From the Operation Phakisa website:

20 new MPAs, and two expanded MPAs were identified through Operation Phakisa‚ a presidential project to fast-track the development of South Africa’s Ocean Economy. The new MPAs will secure protection of marine habitats like reefs‚ mangroves and coastal wetlands which are required to help protect coastal communities from the results of storm surges‚ rising sea-levels and extreme weather. Offshore‚ these MPAs will protect vulnerable habitats and secure spawning grounds for various marine species‚ therefore helping to sustain fisheries and ensure long-term benefits important to food and job security.

From Government Gazette Staatskoerant:

The purpose for declaring this marine protected area is:

(a) To contribute to a national and global representative system of marine protected areas by providing protection to benthic ecosystems on the outer shelf and shelf edge in this region;

(b) to protect remnants of threatened seabed ecosystems particularly untrawled rocky habitat;

(c) to conserve and protect the biodiversity and ecological processes associated with these ecosystems; and

(d) to protect and provide an appropriate environment for research and monitoring.