Limpopo Business 2022-23

LIMPOPO
BUSINESS
THE GUIDE TO BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT
IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE
2022/23 EDITION
JOIN US ONLINE
The Musina-Makhado Special
Economic Zone is a flagship p
Limpopo Premier Chupu Stanley Mathabatha invites
private investors to work with the public sector in
building infrastructure and growing the economy.
Iwant to start by thanking Global Africa Network for sustaining the
publication of this important magazine, Limpopo Business. I also wish to join
in celebrating this 12th edition of what I consider a premier business and
investment guide for our beautiful Limpopo Province.
Indeed, Limpopo Business is an important partner in the continued
endeavour to market and position Limpopo as a leading and most attractive
business and investment destination.
This informative edition once again affords us an opportunity to take you
through the plentiful business and investment offerings of our province, from
Bela-Bela to Musina.
Through this publication, you will also learn about great private-public
partnership investments that are the pulse of our provincial economy.
As you will come to learn, Limpopo is home to a thriving mining sector,
tantalising tourism offerings and a limitless potential for the agricultural sector.
The construction industry is one of the booming sectors of the Limpopo
economy, the inherited legacy of an infrastructure backlog means that the
sector has a longer future. Investment in this sector is an investment in the
future. Limpopo Province has also moved to embrace the new digital economy
through competitive support infrastructure.
The Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) remains our
flagship economic development project. Through this initiative, and through
partnerships with the private sector, we hope to stimulate economic growth,
create much-needed employment opportunities and reduce the ballooning
gap of inequality.
Business opportunities in this SEZ project are limitless. These opportunities
range from manufacturing, agroprocessing, automotives, steel, pharmaceutical,
logistics and many more.
What is even more tantalising is the fact that this project enjoys the
overwhelming support of our National Government.
As the Limpopo Provincial Government, we have placed this Musina-
Makhado SEZ Project at the apex of our priorities. We believe that the only
available option for us is to make this project a resounding success.
WWW.GLOBALAFRICANETWORK.COM | WWW.LIMPOPOBUSINESS.CO.ZA
Limpopo is open for business! ■
Premier
Stanley M

Enhancing socio-economic
development in Limpopo
Roads Agency Limpopo provides road infrastructure
services to the people of Limpopo.
managed to channel its limited resources
towards supporting the Limpopo province’s key
strategic economic pillars, namely the mining,
agriculture and tourism sectors.
Leveraging on these three pillars enables the
Agency to be an active catalyst for the province’s
economic growth and social development. RAL
has recently adopted the strategic partnerships
approach which seeks to augment the annual
fiscus to meet the demand for quality roads.
This is in recognition of the entity’s view that
building a thriving economy requires concerted
efforts from various stakeholders. With the
strategic partnership approach, RAL engages
the private sector to solicit funds to augment
the entity’s annual budget allocation. Through
this strategic approach, the entity has over the
years raised more than R700-million in funding
towards building and expanding Limpopo’s
roads network.
Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) is a provincial
road infrastructure service-delivery entity
mandated to build and maintain the
Limpopo provincial road network.
The mandate is aligned with the province’s
economic development plan to facilitate access
to various facilities that promote socio-economic
development. Despite stringent budgetary
constraints, the Agency continues to deliver on
its mandate for the benefit of the province based
on an annual financial allocation used to build
and maintain the Limpopo road network through
equitable shares (EQs) and the Provincial Roads
Management Grant (PRMG).
Given the current demand for quality road
infrastructure that far exceeds the available
resources in the province, the Agency has
Strategic partnerships in the Mining Sector
RAL has several lucrative partnerships within
the mining sector, including with Exxaro
Resources, which dates back to 2015. The
partnership between RAL and Exxaro resulted in
the upgrading of road D2001 in the Waterberg
District from gravel to tar over a stretch of 9.56km
at an estimated cost of R100-million, which cost
was 100% met by Exxaro.
In addition, Exxaro Resources sponsored the
upgrading of several roads connecting Ga-Seleka
villages to the commercial centre of Lephalale,
which was identified as an important project
through the Integrated Development Plan of the
Lephalale Local Municipality.
Another notable stride made in the strategic
partnerships approach was the signing of a
Memorandum of Agreement between RAL
and eight mining companies operating in the
Sekhukhune District for the rehabilitation and
For more information: www.ral.co.za

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building of the new Steelpoort Bridge. The
partners believe that the bridge will bring relief
to the surrounding communities by facilitating
easy movement between Jane Furse, Burgersfort
and the mines in and around Steelpoort, among
other adjacent areas. A sum of over R80-million
was raised to fund the project. Mining companies
involved in the project included Rakhoma Mining
Resources, Dwarsrivier Chrome Mine, Glencore,
Rustenburg Platinum, Samancor Chrome,
Booysendal Platinum, Tjate Platinum and Two
Rivers Platinum.
Strategic partnerships in the Agricultural Sector
Farming plays a pivotal role in the province’s
economy. Farm produce from the province is
among the best in the country exported to the
rest of the world. Some of the success stories
in the agricultural sector were born out of the
RAL-ZZ2 partnership, which since 2016 has
included road maintenance works on the R521
Pondrift (border post) and Alldays roads. ZZ2
also assisted RAL in maintaining several sections
of other strategic and mostly gravel roads in the
province including P135/1 (Musina to Pafuri),
D1942 (Malaladrift) and D617, which passes
through Houtbosdorp from Mooketsi Farm.
Most recently, the D2531 near Cloudslands Farm
was fixed after it collapsed due to flooding.
In addition, as part of RAL’s strategic road
infrastructure intervention, more partnerships will
be sought to solicit resources for the maintenance
of roads that link to other agricultural produce. As
it stands in many places, instead of a truck taking
30 minutes to travel from a farm to the tarred
road, it takes more than an hour. This is a situation
which calls for all roads related to economic
activity to be maintained.
Strategic approach in the Tourism Sector
Limpopo is host to Mapungubwe, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, and two renowned national
parks, Marakele National Park and Kruger National
Park. The province is also among the most-visited
areas in the country due to its scenic nature, which
contributes to its uncontested performance statistics
in tourism, which is one of its key pillars in economic
growth. Accordingly, strategic roads leading to
critical tourism hotspots need to be of good quality
to encourage return visits among tourists. For this
reason, RAL continues to engage the tourism sector
to find synergies in enhancing access to the sector, in
particular, its facilities, with ease.
Strategic Partnership Opportunities
Roads play a major role in connecting all sectors
of the economy and enhancing business in the
province. RAL endeavours to partner with the
various sectors of the economy for improved road
infrastructure development. These partnerships
are important enablers of quality roads
construction through the interface between
the private sector and government towards
economic development of the province.
@roadsagencylimpopo roadsagencylimpopo @RoadsAgency Roads Agency Limpopo

CONTENTS
Limpopo Business 2022/23 Edition
Introduction
Foreword 6
A unique guide to business and investment in Limpopo.
Message from the Premier of Limpopo 3
Limpopo Premier Chupu Mathabatha and his administration are
working hard to create conducive conditions for investors.
MEC message: LEDET 5
Limpopo’s Special Economic Zones are a vital part of the province’s
road to recovery through industrialisation, as the MEC for Economic
Development, Environment and Tourism, Thabo Mokone, explains.
Special features
Regional overview of Limpopo 8
Attracting new investments is one of the key priorities for the
province’s newly-established Special Economic Zones. The province’s
platinum resources are opening up huge opportunities in the field
of green energy.
Green hydrogen comes to Limpopo 22
Big companies are investing in prototypes and the province’s Special
Economic Zones are positioning themselves as green energy hubs.
Economic sectors
Agriculture 38
Schemes to support small-scale farmers are expanding.
Mining 40
Large investments are being made into Limpopo mining
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
2

Limpopo is open for business! ■
MESSAGE
MESSAGE
Building MESSAGE a green and resilient future
Special
Limpopo Premier Chupu Mathabatha and his administration are
working hard to Infrastructure create conducive conditions for investors. is a key
gship project
driver in job creation and
development
invites
r in
omy.
ining the
ish to join
iness and
ontinued
attractive
take you
ince, from
te-public
y.
ng sector,
ral sector.
Limpopo
s that the
ent in the
economy
ains our
d through
ic growth,
allooning
ortunities
aceutical,
njoys the
s Musinat
the only
7 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2020/21 LIMPOPO BUSINES
end of the 2018/19 financial year, provincial infrastructure ex
which will help to stimulate the economy and create jo
as a means to market and position the province as an attractive
business and investment destination.
We are hard at work to strengthen the implementation of the
Provincial Procurement Strategy, promoting the production and
Limpopo Premier
consumption
Chupu Stanley
of locally-produced
Mathabatha
goods
outlines
and
his
services.
administration’s
priorities in welcoming
This
potential
plan will pay
investors
special attention
to the varied
to various
economy
Fourth Industrial
that is
Revolution (4IR) support programmes. The total investment and
already receiving interest from China and elsewhere.
interventions by this economic recovery plan is projected at
around R170-billion. This is projected to create over 48 000 jobs in
the next five to 10 years.
We are fresh into promise of growth and development of the economy fo
In addition, the implementation of the Limpopo Industrial
the 6th Provincial a decent quality of life. This is a promise which we inten
Master Plan has also received R208-billion in investment pledges
Administration
from the Limpopo
working
Investment
in partnership
Conference.
with all our social partners and stak
Premier Chupu
after our
We recognise
most
that
Our
information
collective focus
and knowledge,
is on the creation
supported
of jobs, the ne
Stanley Mathabatha successful national through and provincial state-of-the-art poverty and Information the urgency and of building Communication a better life for all. Th
general election. Technology, This was an is critical greater to focus support and determination, service delivery and our and set to targets and o
election which was achieve fought on our the developmental can only be realised goals. Our through Five-Year working Limpopo together as gov
We are steering our e-Government Strategy business, Implementation organised labour and Plan other lays groups a solid and organisa
economy to a green, foundation for digital As transformation.
we prepare to implement the manifesto priorit
resilient and inclusive After a long journey ruling party, of pursuing we move the from establishment a premise that of the over the pas
developmental path, Musina-Makhado the Special lives of Economic the people Zone, of South we Africa are proud have changed to for t
in line with the National Economic
Reconstruction and Recovery Plan
and the Limpopo Socioeconomic
Recovery Plan.
Central to these economic
recovery efforts is to position
announce the launch Millions of the of people project have following houses, the electricity granting of and access
the environmental drinking authorisation water. by Children the relevant from authorities. poor communities This have
milestone will unlock free unlimited education. opportunities In the past five for years the provincial the number of HI
economy. We have people already on antiretroviral set aside R600-million treatment has towards doubled while t
infrastructure in the rate North of new Site of infections the project is decreasing. Musina. We Over are well 17.5-million of
on track to turning vulnerable the Musina-Makhado citizens receive Corridor social grants. into a We hive advanced of the
Limpopo as an investment industrial activity. rights of workers to organise, collectively bargain, refuse d
destination of choice for both
domestic and foreign investors.
Progress towards work, the and designation to strike. of Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ
is at an advanced stage. Our The work completion is guided by of the this conviction designation that will without ign
This will help to enhance the muchneeded
creation of employment, 21 companies with the potential to invest R45-billion and create
go a long way in contributing collective achievements, to employment so much creation. more Already can and must stil
particularly for our young people. over 8 000 jobs have shown interest in the Fetakgomo-Tubatse
We welcome the publication of SEZ. The first phase Infrastructure
will integrate the expansion of an existing
this Limpopo Business Chupu publication Stanley Mathabatha,
industrial hub into a mining-supplier precinct. ■
Premier of Limpopo
One of the key drivers of employment creation in the prov
government’s deliberate investment in infrastructure proje
3 stood at above R5.5-billion. LIMPOPO BUSINESS We look forward 2022/23to spending
the province’s infrastructure grants on capital infrastructur
people of Limpopo.

want to start by thanking Global Africa Network for sustaining the
publication of this important magazine, Limpopo Business. I also wish to join
in celebrating this 12th edition of what I consider a premier business and
investment guide for our beautiful Limpopo Province.
Indeed, Limpopo Business is an important partner in the continued
endeavour to market and position Limpopo as a leading and most attractive
business and investment destination.
This informative edition once again affords us an opportunity to take you
through the plentiful business and investment offerings of our province, from
Bela-Bela to Musina.
Through this publication, you will also learn about great private-public
partnership investments that are the pulse of our provincial economy.
As you will come to learn, Limpopo is home to a thriving mining sector,
tantalising tourism offerings and a limitless potential for the agricultural sector.
The construction industry is one of the booming sectors of the Limpopo
economy, the inherited legacy of an infrastructure backlog means that the
sector has a longer future. Investment in this sector is an investment in the
future. Limpopo Province has also moved to embrace the new digital economy
through competitive support infrastructure.
The Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) remains our
flagship economic development project. Through this initiative, and through
partnerships with the private sector, we hope to stimulate economic growth,
create much-needed employment opportunities and reduce the ballooning
gap of inequality.
Business opportunities in this SEZ project are limitless. These opportunities
range from manufacturing, agroprocessing, automotives, steel, pharmaceutical,
logistics and many more.
What is even more tantalising is the fact that this project enjoys the
overwhelming support of our National Government.
As the Limpopo Provincial Government, we have placed this Musina-
Makhado SEZ Project at the apex of our priorities. We believe that the only
available option for us is to make this project a resounding success.
Limpopo is open for business! ■
MESSAGE
7 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2020/21 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2019/20
Limpopo Premier Chupu Stanley Mathabatha outlines his administration’s
priorities in welcoming potential investors to the varied economy that is
already receiving interest from China and elsewhere.
e are fresh into
the 6th Provincial
Administration
after our most
successful national and provincial
general election. This was an
election which was fought on the
promise of growth and development of the economy for jobs and
a decent quality of life. This is a promise which we intend to keep,
working in partnership with all our social partners and stakeholders.
Our collective focus is on the creation of jobs, the need to end
poverty and the urgency of building a better life for all. This requires
greater focus and determination, and our set targets and objectives
can only be realised through working together as government,
business, organised labour and other groups and organisations.
As we prepare to implement the manifesto priorities of the
ruling party, we move from a premise that over the past 25 years
the lives of the people of South Africa have changed for the better.
Millions of people have houses, electricity and access to clean
drinking water. Children from poor communities have access to
free education. In the past five years the number of HIV-positive
people on antiretroviral treatment has doubled while the overall
rate of new infections is decreasing. Over 17.5-million of our most
vulnerable citizens receive social grants. We advanced the cause and
rights of workers to organise, collectively bargain, refuse dangerous
work, and to strike.
Our work is guided by the conviction that without ignoring our
collective achievements, so much more can and must still be done.
One of the key drivers of employment creation in the province is the
government’s deliberate investment in infrastructure projects. By the
end of the 2018/19 financial year, provincial infrastructure expenditure
stood at above R5.5-billion. We look forward to spending more of
the province’s infrastructure grants on capital infrastructure projects
which will help to stimulate the economy and create jobs for the
people of Limpopo.
CONTENTS
Energy 48
Private generation is picking up.
Water 50
Mining companies are supplying water to communities.
Construction and property 51
State projects and new hotels are underway.
ICT 52
Digital hubs will offer greater digital access.
Tourism 56
New hotels are under construction.
Transport and logistics 58
Polokwane’s new bus rapid system is up and running.
Development finance and SMME support 62
An enterprise coaching programme is reaping rewards.
Education 68
University entity is earning its keep digitally.
References
Key sector contents 36
Overviews of the main economic sectors of Limpopo.
Index 72
LIMPOPO
BUSINESS
THE GUIDE TO BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT
IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE
2022/23 EDITION
JOIN US ONLINE
The Musina-Makhado Special Infrastructure is a key
Economic Zone is a flagship project
driver in job creation and
Limpopo Premier Chupu Stanley Mathabatha invites
private investors to work with the public sector in development
I
building infrastructure and growing the economy.
WWW.GLOBALAFRICANETWORK.COM | WWW.LIMPOPOBUSINESS.CO.ZA
Premier Chupu
Stanley Mathabatha
MESSAGE
W
Chupu Stanley Mathabatha,
Premier of Limpopo
ABOUT THE COVER:
Baobab tree (Baechi on Pixabay); Mining truck (De Beers); Planted field with
baobabs (ZZ2); Mine shaft opening (Northam Platinum); Elephants (Anglo
American); Furnace (Implats); Packhouse and workers (Westfalia).
Infrastructure
7 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2020/21 6

MESSAGE
An industrial master plan
has been approved
Limpopo’s Special Economic Zones are a vital part of the province’s
road to recovery through industrialisation, as the MEC for Economic
Development, Environment and Tourism, Thabo Mokone, explains.
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.
Economic Development,
Environment and Tourism MEC
Thabo Mokone
The Limpopo Executive
Council has approved
the Limpopo Industrial
Master Plan: 2020-2030
as the anchor of the province’s
industrialisation agenda. This
plan will change the structure of
Limpopo’s economy.
The Limpopo Department
of Economic Development,
Environment and Tourism (LEDET)
is leading the industrialisation of the
provincial economy through a series
of mega-projects in manufacturing,
agriculture and tourism, with a
strong element of the Fourth
Industrial Revolution (4IR).
Investment opportunities
The 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.
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.
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.
LEDET is moving forward on the actualisation of the Fetakgomo-
Tubatse 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). ■
5 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

FOREWORD
Limpopo Business
A unique guide to business and investment in Limpopo.
Credits
Publishing director:
Chris Whales
Editor: John Young
Business development
manager: Shiko Diala
Managing director: Clive During
Online editor: Christoff Scholtz
Designer: Tyra Martin
Production: Yonella Ngaba
Ad sales:
Gavin van der Merwe
Sam Oliver
Gabriel Venter
Vanessa Wallace
Administration & accounts:
Charlene Steynberg
Kathy Wootton
Distribution and circulation
manager: Edward MacDonald
Printing: FA Print
The 2022/23 edition of Limpopo Business is the 14th issue of this
highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2007, has
established itself as the premier business and investment guide
for the Limpopo Province.
This journal carries messages of welcome to investors from the province’s
Premier and the MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism.
Both of the province’s two Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have taken several
pages in this journal in order to share their goals with potential investors. The
business case for the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) in
the province’s far north has been accepted and the SEZ has received its official
designation. Several investors have signed on and infrastructure development is
underway. The Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ in the east is building up its infrastructure
in terms of roads, railway sidings and water provision and both SEZs are taking an
interest in renewable energy, and green hydrogen in particular.
A special feature on green hydrogen appears in the front section of this
journal. News related to mining, agriculture, tourism, construction and property,
water, education and development finance is carried in overviews of the main
economic sectors.
To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution of the
print edition, the full content can also be viewed online at www.limpopobusiness.
co.za. Updated information on the Limpopo is also available through our monthly
e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.gan.co.za, in addition to
our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces, our
flagship South African Business title and the new addition to our list of publications,
Journal of African Business, which was launched in 2020. ■
Chris Whales
Publisher, Global Africa Network Media | Email: chris@gan.co.za
DISTRIBUTION
Limpopo Business is distributed internationally on outgoing
and incoming trade missions, through trade and investment
agencies; to foreign offices in South Africa’s main trading
partners around the world; at top national and international
events; through the offices of foreign representatives in
South Africa; as well as nationally and regionally via chambers
of commerce, tourism offices, airport lounges, provincial
government departments, municipalities and companies.
Member of the Audit Bureau
of Circulations
PUBLISHED BY
Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd
Company Registration No: 2004/004982/07
Directors: Clive During, Chris Whales
Physical address: 28 Main Road, Rondebosch 7700
Postal address: PO Box 292, Newlands 7701
Tel: +27 21 657 6200 | Fax: +27 21 674 6943
Email: info@gan.co.za | Website: www.gan.co.za
ISSN 1993-0119
COPYRIGHT | Limpopo Business is an independent publication
published by Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. Full copyright to the
publication vests with Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. No part
of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the written
permission of Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd.
PHOTO CREDITS | Anglo American; De Beers; dtic; GCIS; De Beers;
Glencore; Grinaker LTA; Implats; Leeta La Polokwane; Northam Platinum;
Premier Hotels, GoLimpopo; RAL; Readymix; Sun International; Umhlali
Construction; Univen; Wynand Uys on Unsplash; ZZ2.
DISCLAIMER | While the publisher, Global Africa Network Media (Pty)
Ltd, has used all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information
contained in Limpopo Business is accurate and up-to-date, the publishers
make no representations as to the accuracy, quality, timeliness, or
completeness of the information. Global Africa Network will not accept
responsibility for any loss or damage suffered as a result of the use of or
any reliance placed on such information.

