Limpopo’s Special Economic Zones will power progress

Special Economic Zones are a vital part of the province’s recovery through industrialisation, as the MEC for Economic Environment and Tourism, Thabo Mokone, explains.

Rodgers Monana, MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, outlines concrete steps being taken to tackle unemployment, poverty and inequality.

Once complete, the two projects will create in excess of 20 000 job opportunities in the metallurgical and mining sectors.

Among the catalytic projects are the Broadband Network Infrastructure Initiative, Mining Supply Hub, Technology Hub/Science Park, Digital Hub and two Special Economic Zones.

The Musina-Makhado SEZ was launched in April this year and is continuously engaging with local and international investors. The rollout of bulk infrastructure in the MMSEZ will focus on bulk sewersupply pipelines and wastewater treatment works; bulkwater storage and supply pipelines; water-treatment works and internal roads and storm water. Eskom has started with the inception and scoping report for bulk electricity infrastructure of the MMSEZ.

Through the MMSEZ, we aim to be a leading producer of energy through the production of coking coal that is found in huge reserves in Musina. Bottlenecks in the acquisition of land are being dealt with and we are ready to move with speed in the implementation of this project.

It’s all systems go with the Fetakgomo Tubatse Special Economic Zone, with a number of investors such as Mintek having committed to take sites. A mining equipment manufacturer has also made a commitment to operate a plant.

Limpopo Executive has approved Limpopo Industrial 2020-2030 the province’s agenda. This structure of Department Development, Tourism (LEDET) industrialisation of the through a series manufacturing, tourism, with a the Fourth (4IR).

Investment opportunities

e take pride in being part of this important publication which promotes our province’s abundant economic offerings. We value this partnership.

WThe investment value of the 1 000MW solar power plan to be constructed in the SEZ is $1.5-billion and this project will be implemented by Huadian Hong Kong Ltd.

Limpopo Province is home to many platinum group metals (PGMs) projects, found mostly in Sekhukhune and the Waterberg Districts, illustrating that there are many investment opportunities to take advantage of and help build our economy.

The MMSEZ SOC is collaborating with stakeholders across various spheres of government and Musina Municipality to develop a Smart City in the Musina-Makhado Corridor. This initiative has opened a new basket of investment opportunities with a great potential for return on investment.

Our Department is known for producing clean audits because of our responsible use of public funds to improve service delivery to the people of Limpopo Province.

The 2023/24 Financial Year promises to be a bumper year. Through our two key projects of the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone and the Fetakgomo Tubatse Special Economic Zone, we aim to transform the economic fortunes of this province through the creation of job opportunities.

Limpopo Province is the cultural calabash of South Africa, boosting three national parks, namely the Kruger National Park, Marakele National Park and Mapungubwe National Park, the last of which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We are the only province which has two Kingships and a Queenship, namely, the Bapedi and VhaVenda Kingdoms and the Bolobedu Queenship. We are the melting pot of diverse cultures and different traditions that unite to form the spectacle that we pride ourselves on.

At MMSEZ we recognise partnerships and continuous stakeholderengagement as an integral part of our value system. Nevertheless, the success of the MMSEZ is dependent on its ability to attract and maintain sound and mutually beneficial relationships with investors. Both domestic and international investors are the mainstay of the MMSEZ to grow Limpopo’s economy.

Our landscape makes for beautiful tourism attractions with lush forests and amazing flora and fauna, where all of the Big Five can be seen roaming.

The task to which we are committed to is huge but achievable. With the men and women of substance that we have, our department declares that we are on the right track of addressing poverty, unemployment and inequality. ■

LEDET is moving forward on the actualisation of the FetakgomoTubatse Special Economic Zone (FTSEZ), which is at an advanced stage. We have finalised the business case for the designation of the FTSEZ and the Department has put its support behind the Mining Input Supplier Park, owned by Glencore. There is also a quadripartite agreement consisting of four strategic partners: LEDET, Sekhukhune District Municipality, Fetakgomo-Tubatse Local Municipality and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic). ■

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