President Cyril Ramaphosa announced three investment projects worth more than R120 billion in the Free State on Friday. He said the projects aim to grow factories and create jobs in the province.
He spoke at the launch of the Free State Catalytic Investment and Industrialisation Programme. The event took place at the Phuthaditjhaba Multipurpose Centre in QwaQwa, according to SAnews.
“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 second project is the Joylong Automotive Manufacturing plant, valued at about R5.5 billion. The government said it is expected to create 1,500 direct jobs over five years. It could build up to 8,000 electric vehicles each year.
The third is the Walk of Life Apple Juice Concentrate Plant, worth about R330 million. According to the government, it is expected to create 100 permanent jobs and about 600 seasonal jobs.
Ramaphosa said the Free State was a manufacturing hub until the early 2000s. He said poor municipal services and infrastructure then led some companies to close or move to other provinces.
The President said the Maluti-a-Phofung Special Economic Zone would play a central role in turning this around. He said the zone has sites for 65 factories, and 58% of them are occupied.
He said investors need working services before they put money into an area. “Good and reliable infrastructure attracts investors. The quality of municipal services influences where companies invest,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the government was committed to providing reliable electricity and water, working roads and safe industrial premises. He also promised faster approvals and accountable project management.
He said the province should move past simply growing crops. He called for more food processing, packaging, manufacturing and wider market access. He said the Walk of Life plant shows how farming can be linked to factory work.
According to the President, the electric vehicle project could place the Free State in the green economy. He said small and medium businesses should also benefit by supplying parts, packaging, transport, security and cleaning services.
“A factory depends on far more than its production line. It needs to be part of a broader value chain,” he said.
Ramaphosa also recognised 130 learners who had received skills training and were moving towards job placements. They were trained by the Free State Development Corporation, the Unemployment Insurance Fund and Eskom.
Their training covered plumbing, environmental practice, road construction, food and beverage, first aid and electrical systems management, SAnews reported.
“Institutions and employers must help young people connect training to further experience and, where opportunities become available, to decent work,” the President said.
He called on municipalities to provide dependable services and on investors to keep their promises. He also said communities should be involved throughout the process.
“The measure of today’s success will be what happens after the banners come down,” Ramaphosa said.
The President said the provincial government has committed to tracking the announced actions over the next 30, 60 and 90 days.
Source: this article is based on reporting by SAnews.gov.za. Image: GCIS via SAnews.gov.za. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.