Limpopo United
Business Forum
PROFILE
The Forum provides local bodies with a single voice to talk to government.
The Forum provides local bodies with single voice to talk to government.
Limpopo United Business Forum (LUBF) is months engaged with the Minister of Small
Limpopo an overarching United organisation Business Forum comprising (LUBF) 10 an Business development Development, and training. Honorable Late payments Khumbudzo by
business overarching and organisation professional comprising organisations several in Ntshaveni, government MEC departments for LEDET, are Honorable a threat Thabo to the
Limpopo. business and LUBF professional represents organisations a united voice in Mokoni, survival of CEO small for businesses. Musina-Makhado LUBF is SEZ, lobbying Lehlogonolo
the Provincial Masoga, Treasury and the MEC and for the Public Limpopo Works,
that advocates Limpopo. and LUBF lobbies represents for the a interests united voice and
aspirations that advocates of businesspeople and lobbies for in Limpopo. the interests and Honorable Economic Dickson Development, Masemola in Environment
his capacity as
aspirations of businesspeople in Limpopo.
the and Chairperson Tourism Department of the Economic (LEDET) Transformation to deal
Members
Unit decisively of the with ANC in departments Limpopo. that continuously
NAFCOC, Objective Black Management Forum (BMF), disadvantage small businesses. LUBF is looking
Businesswomen’s To collaborate and Association partner with (BWA), public Progressive
and private Survival forward and to the opportunity Public Procurement Bill which
Professionals organisations Forum in promoting (PPF), South and African advancing Women the in • will Businesses create a are better struggling legislative due to framework the stagnant for
Construction interests of members. (SAWIC), Seshego LUBF further Business forms Quorum, part local economy, empowerment. a situation In that responding has now to been the
Forum of the of social Limpopo compact Entrepreneurs comprising (FOLE), business, Small challenges exacerbated that by the are unprecedented facing SMMEs, pandemic. LUBF has
Business government Empowerment and civil society Unity (SBEU), in order Limpopo to grow the ICT engaged Limpopo with has lower the Minister than average of Small household Business
Forum economy and of the Limpopo, African Farmers’ contribute Association to the creation of SA. Development, income and low Honorable ICT connectivity. Khumbudzo Small
of jobs, reduce inequality and eradicate poverty. Ntshaveni, businesses have MEC to for continue LEDET, creating Honorable jobs to Thabo save
Objective
Mokoni, the economy. CEO for Musina-Makhado SEZ,
To Programme collaborate of and action partner with public and private • Lehlogonolo LUBF has intensified Masoga, its and programme the MEC for of action Public
organisations Address challenges in promoting that affect and small advancing businesses. the Works, and has Honorable recently Dickson engaged Masemola many relevant in his
interests These include of members. access to LUBF information, further forms access part to capacity stakeholders. as the The Chairperson objective is to of assist the Economic SMMEs to
of finance, the social access compact to markets comprising and access business, to skills Transformation gain access to Covid-19 Unit of the relief ANC programmes in Limpopo. and
government and civil society in order to grow the access business opportunities.
economy of Limpopo, contribute to the creation of • Intervention is vital for the survival of businesses
jobs, reduce inequality and eradicate poverty. but it is also true that the new economy presents
opportunities for small businesses to create new
Programme Members of action
Executive jobs and maintain committee current ones.
Address African Farmers’ challenges Association that affect of small SA (AFASA) businesses. President: • LUBF’s role Tshepo is therefore Mathabatha to ensure access to
These Black Lawyers include access Association to information, (BLA) access to (BWASA available Limpopo) programmes and assist entrepreneurs to
finance, Black Management access to markets Forum (BMF) and access to skills Deputy take their President: space in the Timothy new normal Marobane of digitisation,
development Businesswomen’s and Association training. Late (BWA) payments by (NAFCOC innovation Limpopo) and manufacturing.
government Forum of Limpopo departments Entrepreneurs are a threat (FOLE) to the Secretary • The leadership General: remain Chichi committed Nemadzivhanani to uniting the
survival Limpopo of ICT small Forum businesses. LUBF is lobbying the (SAWIC voice of & BE) business. ■
Provincial InvestCan Treasury Women and Association the Limpopo (IWA) Economic Deputy Secretary General: Beef Thato
Development, Limpopo Women Environment In Business (LIWIB) and Tourism Nkoana (YBF)
Department National African (LEDET) Federated to deal Chamber decisively of with Treasurer Contact details General: Joseph Mathebula (PPF)
departments Commerce (NAFCOC that continuously Limpopo) disadvantage
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Public CONTACT DETAILS
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legislative Small Business framework Enterprise for local Unity empowerment. Administrator: Abram Luruli Cell: 084 451 9923
(SBEU)
Address: 32 Juno Avenue, Sterkpark, Polokwane 0700
South In responding African Women to the In challenges Construction that & are Built cur- Tel: Email: +27 Lubfreception@gmail.com
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rently Environment facing SMMEs, (SAWIC LUBF & BE) has in the past two Administrator: Facebook: Limpopo Abram United Luruli Business Forum-LUBF
Thohoyandou Business Forum (TBF)
Cell: 084 451 9923
Email: Lubfreception@gmail.com
Limpopo Women in Tourism (LimWiT)
Facebook: Limpopo United Business Forum-LUBF
Youth Business Forum (YBF)
25 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2020/21

A REGIONAL OVERVIEW OF
LIMPOPO
PROVINCE
The Limpopo tourism sector is welcoming several new hotels. The Meropa Casino and Entertainment
World is an established part of Polokwane’s entertainment and leisure environment, with 54 rooms and
six suites. Credit: Sun International
Attracting new investments is one of the key priorities for the
province’s newly-established Special Economic Zones. The
province’s platinum resources are opening up huge opportunities
in the green energy field.
By John Young
Limpopo is engaged in a concerted drive
to attract new investors to the province. A
number of targeted conferences have been
held in several key sectors and the teams
leading the push to establish Special Economic
Zones in the Limpopo have been working hard
to promote the Musina-Makhado SEZ and the
Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ.
Each of the SEZs has its own unique attributes
but both of them seek to support the beneficiation
of minerals that are plentiful in the region, encourage
the growth of green energy hubs and green
manufacturing, take advantage of their strategic
location to welcome logistics companies and to use
the SEZs as a means of uplifting local communities
through training, jobs and contracts to supply
goods and services to the SEZs themselves, and to
companies that set up operations in the SEZs.
Early in 2022, the Limpopo Investment
Conference was the site of investment pledges
in the order of R208-billion, a figure which the
province’s premier described as going a long way
to help industrialise the province and create jobs.
Somewhat surprisingly in the wake of Covid-19, at
least three new hotels are under construction in the
province, a testament to the wonderful variety that
the area has to offer visitors and to the resilience of
the sector.
Some Limpopo nature reserves are to be
commercialised using private-public partnerships.
Among the first reserves to be part of the
programme are Masebe, Rust de Winter and
Lekgalameetse. The Limpopo Department of
Economic Development, Environment and
Tourism (LEDET) is responsible for 53 provincial
nature reserves.
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
8

SPECIAL FEATURE
Three major national parks – Kruger National
Park, Mapungubwe in the north and Marakele
in the Waterberg – are run by South African
National Parks (SANParks) and attract large
numbers of tourists every year. The province’s
private game reserves and lodges enjoy a
reputation for luxury and excellence of service
that attracts tens of thousands of international
visitors. The combined land area of Limpopo’s
national, provincial and private game and nature
reserves is 3.6-million hectares.
The provincial government has committed to
enhancing the value of Limpopo’s two UNESCO
World Heritage Sites, Makapans Valley and
Mapungubwe Heritage Site, where the superbly
crafted little golden rhinoceros, a relic from
medieval times, was found in 1932. This is also a
priority programme in the National Tourism Sector
Strategy. The Waterberg Biosphere Reserve is a
UNESCO protected site.
In his 2022 State of the Province address
delivered in February, Premier Chupu Stanley
Mathabatha stated, “We are steering our economy
to a green, resilient and inclusive developmental
path, in line with the National Economic
Reconstruction and Recovery Plan and the Limpopo
Socioeconomic Recovery Plan.”
In support of the investment drive, major
infrastructure projects have been undertaken,
not least by two roads agencies. SANRAL is the
national agency and it has been busy in every
part of Limpopo, including the building of a
new ring road around Polokwane, the provincial
capital. Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) has similarly
been actively engaged in fixing and upgrading
roads throughout the province, sometimes in
partnership with mining companies.
Several large water-supply projects such
as the Mokolo Crocodile Water Augmentation
Project and the Groot Letaba Water Augmentation
Project have been implemented or are underway.
These infrastructure investments are vital, not
only for the sake of the citizens of Limpopo whose
needs are great, but to keep the economic wheels
of the province turning and to convince investors
that work is being done to make it possible to
allow private enterprises to create functional and
sustainable businesses.
Limpopo’s assets include the largest diamond
mine in South Africa (De Beers Venetia Mine), the
biggest copper mine in South Africa (Palabora Mining
Company), the biggest open-pit platinum mine in
the country (Anglo America’s Mogalakwena) and the
biggest vermiculite mine in the world. The province
has 41% of South Africa’s PGMs, 90% of South Africa’s
red-granite resources and approximately 50% of the
country’s coal reserves. Antimony, a highly strategic
mineral found in large quantities in China, is another
of Limpopo’s major assets. In 2019, the mining sector
in Limpopo employed 48 782 workers and paid out
R39.7-billion in wages and salaries.
The mining sector was less effected by
shutdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic than
many other industries. Record prices for some
commodities ensured that mining houses were
able to post excellent results in June and July 2021
and expansion projects, such as the purchase of
new rights by Amplats (platinum), the conversion to
underground mining by De Beers (diamonds) and
increased volumes promised by Exxaro (coal), point
to confidence in the future of the sector and the
resource beneath the ground.
The provincial government records that the
province will be receiving a total investment from
mining of R36.3-billion in the period to 2025.
Agriculture
The provincial government is putting considerable
resources into agricultural infrastructure. This
includes upgrading old irrigation schemes and
building new ones, building a packhouse, investing
in processing equipment at a tomato paste factory
and constructing and supplying Farmer Production
Support Units around the province. These all
constitute attempts to bring small-scale farmers into
the value chain at a point where more money can
be made.
Limpopo is home to some of South Africa’s
largest commercial agricultural enterprises who are
drawn to the fertile and varied soils that the province
has to offer. This is one of the reasons why Limpopo
punches above its weight in exports.
One of the country’s biggest exporters, ZZ2, is
in the process of building a giant new packhouse
at its headquarters in Mooketsi. As one of the
country’s largest agricultural companies, ZZ2 is
9 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

De Beers Venetia Mine, the country’s largest
diamond mine, is undergoing an underground
expansion that will extend the life of the mine.
Credit: De Beers
famous for the large quantity of tomatoes
and avocados produced but the company’s
product range is also large: mangoes, onions,
dates, cherries, apples, pears, stone fruit,
almonds and blueberries.
Potatoes are grown in great quantities in
Limpopo, together with 75% of South Africa’s
mangoes and tomatoes. Statistics in many
categories are impressive: papayas (65%); tea
(36%); citrus, bananas and litchis (25%) and 60%
of the country’s avocados.
Agro-processing is strong in several parts
of the province, with Pioneer Foods, McCain,
Granor Passi, Kanhym, Westfalia and Enterprise
Foods all prominent, but this sector still has
potential to grow.
The best-performing subsector of South
African exports in recent years has been
fruit and nuts. Limpopo has been a major
contributor to the country’s excellent export
record: fruit and nuts from the province’s
eastern regions are hugely popular in
international markets and Limpopo’s
commercial farmers are extremely efficient.
Geography
Limpopo covers about 10% of South Africa’s
land mass and is home to about 10% of the
country’s population. The 2011 census recorded
5.4-million residents. The main languages of the
people of Limpopo are Sesotho, Xitsonga and
Tshivenda but English is widely used in business
and government.
The Limpopo Province’s 125 754km² covers
a remarkably diverse geographical and cultural
landscape that is also rich in minerals and
agricultural products.
The N1 highway is a key reason for the province’s
important role in the nation’s logistics sector. It
passes through Limpopo from the south to the
border town of Musina and on to Zimbabwe and its
neighbours in the Southern African Development
Community (SADC). The busy N11 highway links the
province to Botswana to the west and Mpumalanga
Province to the east.
Most of South Africa’s logistics operators have a
presence in the provincial capital city of Polokwane
and logistics hubs have been established in that city
and in Musina.
The province has a sophisticated rail network
which Transnet Freight Rail aims to further expand,
primarily to haul the province’s vast reserves of coal
away to the coast at Richards Bay.
The province is home to two universities, the
University of Venda and the University of Limpopo,
and seven Technical and Vocational Education and
Training (TVET) colleges. The Turfloop Graduate
School of Business is in Polokwane.
The centrally situated city of Polokwane is
the capital of Limpopo province. Located on the
Great North Road and almost equidistant from the
high-density population of greater Johannesburg
and the neighbouring countries of Botswana,
Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, Polokwane’s
upgraded international airport plays an increasingly
important regional role. ■
Transport infrastructure is vital to economic
growth in a province where long distances are
common. Credit: RAL
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
10

Supporting gender-based violence victims
The Senwabarwana Victim Support Centre has received a new car from Venetia Mine.
To aid the fight against gender-based
violence, Venetia Mine, in collaboration
with contracting partner Kholo Marine
and Minerals, has donated a brand new
Toyota Rumion 7-seater to the Senwabarwana
Victim Support Centre.
The centre renders victim empowerment
services and the vehicle is intended to make it easier
for staff members to get around, especially when
helping victims of abuse.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Regan
Gounder, the Senior Controls Manager of Kholo
Marine and Minerals, said the car should be used
to help provide more immediate support to the
surrounding community of Senwabarwana, to
make sure that critical interventions are not missed.
“As Kholo Marine and Minerals, we are privileged
and honoured to be part of this initiative and many
more to come in partnership with De Beers Venetia
Mine. What we experienced here today is nothing
short of outstanding work that people are doing
in the community. From what we have heard, this
vehicle is going to help the centre act faster and
respond more quickly to people’s needs.”
In accepting the donation, Dr Masedi Mathopo,
the Secretary of the centre, said that the vehicle
is highly appreciated and will go a long way in
assisting them to achieve their mandate. “We are
extremely happy to have received this vehicle to
improve our service. It will now be very easy to
reach victims where they are because the police
also have challenges of their own with transport.
This donation will go a long way to making our
work smart and efficient.”
The ceremony was also graced by Councillor
Daniel Mosena, Chairperson of Economic
Development and Planning at the Blouberg
Local Municipality, who shared a few words of
gratitude on behalf of the municipality. “We are
extremely appreciative of the good initiatives
done by De Beers Venetia Mine in collaboration
with their partners, to work with the municipality
in ensuring that the support of the community is
given a priority.”
In closing, Itumeleng Mogale, Social Performance
Specialist at Venetia Mine said, “This is about our
community and what we can do for our community.
This partnership with Kholo Marine and Minerals has
made it possible for us to do more. It has made it
possible to reach places and parts, which in isolation
we would not have been able to.” As the slogan of
support centre says, “Together we can!” ■
11 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

INTERVIEW
Infrastructure investment for impact
Head of Infrastructure South Africa and Head of the Investment
and Infrastructure Office in the Presidency, Prof. Kgosientsho
Ramokgopa, outlines the goals behind the establishment of
Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) to coordinate the planning,
management and delivery of high-impact projects.
Prof. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
BIOGRAPHY
Prior to his current position, Prof.
Ramokgopa was an MEC in the Gauteng
Provincial Government, having been
Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane
before that. He was Chief Executive Officer
for the Metropolitan Trading Company
and the Johannesburg Market and has
served as Deputy Chairperson of the board
of Trade and Investment in Limpopo.
He holds a PhD, a Master’s in Public
Administration and a Master’s in Business
Leadership. He completed his BSc in Civil
Engineering at the University of Durban
Westville in 1998. In 2022, Prof. Ramokgopa
was appointed as Professor of Practice at
the University of Johannesburg (UJ), School
of Public Management, Governance and
Public Policy.
What is Infrastructure South Africa’s mandate?
Infrastructure South Africa is mandated to:
• Lead the national infrastructure strategy by defining and planning
the infrastructure investment portfolio of high-impact, priority and
quality economic and social infrastructure projects to meet the NDP
and NIP 2050 objectives
• Through the ISA Centre of Excellence, drive best-practice thinking in
terms of infrastructure research and analysis, trends, future scenarios
and insights
• Enable stakeholder collaboration by convening and bringing together
stakeholders, including project sponsors, policy-makers, private
sector, etc, to drive infrastructure planning and delivery integration
• Through the Portfolio Management Office, ISA drives best practice
enforcement by maintaining best-practice governance and assurance
for infrastructure projects and programmes
• Provide support to project sponsors in the development of robust
business cases through specialised project-evaluation expertise,
financial structuring and designing fit-for-purpose funding solutions
for public sector infrastructure projects and programmes.
To whom does ISA report?
ISA is governed under the executive authority of the Minister of Public Works
and Infrastructure (DPWI), and reports to the Presidential Infrastructure
Coordinating Council chaired by the President of the Republic of South Africa.
What are the goals of ISA?
Infrastructure South Africa is an infrastructure centre of excellence
and is established as a single point of entry for infrastructure planning,
management and delivery. Infrastructure South Africa is a catalyst for closing
the infrastructure investment gap and meeting the infrastructure target set
out in the National Development Plan, and provides best practice in project
preparation, leadership on infrastructure planning, technical and financial
support for nationally-prioritised infrastructure projects and programmes.
What are the key programmes of Infrastructure South Africa through
which it delivers on its mandate?
ISA has six key programmes through which it delivers its mandate:
1. Infrastructure Investment Planning and Oversight
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
12

INTERVIEW
National Infrastructure Plan 2050 offers a strategic
vision and plan for the country, promotes dynamism in
infrastructure delivery, addresses institutional blockages
and weaknesses and develops a prioritised national
portfolio of catalytic projects and programmes designed
to close the infrastructure investment gap.
2. Infrastructure Delivery Management and Governance
Development of comprehensive infrastructure project
pipeline: governance, visibility and transparent design
in respect of project structuring, due diligence, quality
assurance to build investor confidence and to leverage
private sector funding.
3. Infrastructure Investment Funding and Financing
Infrastructure Fund oversight, innovative funding
instruments for public sector infrastructure projects
and programmes, enhance role of private sector in the
development and financing of catalytic infrastructure,
Ease of Doing Business, and Investment Intelligence.
4. Infrastructure Project Pipeline Execution
Strategic Integrated Projects; Procurement, Contract
Management Oversight, etc. Design standardisation,
green technologies and innovation.
5. Property, Land, Building Portfolio Management
Sustainability of government assets and infrastructure;
Public Private Partnerships; Frequently Built Public Assets;
Public land maximisation.
6. ISA Centre of Excellence
Authority on infrastructure research, forecasting and
economic analysis. The programme also produces
infrastructure indices, conducts socio-economic impact
assessments and spatial analyses of infrastructure
investment projects and pipelines.
What is the ISA Centre of Excellence?
The ISA Centre of Excellence (CoE) aims to create an
organisational environment that strives to develop highquality
research, learning and innovation. The CoE objective
is to ensure that ISA becomes the leading and “go-to”
authority on infrastructure research, information, long-term
planning and guidance in South Africa. The CoE will focus
on collaboration with various sector bodies and institutions
to enhance infrastructure research and development.
The CoE within ISA is a small team of highly-skilled and
dedicated individuals that operates separately from the
functional areas that it supports within the ISA organisation.
Focus areas for the CoE include:
• Serves as a “Think Tank” on matters related to
infrastructure economics in the country by
bridging the gap between infrastructure research
and infrastructure delivery
• Research and analytical focus that will serve in an
advisory capacity to ISA
• Development and analysis of infrastructure indices
• Development of insights and best practices of
infrastructure-led strategies
• Update and expand an infrastructure database
for the country
• Create and expand infrastructure-led research and
capacity development through the publication of
research papers
• Infrastructure research, socio-economic impact
assessment, spatial analysis, forecasting, and
economic analysis
• Benefits realisation and ex-post analysis of implemented
infrastructure projects.
What role did the Sustainable Infrastructure
Development Symposium of South Africa, first held in
2020, play in kickstarting investment in infrastructure?
The Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium
(SIDSSA) is a platform that brings together critical roleplayers
in the infrastructure investment space, who
are galvanised around a key goal of accelerating an
infrastructure-led economic recovery plan. The symposium
is also a platform to explore partnerships between the
public and private sectors and investment opportunities
in infrastructure. Furthermore, the symposium is intended
to shape the conversations about regulatory and policy
reforms, innovative funding models for infrastructure and
investing in infrastructure for a shared prosperity for all.
The aim was to share with the private sector our view
of a long-term infrastructure project horizon and to open
doors for a degree of preparation and investment to
stimulate demand and resuscitate the supply side, followed
by an increase in job creation. In furthering infrastructure
development as an avenue to rebuild the economy, we
wanted to ensure that there was greater participation of
black players, industrialists, communities located in villages,
rural areas and townships. We are aiming for a fundamental
alteration of the economic relations of society towards a
shared future in which everyone must participate. Inclusivity
and transformation are key ingredients to the South
Africa that we want to construct. We conceptualised the
symposium to demonstrate South Africa’s commitment
to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and to
ensure that we could draw on the pool of liquidity
seeking to fund sustainable infrastructure projects. ■
13 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

