advantages and benefits is truly mind-boggling.
There are at least 97 benefits to be obtained... but the most important is that the environment WILL NOT BE destroyed - like Fracking will - There are many hidden benefits... the thinking person will sit up and take notice... and ACT!
