Mathabatha optimistic about Limpopo’s economic growth but opposition unconvinced

THE Mining Restoration Investment in Limpopo has pledged R700 million towards a chrome and
Platinum Group Metal mine in the Thabazimbi. This was one of the highlights of premier Chupu Stan Mathabatha’s State of the Province Address in Polokwane on Thursday.

Limpopo premier Chupu Stan Mathabatha says the province will need to prioritise the building of an uninterrupted electric power supply capability for essential services in making its contribution to help resolve the energy crisis and to build a just energy transition.
Photo: Lucas Ledwaba

Mathabatha noted that Limpopo recorded the highest decrease in unemployment figures in the past financial year. He said the province recorded a 5,3 per cent, that is from 36,3 per cent, down to 31 per cent.
“A worrying trend, however, is that as per Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey, of the 3rd Quarter 2022, young people aged 15 to 24 and 25 to 34 record the highest unemployment rates nationally.
“In that quarter, there were about 10,2 million young people aged 15 to 24 years across the country, of whom 34,5 per cent were not in employment, education or training,” he said.

Limpopo premier Chupu Stan Mathabatha said of December 2022 the province experienced an increase in various categories of crime and pledged to increase the province’s fight against crime. Photo: Lucas Ledwaba

Mathabatha said the provincial Socio-Economic Recovery Plan has begun yielding positive results. He said construction work in the multimillion rand Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone has commenced following the approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment.

The project has been dogged by litigation brought about by environmental rights groups who are opposing it on the grounds that it will have dire environmental consequences on the local agriculture, tourism and nature conservation economies.

https://mukurukurumedia.co.za/2021/05/16/our-baobab-trees-should-be-left-alone/

“The construction of the 14 kilometres internal roads has already created immediate opportunities for work-seekers and local entrepreneurs. Additional bulk installations, such as water, sewer, electricity,
and integrated security infrastructure, will continue in 2023,” Mathabatha said.

He said the conclusion of the appeal process in respect of the Musina-Makhado SEZ South-Site Environmental Impact Assessment was concluded in July 2022 and has paved the way for the completion of the township establishment and the roll-out of the requisite bulk infrastructure services.

**Members of the public including dance and cultural groups came in their numbers to attend the official opening of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature. Photo: Lucas Ledwaba**

“Nevertheless, we are aware of the other parties that continue litigating against the development of the Musina-Makhado SEZ. We are confident that, as before, we shall overcome this hurdle. In the recent past, there has, on the other hand, been an outcry about the unavailability of water to support the Musina Makhado SEZ. We are, however, pleased to announce that the Department of Water and Sanitation has given us an assurance that it will support the project with water on a short, medium- to long-term basis,” Mathabatha said.

However DA caucus leader in the Limpopo provincial legislature Jacque Smalle, raised doubts about the Mathabatha’s pronouncements on the Musina Makhado SEZ.

“We are unconvinced that the MMSEZ development will kick off soon as similar undertakings have been made in past SOPA’s without any positive outcomes. Musina and Makhado, the heart of the MMSEZ development, do not have water to sustain these towns and residents are without water for weeks on end,” Smalle said in response to the SOPA.

Mathabatha further revealed that the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Fetakgomo Tubatse Special Economic Zone was granted and a budget for infrastructure development has already been granted.
“We are now ready to submit the application for the designation of the Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ to Cabinet,” he said.

**Members of the public were treated to a spectacular display by members of the SA Police Services who marked the ceremony with a spirited and stylish parade. Photo: Lucas Ledwaba**

While Mathabatha announced some notable achievements with regard to roads construction and infrastructure development, the DA criticised his address, saying “it held no tangible evidence of improvement of good governance that benefits the people of the province.”

“Collapsing water and electrical infrastructure and disintegrating road networks cause untold hardships for private citizens, farms, mines, and the private sector alike; who despite these challenges still struggle manage to stay afloat,” Smalle said.

**Police officers and members of the Traffic Services stand at attention ahead of the opening of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature in Polokwane. Photo: Lucas Ledwaba**

“The incomplete bulk water supply projects strewn across the province which will not be completed soon due to incompetent contractors, corruption and poor governance by deployed cadres exacerbate the lack of water provision to residents; it is unacceptable that more than 30% of Limpopo residents do not have any access to water.

“We are concerned that the Premier was boastful about the positives strides made by the tourism, mining, private and commercial agricultural sectors post-covid, but most of these industries receive little or no assistance from government,” he said.

read Mathabatha’s full speech here:

https://www.limpopo.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Premier-SOPA-2023-Speech-Final.pdf