Mpumalanga Business 2020-21 edition
The 2020/21 edition of Mpumalanga Business is the 11th issue of this essential publication that since its launch in 2008 has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the province. Updated overviews of each of the key economic sectors of the province are included, with references to the latest investments by companies across multiple sectors. These include Sappi, Sasol and Sonae Arauco, which is expanding its White River factory. Afrimat is considering investment in the mining sector, while Exxaro Resources, South32 and Pan African Resources are among the mining companies spending on extending the life of existing mines. A useful article on what incentives are available to investors from various departments and agencies is provided. Mpumalanga has several investment and business opportunities in a wide range of sectors.
The 2020/21 edition of Mpumalanga Business is the 11th issue of this essential publication that since its launch in 2008 has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the province. Updated overviews of each of the key economic sectors of the province are included, with references to the latest investments by companies across multiple sectors. These include Sappi, Sasol and Sonae Arauco, which is expanding its White River factory. Afrimat is considering investment in the mining sector, while Exxaro Resources, South32 and Pan African Resources are among the mining companies spending on extending the life of existing mines. A useful article on what incentives are available to investors from various departments and agencies is provided. Mpumalanga has several investment and business opportunities in a wide range of sectors.
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MPUMALANGA
PUMALANGA
USINESS BUSINESS
THE GUIDE TO BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT
IN MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
THE E GUIDE TO TO BUSINESS AND AND INVESTMENT
IN MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
2018/19 EDITION
2018/19 EDITION
2020/21 EDITION
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CONTENTS
CONTENTS
Mpumalanga Business 2020/21 Edition
Introduction
Foreword 4
A unique guide to business and investment in Mpumalanga.
Special features
A regional overview of Mpumalanga 6
New technologies and new priorities are set to
reshape the economy of Mpumalanga.
Investment incentives 10
A range of incentives are available to investors,
companies, entrepreneurs and co-operatives.
Economic sectors
Agriculture and agri-processing 18
New agricultural sites are planned for defunct mines.
Forestry and paper 20
Sonae Arauco has expanded its White River factory.
Oil and gas 22
Gas finds off the coast of Mozambique could be significant.
Water 23
National department steps in with tanks and trucks.
Mining 26
Afrimat is looking to expand into Mpumalanga.
Manufacturing 28
Mpumalanga’s natural resources support
a diverse manufacturing sector.
1 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
CONTENTS
Transport and logistics 32
Mpumalanga is the country’s busiest rail province.
Tourism 34
Tourism makes up 7% of provincial GDP.
Banking and financial services 36
Banking customers are being offered more choice.
Education and training 37
Robotics and Coding are now part of teacher training.
Development finance and SMME support 38
Entrepreneurship training is offered at new youth centres.
Reference
Sector contents 16
Local government listings 39
Index 40
ABOUT THE COVER:
The Two Rivers platinum mine is on the
southern part of the eastern limb of the
Bushveld Igneous Complex, south-west
of Burgersfort. Two Rivers is a joint
venture between African Rainbow
Minerals (54%) and Implats (46%).
Image: Implats.
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
2
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9 WESTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2020
www.abc.co.za
Mpumalanga Area Manager: Christian de Wet
078 683 4209 | cdewet@abc.co.za
FOREWORD
Mpumalanga Business
A unique guide to business and investment in Mpumalanga.
Credits
Publisher: Chris Whales
Publishing director:
Robert Arendse
Editor: John Young
Managing director: Clive During
Online editor: Christoff Scholtz
Art director: Brent Meder
Designer: Simon Lewis
Production: Lizel Olivier
Ad sales:
Gavin van der Merwe
Sam Oliver
Jeremy Petersen
Gabriel Venter
Vanessa Wallace
Shiko Diala
Administration & accounts:
Charlene Steynberg
and Natalie Koopman
Printing: FA Print
The 2020/21 edition of Mpumalanga Business is the 11th issue
of this successful publication that since its launch in 2008
has established itself as the premier business and investment
guide for the province.
Updated overviews of each of the key economic sectors of the
province are included, with references to the latest investments by
companies across multiple sectors. These include Sappi, Sasol and
Sonae Arauco, which is expanding its White River factory. Afrimat is
considering investment in the mining sector, while Exxaro Resources,
South32 and Pan African Resources are among the mining
companies spending on extending the life of existing mines. A useful
article on what incentives are available to investors from various
departments and agencies is provided. Mpumalanga has several
investment and business opportunities in a wide range of sectors.
To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution
of the print edition, the full content can also be viewed online
at www.globalafricanetwork.com. Updated information on Mpumalanga
is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you
can subscribe to online at www.gan.co.za, in addition to our complementary
business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces, our
flagship South African Business title and the new addition our list of
publications, African Business, which was launched in 2020. ■
Chris Whales
Publisher, Global Africa Network Media | Email: chris@gan.co.za
DISTRIBUTION
Mpumalanga Business 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.
