The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Fikile Majola, will undertake an oversight visit to the proposed Fetakgomo-Tubatse Special Economic Zone in Steelpoort. Limpopo on Thursday, 28 October 2021. Majola will be joined by the MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism in Limpopo, Mr Thabo Mokone, MEC for Finance in Limpopo, Mr Seaparo Sekwati, the Executive Mayor of Sekhukhune District Municipality, Councillor Stanley Ramaila, and the Mayor of Fetakgomo-Tubatse Local Municipality, Councillor Ralipane Samuel Mamekoa.
The purpose of the oversight visit is to assess progress registered in the implementation of the proposed Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project and meet with potential private sector partners.
According to Majola, the visit is part of a consultative process on the SEZ Programme. Information on the new approach in the implementation of Programme will also be shared,
“This new approach encourages collaborative engagements through which the implementation of the SEZ Programme is aligned with national, provincial and local objectives, as well as planning strategies to maximise synergies and promote cooperation. This will result in provinces and municipalities benefiting from strong national government support in areas of limited capacity,” says Majola.
He adds that the South African government is seeking to transform the economy into a globally competitive economy, built on the full potential of all citizens and regions.
“To achieve this, the government is driving a robust industrialisation agenda supported by Spatial Industrial Development Programmes such as the SEZ Programme. Further, the our department is driving the SEZ Programme as one of the strategic interventions to catalyse economic and industrial development in the country,” he adds.
According to Majola, the proposed Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ has a potential to stimulate the downstream and upstream value chains development in the mineral rich region. Fetakgomo-Tubatse is one of the regions with large reserves and production of platinum and chrome.
“The SEZ development in partnership with all spheres of government and private sector will help us create a new city in the region,” says Majola.
MEC Mokone reiterated that the industrialisation agenda aims to deal with immediate actions towards economic recovery amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Successful execution of both the SEZ Programme in the province will inject the much-needed economic growth into the provincial economy, ensuring sustainability, resilience and inclusion,” says Mokone.
He believes that the SEZs will explicitly act as a forceful counter to the negative effects on employment and poverty following COVID-19, as government is now working towards re-directing efforts to areas of opportunity in line with the National Development Plan.
Deputy Minister Majola will also have high level engagements with his political counterparts and private sector partners to garner support for the implementation of the SEZ Programme in Limpopo in line with the New Integrated District Development Model. Through this model, government aims to accelerate service delivery by providing support and resources to district municipalities.
The proposed Tubatse-Fetakgomo SEZ is one of the SEZs proposals that were tested through a long-term feasibility studies undertaken by the province in partnership with the dtic, Sekhukhune District Municipality, and Tubatse-Fetakgomo Local Municipality.
Issued jointly by the dtic and LEDET.
Enquiries:
Bongani Lukhele – Director: Media Relations
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WhatsApp: 074 299 8512
E-mail: BLukhele@thedtic.gov.za
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Zaid Kalla – Departmental Spokesperson
Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET)
Mobile: 060 985 5158
E-mail: KallaZ@ledet.gov.za
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