PREMIER Stan Mathabatha is happy that the third Limpopo Investment Conference was a success.
This is because this year’s pledges have amounted to R37,4 billion, exceeding the anticipated amount of R30 billion.
The two-day conference was held at the Ranch Resort outside Polokwane from Wednesday, 18 October, until Thursday, 19 October.
Held under the theme, Inclusive Economic Growth, it attracted guests from the Republic of China, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Premier Mathabatha said this has boosted their determination to grow the provincial economy.
“This is crucial to our wider effort to create employment, eradicate poverty, and eliminate uneven development,” he said.
Mathabatha said this is encouraging as investors showed confidence in the province.
“The investment conference is not a talk show. It's anchored in real investment and practical policy interventions to grow Limpopo together. It's part of our contribution to build a prosperous South Africa,” he said.
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Mathabatha said the conference has allowed them to highlight the policy support they offer for industrial development and investment in other sectors, as well as transportation, logistics and energy.
“We have showcased the strategic advantages and opportunities that Limpopo offers in the mining value chain, minerals beneficiation, linked with manufacturing development and industrialisation, agro-processing coupled with developing the entire agricultural value chain, the hydrogen economy and tourism,” said Mathabatha.
In 2021 and 2022, the conference yielded R209 billion and R34,7 billion pledges, respectively.
“Of these, R52,44 billion has already been realised, resulting in the creation of 9 429 full-time equivalent jobs and 5 300 construction jobs across all districts in mining, agriculture, agro-processing, and tourism,” Mathabatha said.
Ambassador Chen Xiaodong from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in South Africa said the conference will open new opportunities for the development of the two countries.
“China and South Africa have entered a golden era with a bright prospect and a promising future,” she said.
Minerals Council of South Africa CEO Mzila Mthenjani said mining plays an important role in the economy.
“The country has a challenge of development, and Limpopo being a rural town province with the majority of the people being illiterate, it becomes a challenge when it comes to beneficiation of minerals,” he said.