Member of the Audit Bureau
of Circulations
PUBLISHED BY
Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd
Company Registration No: 2004/004982/07
Directors: Clive During, Chris Whales
Physical address: 28 Main Road, Rondebosch 7700
Postal address: PO Box 292, Newlands 7701
Tel: +27 21 657 6200 | Fax: +27 21 674 6943
Email: info@gan.co.za | Website: www.gan.co.za
ISSN 2222-3274
COPYRIGHT | Mpumalanga Business is an independent publication
published by Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. Full copyright to
the publication vests with Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd.
No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without
the written permission of Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd.
PHOTO CREDITS | Pics courtesy Andover NR, Anglo American, Columbus
Stainless, Eco Log Homes, Implats, KLCBT, Laeveld Agrochem, Likweti
Bushveld Farm Estate, Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, Nafasi
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
Water, Pexels, Pixabay, Transnet, Sasol, Sasol Foundation, Seda, Singita
Sabora Tented Camp, Ubank, Wikipedia
.
DISCLAIMER | While the publisher, Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd, has used
all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained in Mpumalanga
Business is accurate and up-to-date, the publishers make no representations as to
the accuracy, quality, timeliness, or completeness of the information. Global Africa
Network will not accept responsibility for any loss or damage suffered as a result of
the use of or any reliance placed on such information.
4
SPECIAL FEATURE
A regional overview
of Mpumalanga
By John Young
New technologies and new priorities are set to reshape
the economy of Mpumalanga.
Coal has been the engine of the
Mpumalanga economy for many years.
Most of South Africa’s power comes from
coal, and most of those power stations are
in Mpumalanga. More than 80% of South Africa’s
coal is currently sourced in Mpumalanga, with the
town of eMalahleni (Witbank) being the centre of
the industry. Other minerals found in the province
include gold, platinum-group minerals, chromite,
zinc, cobalt, copper, iron and manganese.
Confronting South Africa’s reliance on coal is
not something that seems to be on the agenda
at the moment, with a good deal of thought
and effort going into find ways to get coal to
Mpumalanga’s power stations from the next big
coal region, the Waterberg. A new railway line is
mooted. The lives of a number of Mpumalanga
coal mines are being extended and Sasol launched
the third of its replacement mines in 2019.
The most popular renewable energy
technologies, wind and solar, have little purchase
in Mpumalanga but a game-changer could come
to the provincial economy in the form of gas. This
would allow the province to retain its position
as an energy provider and to start moving away
from coal. Vast new fields of natural gas have been
found off the coast of Mozambique and the large
and sophisticated infrastructure that Sasol has
built up over the years make it well-placed to fire
up a gas-based economy.
Sasol (pictured above), an integrated oil, gas
and chemicals company with more than 30 000
employees and operations in 31 countries, runs
several plants at Secunda. Products manufactured
at the complex include synthetic fuel, petroleum,
paraffin, jet fuel, creosote, bitumen, diesel and
lubricants. The primary feedstock for synthetic-fuel
production is coal, and the plant is in the heart of
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
6
SPECIAL FEATURE
Mpumalanga’s coalfields. Sasol regularly spends
tens of millions on upgrades and improvements at
the Secunda complex. The Sasol Synfuels refinery
is the only commercial coal-to-liquid fuel plant
in the world and constitutes a key component in
South Africa’s oil and gas sector.
On a smaller scale, the provincial government is
looking beyond coal towards a renewable energy
future, especially where projects can be tackled by
small businesses. There might be opportunities in
micro-hydro or rooftop solar projects that will help
to reduce dependence on the national grid while
simultaneously promoting SMMEs.
The other big new reality that Mpumalanga
has to face is the fact that travel and tourism will
not be a priority for people around the world any
time soon. The effect of the Covid-19 epidemic is
likely to be keenly felt by the hotels, lodges and
game reserves of Mpumalanga. It is possible that
visits to game reserves and nature reserves will be
allowed (even encouraged perhaps) sooner than
other sectors of the tourism sector because of the
big distances between cars and people that can
be achieved. But the turnover from restaurants
will be absent for some considerable time and in a
province where 7% of GDP is derived from tourism,
this is bad news.
In 2018, tourists spent R13.1-billion in the
province. Numbers were rising for both international
tourist arrivals and domestic tourists as
a result of a strong marketing campaign by the
Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA).
The Kruger National Park remains the province’s
most visited asset but the decision by UNESCO to
afford World Heritage Site status to the Makhonjwa
Mountains near Barberton will boost geological
tourism to the province and supports the efforts
of the province to diversify its offering.
Major projects to improve tourist experiences
are underway at the Graskop Gorge (where a
transparent lift takes tourists into the depths of the
gorge), a skywalk is to be built at God’s Window
and a cable car is planned for Three Rondavels.
The international body’s decision has also
had the effect of expanding the curriculum at the
relatively new University of Mpumalanga. On the
basis of the UNESCO ruling, UMP is offering geology
as part of a BSc degree, to supplement existing
courses in education, agriculture and hospitality.
