The Matjhabeng Local Municipality is to host an Economic Development Summit, in collaboration with the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and Infrastructure South Africa.
This summit will be done under the auspices of the executive mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha, and will be headed by Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa of the Department of Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Destea).
A number of other national and provincial experts will also form part of the panel.
“The Summit will look at new and innovative ways to revive the Matjhabeng economy and create jobs. A number of local, provincial and national stakeholders were invited to attend,” says Khalipha.
The Goldfields, of which the Matjhabeng Local Municipality forms part, was once home to some of the biggest mines in the country. The mines employed thousands of people from different parts of the country, as well as neighbouring countries such as Lesotho and Mozambique.
“This led to an economic boom, but mine closures have brought that same economy to its knees. Unemployment in Matjhabeng has skyrocketed because those who came from further afield to work in the mines raised families and built homes here.”
The municipality has recently concluded a Safety and Security Summit that will be instrumental in combating criminal activities in the municipality, protecting local infrastructure and putting it in an even more favourable position as a preferred investment destination.
