The R30 area has been declared a special economic zone after a gas company, Renergen Tetra 4, invested R1,2 billion into Matjhabeng.
In the next 12 to 24 months they will be lobbying for more than R17 billion as new money in Matjhabeng.
“The commitment the mayor has for the municipality is visible,” said Bongni Kupe of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation during the recent economic summit that was held by the executive mayor of Matjhabeng, Thanduxolo Khalipha.
The summit was held between municipal officials and various stakeholders on Thursday (25/05), with the aim to give an update on the developmental plans for Matjhabeng.
The mayor said there were plans to turn the airport into a cargo logistics base or an international airport, and international and local investors have already shown interest.
“There is going to be a race event at Phakisa on which R15 million to R30 million will be spent in Matjhabeng. This will benefit businesses such as restaurants, accommodation establishments and filling stations,” said the mayor.
The race will take place on 6 and 7 October.
“We are going all out for investors in Matjhabeng, local and international, and also making sure that we restore the faith lost by the people of Matjhabeng,” said Khalipha.
Matjhabeng has been working closely with the Department of Trade and Industry, together with a technical team that will comprise, among others, the premier of the Free State, Mxolisi Dukwana, and the MEC of Economic Development, Thabo Piet Meeko.
Khalipha’s presentation shared the challenges faced by Matjhabeng due to the collapse in infrastructure, in the same breath sharing changes he wants to implement.
“Matjhabeng had about 57 pump stations and now only five are working; 13 sewer stations and only two are working,” he said.
There has been a call for intervention from the municipal offices to the government officials to assist with infrastructural problems faced in Matjhabeng. A positive response has been received. The Free State Government gave R68 million to the municipality as an intervention, and the minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, granted over R524 million.
Ten contracters have been appointed by Bloem Water, and 42 more still need to be appointed to fix the pumps. This is a project that could take 17 to 24 months. Mchunu has deployed experts to assist in turning around Matjhabeng’s infrastructure.
The municipality is planning to purchase new waste compactor trucks every month to eventually own 36 trucks – one for every ward in Matjhabeng.
“Tourists like to visit clean places. Having a clean city will attract more tourists,” said Errol Baloyi of the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment.
The meeting was attended by representatives of amongst other Sibyane Stillwater, the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