INTERVIEW
Domestic industrialisation will
benefit from beneficiation strategy
The CEO of the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone, Lehlogonolo Masoga,
outlines the economic impact that a new metallurgical complex will have on the region.
Lehlogonolo Masoga
BIOGRAPHY
Lehlogonolo Masoga has more than 20
years of experience as an administrator
and public servant, most recently as
Deputy Speaker of the Limpopo Provincial
Legislature and MEC for Roads and
Transport. He served as the spokesperson
for the former LEDET MEC and Minister of
Public Administration, the late Mr Collins
Chabane. Lehlogonolo holds three Master’s
degrees: Governance and Public Leadership
(Wits), Development Studies (Limpopo) and
an MSc in Leadership and Change (Leeds
Beckett University, UK). He has B-Tech HRM
from UNISA and a professional diploma
in Humanitarian Assistance from the
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (UK)
and is currently a registered PhD candidate
in Public Administration.
What are the benefits that the MMSEZ will bring to Limpopo?
The designation of the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone
(MMSEZ SOC) and prospects of a second licence for Tubatse-
Fetakgomo Special Economic Zone will trigger a variety of benefits for
the people of Limpopo, especially the host municipalities. The MMSEZ
has already attracted a basket of over R800-million to be invested in
new infrastructure in Musina, which is expected to create over 2 000
jobs. The nature of the infrastructure, which includes water, electricity,
roads and sewers, will go a long way in complementing the municipal
service delivery efforts.
As a consequence of the MMSEZ, we have witnessed investments
in education and training facilities through the Vhembe TVET College,
which is likely to multiply with the planned construction of a new fullsatellite
campus inside the SEZ. The investment in ICT and broadband
infrastructure will benefit not only investors in the zone but also members
of the community with regard to data access and network connectivity.
We expect the local SMMEs to be empowered from the commencement
of the project.
What are the anchor investments of the MMSEZ?
The MMSEZ has been engaging with potential investors for both
the South and North sites. We were worried that delays with the
environmental impact assessment approvals would discourage some of
the South Site investors. We are pleased and humbled by the resilience
of our Chinese investors in the metallurgical complex to develop a heavy
industrial park producing steel and stainless steel and beneficiating
several minerals such as ferrochrome, ferromanganese and vanadium,
among others. After abandoning the coal-fired power plant, our investor
substituted it with green-power generation through solar.
On the North Site we have secured potential investors in the
manufacturing subsectors such as industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals,
electric vehicles and metal fabrication. We are currently exploring
partnerships in the field of a fresh-produce market and a regional fuel
terminal. These are some of the initial projects to jump-start the MMSEZ
North Site while engagements are ongoing with other strategic partners.
We have also secured an ICT partner to invest in the installation of
broadband infrastructure and related technological infrastructure to
transform the site into a “smart zone” immediately.
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
14

INTERVIEW
In what sector will the MMSEZ make the biggest
contribution?
The metallurgical complex in the South Site will
positively impact on the mining sector by supporting
industrialisation which will create new jobs and
harness new skills. An interruption of the current
trajectory of exporting primary mineral products
into global markets with a beneficiation strategy to
support domestic industrialisation will become the
real game-changer.
What is planned for the various phases of the two
MMSEZ sites?
The installation of the bulk infrastructure has
commenced in earnest with the first contractor
taking site in June 2022. Our plan is to simultaneously
roll out the installation of basic-services infrastructure
with some of the top structures wherein investors are
ready to immediately take occupation.
What is a Smart City, and what is planned in
connection with the MMSEZ?
Urbanisation, rapid technological advancements,
climate change, global pandemics and spatial and
economic inequalities are encouraging leaders to
review, rethink and reconfigure planning to find
innovative ways to cope with change. Smart cities
are about urban ecosystems that integrate digital
technology, knowl edge and assets to become more
responsive to users, improve services and make
places more attractive.
The MMSEZ SOC has developed a Smart City
Model which promotes a new city-development
model, taking urban and rural characteristics
into account based on the principles of a smart
and modern economy, a smart and sustainable
environment with smart and responsive governance,
encouraging smart living, ensuring smart mobility
and attracting and developing smart people.
How will supporting infrastructure contribute to
economic development?
MMSEZ will be solely responsible for the basic
infrastructure for the North Site as the operator for
the Zone. However, we anticipate a substantial capital
flow for the development of the top structures in
the Zone. Such infrastructure will also include the
MMSEZ CEO Lehlogonolo Masoga and dtic Deputy
Minister Fikile Majola.
enabling last-mile rail infrastructure to connect to
the existing Transnet grid.
Nevertheless, there are planned mega projects
outside the Zone to support the MMSEZ such as the
planned Musina Dam. Through a partnership with
the Musina Municipality, we plan to develop the
Musina Airport and acquire an international licence
to develop an airlifting strategy.
Please comment on how the MMSEZ intends to
leave a lasting legacy.
The leadership of the MMSEZ is resolute about
harvesting the capital flow into the Musina-
Makhado Corridor to use it as a catalyst for growth
and development, not only for the benefit of the
two towns but Limpopo in general. It is our strong
conviction that through the plans that we have
developed we must guide development in the
corridor into one direction – Smart City. We have no
doubt that in the next 36 months, Musina will never
look the same and the same will apply to Makhado
in the next 60 months. Through the MMSEZ there will
be new roads, electricity, sewer, water, rail line, houses,
retail stores, hotels, airport, broadband infrastructure
and above all, a new dam with abundant waterbased
opportunities.
The MMSEZ Smart City Framework will have
a lasting impact on Limpopo with a corridor of
smartness from Polokwane to Beitbridge. Within
this corridor there will be nodes that impact on
settlements and economic activity. In addition, this
corridor will extend and form part of the Gauteng
City Region footprint in a real and dynamic way and
extend to Zimbabwe, thereby contributing to an
integrated and prosperous Africa. ■
15 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

FOCUS
The Musina-Makhado
Special Economic Zone –
a catalyst for growth
Multiple investments in northern Limpopo are set to make
a huge impact on the regional economy.
The Musina-Makhado Special Economic
Zone (MMSEZ) is an initiative of the
Limpopo Provincial Government.
The MMSEZ state-owned company
(MMSEZ SOC) has been established as the
implementing agent of the project and
is a subsidiary of the Limpopo Economic
Development Agency (LEDA), which reports to the
Limpopo Department of Economic Development,
Environment and Tourism (LEDET).
Approval and support for the concept
and location of the SEZ has been obtained
from national government through
the Department of Trade, Industry and
Competition (dtic) and forms part of
broad national plans to diversify and
grow the national economy. Private sector
participation will be key to the success of the
SEZ in driving growth in the region. Sectors
represented in the SEZ will include energy
and metallurgy, agro-processing, logistics
and general manufacturing. The MMSEZ has
appointed a private operator for the Energy
and Metallurgical Complex (EMSEZ).
Development model
The development model of the MMSEZ complies
with local, national and regional blueprints and
plans. These include:
• Limpopo Development Plan
• District-based development model
• Regional Spatial Development Framework (RSDF)
• New Smart City Model
• External master plan approach
Investment in developmental infrastructure is
ongoing: water, electricity, ICT, roads, transport,
human settlement, airport, education and training.
Regional implications
The Musina-Makhado SEZ is located in the
vicinity of the Beitbridge Border Post which is
one of the busiest ports of entry to South Africa
and a gateway to countries in the Southern
African Development Community (SADC).
The SADC Industrialisation Strategy and the
Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will
boost regional and inter-regional trade volumes,
giving the MMSEZ’s prime location further
importance.
The MMSEZ has the potential to become
an inland intermodal terminal, facilitated
by its anchoring position along the northsouth
corridor, and directly connecting to the
country’s major ports through both the N1
highway and the Johannesburg-Musina railway
line, for the trans-shipment of sea cargo and
manufactured goods.
With many companies and countries
wanting to decentralise and diversify their
distribution hubs (either because of Covid-19
or potential unrest in some areas), there is an
opportunity for the MMSEZ North Site as a
potential regional inland port.
Key projects completed
Feasibility studies for agro-processing, timber
beneficiation, logistics and manufacturing, an
SMME incubation centre and the Musina Dam:
• North Site internal master plan
• Investment promotion strategy
• Minerals identification and beneficiation
• Strategic information system plan
• New Smart City Model
• Regional Spatial Development Framework
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
16

North Site Layout
FOCUS
• Finalising the short- and medium-term water
solution
• Bulk infrastructure engineering design
• Site clearance and fencing
• Installation of bulk infrastructure
• Ramping up skills development
NORTH SITE
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
for the site has been approved, as has the
engineering planning phase for bulk infrastructure.
Infrastructure installation is envisaged to begin in
the course of 2022.
Phase 1 projects:
• Fresh produce market: partnership
• Regional fuel terminal: partnership
• Trucks and buses manufacturing: investor
• Chemicals manufacturing: investor
• Vhembe TVET College
• Rail connectivity
• Solar energy South plantSite Status
SOUTH SITE
The South Site’s EIA application was approved
on 23 February 2022.
The action plan in the post-EIA approval
phase encompasses:
• Rezoning of the South Site
Energy
The plan to build a coal-powered power station
has been phased out. A memorandum of
understanding was signed in December 2021
with a Chinese investor to build a 1 000MW solar
power plant.
A pre-feasibility study for the project has been
done. A project-based EIA application will begin
after a site has been chosen and confirmed. ■
Driving industrialisation
Extract from Budget Speech, 2022, MEC for Economic
Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET),
Thabo Mokone:
During the State of the Province Address, the Premier
emphasised that industrialisation of the provincial
economy, through implementation of megaprojects
in manufacturing and the agriculture and tourism
sectors, continues unabated. LEDET is implementing
high-impact catalytic projects focusing on the
Broadband Network Infrastructure Initiative, the
Science and Technology Park, digital hubs and our two
Special Economic Zones, namely, Musina-Makhado
SEZ and Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ. LEDET will drive
implementation of the industrialisation programme
in partnership with other sector departments in the
economic cluster.
The province has set aside R600-million to develop
infrastructure for the North Site of the MMSEZ over
the medium-term expenditure framework. Of this
allocation, R38.7-million has been spent to date on
engineering work. The current year’s budget allocation
of R200-million will be utilised to roll out security, water
and electricity infrastructure. The implementation of the
SEZ is progressing very well.
17 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

FOCUS
The Musina-Makhado SEZ
has ambitious targets
Training opportunities are being created and small
business will benefit.
An artistic impression of the Vhembe TVET College in
the North Site of the MMSEZ
The Musina-Makhado Special Economic
17
Zone (MMSEZ) will be a vehicle
for uplifting the skills level of the
population and for creating business
opportunities for entrepreneurs in the region.
Skills profile
Vhembe TVET College has already opened
a satellite campus with mobile classrooms
in Musina and the campus is in the process
of gearing up to respond to the emerging
industrial activities in the corridor. Plans are
underway to develop a fully-fledged satellite
campus in the North Site of the MMSEZ.
This initiative has been endorsed by the
national Department of Higher Education and
Training (DHET). Diamond mining company
De Beers has agreed to support graduates with
on-the-job training opportunities. Furthermore,
collaboration is being investigated with the
Limpopo Skills Academy. The skills required
for the construction and operational phases
of the MMSEZ have been identified and many
opportunities exist for training.
SMME empowerment strategy
A feasibility study has been conducted to
investigate the establishment of an SMME
Incubation Centre for the MMSEZ. The MMSEZ
SOC is actively looking for opportunities
to engage with small business owners and
entrepreneurs to look for ways to collaborate
or to encourage small business. This could be
as a business assisting in building infrastructure
in the SEZ, creating new factory or production
facilities or as a service provider.
Tertiary beneficiaries are classified in two levels.
Level One: includes South African bidders from
outside Limpopo Province. Level Two: includes
bidders from outside South Africa.
Procurement-based empowerment makes
allowance for both primary and secondary
beneficiaries.
Primary beneficiaries: Level One: Bidders in
communities that offered land where the MMSEZ is
located. Level Two: Companies owned by historically
disadvantaged individuals based in Musina and
Makhado Local Municipalities.
Secondary beneficiaries: Level One: Bidders in Vhembe
District (outside Musina and Makhado). Level Two:
Limpopo bidders outside Vhembe District. ■
SMME Empowerment Strategy
SMME Empowerment Strategy
SMME Empowerment S
North Site Status
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

MMSEZ
SPECIAL FEATURE
A world of game-changing opportunities
What is Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ)?
MUSINA-MAKHADO SEZ CLUSTERS
What is the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Economic Zone?
Zone?
MUSINA-MAKHADO SEZ CLUSTERS
The Musina-Makhado SEZ is a flagship initiative of the Limpopo
• Metallurgy (Minerals Beneficiation)
The Musina-Makhado MMSEZ is a flagship SEZ is initiative a flagship of initiative the Limpopo
of the
• Metallurgy (mineral beneficiation)
Provincial Government implemented through the Musina-Makhado • Energy Generation
Limpopo Provincial Provincial Government Government implemented implemented through through the through MMSEZ the
• Energy generation
the SOC,
SEZ Musina-Makhado
SOC partnership
in partnership
SEZ with SOC
with SEZ a Chinese MMSEZ
a Chinese
partnership Operator, SOC
Operator, in with partnership Shenzhen a
Shenzhen
Chinese
Hoi
• Manufacturing
• Manufacturing
Operator, with Hoi
Mor
Mor
Resources a Chinese Resources Shenzhen
Holding Operator, Holding Hoi
Company
Mor Shenzhen Company Resources
Ltd. The Hoi Ltd. Holding
MMSEZ Mor Resources Company
as an economic
• Agro-processing
• Agro-Processing
Ltd. Holding development The MMSEZ Company tool is as aims an Ltd. economic to The promote MMSEZ tool development national that as aims an economic tool economic
promote aims growth to
• Logistics • Logistics
promote development national and exports economic national by tool using economic growth aims support to and promote growth measures exports and national in by exports order using economic to by support attract using targeted
support growth measures foreign and measures in domestic order exports to in attract by order investments, using to targeted attract support research foreign targeted measures and foreign development
domestic
in order and
MMSEZ INVESTMENT WHAT ARE THE INCENTIVES FOR
domestic to investments, (R&D) attract and investments, targeted technology research foreign and transfer. research development.
and and domestic development.
investments,
research and development.
Where is the MMSEZ located?
• • • Preferential INVESTING corporate IN THE tax MMSEZ?
Building • Preferential allowance corporate and tax tax relief
Employment • Building tax allowance incentive and tax relief
Investment The Musina-Makhado opportunities SEZ is located Investment in the vicinity of the Beit
• inside Bridge the Border zones:
zone: Post which is one opportunities of the busiest ports outside of entry in • SA
• and Industrial an undisputable infrastructure gateway to the zones:
zone: South African Development
• • Community Corporate offices (SADC) countries. The • MMSEZ Real estate has the potential to
• • become Logistics an services inland intermodal terminal, • Retail facilitated and hotels by its anchor
• • along Petroleum the North-South supply Corridor, • and Schools directly and connecting airport to the
• Customs-controlled • Employment tax area incentive
tax relief
Rental • Customs-controlled space discounts area tax relief
Readily • Rental available space infrastructure
discounts
Sufficient • Readily land available for greenfield infrastructure projects
Access • Sufficient to agricultural land for and greenfield mineral projects resources
Easy access • Access to to the agricultural up-north & mineral (SADC) resources market
• country’s Industrial major chemicals ports through both • Health
N1 road and the Johannesburg-
• Accessible • Easy logistics access to support the up-north for the movement (SADC) market
of goods
Musina railway line, for the trans-shipment • Entertainment
of sea cargo and
• Accessible logistics support for the
• Musina Dam
manufactured goods to inland destinations and the SADC markets. movement of goods
POTENTIAL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN AND OUTSIDE THE MMSEZ
ENERGY &
METALLURGY
Power Plant
Iron and
Steel Plant
Stainless Steel Plant
Ferromanganese Plant
Ferrochrome Plant
Chrome Plant
Lime Plant
AGRO-PROCESSING
Food Processing Facility
Fresh Produce Handling
Canning Facility
Cotton Beneficiation
Timber Processing
LOGISTICS
Logistics Services
Warehousing
Distribution
Container Yard
Vehicle Distribution
Cold Storage
Bonded Warehouses
INFRASTRUCTURE
Construction Services
Engineering Services
Re al Estate
Development
Retail Property
Hospitality Facilities
Bu ilding Materials
Manufacturing
and Supply
MANUFACTURING
Light Industries
Basic Assembly
Automotive Manufacturing
Electromechanical Operations
OE Manufacturing
Component Manufacturing
Fertilisers
Agro-chemicals
Petro-chemicals
ICT Solutions
Furniture Manufacturing
Packaging Services
CONTACTS
MS TSHAMAANO MAKUYA
MR RICHARD ZITHA
Contact MUSINA-MAKHADO details SEZ SOC
Ms Tshamaano Stakeholder Makuya,
Mr Richard Zitha, Project Executive
Executive
Relations Manager
Project Executive
Musina-Makhado Makhado SEZ SOC
Stakeholder Relations Manager
Cell: Investment +27 071 391 Promotion 391 8188
Address: 29 93 Market Biccard Street,
Street,
Cell: +27 067 Tel: 411 +27(0) 411 9192
15 295 5120
Email: Cell: +27 R.Zitha@mmsez.co.za
Tel: 71 +27(0) 391 8188
15 295 5120
Polokwane, Limpopo Polokwane,
Email: T.Makuya@mmsez.co.za
Cell: +27 (0)67 411 9192
Email: R.Zitha@mmsez.co.za
Cell: +27 (0)71 391 8188
Province, Limpopo RSA Province (RSA)
Tshamaano.Makuya@lieda.co.za
19 LIMPOPO Richard.Zitha@lieda.co.za
BUSINESS 2020/21

MUSINA MAKHADO
SMART CITY
“A leading innovative, sustainable and
inclusive high-tech Africa gateway city”
A summary of investment opportunities at the
Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone
(MMSEZ)
Inside the zone opportunities
1. General manufacturing
2. Agro-processing
3. Warehousing
4. Industrial property
5. Petroleum depot
6. Renewable energy
7. Office park
8. Hotel
9. Student accommodation
10. Real estate
Outside the zone opportunities
1. Real estate
2. Retail
3. Hotels
4. Private hospital
5. Airport development
6. Education and training
7. Entertainment
8. ICT
9. Musina Dam
10. Cross-border trade

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South Africa (SA) has the most industrialised economy in Africa.
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SA is the location of choice of multinationals in Africa.
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SA is endowed with an abundance of natural resources. It is the leading producer
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Page | 2
19
SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 2020

SPECIAL FEATURE
Green hydrogen comes to Limpopo
Big companies are investing in prototypes and the province’s Special
Economic Zones are positioning themselves as green energy hubs.
Anglo American’s newest truck is not only more powerful than its predecessors, it’s also clean.
Credit: Anglo American
Talk about clean energy via green hydrogen
has been going on for some years all
around the world, but suddenly that talk
has turned into serious dialogue between
national governments and powerful business
interests who really want to do something
concrete about creating power in a cleaner, more
sustainable way.
In May 2022, talk became action at the
Mogalakwena platinum group metals (PGMs)
mine in Limpopo when Anglo American unveiled
“a prototype of the world’s largest hydrogenpowered
mine haul truck designed to operate in
everyday mining conditions at its Mogalakwena
PGMs mine in South Africa”.
Hydrogen is generated via the electrolysis
of water using electricity. If renewable energy is
deployed to make the electricity that makes the
hydrogen, then that is “green hydrogen”. Hydrogen
has a wide range of uses across multiple sectors,
from transport to heat generation and power.
Anglo American intends using green
hydrogen which it will produce at the mine
to feed into its green-hydrogen system,
which includes production, fuelling and a
haulage system.
The Mogalakwena mine is near Mokopane
(formerly Potgietersrus) and south-west of
Polokwane, the provincial capital of Limpopo
Province.
The 2MW hydrogen-battery hybrid
truck generates more power than its diesel
predecessor and can carry a 290-ton payload.
Forty Anglo trucks will be retrofitted, starting
in 2024, and the whole fleet should be green
by 2030.
The operating company of the Musina-
Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ)
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
22

