VILAKAZI OUTLINES PLANS

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWAQWA- Thabo Mofutsanyana district executive mayor Malefu Vilakazi says  the district is in talks with the province to find out, the  role of the Special Economic Zone ( SEZ),  in the broader economic landscape of the Thabo Mofutsanyana district, as it must play important role in the district economic development.

 “It is therefore important to continue engaging the provincial government and the board of the SEZ on character of the SEZ as a district hub, not as a hub linked to a single local Municipality. The SEZ must create jobs for young people and SMMES of this district.”

 Our SEZ must also use this infrastructure as an alternative mode of transport. We will engage Transnet through province and national government to realize this mission. Our plan to establish a district Agro-Processing Hub where all Agriculture products produced in the area are also processed and packaged for the market must come into fruition in the new financial year. This will create more opportunities for our producers, create jobs and build our district’s economy.”

Vilakazi   said existing  rail infrastructure revival  is key to rebuilding of the district economy and  to use it to connect  different Economic centres in the district as well as using it to move economic cargo within the district and in or out of the District.

In terms of SMMES Vilakazi said for this financial year   budget  has been put aside to support small holder farmers and SMMEs.

“We received requests from SMMEs through our local Municipalities and we responded by procuring various equipment to support 15 SMMEs. For our Small Holder Farmers we have allocated R1.4 Million, this support will focus on the following areas; Broilers, Food Gardening, Crop Farmers, Layers, Female Dairy Farmers, Piggery and Livestock Farming Municipality has procured Agricultural apparatus which includes Garden tools (watering can, wheelbarrow, hosepipes, spades, fork, rakes, Jojo tanks, shade nets, knapsack, handhoe , sprinkler), Sunflower seeds, Maize Seeds, Dairy feed, fertilizer, Swine feeds, Broiler feeds, Layer Feed, Fence Material, Broiler Chickens, lucern bales, Meal Molasses, Non-selective herbicides.”

She disclosed that a special event will be arranged to handover the equipment to the beneficiaries and members of this council will be invited to join as witnesses to this good story.