Several infrastructure investment projects in
the tourism sector have been put forward by the
Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA).
There is a special focus on BRICS countries and
provincial authorities are investigating a tourism airlift
route between Moscow and Mpumalanga.
The TRILAND partnership with Eswatini
and Mozambique is another avenue, as is the
collaboration with KwaZulu-Natal, Eswatini,
Mozambique and the Seychelles. The latter project
is called east3ROUTE Tourism Initiative and proclaims
“Experience, Adventure, Scenery and Trade” between
the participating provinces and countries.
A major concern for provincial planners
is to diversify the economy and to grow the
manufacturing sector. The Mpumalanga Economic
Growth and Development Path (MEGDP)
identifies beneficiation, agri-processing and the
development of value chains as priorities.
Various industrial parks are planned which
will focus on agriculture and forestry, mining
and metals and petrochemicals. An International
Fresh Produce Market in Nelspruit and the planned
Nkomazi Special Economic Zone (SEZ) are
other priorities.
Steel and associated manufacturing remains
one of the province’s strong suits and Mpumalanga
has rich and varied mineral resources and fertile
soil that support diverse farming operations, agriprocessing
and forestry.
The province also hosts large companies in
the manufacturing sector. Columbus Stainless in
Middelburg is a major producer of stainless steel,
while Middelburg Ferrochrome, Thos Begbie and
the Nelspruit-based Manganese Metal Company are
among other important heavy industrial companies.
The province’s rich agricultural produce is used
by companies such as McCain, Nestlé and PepsiCo
and there are also pulp and paper plants (Sappi and
Mondi), fertiliser facilities and textile manufacturing
concerns. The decision by Sappi to start producing
dissolving wood pulp at its Ngodwana Mill has
significantly increased the manufacturing capacity
of the province. York Timbers is a leading forestry
company and the sugar mills and refinery of RCL
Foods (formerly TSB Sugar) are large contributors to
the provincial economy.
7 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
SPECIAL FEATURE
The southern half of the eastern limb of the
platinum-rich Bushveld Igneous Complex runs
south towards the towns of Lydenburg and
Machadodorp. Deposits of chromite, magnetite
and vanadium in this area are the basis of the
ferro-alloy complex in Witbank-Middelburg and
Lydenburg.
Geography
The Drakensberg escarpment sharply divides the
western grasslands at high altitude (Highveld)
and the subtropical component to the east,
the Lowveld. The central region of the province
is mountainous, with dramatic landscapes
presenting exciting vistas for visitors. The Lebombo
Mountains rise in the east.
The southern and northern Highveld regions
produce large quantities of field crops such as
barley, soybeans, maize, grain and sorghum.
Potatoes also flourish in this area.
Most of the province receives summer rainfall,
often via thunderstorms. Frost is common on the
Highveld but is almost absent in the subtropical
regions where fruit, nuts and citrus thrive.
Differences in temperature and rainfall between
the Highveld and Lowveld can be considerable.
One of the fastest-growing agricultural sectors
is macadamia nuts. These are cultivated in the
Lowveld and are exported in ever-growing
volumes. The Nelspruit district in the Lowveld is
South Africa’s second-biggest producer of citrus
fruit, while vegetables of all sorts do well in this
area too.
Large parts of the province are in the so-called
Middleveld comprising high-plateau grasslands.
Forestry operations are found in central and
south-eastern Mpumalanga, but the heart of this
important industry is around Sabie in the east. The
Mpumalanga forestry sector is one of the most
important in the country: 11% of the total land area
of Mpumalanga is covered either by plantations or
natural forests. Large sugar operations are found in
the south-east of the province.
The province has excellent roads and railway
connections and is well served by airports,
airstrips and heliports. The Kruger Mpumalanga
International Airport and Hoedspruit Airport are
the province’s two main airports. The Maputo
Development Corridor is a transportation corridor
comprising road, rail, border posts, port and
terminal facilities, running from Pretoria in Gauteng
through Mpumalanga to the Port of Maputo
in Mozambique. This international initiative
emphasises Mpumalanga’s excellent location as a
logistics and transport hub.
Ehlanzeni District Municipality
Towns: Mbombela, Malelane, Hazyview, White
River, Sabie, Lydenburg, Barberton
Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit) is the
capital city of Mpumalanga province
and the main town of the Mbombela
Local Municipality within the Ehlanzeni
District Municipality.The new University
of Mpumalanga has its headquarters in
Mbombela. The Lowveld Show and the
InniBos Arts Festival are major events
that showcase Mbombela’s diversity and
importance as a regional hub.