SPECIAL FEATURE
has signed a partnership agreement for greenhydrogen
electricity generation with Australian
company African Resources Development Energy
(ARD Energy). Paladin Hydrogen, a partner of
ARD Energy, is using its Tasmanian project as the
prototype of coal-to-hydrogen technology that
apparently has zero emissions. Once that project
reaches sufficient scale, the intention is to deploy
the technology to the Makhado coal fields of
northern Limpopo.
The Fetakgomo-Tubatse Special Economic
Zone (FTSEZ), on the other hand, has plans to
turn that area’s platinum group metals to good
effect in the energy field. Platinum and iridium
are important catalysts in the process which
creates hydrogen, so that has become one of
the big selling points of the FTSEZ. In July 2022,
a delegation from the FTSEZ participated in
the UK-RSA partnership mission on Hydrogen
Economy Roadmap.
Anglo Platinum’s 75MW solar plant under
construction at Mogalakwena could well become
the 320MW plant that the company wants it to be,
if President Ramaphosa announces the lifting of
restrictions on the scale of private generation. He
surprised and pleased the business community in
2021 when he lifted the limit on the size of private
projects that did not need to apply for licences to
100MW; it’s very likely more red tape will fall away
as South Africa’s utility, Eskom, continues to fail to
keep the lights on.
With ample wind and sun, a long coastline
and 75% of the world’s PGMs, Limpopo and
South Africa are well placed to be leaders in the
production of green hydrogen.
Hydrogen Valley
The Limpopo Province is one of the three hubs
on which a Hydrogen Valley is planned to stretch
from the metals-rich Bushveld area through the
country’s industrial and commercial heartland to
two of the continent’s busiest ports in Richards Bay
and Durban.
It is envisaged as a means of kickstarting the
hydrogen industry in South Africa. The other two
hubs are Johannesburg and Richards Bay. Demand
at the Limpopo end of the corridor will be driven
by trucks used in the mining industry and along
the busy N1 highway. Current users of hydrogen in
the Johannesburg area will be expected to switch
to green hydrogen and green hydrogen will also
be used as feedstock substitution for ethylene
production and fuel and as a catalyst for iron and
steel, in public buildings and buses. Future privatebuilding
demand is expected to grow. At Richards
Bay Port there is potential to export green hydrogen
and use it as a fuel for port functions. Trucks using the
N3 could be another market.
The Hydrogen Valley concept is being
researched and developed by a collaboration
that includes the Department of Science and
Innovation (DSI), the South African National
Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), Anglo
American, Bambili Energy and ENGIE. A 2021
feasibility report suggests that $4-billion could
be added to South Africa’s GDP if the valley were
successfully implemented, with an additional tax
revenue of about $900-million.
The Department of Science and Innovation
has a chief director of hydrogen and energy. The
Industrial Development Corporation is mandated
by national government to champion the
commercialisation of the green hydrogen economy.
A hydrogen strategy was compiled for the country
as far back as 2008, the National Hydrogen and
Fuel Cell Technologies Research, Development and
Innovation strategy.
As of 2022, the IDC has invested R15.4-billion
in renewable energy in four provinces: 25 projects
with a combined capacity of 899.2MW.
Entrepreneur Mashudu Ramano wants his
Mitochondria Energy Company to produce 250MW
in hydrogen fuel cells per year from 2023. He has
found a commercial partner in AVL, an Austrian
engineering company, and financial backing from
the Industrial Development Corporation and the
Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).
He wants to operate in Mpumalanga where coal
plants will be shutting down in rapid succession
over the next few years and where he believes
there is sufficient water for the project. Chris Barron
ran an extensive interview with Ramano in his
“Newsmaker” column in the Sunday Times in April
2021. Ramano says that the South Africa’s export
potential in green hydrogen is R1.5-trillion “more
than half our GDP”. ■
23 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

FOCUS
Quadripartite agreement underpins
economic boost for Limpopo
Local, regional, provincial and national bodies commit to building and
promoting the Fetakgomo-Tubatse Special Economic Zone.
National government is promoting Special Economic Zones and the Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ will
stimulate growth in Limpopo. Credit: Policy document on SEZ, dtic
An important agreement by four partners
has been signed that will give life to a
plan to build a vital piece of economic
infrastructure in the eastern part of
Limpopo, the Fetakgomo-Tubatse Special Economic
Zone (FTSEZ).
Representing four different levels of government,
the agreement covers two municipalities, the
provincial government and a national department.
The FTSEZ is to be implemented to achieve
the objectives of the National Development Plan
(NDP) and Provincial Industrialisation Strategy and
Special Economic Zones Policy.
A special purpose vehicle (SPV) is to be formed
to run the Special Economic Zone. The dtic will also
be responsible for the costs of the building of top
structures on the site and the costs of the project
management unit.
Other responsibilities of the dtic, the national
promoter of Special Economic Zones, will be
to provide direction in terms of policy and
regulation, promote SMME participation and
training within the zone and, through its Industrial
Zones Development Programme, strengthen the
technical capacity of the FTSEZ.
The strategic objectives of the dtic fit in well
with the establishment of the FTSEZ.
Among the department’s objectives are to
promote industrial development, investment,
competitiveness and employment creation, to
facilitate broad-based economic participation
through targeted interventions to achieve more
inclusive growth, and to create a fair regulatory
environment that enables investment, trade and
enterprise development in an equitable and socially
responsible manner.
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23 24

FOCUS
The newly-surfaced road to Mphanama. Roads
upgrades are part of ongoing infrastructure
investment in the Sekhukhune District. Credit: RAL
The Provincial Government of Limpopo,
through its Department of Economic Development,
Environment and Tourism (LEDET) will see to some
of the bulk infrastructure budget, working capital
and establishment costs, together with costs related
to the project management unit and its operations.
Implementation by LEDA
Implementation of the project will be carried out
by the Limpopo Economic Development Agency
(LEDA), on behalf of LEDET.
LEDET’s mandate is economic development
and industrialisation as envisioned through
the Limpopo Industrial Master Plan (LIMP) and
Limpopo Development Plan. This mandate
is implemented through undertaking mega
economic and industrialisation projects such as
the Fetakgomo-Tubatse Special Economic Zone.
The other contributors to bulk infrastructure
costs are the Sekhukhune District Municipality and
the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality. Each of
these four entities is a 25% shareholder in the SPV.
The Executive Mayor of the Sekhukhune District
Municipality, Ms Julia Mathebe, is pleased that the
District is a “key partner” in the development of
the FTSEZ. She notes that, “Our support of the SEZ
comes in the form of infrastructure projects such
as the R21-million Ga-Malekana Water Treatment
Works upgrade and the Regional External Master
Plan which the municipality is funding to the tune
of R1.6-million.”
Another major project taking place within
the District is the construction of a larger
Steelport Wastewater Treatment Works,
with funding being made available by the
Development Bank of Southern Africa.
Mayor Mathebe has further pledged to “do
whatever it takes to remove any bottlenecks to
ensure the success of businesses in the FTSEZ”.
Sekhukhune is located in the south-eastern
part of the province, bordering the province of
Mpumalanga and two other Limpopo districts.
The largest of the four municipalities that
make up the district is the Fetakgomo Tubatse
Local Municipality. It includes the towns of
Burgersfort, Ohrigstad, Steelpoort and many
rural villages. The economy of the municipality
is quite diverse but mining and quarrying and
agriculture predominate.
The Mayor of Fetakgomo-Tubatse Local
Municipality, Mr Eddie Maila, says, “As the host
of the FTSEZ, we welcome all developments
and investors who will set up their operations
in the SEZ. The FTLM gives unwavering support
and will assure investors and all developments
a quick turnaround for approvals required from
our Municipality.” ■
Limpopo Premier’s message:
Mr Chupu Stanley Mathabatha
The implementation of the Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ
(FTSEZ) heralds an awakening on the rolling out of
the industrialisation agenda espoused in the Limpopo
Development Plan, using the district development
model approach with our partners the Department
of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), Sekhukhune
District Municipality and Fetakgomo Tubatse Local
Municipality. The FTSEZ will be a centre of excellence
in green-energy manufacturing, agro-processing and
mineral beneficiation. Limpopo is inviting potential
investors to take advantage of this opportunity.
The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and
Competition Mr Fikile Majola, on an oversight visit
to the proposed site of the FTSEZ in Steelpoort.
25 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

INTERVIEW
Accelerating and
expanding industrialisation
Maoto Molefane, Acting Deputy Director General of the Department of Trade,
Industry and Competition (dtic) explains how the Special Economic Zone
Programme can boost local development and enhance regional connections.
Maoto Molefane, Acting
Deputy Director General, dtic
BIOGRAPHY
Maoto Molefane has Master’s degrees
from Wits (in Development Planning)
and from the University of London (in
Public Finance Management). After a
stint as a researcher and a brief spell in
the private sector, he had three years
as the head of Industrial Planning and
Development with the City of Tshwane
Metropolitan Municipality. Since 2011
Maoto has been with the dtic. In 2018
he became Chief Director: Special
Economic Zones and is currently Acting
Deputy Director General.
How does the FTSEZ fit into the priorities of the dtic?
One of the strategic objectives of the dtic is to transform and build an
inclusive economy through targeted spatial industrial development
instruments such as SEZs and Industrial Parks, improving the investment
climate and level of fixed investment in the economy, and increasing
value-added exports.
The Special Economic Zone Programme, including the proposed
Fetakgomo-Tubatse Special Economic Zone (FTSEZ), helps the dtic
to achieve this. It is one of the key development mechanisms of the
dtic’s National Industrial Policy. The purpose of the SEZ programme is to
attract Foreign Direct Investments and build a solid manufacturing base
into globally-integrated value chains which will provide an environment
where the economy can provide more sustainable jobs and reduced
levels of poverty and inequality.
How are decisions made about where to place SEZs in the country?
Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are established on the basis of the
economic potential of a region. This could either be comparative or
competitive advantages and the SEZ programme is used as a sweetener
to attract foreign and domestic investors. SEZs are used to accelerate
industrialisation through coordinated planning and the development
of state-of-the-art infrastructure.
The FTSEZ proposal aims to complement and support the region’s
comparative advantages, which will be corroborated through a detailed
strategic-planning, feasibility and master-planning process. This will also
consider commercial sustainability, target markets and businesses,
growth trajectory, infrastructure availability, technology innovation
capability and environment sustainability.
It further complements a new approach by government, aimed at
addressing the uneven spatial industrial development that continues
to undermine the country’s industrialisation efforts. This will unlock the
latent economic potential of different districts.
The acceptance of the Tubatse region’s proposal is also
based on its vast mineral resources. The zone is located within
the eastern limb of the Bushveld Igneous complex (BIC), which
is known to have the world’s largest deposits of Platinum Group
Metals (PGMs), along with vast quantities of tin, iron ore, chromium,
titanium and vanadium. The region’s 20 mines currently export
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
26

INTERVIEW
minerals in raw form. The FTSEZ will further
benefit the local economy by focusing on
upstream and downstream beneficiation. This
will promote larger-scale industrialisation for
both the manufacturing of mining inputs and the
beneficiation of the mining outputs.
What contribution will the dtic make to costs?
Through the SEZ Fund, the dtic will directly contribute
to the establishment of the FTSEZ once it is designated
as an SEZ. The funding is for top structures linked to
specific investors and is financed through the SEZ
allocation in the Industrial Finance Division of the
dtic. The dtic will also provide technical support in
various ways, including resourcing the SEZ Project
Management Unit at the IDC.
What role will the dtic play in the governance of
the SPV?
Review and analysis has shown that some revisions to
South Africa’s approach were required in terms of the
ownership. The dtic can strengthen the programme
by participating in the planning, development and
management of new zones. It will also provide
direction in respect of policy and regulations.
The dtic’s shared ownership encourages full
support for implementation. This operational model
has been tested in Gauteng with the proposed
Tshwane Automotive SEZ. All newly-designated SEZs
will operate under this revised framework.
In the case of the proposed FTSEZ, the dtic has
concluded Memorandums of Agreement with the
Limpopo Department of Economic Development,
Environment and Tourism, Sekhukhune District and
Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality. In the MOA, all
four stakeholders hold 25% of the shareholding in the
Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
What role will the dtic play in investment
facilitation and skills training?
The dtic will play a direct role in investment
facilitation. The most important prerequisite for
designation will be strong investment commitments.
Before the FTSEZ application is submitted, proper
planning will be undertaken by the dtic, the
municipality and the private sector to establish a
strong investment pipeline. The dtic will also be
extending its role in order to operationalise the
secured investments in the zone.
Through its capacity-development programme,
the dtic will provide skills-development training in
fields required to develop, manage and operate an
SEZ. The programme has been running for more
than five years. Linkages have been created with
a number of countries that have SEZs, including
China. The lockdown has facilitated the introduction
of online training programmes with these countries.
Do SEZs contribute to the attractiveness of South
Africa as an investment destination?
Yes. By offering world-class infrastructure, fiscal
incentives, a protected environment and an easyto-navigate
business environment using One Stop
Shops, SEZs have directly contributed to the country’s
attractiveness. The zones have 167 operational
investors and almost half of these are FDIs.
The new SEZ approach advocates for integrated
multi-use development where host regions will
provide secured locations with improved living
standards supported by industrial development,
commercial spaces, tourism, better schools,
entertainment, healthcare and recreational facilities.
What is the dtic hoping will be the major outcomes?
Through the establishment of the proposed FTSEZ,
the dtic is not only hoping to attract investments,
but also to create a platform to support and
develop host and adjacent regions by providing
connecting infrastructure, skills, research and
development facilities and employment. When
SEZs import specialised skills, this often results
in a skills transfer to the host region. This will also
provide opportunities for SMMEs to be integrated
into procurement chains.
We also hope for more regional integration of
Limpopo with Mozambique, Zimbabwe and other
African regions. The FTSEZ will create opportunities
for opening commercial routes to ports in
neighbouring Mozambique, parts of South Africa
and even possibly to Zimbabwe and Tanzania to
accelerate trade efficiencies.
Furthermore, the proposed FTSEZ seeks to
harness energies among public and private sector
players with the aim of creating an integrated
ecosystem that will change the socio-economic
landscape and benefit all South Africans. ■
27 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

INTERVIEW
A catalyst for future investment
Glencore CEO Japie Fullard describes the role played by the Steelpoort Mining
Supply Park in stimulating and supporting local enterprises.
What is the extent of Glencore’s operations in Limpopo?
Glencore Operations South Africa (Pty) Ltd, through the Glencore Merafe
Chrome Venture, has extensive operations in Limpopo, including the
Lion Ferrochrome Smelter and three chrome mines, namely Thorncliffe,
Magareng and Helena mines.
Japie Fullard, Glencore
Alloys CEO
BIOGRAPHY
Having started his career as an
apprentice electrician, Japie studied
for an engineering qualification while
working. He furthered his studies in
Mining Engineering and obtained
his Mine Manager’s Certificate of
Competency. He was Chief Engineer
and manager of several mines before
joining the Alloys Mining Division as
General Manager, rising to Head of
Mining. He has been CEO of Glencore
Alloys since 2019. As a past president
of the South African Coal Engineering
Association, he now serves on the
board of Minerals Council South Africa.
Please describe Glencore’s enterprise development programme.
Glencore Alloys has established three local enterprise and supplier
incubation hubs around its operations in North West and Limpopo
provinces. We firmly believe in the localisation of the economy by
providing free business training to emerging entrepreneurs at these
local hubs. We capacitate suppliers to position themselves to take
advantage of business opportunities in the industry while developing
enterprises further to allow them to pursue independent business
ventures outside the mining industry. By way of example, an average
of 250 emerging entrepreneurs visit the Steelpoort Hub each month.
How did the Glencore Mining Supply Park originate?
In 2011 Glencore (then Xstrata South Africa) decided to construct
a Mining Supply Park close to the Lion Ferrochrome Smelter in
Steelpoort. Our key objective was to streamline the supply chain
to Glencore’s ferrochrome smelters and chrome operations in the
area by housing key suppliers to such operations. This in turn would
create jobs and stimulate the local economy for the benefit of the
communities surrounding our operations.
What role will the Mining Supply Park play in the planned
Fetakgomo-Tubatse Special Economic Zone?
The ongoing role of the Mining Supply Park in creating jobs and
supporting local enterprises to serve the surrounding smelters and
mines with the supply of goods and services should be a good example
of what can be achieved in the Steelpoort area and further create a
good catalyst for future investment.
Is there a planned private-public partnership envisioned between
Glencore and the provincial government or the FTSEZ SPV?
Glencore strives to make a valued contribution to social progress
through the production and marketing of commodities that provide the
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
28

The Mining Supply Park provides existing infrastructure around which a Special
Economic Zone can grow.
basic building blocks for development and payments
to government such as taxes and royalties, provision
of employment and business partner opportunities
and through social development in the communities
where we operate.
Should the opportunity arise, and subject to its
internal policies and procedures, Glencore will most
certainly assess opportunities to partner with the
provincial government or the FTSEZ SPV. We believe
it may be a good mechanism to making a valued
contribution toward the social progress of the local
communities in the area.
Are there projects on which you currently
cooperate with government?
Glencore is proud to fund the electrification of 1 800
households while also doing extensive upgrades
and extensions to the supply of potable water to
households around its operations in Steelpoort. Our
partnership with the Department of Education entails
vast expansion at a local primary school. We have also
partnered with mining peers to fund the construction
of a new dual concrete bridge to replace the steel
bridge at Ga Malekane, which is soon to kick off. This
is in addition to our extensive social and labour plan
projects and obligations in Limpopo.
What good things could potentially come from
the FTSEZ?
We believe that the FTSEZ will stimulate business in the
region and we would expect significant investments
to follow, resulting in the further industrialisation of
the region. This will have a multiplier effect for local
enterprises and employment. ■
The launch of the Glencore Alloys Local Enterprise
Development Hub.
29 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

FOCUS
Investment opportunities
The Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ offers a great value proposition.
A globally recognised Centre of Excellence for Green Energy Technology and Mineral Beneficiation
Tubatse SEZ – Getting Platinum Moving- A world centre of excellence
for PGMs.”
08 November 2021
The existing Mining Inputs Supplier Park currently has more than 11 000m² of industrial space
available with a further 130 000m² of land available for development and ready for top structures to
be installed. Water, roads and electricity are in place. This graphic from the SEZ Master Plan depicts the
DSI | Turner & Townsend | LEDA
proposed Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ.
4
Infrastructure in support of investors’
commitments is being delivered to the Special
Economic Zone where a range of opportunities
are available with an emphasis on agroprocessing,
developing ICT infrastructure for the
SEZ, green energy (solar and biomass energy,
hydrogen from fuel cells) and manufacturing (autocatalysts,
electric vehicle components, mining
machinery, trucking components).
Status update
EIA authorisation: granted
Engineering designs for perimeter fencing: in
progress
Bulkwater supply source: confirmation by
October 2022
Skills audit of the entire district: complete.
The skills audit will assist companies to better
understand the area’s potential and to assist in the
formulation of training intervention plans.
Other infrastructure
Electricity substation designs are underway for the
erection of a substation. Several roads, including
the R37 and the R555, have either undergone
upgrades or will be upgraded. National roads
agency SANRAL is engaged in several projects
to this end. Various rail projects, including a
siding project and plans for a new steel bridge,
are in the planning phase. A scoping plan for
human settlements at the SEZ is underway.
Potential collaborations
Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ aims to be a globally
recognised Centre of Excellence for greenenergy
technology and mineral beneficiation.
To achieve that goal, multiple partnerships
with the private sector and specific investors
are envisaged for the SEZ and the area:
• Manufacturing of vehicle components
designed for green hydrogen fuel cells and
electrolytes energy from PGMs
• Manufacturing of vehicle batteries and
related components
• Manufacturing of auto catalysts from PGMs
• Manufacturing and assembly of components
for vehicle and trucking industry
• Collaboration on skills development in
partnership with merSETA , LEDA and the
mining industry
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
30

Why businesses chose FTSEZ
• Carbon credits
• Reduced carbon tax
• Reliable and low-carbon green energy
• Global leadership in production of chrome
• Land and security
• Enabling infrastructure and warehouses
• Good water supply
• Extensive road and rail network
Distances to key points:
• Port of Maputo 380km
• Port of Richards Bay 600km
• Musina Beitbridge Border Post 400km
Generic SEZ incentives
• Vat and customer relief
• Employment tax incentives
• Building allowance
• Reduced corporate income tax (15%
corporate tax)
• 12i tax allowance and incentives
• One Stop Shop facility
Invest now
The main objective of this SEZ is to develop a
low-carbon green economy which will offer
promising opportunities, not only to fight climate
change, but to enhance energy security and
develop local industries.
The strategic aim of the SEZ is to develop green
primary-energy supply for localised manufacturing
of both upstream and downstream activities of the
PGMs and chrome value chains.
Seven investors in the light industries of
pharmaceuticals, steel fabrication, agro-processing
and solar and hydrogen energy are finalising site and
location development plans.
The advantages of being close to mining
operations and smelting operations and with
access to reliable and low-carbon green energy
speak of a unique value proposition for potential
investors. With excellent infrastructure and a range
of incentives available (building, employment and
tax allowances to VAT relief ), the case for investment
is strong.
CALL TO ACTION: Contact the FTSEZ now!
Solly Kgopong, Executive Manager
Solly Kgopong is the Executive
Manager of the Fetakgomo-
Tubatse SEZ. Before joining
the Department for Economic
Development, Environment and
Tourism, he was General Manager
of Absa Bank. His work experience
started as Business Analyst at Trade
and Investment Limpopo until he became Executive
Manager Strategic and Economic Planning. During this
period, Solly was a part-time lecturer at the University
of Limpopo. A USA-Mandela Scholar Alumni, Solly
holds an MSc in Economics degree from Ohio State
University. He was recently seconded to head the
Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ Project Management Unit by
the Provincial Government.
Contact details
Tel: 082 455 4220
Email: Solly.Kgopong@lieda.co.za
Bunjiwe Gwebu, Project Executive
Bunjiwe Gwebu is the Project Executive
for the Fetakgomo-Tubatse Special
Economic Zone, having joined the
Limpopo Economic Development
Agency in 2014 when the Special
Economic Zones programme was
being rolled out nationally. She is an
Economic Development Specialist who
holds a Master’s in Development Studies from the University
of KwaZulu-Natal. She has held positions at executive and
senior management levels in government and nongovernmental
institutions such as eThekwini Municipality,
Slum Dwellers International, uTshani Fund and the Housing
Development Agency where she was responsible for
strategy, programme planning and management,
implementation and monitoring and evaluation.
Contact details
Tel: 076 521 5077
Email: Bunjiwe.Gwebu@lieda.co.za

