Free State Business 2020 edition
The 2020 edition of Free State Business is the 10th issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2008, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Free State. The Free State Development Corporation describes its work, including property management and investment support in several articles in this journal. The official launch of the Maluti-A-Phofung Special Economic Zone (MAP-SEZ) was a significant event for the economy of South Africa’s most centrally located province. Business and industrial parks form part of the economic strategy of the province’s planners and details of these facilities are outlined in this journal. In addition, overviews on each of the key economic sectors provide up-to-date information on trends in the manufacturing and tourism sectors, for example. Regular information about the size and nature of each sector is also included. Updated information on the Free State is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.globalafricanetwork.com, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well as our flagship South African Business title. The printed journal is distributed internationally on outgoing and incoming trade missions, through trade and investment agencies; to foreign offices in South Africa’s main trading partners around the world; at top national and international events; through the offices of foreign representatives in South Africa; as well as nationally and regionally via chambers of commerce, tourism offices, airport lounges, provincial government departments, municipalities and companies.
The 2020 edition of Free State Business is the 10th issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2008, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Free State.
The Free State Development Corporation describes its work, including property management and investment support in several articles in this journal.
The official launch of the Maluti-A-Phofung Special Economic Zone (MAP-SEZ) was a significant event for the economy of South Africa’s most centrally located province. Business and industrial parks form part of the economic strategy of the province’s planners and details of these facilities are outlined in this journal.
In addition, overviews on each of the key economic sectors provide up-to-date information on trends in the manufacturing and tourism sectors, for example. Regular information about the size and nature of each sector is also included.
Updated information on the Free State is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.globalafricanetwork.com, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well as our flagship South African Business title.
The printed journal is distributed internationally on outgoing and incoming trade missions, through trade and investment agencies; to foreign offices in South Africa’s main trading partners around the world; at top national and international events; through the offices of foreign representatives in South Africa; as well as nationally and regionally via chambers of commerce, tourism offices, airport lounges, provincial government departments, municipalities and companies.
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
OVERVIEW<br />
countries and regions like Portugal,<br />
Turkey and Madeira.<br />
An important pillar of the economy<br />
of the <strong>Free</strong> <strong>State</strong>, the chemicals<br />
and fuels hub at Sasolburg,<br />
is modernising and expanding.<br />
International fuel, gas and chemicals<br />
company Sasol regularly invests<br />
in new technologies and in<br />
expanding production of its various<br />
products.<br />
The <strong>Free</strong> <strong>State</strong> shares borders<br />
with six other provinces, in addition<br />
to the Mountain Kingdom of<br />
Lesotho. A summer-rainfall region<br />
with a mean annual rainfall of<br />
532mm, the <strong>Free</strong> <strong>State</strong>’s climate,<br />
soil types and topography vary<br />
greatly within the province, with<br />
plains in the west and mountains<br />
in the east. The western and southern<br />
areas are semi-desert, with<br />
some Karoo vegetation occurring<br />
in the south.<br />
The <strong>Free</strong> <strong>State</strong> produces significant<br />
proportions of South Africa’s<br />
wheat (30%), sunflowers (45%)<br />
and maize (45%) and is ranked<br />
third in contribution to national<br />
GDP in agriculture.<br />
Municipalities in <strong>Free</strong> <strong>State</strong><br />
The <strong>Free</strong> <strong>State</strong> has one metropolitan municipality (Mangaung), four<br />
district municipalities and 19 local municipalities.<br />
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality<br />
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality is a Category A municipality<br />
which governs Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu. The<br />
sixth-largest city in the country, the Mangaung municipal area covers<br />
more than 6 263km² and has a population of about 850 000 people.<br />
Bloemfontein is responsible for about 25% of provincial GDP.<br />
Xhariep District Municipality<br />
Towns: Trompsberg, Koffiefontein, Zastron, Philipollis, Edenburg,<br />
Fauresmith, Smithfield, Wepener<br />
The southernmost region of the <strong>Free</strong> <strong>State</strong> is a largely dry area with<br />
open grasslands predominating, although it is also home to the Gariep<br />
Dam, South Africa’s largest dam. Crops are produced in the northern<br />
parts of the district and sheep farming is the biggest activity in the<br />
south. Trompsberg has the second-biggest sheep-shearing barn in<br />
the country.<br />
Diamonds, gravel and clay are mined at Koffiefontein. Jagersfontein<br />
is one of the first places where diamonds were found, and it has its<br />
own version of the Big Hole to prove it. The town of Bethulie is a good<br />
stopping-over place for tourists wanting to experience the water sports<br />
available on the Gariep Dam.<br />
The dam is also the site of small hydro-power and aquaculture projects<br />
which are intended to create employment and tackle food security.<br />
The nearby Tussen die Riviere Nature Reserve and the Mynhardt Game<br />
Reserve have a variety of wildlife in spectacular settings. Jacobsdal’s<br />
11 FREE STATE BUSINESS <strong>2020</strong>
Change language