The fertile Crocodile River Valley
ensures good fruit crops in a typically
subtropical climate. Mangoes, litchis and
avocados are among the crops grown
most profitably and the town is at the
centre of the regional citrus sector. The
Lowveld Botanical Gardens contain
many rare species.The urban centres are
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
8
SPECIAL FEATURE
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LISTING
nodes of manufacturing in Govan Mbeki Local Municipality the municipality. Dr About JS Moroka Local one-million Municipality people LISTING
live
Tel: +27 17 620 6000 | Fax: +27 17 634 8019
this region, which is also at the heart of Mpumalanga’s
tourism offering. The Kruger Tel: National +27 17 17620 6000 Park, | Fax: +27 17 17634 8019
headquarters are Tel: in +27 Ermelo.
13 13973 1101 | Fax: +27 13 13973 0974
Website: Lekwa Local www.govanmbeki.gov.za
Municipality
Website: Emakhazeni www.moroka.gov.za
Local Municipality
in the Gert Sibande
Tel: +27 13
District
973 1101 | Fax: +27
and
13 973
the
0974
Govan municipal
Website: Mbeki www.govanmbeki.gov.za
Local Municipality
Dr Website: JS JS Moroka www.moroka.gov.za
Local Municipality
the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes,
Tel: +27 17 712 9600 | Fax: +27 17 712 6808
Tel: +27 13 253 7600
God’s Window and other attractions Lekwa Website: make Local www.lekwalm.gov.za
Municipality
this a Nkangala District Emakhazeni Fax: +27 13 253 Local 2440Municipality
highly desirable place to visit. Citrus,
Tel: +27 17 17
sugar
712 9600 | and
Fax: +27 17 17712 6808
Towns: Middelburg,
Tel: Website: +27 13 13
www.emakhazeni.gov.za
253 Delmas,
7600
Kriel, eMalahleni
Website: Mkhondo www.lekwalm.gov.za
Local Municipality
eMalahleni Fax: +27 13 13253 Local 2440
Municipality
forestry are the major agricultural Tel: products, +27 17 826 8100 | Fax: all +27 17 826 3129 (Witbank), eMakhazeni Website: Tel: +27 13 www.emakhazeni.gov.za
690 6911 (Belfast), | Fax: +27 13 690 6207 Dullstroom,
Mkhondo being major contributors to export Website: earnings. www.mkhondo.gov.za
Local Municipality
eMalahleni The eMgwenya (Waterval Website: www.emalahleni.gov.za
Local Municipality
Boven)
Tel: +27 17 17826 8100 | Fax: +27 17 17826 3129
Tel: +27 13 13690 6911 | Fax: +27 13 13690 6207
Sappi paper mill at Ngodwana is one Website: Msukaligwa of the www.mkhondo.gov.za
Local biggest Municipality This area straddles Website: Steve Tshwete www.emalahleni.gov.za
the Local north-west. Municipality Rural and
of its kind while RCL Foods operates Tel: two 086 116 large 7852 | Fax: mills +27 17 801 3851 traditional in the north-west Tel: +27 13 249 7000 where the King of the
Msukaligwa Website: www.msukaligwa.gov.za
Local Municipality
Steve Fax: +27 Tshwete 13 243 2550 Local Municipality
in the east. The population is about 1.7-million.
Tel: 086 116 7852 | Fax: +27 17 801 3851
Ndebele is still revered,
Tel:
there is a concentration
Website: +27 13 13
www.stlm.gov.za
249 7000
Website: Pixley Ka www.msukaligwa.gov.za
Isaka Seme Local Municipality of coal mining Fax: and +27 13 13243 steel 2550
production in the
Tel: +27 17 734 6100 | Fax: 086 630 2209
Website: Thembisile www.stlm.gov.za
Hani Local Municipality
Gert Sibande District Municipality Pixley industrial centre. Proximity to Gauteng brings
Website: Ka www.pixleykaseme.gov.za
Isaka Seme Local Municipality
Tel: +27 13 986 9100 | Fax: +27 13 986 0995
Towns: Bethal, Secunda, Standerton, 17 Ermelo,
Tel: +27 17 734 6100 | Fax: 086 630 2209 economic opportunity Thembisile Website: www.thembisilehanilm.gov.za
Hani and Local Municipality the area is rich in
Website: NKANGALA www.pixleykaseme.gov.za
DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
Tel: +27 13 13986 9100 | Fax: +27 13 13986 0995
Volksrust, Mkhondo (Piet Retief ), Carolina
minerals. The District Municipality’s headquarters
Physical address: 2A Walter Sisulu Street, Middleburg 1055
Website: Victor Khanye www.thembisilehanilm.gov.za
Local Municipality
Power stations abound in this NKANGALA region Postal address: PO which
Box DISTRICT 437, Middleburg MUNICIPALITY
1050 are in Middelburg. Tel: +27 The 13 665 6000 north-east | Fax: +27 13 665 2913 hosts a lively
stretches across the southern half of Tel: the +27 13 249 province
2000 | Fax: +27 13 249 2056
Physical address: 2A Walter Sisulu Street, Middleburg 1055
Victor
trout-fishing sector Email: munadmin@delmasmuni.co.za
Khanye Local Municipality
that includes hatcheries
Postal Website: address: www.nkangaladm.org.za
PO Box 437, Middleburg 1050
Tel: Website: +27 13 13
www.victorkhanyelm.gov.za
665 6000 | Fax: +27 13 13665 2913
and it is the home of the giant Sasol Tel: +27 facilities 13 13249 2000 | Fax: at +27 13 13249 2056
and accommodation Email: munadmin@delmasmuni.co.za
for tourists. Approximately
Secunda. The area makes up the northern
Website: www.nkangaladm.org.za
tip of 1.4-million people
Website:
live
www.victorkhanyelm.gov.za
in the district. ■
MUNICIPALITIES IN MPUMALANGA
South Africa’s maize triangle.
