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The Citizen writes that there are at least 28 mines in Limpopo’s Sekhukhune district municipality – yet it is one of the most poverty-stricken areas in the country. Now, the mayor is lobbying for it to be accorded special economic zone (SEZ) status, in an attempt to change things.
Mayor Stan Ramaila wants Burgersfort and Steelpoort in Tubatse to be accorded special economic zone status to provide jobs for the unemployed, whose numbers are escalating. On Tuesday, Ramaila lamented that in 2017 unemployment in Sekhukhune stood at 49.6%, which was much higher than in the province as a whole, which stood at 28%. “Our growth points are in the areas of Tubatse, which is envisaged to host the SEZ. Other growth points include the agri-industry areas of Groblersdal and Marble Hall,” Ramaila advised. Referring to Ramaila’s plan to use the SEZ to create jobs, Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha commented: “The application for the Tubatse SEZ is now at an advanced stage. We have resolved to lodge the Tubatse SEZ business proposal with the minister for trade and industry and economic development by the end of August. Pending these formal processes, we will be continuing with the industrial activities within this envisaged Tubatse SEZ. This includes, but is not limited to, the Mining Input Supplier Park and Construction Incubation.” Mathabatha said the province wanted a significant number of the projected SEZ jobs to be taken up by the people of Limpopo, particularly the young. To ensure young people were properly equipped to benefit, Limpopo has established the Musina-Makhado SEZ skills development plan.
- Read the full original of Alex Matlala’s report on the above on page 7 of The Citizen of 17 July 2019
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