MESSAGE
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FOCUS
Boost for Limpopo and
Mpumalanga
General Manager Kagiso Moncho shares good news for the region as MTN SA
invests R820-million into network modernisation and infrastructure.
Kagiso Moncho, MTN General Manager,
Northern Region
MTN SA is ramping up investment to
modernise existing and deploy new
network infrastructure across Limpopo
and Mpumalanga. The R820-million
investment will go toward MTN’s “Modernisation of
Network South Africa project” (MONZA) as well as
expanded rural reach, 5G expansion and restoration
of vandalised network infrastructure.
“Our aim is to significantly enhance access
and open the door to new digital opportunities
for many more people across the province. Our
investment is specifically targeted at increasing
network coverage, improving throughputs, and
connecting the previously unconnected,” says
Kagiso Moncho, General Manager: Northern Region
from MTN South Africa.
The MONZA rollout in the two provinces will
include modernisation and new sites. The extension
of MTN’s 5G connectivity includes rolling out new
sites in 2022.
Another major highlight will be rural
connectivity to help close the digital access gaps
in South Africa. More than 700-million people in
Sub-Saharan Africa remain offline and at risk of
exclusion from the emerging digital economy.
“We have extensive plans to drive growth and
connectivity solutions into under-serviced areas.
With unemployment in South Africa reaching new
peaks, it is critical to focus on harnessing digital
solutions to drive the recovery, especially in those
areas that were hardest hit,” Moncho adds.
“An important point is that the pandemic,
loadshedding and the prevailing economic
environment have underscored the value of
mobile networks, which remain the only form
of Internet access for many. MTN’s investments
are directly targeted at accelerating recovery
and significantly enhancing growth and job
opportunities,” says Moncho.
One stumbling block to growth remains
the activity of criminals and syndicates. Due to
high incidences of vandalism and battery theft,
MTN has partnered with Bidvest Security and
set aside an additional R101-million in 2022 to
combat this criminality.
“Ensuring users receive quality and network
stability is our number-one aim, but the fight
against battery theft and vandalism remains a
major hindrance. I am pleased that our ongoing
efforts to make a dent in these criminal acts are
seeing change, but all South Africans are requested
to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity,”
says Moncho.
“We have big targets this year in Limpopo
and Mpumalanga. Every completed project, or
success achieved against battery theft, ensures
our clients can take that one step forward and
benefit from the magic of the modern, connected
world,” concludes Moncho. ■
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
34

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KEY SECTORS
Overviews of the main economic
sectors of Limpopo
Agriculture 38
Mining 40
Energy 48
Water 50
Construction and property 51
ICT 52
Tourism 56
Transport and logistics 58
Development finance and
SMME development 62
Education and skills training 68
Glencore Operations South Africa is a major investor in Limpopo. The Lion Ferrochrome
Smelter and three chrome mines, Thorncliffe, Magareng and Helena, are operated through
the Glencore Merafe Chrome Venture. Credit: Glencore

OVERVIEW
Agriculture
Schemes to support small-scale farmers are expanding.
SECTOR INSIGHT
ZZ2 is building a big
new packhouse.
These areas have been
targeted: Sekhukhune District:
grain and cotton; Mopani
District: vegetables; Waterberg
District: red meat; Capricorn
District: potatoes.
Private investment
An irrigation scheme at Ohrigstad. Credit: Wynand Uys
on Unsplash.
A
chicken abattoir at Lebowakgomo is due to start operating
in 2022 as a means of assisting small-scale farmers
and broiler producers. There will be 150 jobs created at
the abattoir and many more along the value chain.
There are plans to get the troubled Tshivhase Mukumbani Tea
Estates into the black by producing something other than tea.
Studies are currently being done to determine which crops will be
best suited to the conditions and the market.
Zebediela Citrus Estate, once a successful citrus producer, is
another estate in need of help. In this case, a partnership agreement
between the Bjatladi Community Property Association and the
Humansdorp Cooperative has been signed to revive the orchards
while the Impact Catalyst programme is providing help in drawing
up a long-term plan for the sustainable development of the estate.
Provincial government efforts to promote specific value
chains in different areas are bearing fruit as various types of
infrastructure are rolled out to support small-scale farmers.
Farmer Production Support Units provide a cluster of services
which include livestock auction facilities, mechanisation services
and a training centre for farmers.
One of South Africa’s biggest
exporters is building a massive
new packhouse about 40km
north of Tzaneen. ZZ2, the
agricultural company with
operations in six South African
provinces and Namibia, is
making a major investment in
expansion near the site where it
all began, Mooketsi.
The firm’s founder discovered
that it was possible to plant and
cultivate tomatoes throughout the
year in the fertile Mooketsi valley
and that is where an 11 200m2
packhouse will come into operation
early in 2023. ZZ2 now grows a
large assortment of fruits including
mangoes, onions, dates, cherries,
apples, pears, stone fruit, almonds
and blueberries.
The intention is to gradually
scale up volumes until the
packhouse handles 70 000 tons
per year, some of which product
will be from other growers.
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
38

OVERVIEW
ZZ2 is one of the country’s largest producers of fruit and
vegetables, with sophisticated systems and controls.
Credit: ZZ2
The packhouse’s potential allows for a further 3 500ha of avocado
plantings which could lead to the creation of 5 000 jobs.
Cotton growing is experiencing a renewal in the province. The Limpopo
Provincial Government’s programme for revitalising irrigation schemes
is helping. In Ephraim Mogale Municipality about 345 hectares of cotton
has been planted which will benefit 74 small-scale farmers in the area.
The projected harvest is 522 tons and an estimated 300 seasonal jobs are
expected to be created during the harvesting period.
The Olifants River (also known as the Lepelle River) supports
varied and intensive citrus, grape, cotton and vegetable cultivation,
much of which is transported to the markets of the denselypopulated
areas to the west in Gauteng. The Joburg Market and
the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market are the primary destinations of
the municipality’s products. Cattle ownership is common among
subsistence farmers.
Export contributions
The percentage contribution of Limpopo agriculture to national
agriculture is 7.6% although its contribution to provincial GDP is
just 2.3%. Agro-processing has enormous potential to expand in
every subsector.
Limpopo’s fruits and vegetables form an important part of South
Africa’s export basket and more than 45% of the annual turnover of
the Joburg Market originates in the fertile province.
Companies like ZZ2 are major contributors to the country’s
annual production of 120 000 tons of avocados. Of the current crop,
about half is currently produced in two Limpopo regions, Letaba and
Tzaneen. Exports are rising exponentially. In response to this demand,
ONLINE RESOURCES
Citrus Growers Association: www.cga.co.za
Cotton South Africa: www.cottonsa.org.za
Macadamias South Africa: www.samac.org.za
South African Subtropical Growers’ Association: www.subtrop.co.za
and the potential of the Chinese
market, almost 1 000ha per year
of new land is being planted
with avocados in South Africa.
The same amount of
new macadamia planting is
underway every year, according
to the Macadamias South Africa
(SAMAC), adding to the existing
19 000ha.
The other big sellers are
mangoes and tomatoes.
Limpopo grows three-quarters
of South Africa’s mangoes and
two-thirds of its tomatoes. The
Waterberg District produces
large quantities of red meat
while Capricorn has potatoes
in abundance, and Vhembe in
the north specialises in citrus
and subtropical fruits. Mopani
has those fruits too – and the
Mopani worm. The Sekhukhune
region in the south-east
produces grain and the marula
fruit that goes into Amarula
Cream liqueur.
Westfalia is another huge
enterprise, part of the Hans
Merensky Group, and it is the
world’s largest avocado grower.
It also produces significant
quantities of mango, litchi,
citrus and macadamia and has
three agri-processing plants in
the province. Greenway Farms
supplies about 45% of the
fresh-market carrots consumed
in Southern Africa under the
Rugani brand.
VKB Milling runs white maize
mills in Mokopane, Lydenburg
and Louis Trichardt and sells
via the Magnifisan brand. VKB
also has eight silos and 29 retail
outlets in the Limpopo region. ■
39
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

OVERVIEW
Mining
Large investments are being made into Limpopo mining.
In his State of the Province address in February 2022, Limpopo
Premier Chupu Stanley Mathabatha reported on the following
investment values for mining projects underway in the province:
Sefateng Chrome Mine, Sekhukhune District, R1.2-billion; Ivanhoe
Mines, Waterberg District, R7-billion spent of a R9-billion commitment;
and Anglo American and De Beers, Sekhukhune District,
R3.9-billion in the first quarter of 2022 (within a broader investment
commitment of R48-billion).
In addition to these projects, the massive investment De Beers is
making in its Venetia mine will extend the life of that mine to 2046,
making a significant impact on the regional economy for years to
come. Similarly, the ongoing investments of majors such as Exxaro
and Glencore in a variety of minerals and projects mean that the
mining sector in Limpopo is in good shape for continued success.
De Beers is expecting its Venetia underground project to start
delivering its first ore in the second half of 2022. Investment in
the project will amount to about $2.1-billion, from the start of the
project in 2013 through to 2025.
Limpopo’s 2022 Mining and Energy Conference covered a
number of issues relevant to the mining sector and laid out the
investment case for the province.
African Rainbow Minerals has purchased the Bokoni platinum
group metals mine for R3.5-billion. Bokoni is located near ARM’s
Modikwa and Two Rivers PGM mines and gives the ARM more
palladium to mine.
Rare earths are a vital element in plans to save the world from
carbon emissions and pollution. As the name implies, they are
not found in many places in the world but Rainbow Rare Earths
believes it has found a huge stash in the gypsum dumps near
Phalaborwa (Mining Weekly). The dumps have built over many years
of phosphate mining in the area and the company representative
quoted said that the multiple tons of gypsum were grading at
0.43% total rare-earth oxides, a good percentage. High values of
neodymium and praseodymium in particular are good news, as
these rare earths are important in permanent magnets, which in
turn are vital in the green economy.
Commodity prices have buoyed the mining sector during
the time of Covid-19. Rhodium, palladium, platinum and gold
collectively rose in price by more than 50% in the course of 2021
and these are all minerals that occur in Limpopo.
Increased demand for platinum group metals (PGMs) has been
a trend for some years, driven by the vital role played by PGMs in
reducing pollution in the automotive sector. This has been boosted
more recently by applications for renewable energy and now by
SECTOR INSIGHT
Rare earths are
showing potential.
Northam Platinum has sunk
a new shaft at Zondereinde.
Credit: Northam Platinum
supply constraints brought
about by Covid-19 with
production volumes down and
shipping made more difficult
throughout 2020.
Glencore (with a 79.5%
stake) and Merafe Resources
jointly own chrome mines in
Limpopo on the Eastern Limb of
the Bushveld Igneous Complex
(Helena, Magareng and
Thorncliffe), the Lion smelter
complex near Steelpoort and
the Lydenburg smelter.
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
40

FOCUS
Glencore runs smelter complexes in Limpopo.
Credit: Glencore
New mines and expansion projects
Rustenburg Platinum Mines (RPM), a subsidiary of Anglo American
Platinum (Amplats), has bought the prospecting rights for two
blocks close to its existing Mogalakwena PGM mine, south-west
of Polokwane near Mokopane. The blocks were purchased from
Atlatsa and provide space to expand what is already the world’s
biggest and richest opencast PGM mine in the world.
A new mining right has been granted to PTM in the northern limb
of the Bushveld Complex. The Waterberg project will be operated
by PTM on behalf of Waterberg Joint Venture Resources which
comprises Mnombo Wethu Consultants, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals
National Corporation, Hanwa Company, PTM and Impala Platinum.
Implats intends expanding production at its Two Rivers PGM mine by
180 000oz. The project will take four years and cost R5.7-billion.
The soils of Limpopo are rich in platinum group metals, coal,
copper, diamonds, gold, iron ore, nickel, rare earth minerals and tin.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Department of Mineral Resources and Energy: www.dmr.gov.za
Minerals Council South Africa: www.mineralscouncil.org.za
South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: www.saimm.co.za
Limpopo contributes 4%
of coal mining in South Africa,
according to the National
Department of Mineral
Resources and Energy, but it
is likely that within the next
three decades, the province
will be supplying about
half of South Africa’s coal.
Limpopo’s Waterberg coal field
is estimated to contain about
75-billion tons of coal.
Exxaro’s two coal mines in
the Waterberg represent threebillion
tons of Measured Coal
Resources and 1.8-billion tons
of Indicated Coal Resources.
This is where Exxaro operates
its giant Grootegeluk mine. Nine
plants serve a 4km-long and
120m-deep opencast mine on a
1 200ha site. Originally intended
to supply the nearby power
plants, Exxaro is now eyeing the
export market with countries
such as Ethiopia, Egypt and
Pakistan potential markets.
Mineral beneficiation is a
key component of the Musina-
Makhado Special Economic
Zone (MMSEZ) in the far north
of Limpopo and coal is needed
for the making of steel.
The planned Tubatse
Platinum SEZ will focus on
the beneficiation of platinum
group metals, magnetite,
vanadium and chrome. The
other strong mineral focus in
the eastern part of the province
is at Phalaborwa where Palabora
Copper, a subsidiary of Palabora
Mining Company, produces
about 45 000 tons of copper
annually, most of which is sold
domestically. It runs a smelter
and a refinery and also mines
magnetite, vermiculite, sulphuric
acid and nickel sulphate. ■
41
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

FOCUS
Kiwi Clinic: A Northam
Booysendal Community
Trust Project
Northam Booysendal brings healthcare services to local communities.
Locals in the Kiwi village and surrounding areas
lacked access to healthcare facilities. Moreover,
there was a significant lack of awareness
about health services. The region also has
a high rate of teenage pregnancies and chronic
conditions, which, of late, have been made worse by
the Covid-19 pandemic. Before the construction of
the clinic, community members in the area travelled
long distances (+30km) to access health services.
The mine, in partnership with the Booysendal
Community Trust, donated a state-of-the-art clinic
at Kiwi village, Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, to
the Mpumalanga Department of Health in 2021.
The clinic cost approximately R5-million, which
included construction and resourcing it with the
most advanced medical equipment.
With a 24-hour nurse on standby and Covid-19
vaccinations available, the health and well-being
of local community members have improved.
Booysendal is committed to continuously invest
in the improvement of its local communities
with suitable and fully-equipped healthcare
facilities and infrastructure which will benefit its
stakeholders for decades to come, establishing a
long-lasting legacy.
Kiwi clinic facility composition
Operating five days a week since opening its
doors in April 2021, Kiwi clinic serves over 5 000
people, many of whom reside in communities
such as Kiwi, Shaga, Rooikraans, Boschfontein,
Vygenhoek, Protea, Boschoek, Schaapskraal,
Pakaneng and Draaikraal.
The Kiwi clinic infrastructure includes the
following facilities: a patient registration area,
waiting and admission room, observation room,
emergency room, consultation rooms, tuberculosis
room, boardroom, patient record room, pharmacy,
kitchen and ablution facilities.
The mine’s Stakeholder Engagement team
conducts monitoring visits on a regular basis in
line with its monitoring and evaluation principles,
which are aligned to the sustainability of all projects.
The clinic offers the following services: emergency,
minor ailments, chronic conditions, child health,
mother and child, antenatal care, postnatal care,
youth, family planning and HIV testing.
Booysendal is proud and committed to
continue being a driving force to advocate and to
take action for better living conditions and quality
of life for all its stakeholders and continues to lead
by example, championing social accountability
and what it means to be “head and shoulders
above the rest”. ■
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

FOCUS
Schools benefit from
Northam upgrades
Mud classrooms are a thing of the past for Eastern Cape children.
Northam Zondereinde Mine has
undertaken major infrastructure
upgrades of three schools in the Lusikisiki
area of the Eastern Cape.
Lusikisiki is in the Ingquza Hill Local
Municipality north-east of Port St Johns and many
of the employees of the Zondereinde Mine come
from the region.
The projects are part of the company’s
commitment to working with communities around
mines and in labour-sending areas as well as a
response to a legal requirement from the Department
of Minerals Resources and Energy (DMRE).
Mbotyi Senior Primary, Emyezweni Senior
Primary School and Sichwe Junior Secondary
School experienced many years of teaching in
overcrowded rooms. One school had a severelydamaged
mud house as classroom, exposed
electric cables and no flushing toilets.
Mbotyi Senior Primary received Grade R
facilities. Both Emyezweni Senior Primary School
and Sichwe Junior Secondary School received six
classrooms. Boreholes and ablution facilities were
added to all of the schools.
At the project handover, Dali Duma, Northam
Platinum Holdings: Executive Sustainability,
reflected, “As we will be going back to Northam
in Limpopo, these buildings will remain. May it
become a collective memory of this community
struggle and the many beautiful things Northam
represents. By virtue of association through your
fathers, you have earned these decent buildings
and other basic human rights.”
Every learner also received a pair of shoes and a
school bag from the company, to encourage them
to focus on their studies.
The handover events were done in
partnership with the Eastern Cape Department
of Education (DoE), with the MEC for Education,
Fundile David Gade present. He was part of
the dignitaries who accepted the Northam
sponsorship and further expressed his gratitude
to the company for their generosity and in
helping to ensure quality education.
“It is an honour to be recognised first by
Northam Platinum mine and to bring muchneeded
change to the school,” said Gade.
Quick facts about the project:
• 1 597 learners benefit
• 12 classrooms provided
• Grade R facilities provided
• All ablution facilities upgraded
• Two boreholes provided ■
43 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

FOCUS
Community trust donates
vital equipment to
maternity ward
The Northam Zondereinde Community Trust actively
supports public healthcare.
The maternity ward of the Thabazimbi
Local Hospital has received a donation
of new equipment from the Northam
Zondereinde Community Trust (ZCT).
Among the vital items donated are infant
incubators and radiant warmers (10 each), foetal
cardiotocography (CTG) machine with twin probes
(20), obstetric electric beds (three), ultrasound
trolleys (two), hospital beds and mattresses (20
each). Also included in the donation were special
types of equipment and furniture for the ward.
The equipment donation aligns with the
passion of the Provincial Health MEC, Dr Phophi
Ramathuba, for enhancing infant and maternal
mortality and health. “We believe that the
sponsorship will improve the medical situation
of our communities and assist the government
to cope with the demands of bringing good
healthcare services to expecting mothers and
babies,” said the Northam Zondereinde Community
Trust Chairperson, Simphiwe Dlungwana.
The Zondereinde Community Trust is a
share-ownership vehicle that Northam Platinum
Holdings Limited has set up for mine communities,
including communities which fall under the
Thabazimbi Local Municipality. The primary focus
of the trust in terms of sponsorship is education
and healthcare. The items donated fulfil the
mandate of the trust.
In 2020, the trust and Northam Zondereinde
jointly sponsored Covid-19 personal protective
equipment to various primary healthcare
facilities in nearby local municipalities, as well
as equipment for the Covid-19 ward in the
Thabazimbi Local Hospital.
The trust is dedicated to continually
providing support for the improvement of the
public health service. ■
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
44

FOCUS
Northam Zondereinde
breaks record
Unprecedented new drilling depth opens way for mine
to continue to provide income and jobs.
The Zondereinde Western Extension is
a quality-resource block containing
21-million ounces of platinum group
metals (PGMs) within the high-grade
Merensky and UG2 orebodies. The resource was
purchased in 2017 for R1-billion. The addition of the
Western Extension improves operational flexibility
at Zondereinde and will permit annual PGM output
to increase to 350 000 ounces 4E by 2026.
At a recent event, dignitaries from Northam
Platinum, prominent mining media houses and
several contractors witnessed the historical
milestone of the No 3 Shaft drilling completion at
a world-record depth of 1 382 metres.
Expressing the magnitude and importance of
the project, Northam CEO Paul Dunne said, “This
project milestone was delivered on time and
budget by the Zondereinde team, in collaboration
with our project service provider, Master Drilling.
The resultant long-term stability and life-of-mine
extension delivered by this project will have a
beneficial impact on the mine, its stakeholders and
the local economy for decades to come.”
The project will add 50koz of PGMs with the
expansion of the remaining life of the operation
to over 30 years and create 600 permanent and
sustainable jobs. The terrace is 95% complete and
the team has commenced with erecting the manwinder
building.
“Bulk electrical supply is nearing completion.
The switching yard and control room are almost
complete. Major activity remaining is completing
the consumer substation building, equipping of
the control room and the consumer substation as
well as the loop-in-loop out of the 132kV overhead
line,” noted Northam Group Services Engineering
Manager: Projects, Jako Pienaar, while breaking
down the progress of the project.
No 3 Shaft
In the coming months, the raised bore foundation
is set to be removed to develop a cold-air duct into one
side of the raised borehole.
Then shaft shutters will be installed into the cast of
reinforced concrete shaft lining from the shaft sub-bank
to the toe-in position 16m below the raised bore collar.
“The raised borehole will be ready for equipping
towards July 2023,” added Pienaar. “Civil construction of
the permanent lamp room and change houses, as well
as the surface-water storage dams, will commence in
January 2023.” ■
45 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