Agriculture and food processing MUNICIPALITIES IN MPUMALANGA Limpopo
Bushbuckridge
are well-developed sectors.
Dr JS Moroka
Bushbuckridge
Limpopo
Bushbuckridge
Thaba Chweu
North West
Sheep, chicken, sunflower and
Ehlanzeni
Dr JS Moroka
Dr JS Thembisile Moroka
Thaba Chweu
sorghum are among the area’s
Thaba Chweu
North West
Ehlanzeni
Ehlanzeni
Thembisile
Thembisile Nkangala Emakhazeni
Mbombela
many agricultural products.
Nkomazi
Nkangala
Steve Tshwete Emakhazeni
eMalahleni Nkangala Emakhazeni
Mbombela
Nestlé has a processing
Mbombela
Nkomazi
Gauteng
Nkomazi
Victor Khanye
Chief Albert Luthuli
Steve Tshwete
plant at Standerton, as does
eMalahleni Steve Tshwete
N
eMalahleni
Gauteng
Victor Khanye
Victor Khanye
Chief Albert Luthuli
Govan Mbeki
Chief Albert Luthuli
Astral Foods. Mondi runs a
Msukaligwa
N
pulp and paper facility in the
Swaziland
Dipaleseng Govan Mbeki
Govan Mbeki Gert Sibande Msukaligwa
Msukaligwa
Lekwa
south-east. Major highways
Swaziland
Dipaleseng
Gert Sibande
Dipaleseng
Gert Sibande Mkhondo
Metropolitan/District Municipality Boundary
Pixley Ka Seme
connecting Gauteng with the
Lekwa
Lekwa
Local Municipality Boundary
Free State
Mkhondo
District Municipality
Amajuba
Mkhondo Metropolitan/District Municipality Boundary
Metropolitan/District Local Municipality Municipality Boundary uMlalazi
coastal regions pass through
Pixley Ka Seme
Pixley Ka Seme
Local Municipality Boundary
Free State
Local Municipality Boundary
District Municipality
District Municipality
Local Municipality
Local Municipality
Mozambique
Amajuba
Amajuba
uMlalazi
uMlalazi
63 MPMALANGA BUSINESS 2017/18
9 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
63 MPMALANGA BUSINESS 2017/18
SPECIAL FEATURE
South African
investment incentives
The South African government, particularly the Department of Trade, Industry
and Competition, has a range of incentives available to investors, existing
companies, entrepreneurs and co-operatives across many sectors.
Zindoga Trading and Projects.
Image: Seda
South Africa wishes to diversify its economy
and incentives are an important part
of the strategy to attract investors to
the country.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
(the dtic) is the lead agency in the
incentives programme, which aims to encourage
local and foreign investment into targeted
economic sectors, but the Industrial Development
Corporation (IDC) is the most influential funder of
projects across South Africa.
There a variety of incentives available and
these incentives can broadly be categorised
according to the stage of project development:
• Conceptualisation of the project – including
feasibility studies and research and develop-
ment (grants for R&D and feasibility studies,
THRIP, Stp, etc)
• Capital expenditure – involving the creation
or expansion of the productive capacity of
businesses (MCEP, EIP, CIP, FIG, etc)
• Competitiveness enhancement – involving the
introduction of efficiencies and whetting the
competitive edge of established companies and
commercial or industrial sectors (BBSDP, EMIA,
CTCIP, etc)
• Some of the incentives are sector-specific, for
example the Aquaculture Development and
Enhancement Programme (ADEP), Clothing
and Textile Competitiveness Improvement
Programme (CTCIP) and the Tourism Support
Programme (TSP).
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
10
Manufacturing
Key components of the incentive programme are
the Manufacturing Incentive Programme (MIP) and
the Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement
Programme (MCEP). The initial MCEP, launched in
2012, was so successful that it was oversubscribed
with almost 890 businesses receiving funding.
A second phase of the programme was launched
in 2016. The grants are not handouts as the
funding covers a maximum of 50% of the cost
of the investment, with the remainder to be
sourced elsewhere.
The Enterprise Investment Programme (EIP)
makes targeted grants to stimulate and promote
investment, BEE and employment creation in the
manufacturing and tourism sectors. Aimed at
smaller companies, the maximum grant is R30-
million. Specific tax deductions are permissible for
larger companies investing in the manufacturing
sector under Section 12i of the Income Tax Act.
