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Limpopo Business 2022-23

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The 2022/23 edition of Limpopo Business is the 14th issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2007, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Limpopo Province. Both of the province’s two Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have taken several pages in this journal in order to share their goals with potential investors. The business case for the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) in the province’s far north has been accepted and the SEZ has received its official designation. Several investors have signed on and infrastructure development is underway. The Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ in the east is building up its infrastructure in terms of roads, railway sidings and water provision and both SEZs are taking an interest in renewable energy, and green hydrogen in particular. A special feature on green hydrogen appears in the front section of this journal. News related to mining, agriculture, tourism, construction and property, water, education and more.

De Beers Venetia Mine,

De Beers Venetia Mine, the country’s largest diamond mine, is undergoing an underground expansion that will extend the life of the mine. Credit: De Beers famous for the large quantity of tomatoes and avocados produced but the company’s product range is also large: mangoes, onions, dates, cherries, apples, pears, stone fruit, almonds and blueberries. Potatoes are grown in great quantities in Limpopo, together with 75% of South Africa’s mangoes and tomatoes. Statistics in many categories are impressive: papayas (65%); tea (36%); citrus, bananas and litchis (25%) and 60% of the country’s avocados. Agro-processing is strong in several parts of the province, with Pioneer Foods, McCain, Granor Passi, Kanhym, Westfalia and Enterprise Foods all prominent, but this sector still has potential to grow. The best-performing subsector of South African exports in recent years has been fruit and nuts. Limpopo has been a major contributor to the country’s excellent export record: fruit and nuts from the province’s eastern regions are hugely popular in international markets and Limpopo’s commercial farmers are extremely efficient. Geography Limpopo covers about 10% of South Africa’s land mass and is home to about 10% of the country’s population. The 2011 census recorded 5.4-million residents. The main languages of the people of Limpopo are Sesotho, Xitsonga and Tshivenda but English is widely used in business and government. The Limpopo Province’s 125 754km² covers a remarkably diverse geographical and cultural landscape that is also rich in minerals and agricultural products. The N1 highway is a key reason for the province’s important role in the nation’s logistics sector. It passes through Limpopo from the south to the border town of Musina and on to Zimbabwe and its neighbours in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The busy N11 highway links the province to Botswana to the west and Mpumalanga Province to the east. Most of South Africa’s logistics operators have a presence in the provincial capital city of Polokwane and logistics hubs have been established in that city and in Musina. The province has a sophisticated rail network which Transnet Freight Rail aims to further expand, primarily to haul the province’s vast reserves of coal away to the coast at Richards Bay. The province is home to two universities, the University of Venda and the University of Limpopo, and seven Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. The Turfloop Graduate School of Business is in Polokwane. The centrally situated city of Polokwane is the capital of Limpopo province. Located on the Great North Road and almost equidistant from the high-density population of greater Johannesburg and the neighbouring countries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, Polokwane’s upgraded international airport plays an increasingly important regional role. ■ Transport infrastructure is vital to economic growth in a province where long distances are common. Credit: RAL LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23 10

Supporting gender-based violence victims The Senwabarwana Victim Support Centre has received a new car from Venetia Mine. To aid the fight against gender-based violence, Venetia Mine, in collaboration with contracting partner Kholo Marine and Minerals, has donated a brand new Toyota Rumion 7-seater to the Senwabarwana Victim Support Centre. The centre renders victim empowerment services and the vehicle is intended to make it easier for staff members to get around, especially when helping victims of abuse. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Regan Gounder, the Senior Controls Manager of Kholo Marine and Minerals, said the car should be used to help provide more immediate support to the surrounding community of Senwabarwana, to make sure that critical interventions are not missed. “As Kholo Marine and Minerals, we are privileged and honoured to be part of this initiative and many more to come in partnership with De Beers Venetia Mine. What we experienced here today is nothing short of outstanding work that people are doing in the community. From what we have heard, this vehicle is going to help the centre act faster and respond more quickly to people’s needs.” In accepting the donation, Dr Masedi Mathopo, the Secretary of the centre, said that the vehicle is highly appreciated and will go a long way in assisting them to achieve their mandate. “We are extremely happy to have received this vehicle to improve our service. It will now be very easy to reach victims where they are because the police also have challenges of their own with transport. This donation will go a long way to making our work smart and efficient.” The ceremony was also graced by Councillor Daniel Mosena, Chairperson of Economic Development and Planning at the Blouberg Local Municipality, who shared a few words of gratitude on behalf of the municipality. “We are extremely appreciative of the good initiatives done by De Beers Venetia Mine in collaboration with their partners, to work with the municipality in ensuring that the support of the community is given a priority.” In closing, Itumeleng Mogale, Social Performance Specialist at Venetia Mine said, “This is about our community and what we can do for our community. This partnership with Kholo Marine and Minerals has made it possible for us to do more. It has made it possible to reach places and parts, which in isolation we would not have been able to.” As the slogan of support centre says, “Together we can!” ■ 11 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2022/23

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