South African construction giant chosen to build Cape Town’s new international airport

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10-12-2025
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Daily Investor
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Cape Winelands Airport has selected WBHO as the contracting partner for the technical development and construction of the airport.

This forms part of the airport’s multibillion-rand expansion programme, with the aim of welcoming travellers in 2028.

This development is expected to become the Western Cape’s next-generation aviation, hospitality and industrial hub.

It is located on a 150-hectare site 13 km northeast of Durbanville, where it was built by the South African Air Force in 1943.

Previously used as a general aviation facility for flight training, the site’s owners, RSA Aero, plan to convert it into an international commercial airport, as well as a hospitality and industrial hub.

On Tuesday, 9 December 2025, Cape Winelands Airport announced that WBHO has been selected as the contracting partner to bring these plans to life.

Established in 1970, WBHO is one of the largest construction companies in Southern Africa and one of the biggest listed construction giants on the JSE.

The company has constructed many well-known buildings in South Africa, including Discovery’s Sandton headquarters, the PwC tower in Midrand, Mall of Africa, Greenpoint Stadium in Cape Town, and King Shaka International Airport.

“With the contractor now formally on board, the project advances into a crucial new phase – detailed technical development and planning,” said Cape Winelands Airport managing director Deon Cloete. 

“These appointments will enable the team to begin developing the specific designs and engineering frameworks required to move the project toward construction readiness.” 

Cloete added that this process will also provide clearer insights into overall timelines and costs.

The Cape Winelands Airport expansion, estimated to cost around R8 billion, is one of South Africa’s most significant aviation infrastructure investments. 

It includes the construction of a new boutique terminal, extended and realigned runway infrastructure, upgraded airside systems, enhanced cargo and logistics operations, and a modernised general aviation precinct. 

The airport is expected to sustain approximately 35,000 direct and indirect jobs and could sustain just over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs during its initial 20 years of operation.