Other incentives
Other incentives available to investors and existing
businesses in more than one sector include the:
• Technology and Human Resources for Industry
Programme (THRIP)
• Support Programme for Industrial Innovation (SPII)
• Black Business Supplier Development Programme
(BBSDP), which is a cost-sharing grant offered to
black-owned small enterprises
• Critical Infrastructure Programme (CIP) that covers
between 10% and 30% of the total development
costs of qualifying infrastructure
• Co-operative Incentive Scheme, which is a
90:10 matching cash grant for registered primary
co-operatives
• Sector Specific Assistance Scheme, which is a
reimbursable 80:20 cost-sharing grant that can be
applied for by export councils, joint action groups
and industry associations.
Incentives for SMMEs
A lot of emphasis is placed on the potential role
of small, medium and micro enterprises in job
creation and a number of incentives are design-
Gladtidings Interiors CC. Image: Seda
ed to promote the growth of these businesses.
These include:
• Small Medium Enterprise Development
Programme (SMEDP)
• Isivande Women’s Fund
• Seda Technology Programme (Stp).
• Seda is the Small Enterprise Development Agency,
an agency of the Department of Small Business
Development that exists to promote SMMEs.
Trade-related incentives
The Export Marketing and Investment Assistance
(EMIA) Scheme includes support for local
businesses that wish to market their businesses
internationally to potential importers and
investors. The scheme offers financial assistance
to South Africans travelling or exhibiting abroad
as well as for inbound potential buyers of South
African goods. ■
Online Resources
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition:
www.thedtic.gov.za
Industrial Development Corporation:
www.idc.co.za
Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency:
www.mega.gov.za
Official South African government incentive
schemes: www.investmentincentives.co.za
11 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
ADVERTORIAL
see money differently
RELATIONSHIPS AND
UNDERSTANDING
CLIENT NEEDS ARE KEY,
SAYS EXPERT
Loderick Lubisi, Nedbank’s Provincial
General Manager for Limpopo and
Mpumalanga, explains how new brand
values built on the bank’s expertise can
benefit Nedbank clients, especially in what is
now ‘the new normal’.
'Nedbank has continued to deliver on its
brand promise, which is to use our financial
expertise to do good for individuals, families,
businesses and communities in which we
operate. Our client-centred strategy has
enabled us to reach out to our individual and
business clients in times of need during the
Covid-19 national lockdown,' he says.
The Nedbank Contact Centre and advanced
digital innovation, including the awardwinning
Nedbank Money app, enabled the
bank to continue serving clients in the
comfort of their homes. It brought
convenience to clients and helped them to
comply with lockdown regulations.
Lubisi says that for small- and mediumbusiness
clients, Nedbank continues to
deliver end-to-end solutions through a
dedicated business manager. ‘Our business
managers are supported by a team of
experts across the bank to deliver seamless
‘
Our client-centred strategy
has enabled us to reach out
to our individual and business
clients in times of need …
’
banking solutions. Our bigger-picture
business approach ensures that we are able
to take a holistic view of the business by
understanding the vision, cashflow cycle,
and transactional and capital expenditure
needs of the business. This way, we become
trusted advisors to the business owners who
strive to grow their business.’
‘We encourage you to see money differently
with the bigger-picture approach offered
by Nedbank Business Banking, and to take
advantage of our one-stop banking service
in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and beyond,’
Lubisi says.
To take your business to the next level or
for more information about Nedbank’s
specialised service offering, email
Loderick Lubisi at loderickl@nedbank.co.za
or visit www.nedbank.co.za/business.
ADVERTORIAL
see money differently
NEDBANK BUSINESS
BANKING HELPS PUBLIC
SECTOR SEE MONEY
DIFFERENTLY
Nedbank is committed to delivering
easy and innovative banking
solutions to government,
municipalities and state-owned enterprises
throughout South Africa.
Monei Seleho, Nedbank's Provincial
Manager for the Public Sector in Limpopo
and Mpumalanga, says that given the
strategic importance of the public sector to
the economy and the country at large,
Nedbank has a dedicated public sector team
to provide financial solutions that enable the
broader mandate of service delivery. ‘We
understand that the various spheres of
government and their agencies face unique
challenges, and are ready and able to draw
on the bank’s innovative, seamless and
hassle-free products to help build a greater
nation.’
With an enduring belief in the value of
strong partnerships in facilitating business
growth, effective community development
and environmental conservation, Seleho’s
team boasts extensive experience in
provincial and local government, stateowned
entities and educational institutions.
‘Our services are tailored specifically for the
needs of the public sector and include
‘
We understand that
the various spheres of
government and their
agencies face unique
challenges …
’
extensive transactional banking solutions,
short to long term funding, financial
products and services for public servants
and value-added services.’
In addition, Nedbank supports its public
sector clients on their transformation
journey through the implementation of
various enterprise development initiatives.
