President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced three investment initiatives, worth more than R120 billion, aimed at driving industrialisation, expanding manufacturing and creating employment opportunities in the Free State.
The initiatives, announced during the launch of the Free State Catalytic Investment and Industrialisation Programme at the Phuthaditjhaba Multipurpose Centre in QwaQwa on Friday, include renewable energy, electric vehicle manufacturing and agricultural processing projects.
“The proposed YJC renewable energy project represents an investment of approximately R100 billion and has the potential to create 6,500 jobs,” President Ramaphosa said.
The planned Joylong Automotive Manufacturing project, valued at approximately R5.5 billion, is expected to create 1 500 direct jobs over five years and produce up to 8,000 electric vehicles annually.
Meanwhile, the Walk of Life Apple Juice Concentrate Plant, representing an investment of approximately R330 million, is expected to create 100 permanent jobs and about 600 seasonal employment opportunities.
“These projects demonstrate the type of economic activity we need to bild investment that creates productive capacity, develops local value chains, strengthens exports and expands employment,” the President said.
Reviving industrial potential
President Ramaphosa said the Free State is strategically positioned to become a key contributor to South Africa’s economic growth, particularly through the industrialisation of the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality.
He noted that the province was a manufacturing hub until the early 2000s, but deteriorating municipal services and infrastructure had contributed to companies closing or relocating to other provinces.
The Free State Growth and Development Strategy aims to reverse this trend, with the Maluti-a-Phofung Special Economic Zone playing a central role.
The President said the zone had sites for 65 factories, of which 58% were occupied.
However, he stressed that industrial development depends on reliable infrastructure and effective municipal services to attract and retain investors.
“To attract the investment to this area, government is committed to providing reliable electricity and water provision, functioning roads, safe industrial premises, efficient approvals and accountable project management.
“Good and reliable infrastructure attracts investors. The quality of municipal services influences where companies invest,” he explained.
He added that the province’s central location, connections to transport and logistics networks, agricultural producers and markets in South Africa and beyond offered significant opportunities for economic development.
Boosting agriculture and the green economy
President Ramaphosa said the province needs to move beyond primary agricultural production towards agro-processing, beneficiation, packaging, manufacturing and expanded market access.
The Walk of Life investment, he said, demonstrates how agricultural production can be linked to industrial processing and value addition.
The planned electric vehicle manufacturing project, meanwhile, could position the Free State within the emerging green economy and new-energy industrial value chain.
He emphasised that these investments should benefit local businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises, which could supply components, materials, packaging, maintenance, security, cleaning, transport and professional services.
“A factory depends on far more than its production line. It needs to be part of a broader value chain,” he said.
Skills development, job opportunities
The President also acknowledged the 130 learners who had received skills training and were progressing towards placement opportunities.
The learners had been trained by the Free State Development Corporation, the Unemployment Insurance Fund, and Eskom in areas including plumbing, environmental practice, construction road work, food and beverage, first aid and electrical systems management.
President Ramaphosa called for stronger partnerships between government, industry, training institutions and investors to connect skills development with economic participation and decent work.
“Institutions and employers must help young people connect training to further experience and, where opportunities become available, to decent work.”
He urged local businesses to prepare to participate in the supply chains created by new industrial investments.
Tracking implementation
The President said the success of the programme would depend on implementation beyond the launch, with the provincial government committed to tracking announced actions over the next 30, 60 and 90 days.
He called on municipalities to provide dependable services and responsive planning, investors to honour their commitments, and communities to be meaningfully involved throughout the development process.
Development finance institutions and specialised agencies would also need to leverage private investment through the effective deployment of public resources.
“The measure of today’s success will be what happens after the banners come down. Our ambition is to build a Free State that makes more of what it uses, processes more of what it grows and creates more paths into productive work,” the President said.
He said preparing projects properly, investing in enabling infrastructure, and equipping people with the necessary skills and information would help turn the province’s industrialisation ambitions into reality. – SAnews.gov.za
