Limpopo Business 2017-18 edition

SPECIAL FEATURE
mined. The LDP notes that it
is also important for planners
to “promote diversification and
multi-skilling of the workforce,
in order to mitigate the risks of
shocks associated with commodity
price dips and mine
closures”.
The following areas have
been identified as priority
zones for the industrialisation
strategy: Polokwane, Lephalale,
Tubatse, Tzaneen and the
Makhado-Musina corridor.
Strategic infrastructure
In as much as the Limpopo
Development Plan is aligned
with the broader National
Development Plan, there are
several national Strategic Infrastructure Projects
(SIPs) which affect Limpopo.
Three in particular will make a big impact, namely
SIP 1 (Unlocking the Northern Mineral Belt with
Waterberg as the Catalyst), SIP 6 (Integrated Municipal
Infrastructure Project) and SIP 7 (Integrated Urban Space
and Public Transport Programme). The last two influence
developments in the provincial municipalities of
Lephalale, Mopani, Sekhukhune, Capricorn, Vhembe
and Polokwane.
Other national SIPs of relevance relate to green
energy, agri-logistics and rural infrastructure,
regional integration and water and sanitation
infrastructure.
Within Limpopo, the Premier’s Infrastructure
Coordinating Committee (PICC) is a vital component
in the rollout of new infrastructure. There are
several locally driven projects boosting the provincial
economy and are being promoted within
the context of this Limpopo Development Plan:
construction of Nwamitwa Dam; raising of Tzaneen
Dam wall; integrated Mooihoek Water Scheme; reticulation
from De Hoop and Nandoni Dams; purified
water supply to Bela-Bela, Modimolle and
Mookgopong local municipalities; rural access roads
in support of agriculture and tourism clusters; solar
photovoltaic electricity generation; information
and communication technology; infrastructure at
Polokwane International Airport; nodal infrastructure
for the priority growth points; and adequate maintenance
for all existing infrastructure.
Each of these infrastructure improvements will
make life better for local residents, and they will also
create a more conducive environment for investors.
The Limpopo Department of Economic
Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET)
is coordinating the province’s strategy to attract investors.
Key to the plan is public investment into
priority growth points in selected economic sectors.
These cluster priorities underpin the economic part
of the plan:
• Coal: Petrochemical and Energy Cluster in Lephalale
(Green City urban development, Growth Point)
• Platinum Cluster in Mokopane and Tubatse (Mining
Supplier Park)
• Musina-Makhado Corridor Mining Cluster
• Phalaborwa Mining Cluster (Copper, Phosphate
and Magnetite)
• Polokwane and Musina Logistical Hubs
• Various Agricultural Clusters, based on Agri-parks
• Various Tourism Clusters, in every district.
Existing tourism assets include two UNESCO World
Heritage Sites (Mapungubwe National Park and the
Makapan Valley) and the iconic Kruger National Park.
There is enormous potential for growth in cultural
tourism where small villages could offer experiences
based on traditional practices, unique arts and crafts
and local cuisine.
Cluster Value-Chain Development Strategies,
including beneficiation opportunities, have been
developed for each of these clusters by the LEDET.
International relations is the responsibility of
national government, but the LDP has flagged a
number of potential areas for regional integration
that would be mutually beneficial: relationships with
Botswana and Zimbabwe relating to the Coal and
Energy Cluster in Lephalale and the Mining Cluster
in the Musina-Makhado Corridor; an agreement
with Zimbabwe to improve the efficiency of the Beit
Bridge Border Post, as part of the Logistics Cluster;
and an agreement with Mozambique relating to
tourism and nature conservation.
23 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2017/18