‘The focus to grow small and medium
enterprises is a business imperative for
economic sustainability as well as for
ensuring a thriving, vibrant social and
economic future,’ says Seleho.
To find out more about how Nedbank can
partner with your organisation togrowa
greater South Africa, please email
Monei Seleho at moneis@nedbank.co.za or
visit www.nedbank.co.za/business
ADVERTORIAL
see money differently
MONEY EXPERTS BRINGING
21ST-CENTURY BANKING TO
LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA
Claude Keena, Nedbank Provincial Sales Manager for Limpopo
and Mpumalanga, says that a deep connection with the
community is what underlies his team's personal and
professional values.
‘
Based in each community, our teams
have a thorough understanding of the
local economy and a genuine interest
in the success of each client. We believe that
our role goes beyond providing banking
solutions and we play an active role in
empowering the communities in which we
operate.’
Keena says that, as money experts who do
good, Nedbank strives to empower the
workplace employees who drive the
Limpopo & Mpumalanga economy by saving
them time and money, as well as helping
them manage their money better through
the Workplace Banking solution.
'We assist clients to save time by providing
onsite assistance from our dedicated teams,
and we help them save money through our
preferential banking packages and our
award-winning Financial Fitness and
Consumer Education programmes. These
interventions assist clients in managing their
money better by providing budgeting and
money management training, equipping
their staff to better deal with everyday
money management challenges'
And the innovative banking journey
continues, ensuring greater value for clients.
‘
We assist clients to save time
by providing onsite assistance
from our dedicated teams …
’
Our market-leading Money app allows clients
to manage accounts and investments, make
payments and set savings goals and
budgets from their smartphone.
Keena adds that working with communities
is entrenched in the bank’s values through
community development, skills development,
education and job creation, as well
as environmental conservation. ‘These play
a vital role in building a sustainable economy
and vibrant society. We believe our fastgrowing
presence in communities goes a long
way in enabling greater financial inclusion
while contributing towards economic growth,'
he says.
If you are interested in taking your business
to the next level through our workplace
banking solution and would like more
information about Nedbank’s specialised
service offering, please contact
Claude Keena at claudek@nedbank.co.za or
visit www.nedbank.co.za.
ADVERTORIAL
see money differently
NEDBANK: PARTNERING FOR
GROWTH AND SUSTAINABLE
AGRIBUSINESSES
According to the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz),
South Africa’s agricultural sector is not expected to be hit as
hard by the Covid-19 pandemic as the global agricultural sector.
In fact, thanks to bumper grain and fruit
harvests, we could see a 10% year-onyear
recovery in GDP in the sector for
2020. The current maize harvest is up 38%
from the 2018/19 harvest, and is the secondlargest
harvest on record, which means
that South Africa remain a net exporter of
maize and could also export maize beyond
the African continent.
While this is good news for an economy
entering what’s expected to be the deepest
recession on record, the agriculture value
chain faces a daunting task: to increase food
production by 70% to meet the demands of a
global population that is expected to reach
nine billion by 2050. As with many economic
sectors, it is becoming clear that technology
and innovation are the drivers in the
establishment of more efficient, productive
and sustainable agriculture.
Ivor Meeding, Nedbank Regional Manager
Agriculture for Mpumalanga, says that
Nedbank has created innovative funding
solutions designed to support farmers with
sustainable farming interventions where the
commodity produced or infrastructure itself
is used as security. ‘For example, with
drought a perpetual threat that South
‘
Nedbank has created innovative
funding solutions designed to
support farmers with sustainable
farming interventions …
’
Africa faces, our funding solutions range
from water-efficiency innovations and
cutting-edge irrigation to shade-netting,
which improves the yield of underperforming
crops, protects them from natural hazards
and reduces water use.’
Nedbank's purpose is to help clients 'see
money differently' and we do this by
applying our bigger-picture business
banking approach to understand each
client’s business and the specific challenges
and opportunities they face. This enables us
to provide the banking solutions they need,
ranging from the innovations mentioned
above to short- and long-term financial
support,’ he says.
If you would like to see how our specialist
teams can assist you,orwantmore
information, please send email Ivor Meeding
at ivorm@nedbank.co.za or visit
www.nedbank.co.za/business.
Nedbank Ltd Reg No 1951/000009/06. Authorised financial
services and registered credit provider (NCRCP16).
SPO6014
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. Pic: Wikipedia
16
KEY SECTORS
Overviews of the main economic sectors of Mpumalanga
Agriculture 18
Forestry and paper 20
Oil and gas 22
Water 23
Mining 26
Manufacturing 28
Transport and logistics 32
Tourism 34
Banking and financial services 36
Education and training 37
Development finance
and SMME support 38
17 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
OVERVIEW
Agriculture and agri-processing
New agricultural sites are planned for defunct mines.
With several coal mines reaching the end of their lives,
steps are being taken to convert the land to useful agricultural
land. Safety and health concerns will have to be
addressed, but there is potential to improve food security
for poorer families in the province. A number of off-take agreements
have been signed between commercial and emerging farmers and
wholesalers and distributers in Oman.