FOCUS
Creating a better future
Marula and Implats are helping the world go
greener and communities grow stronger.
South Africa produces about 80% of the
world’s platinum and 40% of its palladium.
These important precious metals are part of
the suite of platinum group metals (PGMs)
which are found in South Africa’s two-billion-yearold
Bushveld Igneous Complex, especially in the
Limpopo and North West provinces. Marula, part of
the Implats Group, is at the forefront of producing
these PGMs which contribute to a cleaner and
greener world. At Marula, we are committed to
creating a better future – through the metals we
produce and the way we do business.
Our metals touch lives every day. They connect
people through hard drives, smart phones, computer
screens and petrol, and they save lives through their
use in cancer treatments, pacemakers and airbags.
PGMs green the world through fuel cells, autocatalysts
and clean water technologies and they grow wealth
via investments in bars, coins and jewellery, derivatives
and shares. PGMs are also used in our celebration of life
for jewellery, clothing, lipstick, and paint and they are
even used in food preservation.
Marula strives to operate in way that honours
the Group’s values – to respect, care and deliver.
Through the mine’s core activities, we employ more
than 4 500 people, pay taxes and procure goods
and services from our host communities. These
activities stimulate the economy of the greater
Sekhukhune District and the Limpopo Province.
Our aim is to ensure the long-term sustainability
of our operations to benefit all our stakeholders.
Marula contributes tens of millions of rands every
year to boost socio-economic development in
its local communities. Our social and labour plan
(SLP) and local economic development (LED)
commitments support South Africa’s mining
framework to drive transformation in the industry
and stimulate and grow economic development.
Projects are identified following a needs analysis of
impacted communities and robust engagement
with key stakeholders, such as the local and
provincial municipalities, formal community
structures and traditional leaders. Lasting social
impact and broad-based benefits are key factors
when we consider each project.
The bulk of Marula’s spend is focused on
infrastructure development in its four farm
communities: school infrastructure upgrades,
building community structures, water-supply
projects, community-access bridges and upgrades
to community roads. Our ongoing electrification
project brings household electricity to local
communities for the first time.
We seek to appoint local contractors and require
contractors to offer employment to local community
members. This ensures the benefit of our community
infrastructure projects are felt beyond those who
now have power in their homes, water in their
schools and improved roads for commuting.
Through these projects and our many other
Covid-19, food-relief and educational-support
initiatives, Marula is contributing to creating a better
future for its employees, its mine-host communities,
Limpopo and South Africa. ■
CONTACT INFO
Alice Lourens, Group Head: Corporate Communication
Tel: 011 731 9033
Email: alice.lourens@implats.co.za
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
46

Creating a
better future
through the metals we produce
Going green
Fuel cells, autocatalysts,
clean water technologies,
fertiliser
Celebrating life
Jewellery, paints,
food preservation,
polyester clothing,
lipstick
Growing wealth
Investment
Committed to supplying the metals needed
to develop, sustain and improve our world
Coole Adv 18895

OVERVIEW
Energy
Private generation is picking up.
The concentrator at Mogalakwena Mine requires vast amounts of energy. Credit: Anglo American
PGM miner Ivanhoe Mines wants to be procuring some of
the power it needs for its Platreef mine from green sources
by 2023. The mining company is building its own 5MW
solar plant and has also signed an offtake agreement with
Renergen to have access to the electricity generated by that
company’s gas and solar power plant in the Free State province.
Renergen is powering ahead with a project to produce helium and
liquified natural gas at its Virginia Gas Project.
Both Special Economic Zones in Limpopo are making a play for
the green hydrogen market. This is discussed in a Special Feature
elsewhere in the journal.
The Musina-Makhado SEZ has also signed an agreement with a
Chinese company for the first phase of a project that will supply 1 000MW
of solar power to support the SEZ’s metallurgical complex. The two local
municipalities in the area have been allocated R147-million by provincial
government for infrastructure upgrades, including electricity.
The Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ also has intentions of attracting
green power. One of the region’s biggest minerals-processing
companies, Samancor Chrome, intends building a solar photovoltaic
(PV) plant that will deliver up to 60MWp-capacity (Mining Weekly).
The current will be converted and sent to the Samancor grid in
support of the Tubatse ferrochrome smelter. The company has
appointed consultants to carry out a heritage impact assessment
on the farm Goudmyn in the Fetakgomo Local Municipality.
A new public-private planning exercise, known as Impact
Catalyst, is working on focus areas which include biofuels and
intends to prepare the province to deal with the emergence of new
sectors such as renewable energy.
ONLINE RESOURCES
National Energy Regulator: www.nersa.org.za
South African Independent Power Producers Association:
www.saippa.org.za
South African National Energy Development Institute:
www.sanedi.org.za
South African Photovoltaic Industry Association: www.sapvia.co.za
SECTOR INSIGHT
A Chinese company will build
a solar plant in the north.
Two of the province’s other
big mining companies have also
announced plans to generate
their own power. Exxaro’s huge
coal mine at Grootgeluk (which
supplies Eskom power plants)
will be the site of an 84MW solar
project and Northam Platinum
plans to build a 10MW solar
plant at its Zondereinde smelter.
The Northam plant should be
operational in early 2023 and the
company expects to recoup its
investment within four years.
The concentrator of the
Mogalakwena Mine run by Anglo
American Platinum (Amplats) relies
on constant and reliable electricity
supply. With energy comprising
a significant portion of costs and
Eskom experiencing difficulties in
terms of its debt and its ability to
supply reliable power, the mining
company is investigating the
installation of a large solar PV project.
Implats is already using natural
gas to supply its refinery in Springs.
In Phase one of the project 20
Doosan fuel cells are generating
8MW of power. The long-term
goal is to generate 22-30MW. ■
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
48

Bid Window 6 doubled to
cope with crisis
Excerpts from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation
on the energy crisis on 25 July 2022.
ENERGY
Credit: GCIS
The set of additional actions I am
announcing this evening firstly, are aimed
at improving the performance of Eskom’s
existing fleet of power stations. Secondly,
will accelerate the procurement of new generation
capacity. Thirdly, are intended to massively increase
private investment in generation capacity. Fourthly,
are designed to enable businesses and households
to invest in rooftop solar. Finally, are directed at
fundamentally transforming the electricity sector
and positioning it for future sustainability.
To end loadshedding, however, we need to
urgently add much, much more capacity to the grid.
Our second priority is therefore to accelerate
the procurement of new capacity from renewables,
gas and battery storage. The relevant government
departments are working together to ensure that all
projects from Bid Window 5 of the renewable energy
programme can start construction on schedule.
This includes taking a pragmatic approach to
the local content requirements for these projects,
prioritising the need to build new capacity as quickly
as possible.
The Department of Trade, Industry and
Competition, together with the Independent Power
Producers Office, will provide further details.
The amount of new generation capacity
procured through Bid Window 6 for wind and solar
power will be doubled from 2 600MW to 5 200MW.
We will release a request for proposals for
battery storage and a further request for gas power
thereafter. The Minister of Mineral Resources and
Energy will issue a determination for the remaining
allocations in the Integrated Resource Plan 2019 and
will open further bid windows on an expedited basis.
To ensure effective planning, the country’s
Integrated Resource Plan is being reviewed to reflect
the need for additional generation capacity and our
climate commitments.
Third, we are accelerating greater private
investment in generation capacity. Last year we
announced the raising of the licensing threshold
to 100MW. This move was widely welcomed. It has
unlocked a pipeline of more than 80 confirmed
private sector projects with a combined capacity of
over 6 000MW.
We are already working together with industry
to accelerate the most advanced projects, several of
which are already entering construction.
These changes have fundamentally changed the
generation landscape.
Following the success of this reform and the
enthusiasm shown by the private sector, we will remove
the licensing threshold for embedded generation
completely. This will enable private investment in
electricity generation to rise to higher levels.
While they will not require licences, all new
generation projects will still have to register with
the regulator and comply with the technical
requirements for grid connection and our
environmental legislation. ■
49 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

OVERVIEW
Water
Mining companies are supplying water to communities.
SECTOR INSIGHT
The province’s rivers
are threatened.
Mining companies, which are big water users, are contributing
in different ways to assist local municipalities
and communities. Exxaro’s Grootegeluk Mine has
donated a 10 000 litre water truck to the Lephalale
Local Municipality. About a third of households in the area rely
on standpipes in the street for water and the truck will greatly
increase the municipality’s ability to get water to rural villages.
De Beers Venetia Mine also delivered a receptacle that could
hold 10 000-litres, but this time it was a water tank for the village
of Simson (pictured). Residents had been retrieving and siphoning
water from the top of a degraded reservoir but the mining company’s
intervention included a repair and recommissioning of that facility.
Supplying water for the newly-designated Musina-Makhado Special
Economic Zone is a critical issue in an area where that resource is not plentiful.
Talks are underway with Zimbabwe and other SADC member states.
Limpopo has markedly different rainfall patterns in its three
main geographical regions: the escarpment (sub-humid with
annual rainfall of more than 700mm); semi-arid middle veld and
Highveld; and the arid and semi-arid Lowveld.
The province’s rivers are under threat from the damaging effects
of the mining industry, power stations, chemicals used in agriculture
and from sewage treatment in catchment areas. Opportunities
exist in this sector for innovative solutions. Concern about drought
conditions and water quality under pressure from mines and industry
has led to the calling of a Provincial Water and Sanitation Summit.
The Water and Sanitation Services branch of Polokwane
Municipality operates five water-purification plants and three
sewage-purification plants.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Innovation Hub: www.theinnovationhub.com
National Department of Water and Sanitation: www.dws.gov.za
Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority: www.tcta.co.za
As part of its Regional Water
Scheme programme, Polokwane
provides water to the residents
of the rural areas of Mothapo,
Mothiba and Makotopong.
The Capricorn District
Municipality funds a watertesting
laboratory on the campus
of the University of Limpopo.
Phase 2B of the multi-year
Olifants River Water Resources
Development Project is under
discussion by project manager,
Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority
(TCTA), which is looking at
funding options together with
the Development Bank of
Southern Africa (DBSA).
The project will entail the
building of a 70km pipeline
from Flag Boshielo Dam to
Pruisen near Mokopane. This
would improve water supplies
for mines and domestic users.
Phase 2A of the Mokolo-
Crocodile Water Augmentation
Project has stalled. Another
TCTA project, the MWCAP, is
designed to transfer water
from the Crocodile River to the
Lephalale and Steenbokspan
areas. Lephalale is the site of
coal mining and Eskom’s huge
new power station, Medupi.
A joint venture comprising
Bigen Africa Services, Nyeleti
Consulting and Gibb has been
contracted to design, construct
and supervise the project. ■
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23 50

Construction and property
State projects and new hotels are underway.
OVERVIEW
Land has been donated by the Polokwane Local Municipality
for the construction of a 488-bed academic hospital, for which
more than R4-billion has been allocated by National Treasury.
Clinics are also being built, providing more work
opportunities in the construction sector. A start has been made
on a provincial theatre, with R15-million allocated to planning.
More than 3 000 houses were handed over to citizens in need
of shelter by the provincial government in the course of 2021/22,
meaning that 12 000 people were catered for. An additional 1 948
fully-serviced sites were delivered to those who could erect their
own structures.
A four-star Premier Hotels property under construction in
Thohoyandou is being built by Nakiseni Business Enterprise
(pictured) and should provide about 480 jobs in the first phase.
This includes labourers, artisans and project managers.
The Enterprise Development and Finance Division of the
Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA) offers loans
to businesses in the construction and property sector and
runs specialised training in vocational skills such as bricklaying,
plastering, carpentry, plumbing, electrical and welding.
The Risima Housing and Finance Corporation, a division of
LEDA, is helping citizens of the province to become homeowners
by creating affordable housing opportunities in the gap market.
Two areas of focus will see more than 2 000 homes come on to
the market:
• Polokwane Extension 72 and 79, 1 000 units
• Ba-Phalaborwa Extension 7 and 9, 1 200 units.
Risima has introduced the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy
Programme, for those earning between R3 501 and R15 000 per
month. Risima and the Department of Cooperative Governance,
Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) distribute grants
to cover a deposit or to make up the shortfall between an asking
price and what the applicant can afford. The South African Affordable
Residential Developers Association (SAARDA) caters to the gap market.
A non-mortgaged financial product assists government employees
to get a foot on the property ladder. Risima is also exploring
ONLINE RESOURCES
Black Business Council in Built Environment: www.bbcbe.org
Construction Industry Development Board: www.cidb.org.za
South African Property Owners Association: www.sapoa.org.za
SECTOR INSIGHT
A new academic hospital
is planned.
cooperation with mining houses
such as Exxaro, Amplats and
Northam at Thabazimbi.
Thavhani Mall is operating
in Thohoyandou in a bigger
development called Thavhani
City. The 27ha site will eventually
include an office park, automotiverelated
businesses, private
healthcare, a library, an information
centre and a sports stadium. Its
anchor retail tenants include
Woolworths, Edgars, Pick n Pay
and SuperSpar. The partners in
the R1-billion project are Thavhani
Property Investments, Vukile
Property Fund and Flanagan &
Gerard Property Development.
Five libraries are under
construction in the province and
four new libraries are planned
for Tshaulu, Makhuduthamaga,
Vleifontein and Botshabelo in the
Mopani District. The Schoemansdal
Museum is to be upgraded. ■
51
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

OVERVIEW
ICT
Digital hubs will offer greater digital access.
SECTOR INSIGHT
A private investor is creating a
Smart City in the north-east.
Mike Nkuna at the launch of Nkuna Smart City
Digital Hubs are to be created at Seshego in Polokwane and
Nkowankowa in the Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality of
the Mopani District Municipality. The hubs will offer training,
provide access to ICT facilities and enable incubation
for young entrepreneurs in the ICT sector.
Limpopo Connexion has been appointed as the operator of
the Seshego hub and the provincial government has budgeted
R23-million for the project.
Good progress has been made in rolling out digital infrastructure
in the province, with a Data Centre, a Network Operating Control
Centre and a Contact Centre complete. A total of 52 sites have
been connected to the network, using both fibre and satellite
technologies. Phase One of the Broadband project is complete,
including the development of investment models and strategies
for sustainability.
An investment partner is expected to be announced during the
2022/23 financial year. The partner will assist Limpopo Connexion
in expanding the network footprint across the province at an
estimated cost of R1.7-billion.
ONLINE RESOURCES
State Information Technology Agency: www.sita.co.za
Support Programme for Industrial Innovation: www.spii.co.za
Technology Innovation Agency: www.tia.org.za
The Limpopo Science and
Technology Park is intended to
assist in the transformation of
the provincial economy.
Serial property developer
Mike Nkuna has announced
that his Masingita Group will
develop a R5.4-billion project
in the Collins Chabane Local
Municipality in the far northeast
of the province. To be called
Nkuna Smart City, Construction
Review reports that 119 hectares
at Nkuzana hamlet, near the
town of Elim, has been allocated
for the project.
The National Department of
Communications is responsible for
the Independent Communications
Authority of South Africa (ICASA),
the regulator of communications,
broadcasting and postal services,
the SA Broadcasting Corporation
(SABC) and three other agencies.
The Technology and Human
Resources for Industry Programme
(THRIP) is a programme of the
National Research Foundation
and supports an average of 235
projects per year. THRIP supports
initiatives that use science to bring
benefits to wider society. This can
relate to boosting distant rural
computer literacy or for scientists
working at the University of Venda
who have received THRIP funding
for soil research. ■
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
52

Paving the future with access to ICT
Anglo American’s national project is improving digital literacy and
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills at schools.
The Anglo American South Africa ICT
Education Project aims to ensure that all
students from the schools in the project
have access to the Internet and a device
as well as to digital literacy programmes to help
them build and develop their ICT skills. This will help
them to actively participate in the digital world and
increase their chances of gaining access to postschool
opportunities.
To fulfil this purpose, Anglo American embarked
on ICT launches across its business units and
operations, including in Limpopo, where:
• the work that it is currently undertaking in the
education and ICT space was showcased
• the importance of education and ICT skills was
emphasised as being critical and aligning with
Anglo American’s purpose
• learners, teachers and other stakeholders were
inspired and encouraged to take an interest in
education and ICT
• Anglo American’s ICT Champions were introduced
in various schools.
In Limpopo, Anglo American has provided
feeback on the various components of the ICT
Project, and these include: the status of
the ICT infrastructure rollout in schools;
device rollout in schools and ECD centres;
and certified ICT courses offered by Anglo
American partners.
Primary schools and high schools will
receive this benefit, in both the Musina
Local Municipality and the Blouberg Local
Municipality.
The Anglo American’s Head of Education
and Community Skills, Zaheera Soomar,
notes, “The latest intervention we have
in the schools is in ICT infrastructure. It
has always been an important factor for
us, but with Covid-19 we all realised the
dependency we have on ICT and we haven’t done
enough in our schools. In the past year, we’ve been
working on our ICT component which looks at
giving both learners and educators access to WiFi.
The second part is about ensuring that there are
devices available in all schools and the third part is
related to training, making sure that our learners and
educators are trained to use the ICT infrastructure
both for teaching and learning and that devices and
connectivity features in the class every single day.”
National programme
Anglo American is rolling out a comprehensive
information and communications technology
(ICT) programme in 109 schools around its mining
operations in South Africa to give thousands of
learners and community members skills they need
to enter the digital job market.
A further 400 tablets have been given to 100
early childhood development centres for learning,
play and engagement. A key element of the
programme will be to ensure its sustainability.
The implementation partners will work with the
schools to ensure that they can continue driving the
programme by themselves. ■
53
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

FOCUS
Why MTN Business
Seamless solutions for business.
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mmitted
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ital life a for clear all,” focus says on Africa. Moncho.
MTN Business has partnered MTN’s with leading work
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in these provinces
also includes
CONTACT
programmes to help
Mpumalanga: Maria Lee 083 the 211 most 0808 vulnerable
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particularly in the
deep rural villages.
Key stakeholder
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
partnerships with
54
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OVERVIEW
Tourism
New hotels are under construction.
SECTOR INSIGHT
Private investors are sought
for nature reserves.
A four-star Premier Hotel is under construction in
Thohoyandou. Credit: Premier Hotels
As a symbol of the start of a recovery process for the tourism
sector, the sod-turning ceremony which took place in April
2022 in Thohoyandou was appropriate. The African Century
Group is building a four-star Premier Hotel and the team
behind the venture expects to fill its 120 rooms. Up to 450 delegates
will be able to attend conferences at the hotel, which will also have
two bars, a restaurant, a swimming pool and a gym.
Hammered by Covid-19 and pressured by cost-of-living
concerns, the tourism industry has had a tough time of late. But
the varied virtues of the Limpopo tourism offering have persuaded
investors to commit to the future. The African Century Group is
owned by Tsakani Masia.
The Vhembe District has a host of attractions and is
connected to the northern section of the Kruger National Park
via the Punda Maria gate. Elsewhere in the district are sacred
lakes, the Mapungubwe World Heritage Site and many baobab
trees of legend.
Two other regions are receiving hotel investments. They include:
• A R250-million Amazin Hotel in the Capricorn Region
• R60-million committed to by Shekinah Lion & Game Lodge in the
Waterberg region
The National Tourism Relief Fund paid out R14.7-million to
294 Limpopo enterprises and this amount was supplemented
by R10-million paid out by
the Provincial Government of
Limpopo to businesses not
covered by the fund.
Some Limpopo nature
reserves are to be commercialised
using private-public partnerships.
Among the first reserves to be part
of the programme are Masebe,
Rust de Winter and Lekgalameetse.
The Limpopo Department
of Economic Development,
Environment and Tourism (LEDET)
is responsible for 53 provincial
nature reserves.
Three major national
parks – Kruger National Park,
Mapungubwe in the north and
Marakele in the Waterberg – are
run by South African National
Parks (SANParks) and attract
large numbers of tourists every
year. The province’s private
game reserves and lodges
enjoy a reputation for luxury
and excellence of service that
attracts tens of thousands of
international visitors.
The combined land area of
Limpopo’s national, provincial
and private game and nature
reserves is 3.6-million hectares.
The provincial government
has committed to enhancing
the value of Limpopo’s two
UNESCO World Heritage Sites,
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23 56

