South Africa's most ambitious infrastructural project to date will move a step closer to reality this morning when Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin, Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela and other business and government leaders officially inaugurate the newly flooded tidal basin at the Port of Ngqura.

"The filling of the basin sends a message that the project is on time and on schedule and that is why all the stakeholders are going to be there,"

National Ports Authority spokesman Donald Kau said.

Other dignitaries invited to the event include NPA chief executive Siyabonga Gama, Transnet's Bongani Khumalo and Metro Mayor Nceba Faku.

With a capacity of more then 5,75 million cubic metres, the basin is now completely full. It took about two weeks for the basin to be filled after six valves were opened on June 30.

The R3,2 billion port is the largest single government-funded infrastructure development since the advent of democracy in 1994. Construction work has created some 2 500 jobs.

Although the harbour will be technically ready for its first vessel in September, it is unlikely to see any traffic until the second half of next year.