Charles Molele
Gauteng premier David Makhura has announced ambitious plans to create jobs and develop the province. This will include turning the entire province into a ‘mega special economic zone’.
Speaking on Monday at his last State of the Province Address (SOPA) as premier, Makhura said “going forward we must be more aggressive and decisive in pushing a vision of turning the province into a single, multi-tier, mega special economic zone”.
Lack of jobs and slow economic growth in Gauteng has put extra burden on the provincial government.
According to Stats SA, Gauteng and the Western Cape continue to receive the highest number of immigrants from other provinces and from abroad.
Over the five years to 2016, Gauteng received just over 980,000 people through net migration.
The City is expected to attract an additional 1.04-million people in the five years to 2021, of which nearly 500,000 will be from outside SA.
“Our dream is to grow Gauteng, step by step, into a single special economic zone. As a city region, we are already a compact and highly integrated single economy. This year, we will complete and officially open the O.R. Tambo Industrial Development Zone,” said Makhura.
“Other special economic zones will follow in Tshwane, Sedibeng and West Rand as part of the re-industrialisation agenda.”
