By Akani Nkuna
A total of 141 companies have pledged more than R548 billion in investments across Special Economic Zones (SEZs), with the projects expected to create more than 60,000 permanent jobs once operational, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has said.
Tau was speaking during a ministerial engagement on the Fetakgomo-Tubatse Special Economic Zone (FTSEZ) in Steelpoort, Limpopo, where he highlighted the role of SEZs in creating jobs, attracting investment and driving economic growth.
He said the country’s SEZ programme had contributed significantly to industrial development, with various zones attracting private investment and generating employment.
Tau said the FTSEZ was building on the achievements of South Africa’s SEZ programme.
“Different SEZs across the country are host to 234 private companies, with a combined investment value of over R47 billion,” said Tau.
He added that the programme had created 134,478 jobs, of which 32,904 were permanent.
The engagement brought together industry stakeholders, national and provincial government representatives, and traditional leaders to discuss the development and implementation of the FTSEZ, including its projected economic benefits for mining communities in Steelpoort.
Tau said growing investor confidence in SEZs demonstrated the programme’s potential to stimulate economic growth and strengthen South Africa’s industrial base.
He highlighted the FTSEZ, alongside the Nkomazi SEZ and the Musina-Makhado SEZ, as important initiatives for advancing cross-border economic cooperation and mineral processing, which he said were critical to deepening the country’s industrialisation.
The three zones have begun bulk infrastructure development to prepare for future investments, supporting South Africa’s broader industrialisation objectives under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Tau described the FTSEZ’s designation in May 2026 as a significant milestone in the industrial development of Limpopo and South Africa.
The zone has an investment pipeline valued at R52.6 billion, which is projected to create about 8,000 jobs in the short to medium term and potentially 20,000 jobs over ten years.
Located between the Lion and Samancor ferrochrome smelters and near major platinum and chrome mining operations, the FTSEZ is positioned to support mineral beneficiation, metal fabrication, manufacturing, renewable energy, logistics and related industrial activities, according to Tau.
These industries are expected to strengthen local value chains by enabling more minerals to be processed domestically and converted into finished products for local consumption and export.
“The FTSEZ is strategically located in the Steelpoort industrial hub, and is positioned to support mineral beneficiation, manufacturing, renewable energy and related industrial activities. Few places make the case for beneficiation better than Steelpoort,” Tau said.
Meanwhile, Limpopo MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism Tshitereke Matibe said the provincial government had committed R445 million towards infrastructure development to accelerate industrialisation, attract investment and promote job creation and economic growth.
Matibe said the funding commitment reflected the province’s determination to ensure that its mineral wealth translated into greater economic benefits for local communities.
“Our vision is to ensure that minerals extracted in Limpopo create greater economic value within our province. We must increasingly move towards processing, manufacturing and producing goods that strengthen domestic supply chains, support industrial competitiveness, and create sustainable employment,” said Matibe.
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