Mashatile believes in Limpopo, but business leader questions investment conference effect

Limpopo province is no longer content with mere pledges of investment; it now seeks the establishment of factories, locally processed crops, and well-paying jobs. Premier Phophi Ramathuba and Deputy President Paul Mashatile emphasized this during the sixth Limpopo Investment Conference, held at The Ranch Resort in Polokwane. The conference, themed "From Pledges to Progress: Accelerating Implementation and Unlocking Investment in Limpopo," gathered investors, business leaders, traditional leaders, and government representatives from the province and the SADC region.

Ramathuba welcomed Mashatile, her guest, to "the heartbeat of our continent’s northern frontier" and thanked the Presidency for its support since the conference's beginning. She acknowledged the province's challenges, including high unemployment and limited economic opportunities, but expressed confidence in their ability to overcome these obstacles through determination, grit, and visionary partnerships.

Ramathuba highlighted Limpopo's consistent ranking among South Africa's top three provinces for job creation over the past four years, despite a 33% unemployment rate. She set a goal to reduce unemployment to below 20% by the end of the administration's term.

However, the provincial secretary of the Forum for Limpopo Entrepreneurs, Siviko Mabunda, raised concerns about the effectiveness of investment conferences. He questioned why few of the pledged funds from the last six years had been converted into tangible, bankable investments that benefited Limpopo's economy. Mabunda also inquired if the government, including President Cyril Ramaphosa and Ramathuba, would meet the target of R3 trillion in investments pledged by 2030.

Mashatile defended Limpopo's investment progress, noting that the province secured over R452 billion in investment pledges during the conference's existence, with more than R71 billion in projects completed and nearly 24,000 jobs created. He emphasized that the true value of investments lies in their ability to create new businesses, expand industries, generate jobs, and improve the lives of residents.

Mashatile stressed that Limpopo's strategic location as a gateway to the Southern African Development Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area offers significant opportunities in mining, agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, and renewable energy.

To ensure successful implementation, Mashatile highlighted the importance of reliable energy, water security, efficient transport systems, logistics networks, and digital connectivity. He praised the government's efforts to improve the ease of doing business, including the establishment of the InvestSA One Stop Shop in Limpopo, which offers a single point of access to government services for investors.

Mashatile concluded by reiterating Limpopo's commitment to attracting investment and ensuring it translates into tangible benefits for communities, local enterprises, and sustainable economic growth.