OVERVIEW
The lakes of the Vhembe District have a mystical quality.
Makapans Valley and Mapungubwe Heritage Site, where the
superbly crafted little golden rhinoceros, a relic from medieval
times, was found in 1932. This is also a priority programme in
the National Tourism Sector Strategy. The Waterberg Biosphere
Reserve is a UNESCO protected site.
A new drive to promote home-stays is underway in the
northern part of the province. Getting tourists to eat mopani worms
and learn about local traditions and cultural practices would help to
generate income for villages and hamlets otherwise outside of the
mainstream economy.
Tourism is a key sector in the economy of Limpopo, and as
such is part of a new planning initiative called Impact Catalyst. In
addition to a broad examination of the sector, specific thematic
areas of focus include the game-farming sector, an important and
lucrative subsector of tourism.
Wildlife farming and hunting generates enormous amounts of
money but South Africans who were previously excluded by law still
have limited access to this sector. Calculations done by a Professor
in Tourism at North-West University, Peet van der Merwe, show that
trophy and biltong hunters contribute significant amounts to the
South African economy, more than R10-billion in the season that
he studied.
Hotels and casinos
The 160-room Park Inn by Radisson Polokwane has opened in
the provincial capital. Located near the golf course and the Peter
Mokaba Stadium, the hotel also has conference and event facilities.
Tsogo Sun runs the Garden Court Polokwane, which has 180 rooms
ONLINE RESOURCES
Confederation of Hunting Associations of South Africa:
www.chasa.co.za
Limpopo Tourism Agency: www.golimpopo.com
Marula Festival: www.limpopomarulafest.co.za
South African National Parks: www.sanparks.org
ranging from executive suites
to family rooms.
The Protea Hotel group has
three hotels in the province.
The Protea Hotel Landmark in
Polokwane has 80 rooms and six
conference venues. Just outside
the city is the Protea Hotel
Polokwane Ranch Resort where
guests can walk with lions. The
hotel is on a 1 000-hectare nature
conservancy and specialises in
weddings. The Protea Zebula
Lodge is in Bela-Bela.
In Mokopane near the
Waterberg mountains, the familyrun
The Park Hotel Mokopane
has 125 rooms and can cater for
up to 400 conference delegates.
The three-star hotel recently
added 25 self-catering units.
The Fusion Boutique Hotel
in the provincial capital offers
five-star quality in 30 en-suite
rooms and two exclusive
suites. Sun International
runs the Meropa Casino and
Entertainment World near
Polokwane. The Khoroni Hotel,
Casino and Convention Resort
is in Thohoyandou. A three-star
Peermont Metcourt Hotel is in
the same complex.
The newest casino licence
was awarded to Peermont Global
Resorts for the official launch and
operation of the Thaba Moshate
Casino, Hotel and Conference
Centre in the Greater Tubatse
Local Municipality. There are
237 limited pay-out gambling
machines in the province, and
licences of one sort or another
generate more than R50-million
for the provincial government. ■
57 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

OVERVIEW
Transport and logistics
Polokwane’s new bus rapid system is up and running.
SECTOR INSIGHT
Mining companies are
building infrastructure.
Implats has contributed to several road and bridge projects
in its area of operations. Credit: Implats
The bus rapid transport system, Leeto La Polokwane, is
increasingly becoming a part of the daily routine of residents
of the provincial capital. A 21-day trial period was completed
in the course of 2021, during which the public were allowed
to travel on the system at no cost. The trial operations were judged
a success and so the project steamed ahead and the citizens of
Polokwane are now getting used to using the new system.
A Vehicle Operating Company (VOC), Esilux, has been appointed
to operate the bus service on a three-year contract with the
municipality. Some taxi drivers whose routes have been affected
have been taken on as bus drivers.
Both the national roads agency, SANRAL, and Roads Agency
Limpopo (RAL) have busy programmes of work in the province. Some
of the focus has been on ensuring that road infrastructure is up to
speed in support of the applications for the province’s two Special
Economic Zones, but other major works such as the new ring road
round around Polokwane have also been noteworthy.
In several instances around the province, mining companies have
contributed to new roads and bridges, not only so that product can
be taken out but also in places where villages are somewhat cut off.
Logistics is a vital feature of the Limpopo economy for
two reasons – the province has huge volumes of minerals and
horticultural products to be transported to markets elsewhere and
the province is strategically positioned.
In addition to the N1 highway, the N11 is a primary road corridor
and there are nine provincial road corridors. Freight volumes on the
N11 (to Botswana and Mpumalanga) have increased enormously
in recent years, whereas the R33
carries less traffic.
Roads Agency Limpopo, of
which the provincial government
is the sole shareholder, accounts
for about a third of the budget of
the Limpopo Department of Public
Works, Roads and Infrastructure.
It has been successfully focussed
on tackling a backlog of
infrastructure maintenance, but
it has also created partnerships
with the national roads agency
and private companies to deliver
tarred roads where the majority
of the province’s roads are
gravel. An example of a publicprivate
partnership between
RAL and Implats is the successful
completion of a 17km road to the
Marula mine.
Logistics
The Musina Intermodal Terminal
near the Beitbridge Border Post is
further confirmation of Limpopo’s
status as a leader in transport and
logistics. Located in the town
of Musina on the N1 highway
leading to Zimbabwe, the
terminal is used to move cargo
from road to rail.
Warehousing facilities make
for loading efficiencies in the
main cargoes such as chrome,
fertiliser, coal, fuel and citrus. Bulk
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
58

Local communities benefit from
Venetia Mine programme
Social and Labour Plan (SLP) projects cover a range of community facilities
and infrastructure upgrades.
costs are often very high for the municipality. But
with partners like Venetia Mine, it become easier
for us to access state-of-the-art infrastructure like
the ones being handed over today.”
Venetia Mine has officially handed over
to the Musina Local Municipality three
Social and Labour Plan (SLP) projects.
The projects included the upgrade and
rehabilitation of several roads, the revamp of the
Lesley Manyathela Stadium and the renovation of
the Vehicle Testing Station.
All three projects are aimed at benefiting
the community of Musina. Approximately
115 job opportunities were created through
implementation of these SLP projects.
The handover was commemorated in a small
ceremony attended by Councillor Nkhanedzeni
Godfrey Mawela, Mayor of Musina Local
Municipality, Fistos Mafela, Chief Whip of the
Musina Local Municipality, Nathi Tshiwanammbi,
Municipal Manager, Benjamin Moremi, Venetia
Mine’s Acting Senior Corporate Affairs Manager
and David Lee, BMH Africa’s Safety Officer, among
other stakeholders.
In accepting the projects, Councillor Mawela
said, “It brings joy to note that the work done
on these projects was not done merely for
compliance, but to showcase that De Beers Venetia
Mine is committed to quality and professional
work that leaves a long-lasting impact on the lives
of the local community members. We know that
in order to construct and maintain infrastructure,
Roads projects
This project entailed the reconstruction, upgrade
and rehabilitation of approximately 18 roads in
Musina. The total spend on the project amounted
to R24-million.
Lesley Manyathela Stadium
The sports and recreational facility, named after a
famous soccer player who was born in Musina and
went on to play for the national team, has now
been secured with a reinforced ring wall and a new
boundary fence. A new paved access road has also
been constructed at the entrance of the stadium. The
total spend on the project amounted to R1.1-million.
Musina Vehicle Testing Station project
The facility is now equipped with sufficient electrical
supply and air conditioning. In addition, repairs to
other defective work have been completed. A new
paved access road has been constructed to uplift the
overall appearance of the station. A total of R5.3-million
was spent on the project.
Delivering sustainable benefits
Through its Socio-Economic Development strategy, Venetia Mine
is also implementing a number of projects in the Blouberg area,
which will be handed over to the Blouberg Local Municipality
during the course of the year. De Beers’ Social and Labour Plan is an
important element of the company’s work and is based on a belief
that partnerships with municipalities are key to delivering meaningful
and sustainable benefits in education and infrastructure as well as
creating economic opportunities through farming.
59
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

OVERVIEW
Leeto La Polokwane is carrying passengers in the
provincial capital.
and containerised cargo are handled, with an annual capacity of
three-million tons per annum.
SANRAL is involved in two major road projects in support of the
MMSEZ. The N1 is to be re-routed and a new single carriageway
created in the Musina CBD. A bypass into ZCC Moria, the site of huge
gatherings every Easter, has been completed.
Outside of Polokwane, the towns of Tzaneen, Lephalale,
Burgersfort and Musina (a border post with Zimbabwe) are all
important in the field of logistics.
Great North Transport falls under the Limpopo Economic
Development Agency. The company has more than 500 buses,
covers about 36-million kilometres every year on 279 routes, employs
more than 1 200 people and transports 37.6-million passengers. A
turnaround strategy has been announced for Great North Transport.
An amount of R216.5-million has been allocated to recapitalise the
entity and support its financial and operational recovery.
South Africa’s major logistics companies have facilities in
Polokwane, and some have warehouses and forwarding facilities in
other parts of the province. RTT has offices in Makhado. Limpopo’s
biggest exports (minerals and fruit and vegetables) require
dramatically different levels of handling. Minerals are poured in great
volumes into the freight trucks of Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) and
taken onward to Richards Bay Coal Terminal.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Gateway Airport Authority Limited: www.gaal.co.za
Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure:
www.dpw.limpopo.gov.za
Limpopo Department of Transport: www.ldot.gov.za
Roads Agency Limpopo: www.ral.co.za
Companies such as
Freezerlines, Fast ‘n Fresh and
Cold Chain have developed
specialist techniques in getting
delicate fruits to market and
to port undamaged. Grindrod
has a Perishable Cargo
division which specialises in
transporting cargo by air.
The large national logistics
company, Value Group, has
only four major regional depots
outside of Gauteng: in Cape
Town, Durban, Nelspruit – and
Polokwane. This illustrates the
importance of the Limpopo
Province and its capital city in
the national logistics chain.
IMPERIAL Logistics Southern
Africa has 70 companies in its
group structure, including Kobus
Minnaar Transport, a firm that
began in Tzaneen transporting
fruit and vegetables. Other active
companies in Limpopo include
Dawn Wing Logistics, Kargo, F&R
Logistics and Aramex SA.
The Polokwane International
Airport (PIA) is wholly owned by
the provincial government and run
by the Gateway Airport Authority
Ltd (GAAL), an agency of the
Department and Transport. It has
the potential to be an important
regional cargo airport.
Many game reserves have
airstrips and regional airports in
the eastern part of the province
which provide easy access to the
Kruger National Park. Eastgate
Airport at Hoedspruit is close to
the Orpen Gate. Phalaborwa’s
airport is notable for its Africanthemed
terminal which includes
a zebra-patterned floor. Musina,
near the border with Zimbabwe
in the north, hosts the province’s
other regional airport. ■
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
60

DELIVERING
QUALITY ROADS
INFRASTRUCTURE
ROADS AGENCY LIMPOPO SUPPORTS THE
CRITICAL ECONOMIC SECTORS OF LIMPOPO
PROCESS COLOUR
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HON MEC FOR LIMPOPO
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS,
ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE (LDPWRI)
RAL BUILDS ROADS TO ENABLE AGRICULTURE WHICH
EMBOLDENS FARMERS TO INCREASE PRODUCTION
MME NKAKARENG RAKGOALE, TOGETHER
WITH RAL CEO, MR GABRIEL MALULEKE
RAL’s rehabilitated road P85/2 (R516) between Settlers and
Tuinplaas makes transportation of farming produce seamless in
the Waterberg District and nearby areas.
HARD AT WORK DURING OPERATION
#THIBAMEKOTIDITSELENG
ENABLING TOURISM AND FARMING – RAL CONNECTS THE
PEOPLE OF LIMPOPO
The rehabilitation of road D626 from Pienaarsriver towards Rust
De Venter which is envisaged in the Waterberg District is set
to boost tourism and agricultural activity within the district and
nearby areas.
RAL ROADS – MAKING THE LIMPOPO PROVINCE A TRUE
GATEWAY INTO AFRICA
TOGETHER for better roads
ral.co.za
The improved road P94/2 (R521) from Vivo towards Alldays in the
Vhembe District reinforces Limpopo’s position as the pathway to
the Southern African Development Community and the African
continent as a whole. The import and export of mining products is
thus made possible.
roadsagencylimpopo RoadsAgency roadsagencylimpopo Roads Agency Limpopo

OVERVIEW
Development finance
and SMME support
An enterprise coaching programme is reaping rewards.
SECTOR INSIGHT
Youth-owned enterprises
are receiving support.
Large companies in Limpopo support new business ventures
by allocating service functions to local businesses and
through training and mentoring. All of the province’s big
mining companies have significant budgets set aside for
procurement from small businesses and work such as cleaning and
transport is routinely allocated to SMMEs.
In addition, incubation and training programmes are available. De
Beers Venetia Mine and the Small Enterprise Development Agency run
an Enterprise Coaching Programme, a 10-month line-up of coaching
and mentorship. A recent course offered to 30 entrepreneurs resulted
in an overall increase in turnover of R5.7-million for businesses in the
programme and the creation of 100 new jobs.
In sharing his testimonial as the enterprise with the highest
turnover, Peter Dliwayo of Hlulani Civils said he was grateful to
Venetia Mine and Seda for empowering him to be able to create
employment opportunities for local communities. An example of
the work undertaken by Hlulani Civils is pictured.
The incubation programme of the Limpopo Economic
Development Agency (LEDA) was delivered to more than 100
SMMEs and co-operatives in 2021/22, with more than 60% of the
SMMEs and about 30% of the co-ops being owned or run by young
people. A further 77 youth-owned enterprises were assisted in
getting access to finance for business ventures.
More than a thousand spaza shops received support during the
Covid-19 lockdown through the National Spaza Shop Relief Fund.
The Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP),
ONLINE RESOURCES
Industrial Development Corporation: www.idc.co.za
Shanduka Black Umbrellas: www.shandukablackumbrellas.org
Small Enterprise Development Agency: www.seda.org.za
a joint effort of the Provincial
Government of Limpopo, the
Small Enterprise Development
Agency (Seda) and the
National Department of Small
Business Development (DSBD),
assists small companies
with compliance, business
development services, access to
markets and finance.
Among the target markets for
TREP are bakeries, autobody repairs
and mechanics and fruit and
vegetable shops. In partnership
with Seda, the provincial
government has established a
construction incubation centre at
Steelpoort in Sekhukhune to train
emerging contractors. A jewellery
incubation centre in Polokwane
trains young jewellery makers.
Seda also runs the Seda
Technology Programme (STP)
which helps businesses scale up
to the point where their products
pass muster in the commercial
world. A jam manufacturer may
need assistance in getting the
necessary health certificates
before being able to sell to a big
retailer, for example. Nachem
Chemical, a company making
cleaning chemicals in the Vhembe
District Municipality, is an example
of a company that has used the
STP to good effect. ■
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
62

Business buzz programme offers
entrepreneurs insights
Energy, skill and innovative thinking was a feature of the two-day event.
A
total of 49 candidates in
Blouberg and 44 in Musina
recently attended a Business
Buzz and demonstrated their
appetite for business knowledge and
learning. The two-day session was
developed as an interactive, informative
way of introducing entrepreneurship to
attendees and to assist them to analyse
business concepts and their own skills,
experience and passion. It was also
designed to determine whether there
is alignment between their strengths,
skills and personalities and their
business concept.
The following outcomes were
planned and achieved during the twoday
session:
• interaction between attendees
• personal reflection on skills, strong
points, areas for development and
passion
• introduction to Life Skill topics such as
Communication and Teamwork
• introduction to doing business
• unpacking of business ideas
• initiating new business ideas/opportunities
• linking own personality and skills to business
idea and passion
• unpacking and presenting own business concept.
As part of the programme, candidates were
provided an opportunity to deliver a personal
and business presentation to a panel drawn
from the Venetia Mine Enterprise and Supplier
Development team and TrioPlus Development.
Candidates were graded according to aspects of
the presentation that included personal analysis,
skills, experience in the field of business concept,
business concept that would like to be pursued,
unique value proposition, and which problem will
be solved for customers, among other attributes.
Programme facilitator Stephanie Roodt said,
“It was my privilege to meet each of these groups
and I was again amazed by the energy, skill and
innovative thinking that is present with most of
the potential entrepreneurs. All the interaction
and networking was effective and positive and I
am sure that the new linkages formed will assist
these candidates for future endeavours.”
Following the Business Buzz, 12 candidates
from each labour-sending area will be selected
to be part of the Ideas and Concepts for
Entrepreneurs (ICE) programme.
During this eight-month programme, the
beneficiaries will be assisted to formalise their
business concepts through thorough market
research and analysis, be exposed to and prepared
to adopt a variety of marketing approaches and
introduced to financial recordkeeping. ■
63 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

INTERVIEW
Growing and sustaining small
business in Limpopo
Provincial Manager Koenie Slabbert believes that small businesses
should embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Where are Seda’s regional branches?
We have a branch in Capricorn District in Polokwane, which is also the site
of the provincial office. Then we have offices in Thohoyandou, Tzaneen,
Groblersdal and Mokopane. For areas like Lephalale we use co-location
points where we share space with institutions such as LEDA.
Koenie Slabbert, Provincial
Manager
BIOGRAPHY
Koenie Slabbert began his career as
an apprentice in tool, jig and diemaking.
Promotion to Supervisor
inspired him to sign up for training
at his own expense. Courses at the
Production Management Institute of
South Africa led to a Higher Diploma
in Production Management and
a BSc Honours through the PMI/
University of Hertfordshire. A Master’s
Degree in Operations Management
followed. Before joining Seda, Koenie
was an industrial engineer at Limac.
He has been Provincial Manager
since 2007 and is the Acting Executive
at national level of the Enterprise
Development Division.
Do you provide support beyond the startup phase?
We do from startup right up to businesses that want to grow and sustain
themselves. Our programme has four legs: Business Start, Business Talk,
Business Growth and Business Build. Start is for people who still don’t
know what they want to do so we give them information through
briefing sessions and they are given homework. It is our sifting process.
The really entrepreneurial people will come back and say they have
identified challenges in their community, they have thought how they
can fix it, are there people doing a similar thing to what I want to do? But
if they don’t come back then those people are not entrepreneurial.
The next three stages are where you help them build a business?
We give them training around the startup process; we have a boot camp
which is also a mentoring programme, Empretec. This is a United Nations
programme established by the United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development. We were the 42nd country to join and today there are over
59 countries.
With Business Build we give them access to markets and technology
and access to finance. We help them to apply for funding. Business
Growth is aimed at those that have reached a ceiling in their business. We
offer turnaround strategies.
Part of our programme is to expose people to local and international
markets. Seda’s national target this year is to give 2 000 women-owned
businesses international exposure. We have adopted from Finland a
12-month training programme for women.
Is the Seda Limpopo Jewellery Incubator producing results?
We have deliberately created the incubator as part of our network
because there is a lot of diamond mining in the Musina area and also in
Mokopane. The incubator at the Seshego Industrial Park in Polokwane is
to assist young creative men and women, to cushion them for three to
five years. Diamonds are quite expensive so we start with beads and then
pewter and later on they start using platinum.
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23 64

INTERVIEW
Do you have partnerships with the private sector?
Board membership is inclusive of Venetia mine and we
also have agreements with big chain stores like Game
and Sterns for fixing rings. Participants are also given a
certain quantity of rings to design.
Where are the best opportunities for small
business in Limpopo?
Limpopo’s new Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have
great potential in many sectors. Within these zones
we want to ensure that SMMEs, especially within
the manufacturing sphere, are assisted. We have just
established a rapid incubator in Groblersdal that is
targeting all the students graduating from the local
TVET college. The rapid incubation programme is
an 18-month programme to see how fast a welder
(or bricklayer or carpenter) can transition out of the
TVET college into a business where you help him to
understand the do’s and don’ts of a business, how
to develop a business plan and how to grow and
sustain a business.
be scared, let us help you, let us take your hand and
we have all the tools that you need. The money is there,
you just need to know how to package your proposal.
We teach people how to prepare a proposal and how
to pitch it to funders so that they will not stumble.
It must be very satisfying when a business does
take your advice and moves forward.
Sometimes you have sleepless nights because you
are not sure whether people will really implement
everything. But there comes a time when you do
your impact assessment, normally in the seventh
month after an intervention, then you realise that you
have actually empowered these businesses. That is a
very, very satisfying feeling to know that the little bit
of advice that I have given, that I was throwing out
when we were having discussions – they listened, they
implemented, they came back, they asked questions,
they took everything to heart and they implemented.
It is a really satisfying feeling. ■
What are the biggest challenges SMMEs face
in Limpopo?
People sometimes believe it is finance but it is not
necessarily finance because it is available. People
need to understand and develop a plan to start a
business where there is a problem to fix. There must
be a purpose and the biggest purpose there is, is to
identify a challenge and say I am up to the challenge
to fix this problem and help the community by
establishing a business. Our task is to make sure that
we bring ideas together and we nurture them and
we give them the platform where they can grow.
How can a small business build competitiveness
and viability?
We need to say to people, especially young people,
that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is coming. Don’t
Credit: Unsplash
65
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

