30.08.2025
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Premier Ramathuba confesses to setbacks over stalled SEZ project

6 mins



  • Limpopo Premier Dr
    Phophi Ramathuba.

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba reveals the truth behind the stalled Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

The ambitious industrialisation programme, initiated in 2014, was meant to create over 20 000 jobs for the people of the province. Although the project was identified as key for the province’s economic development and job creation, it has borne no fruit.

President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly announced the plan following the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2018. The project encompasses sectors such as warehousing, logistics services, fresh produce handling, and timber processing. Delays in the project have left millions of Limpopo citizens disgruntled, as their hopes for a better life have been dashed.

“We have lied to our people. We have not done what we had promised our people that we were going to do; those 21 000 jobs have not yet been achieved. And we admitted as a province that we are the ones who take full responsibility, and by doing so, we were trying to show you that we are on the right path towards turning things around,” Ramathuba elaborates.

Special Economic Zone | Ramathuba takes responsibility for delay of project

Ramathuba says the provincial government is also grappling with backlogs related to the improvement of school infrastructure.

“We have got another program where we are dealing with the schools that have been affected by disasters. Unfortunately, we still have to deal with the 2013 backlog. The one school that I was supposed to open last week. It was in the 2013 backlog. We are dealing with all that in order to ensure that our education environment becomes conducive for our learners.”

The premier, however, says the government has made significant progress in turning around the state-owned public transport services entity, Great North Transport. The institution has been marred by allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption.

“We need to put a lot of emphasis on our state-owned entities. I am pleased now to report on the turnaround strategy of Great North Transport. The executive council in our meeting also received a comprehensive report on the turnaround strategy of the GNT. The management of GNT is the current management that is interim, as you would know that the other executive management has been put on leave because of a number of issues that they are dealing with, as the board of GNT.”

Meanwhile, Ramathuba has also hailed all Limpopo government departments for obtaining unqualified audit opinions and clean audits.

VIDEO | Limpopo Premier laments ripple effects of infrastructure backlogs

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