QWAQWA — President Cyril Ramaphosa has thrown a R120-billion lifeline at Maluti-a-Phofung — declaring the collapsing municipality the new heart of Free State industrialisation.
Speaking at the official launch of the Free State Catalytic Investment and Industrialisation Programme in QwaQwa on Friday, 09 October, Ramaphosa said the province must start making what it uses and processing what it grows.
“The province is uniquely positioned to be at the heart of South Africa’s economic growth story,” Ramaphosa said.
“If we prepare projects properly, invest in enabling infrastructure and give people the skills and information they need, that ambition can become a reality.”
He said Maluti-a-Phofung’s position along key freight and transport corridors made it the perfect catalyst.
Ramaphosa did not dodge the rot. He admitted that crumbling services and infrastructure in MAP had forced companies to shut down or flee to other provinces.
But the Maluti-a-Phofung Special Economic Zone (SEZ), he said, would reverse that.
“We are announcing three investment initiatives totalling more than R120 billion,” Ramaphosa announced.
The big three:- R100-billion YJC Renewable Energy Project — expected to create 6,500 jobs.- R5.5-billion Joylong Automotive Manufacturing Plant — 1,500 direct jobs over five years, producing up to 8,000 electric vehicles per year.- R330-million Walk of Life Apple Juice Concentrate Plant — 100 permanent jobs and 600 seasonal jobs.
Free State MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Ketso Makume said the SEZ was a direct attack on unemployment, poverty and inequality.
“The opportunities that are going to be available are going to make sure that we do not leave anyone behind. Every person must be able to benefit either directly or indirectly, as there are job-related opportunities including business too,” Makume said.
MAP Executive Mayor Tumelo Thebe made a plea to residents: protect the infrastructure so investors stay.
“I have a clear understanding that taking care of such will lead to good long-term returns for the people of MAP,” Thebe said.
For a municipality long synonymous with service collapse, Friday’s announcement was more than an investment launch. It was a promise that QwaQwa can rise again.