FOCUS
Furniture company is
sitting pretty
Aubtec Kitchens is on an upward trajectory after timely
interventions by Seda.
Aubtec Kitchens was established in 2014
by Aubrey Koma, an active entrepreneur
who has worked for various furnituremanufacturing
companies in Polokwane
and elsewhere in Gauteng. The business was
registered as a private company.
The core business of the company is
manufacturing (including designing) of various
furniture items like tables, chairs and built-in
units. The business currently has good working
relationships with various bigger clients in and
around Mankweng. The clientele consists of a healthy
mix of establishments such as schools, churches,
households and private businesses. Aubtec Kitchens
has since expanded through establishing another
manufacturing plant in Polokwane.
Interventions and solutions
Seda Capricorn developed an action plan to
address the shortcomings.
A mentorship and business coaching
intervention was initiated to improve various aspects
of business management. An intervention to assist
the client with promotional materials and branding
was initiated. A financial management system was
secured for the business, along with training.
The client was referred to the Tholoana
Development Fund of South African Breweries for
funding and a Seda staff member assisted with
the application. The client was also referred to the
Seda TTA fund for expansion capital.
Seda’s interventions benefitted the client in
the following ways:
• Turnover improved 2 899% year-on-year.
• The brand is more visible.
• New technology has helped secure corporate clients.
• Business management and administration is
more efficient and monitoring more effective.
• Staff has increased by 12 additional employees,
up from one.
• Significant funding was secured from the Seda
Technology Transfer Assistance (TTA) programme
and the South African Breweries (SAB)
Tholoana Fund.
Challenges
A formal diagnostic assessment of the business
revealed certain limitations and challenges,
namely that the company lacked the financial
resources to secure vital machinery and the owner
lacked crucial business management skills and
techniques to improve profitability and growth. In
addition, branding needed to be improved.
“Seda has been phenomenal in helping me to grow my business. I am actually at
a loss for words.”
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
66

Seda offices
Seda contacts
Seda
offices
Seda offices
Provincial Office
Seda
contacts
contacts
Koenie Slabbert - Provincial Manager
Provincial Seda Office Limpopo Provincial Mopani Branch
Tel: +27 15 287 2940
Koenie Provincial Fax:
Seda Office
Slabbert +27 15
Limpopo Office
- Provincial 297 4022
Provincial
Manager
Mopani (located Branch in Tzaneen)
Tel: Koenie Email: Mr
Slabbert kslabbert@seda.org.za
Koenie
-
Slabbert:
Provincial Manager
Office
+27 Seda 15 Limpopo 287 2940 Provincial
(located Mr Mopani Eric Manyelenyele: Branch
in Tzaneen) Acting
Fax: Tel: Manager
Office
+27 15287 2972940
4022
Floor 2nd Suit e 6, Maneo Building, 73 Biccard Branch (located Street, Manager in
Polokwane
Tzaneen)
0700
Email: Fax: Mr +27 kslabbert@seda.org.za
Koenie 15 297 Slabbert: 4022
Provincial
Mr Eric Manyelenyele: Acting
Postnet Email: Manager
Tel: Mr Suite +27 15 32 287 Private 2940
Bag X 9307 Polokwane 0700
Tel: +27 15 306 6400
kslabbert@seda.org.za
Koenie Slabbert: Provincial Mr Eric Manyelenyele: Acting
Floor 2nd
Suit e 6, Maneo Building, 73 Biccard Branch Street, Manager
Polokwane 0700
Postnet Tel: Provincial Fax: Manager
Floor Suite +27 2nd +27 15 32 15 Manager
287 Private 297 2940
4022
e Bag 6, Maneo X 9307 Building, Polokwane 73 Biccard 0700
Acting Tel: Branch Physical +27 Street, Branch Manager
15 address: 306 Polokwane Manager
6400
2nd 0700 Floor
Seda Postnet Vhembe Branch
Fax: Email: Tel: Suite +27 kslabbert@seda.org.za
32 15 287 Private 297 2940
4022
Bag X 9307 Polokwane 0700
ABSA Tel: Mr Marcus Tel: Mukumela 15 - Branch Manager
Physical
+27 Building 15 address:
306 6400 6409
2nd Floor
Seda 287 2946
Tel:
Email: Physical Fax: Vhembe +27 +27 15
kslabbert@seda.org.za
address: 15 Branch 297 4022 2nd Floor
960 8700
Mphephu
Physical ABSA 13 Danie Building
address:
Road, Joubert Thohoyando Street 2nd Floor
Mr Seda Marcus Fax: Nictus Vhembe Building Branch
Physical Email: Mukumela kslabbert@seda.org.za
086 634 address: - Branch 8964
2nd Floor
Manager 13 Tzaneen
ABSA Building
Mr Marcus 68
Email: Physical Hans Mukumela mmukumela@seda.org.za
address: van Rensburg - Branch 2nd Floor Street Manager
Danie Joubert Street
Tel: +27 15 960 8700
Mphephu 13 Danie Road, Joubert Thohoyando
Street
Nictus 2nd Floor Building Nictus Building
Tzaneen
Tel: Old Polokwane
+27 15 960 8700
Mphephu 6409 13 Danie Road, Joubert Thohoyando Street
Fax: Nictus 086 634 Mutual Building, 8964
Tzaneen
Fax: 68 086 Hans 634 8964
van Rensburg Old Group Street Scheme Offices, 6409
u 7950
Email: 0699
mmukumela@seda.org.za
6409 Tzaneen
68 Hans van Rensburg Street
Old Email: Polokwane
Mutual mmukumela@seda.org.za
Building, Old Group Scheme Offices,
6409
u 7950
Seda Old 0699
Polokwane
Mutual Capricorn Branch
Building, Old Group Scheme Offices,
u 7950
Mr Peter Capricorn Maredi - Branch Manager Waterberg Branch
Seda 0699
Capricorn Branch
Tel: (located +27 15 290 8720
in Polokwane)
Mr Seda Peter Capricorn Maredi - Branch
Manager
Waterberg (located in Branch Mokopane)
Fax: +27 15 290 8736
Tel: Mr Peter (located +27 Mr. Capricorn Peter 15 Maredi 290 Maredi: 8720
in - Branch
Polokwane)
Manager Manager
(located Waterberg Mr Martin Rafferty: in Mokopane)
Branch Acting Branch
Email: pmaredi@seda.org.za
Fax: Tel: Tel: +27 15 290 8720
8720
1st (located in Polokwane)
Mr. +27 Peter 15 290 Maredi: 8736
Branch Manager
(located ans van Ren Manager in Mokopane)
Mr Martin t, Rafferty: Polokwane Acting 0699
Branch
Email: Fax: Physical Mr. teve
+27 pmaredi@seda.org.za
Botha 15 290 address: - Branch
8736
1st Manager Floor
Tel: +27 15 492 9600
Sed Mr Tel: Email:
Tel: Peter S
Nictus +27 pmaredi@seda.org.za
+27 15 Maredi: 290 8720 Branch Manager Mr Manager Martin Rafferty: Acting Branch
1st 15 Building 492 9600
Tel: +27 15 290 8720
ans van Ren Email: sbotha@seda.org.za
t, Polokwane 0699
Fax: 1st Physical teve 68 +27 Botha address:
Hans 15 491 - Branch 1st
van 7361
Manager
Floor
Acting Rensburg Streetans van Ren
Tel: Manager
+27 Branch 15 t, Polokwane
492 Manager
9600
0699
Physical address: Old Nedbank
Polokwane il:
teve sbotha@s
Botha - Branch 1st Manager Floor
Tel: +27 15 492 9600
Sed Mr Tel: SNictus +27 Physical 15 Building 492 address: 9600
Email: sbotha@seda.org.za
Fax: Tel: Nedb
Building
Sed Mr S
68 Nictus +27 Hans 15 Building 492 491 van 9600
7361
Rensburg Street
Physical Email: sbotha@seda.org.za
address: Old Nedbank
Ema Fax: 0699
68 +27 Polokwane
il: sbotha@s
Hans 15 491 van 7361
Rensburg Street
40 Retief Street
Polokwane
il: sbotha@s
Building
Old Physical Nedbank address: Building Old Nedbank
eda.org.za
e
Ema
0699
Nedb
Mokopane
Building
Old Nedb
40 Retief Street
Ema
0699ank Building, 40 Retief Street, Mokopan
eda.org.za
Mokopane
e
0600
40 Retief Street
eda.org.za
e
Old
ank Building, 40 Retief Street, Mokopan0600
Mokopane
Seda Old Mopani Branch
Vhembe ank Building, Branch
40 Retief Street, MokopanSekhukhune Branch
Martin Rafferty - Acting Branch Manager
Seda (located in Thohoyandou)
(located in Groblersdal)
Tel: Mopani Branch
Seda +27 15 306 Vhembe Branch
Sekhukhune Branch
6400
Martin Fax: Mr
Mopani +27 Marcus
Branch
Vhembe Rafferty
15 307 - Branch
Mukumela: Acting
2233
Branch Branch
Manager
Mr Sekhukhune Sabelo Ntshangase
Branch
Email: 27 Martin Rafferty - Acting (located Branch Manager
mrafferty@seda.org.za
in Thohoyandou)
(located in Groblersdal)
Tel: +27 15 306 6400
rosperitas Manager
(located in Thohoyandou)
Building, Tzaneen Tel: (located +27 0850 13 in 262 Groblersdal)
9430
Fax: Tel: Mr +27 Marcus 15 306 307 Mukumela: 6400
Branch Mr Sabelo Ntshangase
Fax: Peace Tel: Mr +27 Street, 1st Floor, P
Marcus +27 15 307 15 960 Mukumela: 22338700
Branch
Email: Mr Sabelo sntshangase@seda.org.za
Email: 27 Manager mrafferty@seda.org.za rosperitas Building, Tzaneen Tel: +27 0850 13 Ntshangase
262 9430
Email: 27
Peace Fax: Manager
mrafferty@seda.org.za
+27 15 962 4285
rosperitas Building, Tzaneen Physical Tel: +27 0850
13 address:
262 9430
Seda
Tel: Branch
Sekhukhune
+27 Street, Manager 15 960 1st Floor,
Branch
8700P
Email: sntshangase@seda.org.za
9432
Peace Email: Tel: Street, mmukumela@seda.org.za
960 1st Floor, 8700
P
Mutual Email: sntshangase@seda.org.za
Building
Mr Sabelo Fax: +27 Ntshangase 15 962861
4285
Physical address:
- Branch Manager
Seda Physical address: Bindulavhathu
Shop Tel:
Fax: +27
+27
13 262
15
9430
962 Sekhukhune Branch 4285
Physical n Riebeek 4 and address: Street, Office Groblersda 10, 12
Email: mmukumela@seda.org.za Mutual Building
Mr Seda Sabelo Email: Office
Sekhukhune
Bindu Lavhathu
sntshangase@seda.org.za
Building
Branch
Email: Ntshangase mmukumela@seda.org.za
- Branch Manager Hereford Mutual Building
Street
Mr Sabelo Physical Ntshangase address: - Bindulavhathu Shop Branch Manager
Tel: Business Complex
eki 3rd
+27 Physical Mall, Floor
13 262 9430
n Riebeek 4 and Street, Office Groblersda 10, 12
Shaddress: Bindulavhathu Groblersdal
Shop Tel: +27 13 262 9430
n Riebeek 4 and Street, Office Groblersda 10, 12
Email: Office sntshangase@seda.org.za
Building
Hereford Thohoyandou
0470
Email: Office sntshangase@seda.org.za
Building
Hereford Street
eki 3rd Mall, Floor
Sh
Groblersdal
7950
eki Thohoyandou
8617
3rd Mall, Floor
Sh
0407 0470
Groblersdal
8617
Thohoyandou
0470
8617
We have built a strong team in the province made up of 16 Business
We
Advisors, have two built Regional a strong Facilitators team in the and province five Information made up Officers of 16 who Business
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different carefully functional selected service areas of providers business who and possesses industry sectors.
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For more different information functional contact areas us of at: business 015 287 and 2940 industry or visit sectors. our website: www.seda.org.za
For more information contact us at: 015 287 2940 or visit our website: www.seda.org.za
TOGETHER ADVANCING SMALL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
For more information contact us at: 015 287 2940 or visit our website: www.seda.org.za
TOGETHER ADVANCING SMALL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
TOGETHER ADVANCING SMALL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

OVERVIEW
Education and training
University entity is earning its keep digitally.
Participants who attended the “Creating a Sustainable Economy in the Limpopo Province”
workshop at the Fusion Boutique Hotel in Polokwane, which was part of the collaboration
between De Beers and International Youth Foundation. Credit: De Beers
The private company that the University of Venda runs to create
extra revenue streams is confident of earning significant
amounts from its WiFi projects. Univen Innovative Growth
Company (UIGC) expects to bring in nearly R700-million
from its subsidiary, UIGC Connect, in the first five years of providing
connectivity to students and the broader community.
The offices of UIGC Connect in Thohoyandou will make it
possible for the Local Municipality of Thulamela to become a smart
city. The programme began by supplying accredited university
accommodation sites, which includes buildings that are not official
residences, with connectivity and spread out from there. Training
programmes will be offered for artisans and technicians as UIGC
Connect grows.
UIGC Connect now has a headstart in the Vhembe District
Municipality area, which should allow it to become the service provider
of choice for businesses and private households. Wayleaves have been
granted by the Thulamela and Collins Chabane local municipalities,
SECTOR INSIGHT
Sanitation projects at
schools are on course.
granting permission to UIGC
Connect to build infrastructure.
UIGC Connect is one of
four units run by the university
offering professional services to
the outside world. Other areas
covered include statistics and
design and editing. This not only
creates another revenue stream
for the University of Venda but
links the academic institution to
the commercial world.
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23 68

OVERVIEW
The University of Venda is also implementing its strategic
plan for the five years to 2025. The key thrusts of the plan cover
student centredness and engaged scholarship, entrepreneurship,
governance, partnerships and internationalisation.
Four new faculties have been created from eight former schools
of study and a new executive portfolio for research and postgraduate
studies has been created, with the university’s new Deputy Vice-
Chancellor, Professor Nosisi Nellie Feza, responsible.
The university is making strides in the field of waste-to-energy.
The Green Technologies Promotion Drive is a multi-disciplinary effort
with support from the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the
Water Research Commission (WRC). One of its goals is to develop the
biogas market.
The Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (formerly part
of Limpopo University) is an independent university in Gauteng
Province. University of South Africa (Unisa) has a regional support
centre in Polokwane and agencies at Makhado and Giyani.
Early in 2020, the University of Limpopo received a gift in the form
of a R480-million loan from the Development Bank of Southern Africa
(DBSA) for the construction of a 3 500-bed student residence. Other
contributions will come from the National Department of Higher
Education and Training and the National Treasury Budget Facility
for Infrastructure. This is the first phase of a longer-term project to
provide 15 000 beds over the next 15 years.
Training
Venetia Diamond Mine in the far north of Limpopo is in the process of
transitioning from surface to underground mining and that requires a
new set of skills from employees and contractors.
Six simulators are being installed at a new training centre for
the mine, covering aspects such as drills and bolters while virtual
reality will be deployed for a virtual blast wall. More than 300 training
modules will be available.
De Beers Group has partnered with the International Youth Foundation
(IYF) under its SA Skills for Life (S4L) programme which focuses on
strengthening teaching and learning in the public TVET college system
in the Capricorn and Vhembe
Districts. Programmes included
Entrepreneurship, Job Skills,
Financial and Critical Thinking Skills.
There are seven Technical
and Vocational Education
and Training (TVET) colleges
in Limpopo: Capricorn
College, Lephalale College,
Mopani East College, Mopani
South College, Sekhukhune
College, Vhembe College and
Waterberg College.
A commitment was made in
2021 by provincial government
that 40 schools will have their
water infrastructure upgraded
within the next two years and
that a further 100 schools
will receive proper sanitation
facilities. There are plans to build
17 more schools and add 295
classrooms across the province
for all grades, including 45 for
Grade R. Seven new libraries
are under construction and a
further four are planned.
Sanitation infrastructure at
135 schools was completed in
the 2021/22 financial year, with
work underway at a further 27
schools. For 2022/23, 47 new
projects will take place. The
budget for this work is R455-
million. A further 203 schools
are receiving sanitation facilities
through the Mvula Trust at a
cost of R162-million. ■
ONLINE RESOURCES
Limpopo Department of Education: www.edu.limpopo.gov.za
National Education Collaboration Trust: www.nect.org.za
Turfloof Graduate School of Leadership: www.ul.ac.za
69 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

FOCUS
Training programme delivers
sought-after skills
At the Venetia Underground Project, diesel mechanics are earning qualifications.
Lucky Ndou recently qualified as a diesel mechanic
through Murray & Roberts Cementation’s training
initiative at the Venetia Underground Project. He
says, “I want to express my technical mind through
my hands.”
Thanks to Murray & Roberts Cementation’s
training initiatives at the Venetia
Underground Project (VUP) near Musina
in Limpopo Province, two community
members – Lucky Ndou and Nakedi Montja
– have been able to realise their dreams of
becoming diesel mechanics, a qualification in
high demand in South Africa.
Since the inception of the project, which will
see De Beers Venetia Mine transitioning to an
entirely underground operation, Murray & Roberts
Cementation, responsible for the sinking, equipping
and commissioning of two underground shafts and
a decline shaft at the VUP site, has trained many
employees drawn from the local community in a
variety of mining and engineering skills through its
learnership programme.
“We’re delighted with the success of the
programme, which has seen many employees
– all recruited locally – upscaling their skills
to higher levels,” says Japie du Plessis, Project
Executive, Murray & Roberts Cementation.
“Our approach is to employ local people for
entry-level positions and then, if they have the
potential, further develop their skills to allow
them to qualify for much more senior roles such
as trackless mobile machine operators, diesel
mechanics, electricians, riggers and miners as
well as shift supervisors.”
He says that many learners have, during
their skills development journey, spent time
at Murray & Roberts Cementation’s world-class
training academy at its Bentley Park facility near
Carletonville on the West Rand.
Challenges met and overcome
Lucky Ndou joined Murray & Roberts Cementation
in 2013 as a General Worker (Stores) but got
the opportunity in 2019 to become one of the
company’s apprentice learners. This marked
the start of three years of training to become a
qualified diesel mechanic. He says that his love
for fixing machines, apparent at an early age,
motivated his decision to upgrade his skills. As he
says, “I want to express my technical mind through
my hands.”
According to Ndou, his training was
challenging at first but became easier as
he progressed and the subject material
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
70

FOCUS
electric systems but extends to the mechanical
and hydraulic systems as well.
He recommends a career as diesel mechanic to
anyone who is ardent about machines and loves
working with their hands. Like Lucky, he believes
that people should follow their dreams. “If you
want to be happy, do not dwell in the past,” he
says. “Focus on the future and your life will reflect
like a diamond.”
Du Plessis says Murray & Roberts Cementation
is very proud of the achievements of Ndou and
Montja. “As a company, we are committed to
uplifting communities and one of the ways we
do this is by providing community members with
skills that will last a lifetime. We’ve been working on
the VUP for roughly 10 years and it has been very
rewarding to see how our training initiatives have
transformed the lives of so many employees.” ■
Lucky Ndou joined Murray & Roberts Cementation
in 2013 as a General Worker, Stores, but got
the opportunity in 2019 to become one of the
company’s apprentice learners and recently
qualified as a diesel mechanic.
became more interesting. His advice to those
considering a similar journey is simple, “Nothing
is impossible if you work hard and commit
yourself to achieving your goal and making your
dreams come true.”
Nakedi Montja joined Murray & Roberts
Cementation somewhat later than Ndou, starting
his employment as a General Worker on the
decline in 2019. As a child, he was always around
people who fixed cars. “I developed similar
interests and fell in love with fixing engines,” he
recalls. “This is why I’ve chosen to qualify as a
diesel mechanic.”
Describing the highlights of his three-year
apprenticeship, he says he now has a thorough
understanding of mining machines such as
LHDs and drill rigs and can strip and assemble
them. His knowledge is not just confined to the
Newly-qualified diesel mechanic, Nakedi Montja
recommends this career to others.
71
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

INDEX
INDEX
De Beers Group of Companies (Venetia Mine)..................................................11, 53, 59, 63, 70-71
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic).............................................................. 26-27
Fetakgomo-Tubatse Special Economic Zone (FTSEZ).................................................................. 24-31
Glencore.................................................................................................................................................................... 28-29
Implats........................................................................................................................................................................ 46-47
Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism.................... 5
Limpopo Office of the Premier............................................................................................................................. 3
Limpopo United Business Forum (LUBF)....................................................................................................... 7
Momentum Financial Planning........................................................................................................................IBC
MTN...................................................................................................................................................32-35, 54-55, OBC
Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ).................................................................... 14-20
Northam Platinum.............................................................................................................................................. 42-45
Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL)................................................................................................................... IFC, 61
Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda)................................................................................. 64-67
LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23
72

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