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Limpopo Business 2018-19 edition

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A unique guide to business and investment in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Launched in 2007, the 2018/19 edition of Limpopo Business is the 10th issue of this highly successful publication that has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Limpopo Province. Limpopo has many investment and business opportunities. In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, there are special features on developments in the transport and logistics sector and a focus on tourism. Interviews with industry leaders in development finance from the Industrial Development Corporation and the Small Enterprise Development Agency share their insights into the state of the provincial economy. Investment news related to mining, telecommunications and development finance is carried in overviews of all the main economic sectors. The publication also has a comprehensive register of all provincial government and municipal contact details. Updated information on Limpopo is also available through our monthly e-newsletter - which you can subscribe to at www.globalafricanetwork.com

INTERVIEW Delivering

INTERVIEW Delivering road infrastructure to boost economic development Maselaganye Matji, the Chief Executive Officer of Roads Agency Limpopo, explains how partnerships with the private sector are breaking the back of the province’s road backlog. Mr Maselaganye Matji BIOGRAPHY Roads Agency Limpopo Together for better roads Maselaganye Matji was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Roads Agency Limpopo in March 2015, on a five-year contract. He is tasked with leading a team of talented professionals in implementing the now successful turnaround strategy. Matji is a qualified hydrologist and construction project manager with 27 years of experience spanning both the public and private sectors. He has published several peerreviewed papers, journal articles and a chapter on infrastructure. What is the mandate of the Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL)? RAL is mandated to manage, control, plan, develop and maintain the provincial road network on behalf of the Limpopo Provincial Government. RAL is the implementing agent of the Limpopo Provincial Government, under the auspices of the Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure. What is the vision and mission of RAL? Vision: To contribute to the socio-economic development by connecting the people of Limpopo Province. Mission: To provide a quality and sustainable road infrastructure network for the economic development of Limpopo Province. What are the core values of RAL? We are guided by the following corporate values: • Commitment: We are committed to serving the province with pride. • Reliability: We offer reliable, safe and economic road infrastructure. • Efficiency: We will go an extra mile in serving our communities. • Accountability: We remain accountable to all our stakeholders. • Transparency: We are transparent in both our internal and external business processes. • Excellence: We exceed expectations. • Teamwork: Together for better roads. • Diversity: We value and embrace diversity within the work context. Is the RAL aligned with the Limpopo Development Plan (LDP) 2020? The Premier of Limpopo, the Honourable Chupu Stanley Mathabatha, in his 2018 State of the Province Address, said road infrastructure LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2018/19 40

INTERVIEW roll-out and procurement strategy will be key to stimulating Limpopo economic growth. RAL is not only a quality road infrastructure delivery parastatal, but an economic driver as well. Limpopo Development Plan 2020, a provincial version of the National Development Plan (NDP), draws linkages between road infrastructure and key sectors of the Limpopo economy such as mining, agriculture and tourism. RAL has already set the benchmark with regard to procurement as it continues to create jobs and support SMMEs. The agency has ringfenced 30% of its construction costs for SMMEs in communities where its projects are implemented. Do partnerships with the private sector form part of the strategy for RAL? The current management and board of directors believe partnerships with the private sector are the future. Government budgets are constrained. To put it in context, RAL has been allocated R988.9 million for operational costs, upgrading and maintenance of roads during the 2018/19 financial year. However, at current estimates, it needs R160 billion to upgrade and maintain the entire road network of about 19 997 kilometres in this sparse rural province. Approximately 6 179km of the road network is tarred. The balance of 13 818km is gravel. The total kilometres upgraded from gravel to tar in the period 2015 to 2017 is 168km. The biggest backlog is oddly experienced in mining districts, such as in the Sekhukhune District Municipality. It was in this context that in 2015, RAL adopted a strategic partnership approach as part of the successful turnaround strategy for the agency. The agency has recently surpassed the half-a-billion-rand (R500 million) milestone with the funds raised in the four years since the appointment of the board led by Mr Matome Ralebipi and Chief Executive Officer Mr Maselaganye Matji. Most of the funds were raised from the mining industry, followed by the agricultural sector. The agency is hoping to lobby the tourism sector and intensify the participation of the agricultural sector. These three industries are the key contributors to the provincial Gross Domestic Product. This has resulted in a serious dent in the battle against the road infrastructure backlog that has been the bane of the province. Resources are rechannelled to areas that need such infrastructure the most. This approach has enabled the agency to deliver road infrastructure in areas as such Muyexe in the Mopane District, one of the poorest villages in the country. What are some of the projects that RAL is involved in? RAL’s partnership with our national counterpart, South African Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL), is starting to bear fruit, particularly since 2014. Not only has SANRAL made tangible road infrastructure investments in Limpopo, but the transfer of some sections of regional roads to SANRAL has enabled RAL to increase its turnover of projects. 41 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2018/19

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