A provincial programme called Phezukomkhono Mlimi is providing
mechanisation and input support to subsistence and emerging famers
and households which are engaged in agriculture. Farmers receiving
support from government are expected to enrol on courses offered
by the AgriSETA. The Fortune 40 programme has a specific focus on
developing young entrepreneurs in farming. Twelve of the Fortune 40
farms have been linked to retailers such as Spar, Shoprite and Boxer
and with wholesalers and agri-hubs.
The goal is to have an agri-hub in each of the province’s three
districts. Small-scale farmers and co-operatives are being given
a chance to connect to the formal economy via the hubs which
will also provide advice and equipment. The Mkhuhlu agri-hub in
Bushbuckridge, which forms part of the Provincial Government
Nutrition Programme, is operational.
The Mkhondo agri-hub in Gert Sibande District is completed and
partially operational. The plan is for it become fully operational in
the next financial year. A feasibility study is underway relating to the
establishment of a hub in the Nkomazi Municipality. A budget of R15-
million has been agreed for the first phase and the creation of a packhouse.
An International Fresh Produce Market is planned as a means of
stimulating agricultural production, but the project has stalled.
Other interventions include the re-commissioning of
the Bushbuckridge poultry abattoir and support for soya and maize
farmers to supply the Lekwa Oilseed Crushing Plant in Standerton.
Agriculture is responsible for about 3.4% of Mpumalanga’s Gross
Domestic Product (GDP).
Sector Insight
The Sultanate of Oman
will purchase Mpumalanga
produce.
Crops
Mpumalanga accounts for about
21% of South Africa’s citrus
production and a third of its
export volumes, with Valencias
being the province’s most
popular varietal and Nelspruit
being the centre of the sector.
Avocados, litchis, mangoes
and bananas thrive in the
province. Hazyview is an
important source of bananas,
with 20% of South Africa’s
production originating there.
Deciduous fruits are
cultivated in smaller quantities.
About 15 000 tons of table
grapes are produced in the
province annually and Mpumalanga
produces its own wine.
A specialist fruit that does
well in the province is the
marula. The marula fruit makes
a popular beer and is used in
the production of a liqueur that
has done well on the international
market.
Macadamia nuts have grown
in popularity exponentially.
About 4 000 hectares of new
trees is added each year across
Macadamia orchard.
Image: Likweti Bushveld
Farm Estate
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
18
OVERVIEW
Credit: Laeveld Agrochem
South Africa, with most of that in
Mpumalanga and neighbouring
Limpopo. The vast majority
of the nuts are exported, with
about 40% going to China.
There are about 450 farmers
growing the nuts and there are
14 cracking factories in South
Africa. The sector employs about
4 500 people, of which 1 500
are permanent employees.
Barberton and Hazyview are two
prime areas for the nut.
Mpumalanga produces
one-million tons of maize from
291 788ha. About 53 000 tons
of wheat and 33 000 tons of
sorghum are produced annually.
Soya bean is another major crop:
more than half of South Africa’s
soya bean crop is produced in
Mpumalanga’s Highveld areas.
Cotton is grown mostly
under dryland conditions in
Marble Hall. The province has
1 500ha of dryland under
cotton. Much of South Africa’s
total annual production of
about 34-million kilograms
of tobacco, especially Virginia
tobacco, takes place in the
north-western parts of Mpumalanga,
and in neighbouring
Limpopo. Other crops produced for export in Mpumalanga include
cut flowers, pot plants and nursery plants.
Mpumalanga has the second-biggest sugar industry in South
Africa, after KwaZulu-Natal. TSB Sugar runs three mills in the Lowveld
region, two of which have refining capacity, and employs about 4 700
people. More than 1 400 farmers (commercial and small-scale) deliver
sugar cane to the company. TSB brands are Selati (sugar) and Molatek
(animal feed).
Companies
Astral Foods runs a poultry processing plant in Standerton which has
2 425 employees. Fresh fruit and nut supplier Halls cultivates 375ha of
its own land and has another 1 400ha under management. Its crops
include avocados and litchis.
Westfalia is a diversified agricultural group which runs extensive
operations in the province. Umbhaba Estates is one of the biggest
banana growers in the province. The drier Highveld region with its
cold winters supports crops such as cereals, legumes and nuts. There
is extensive irrigation in the Loskop Dam area. Ermelo is one of South
Africa’s main centres of sheep farming and wool production.
Subtropical fruit flourishes in the Lowveld with the town of
Nelspruit being a major citrus producer. Mixed farming and potatoes,
sweet potatoes and beans are mostly found in the southern and
western parts of the province. ■
Online Resources
Citrus Growers Association: www.cga.co.za
Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum: www.fpef.co.za
Macadamias South Africa: www.samac.org.za
South African Cane Growers’ Association: www.sacanegrowers.co.za
South African Subtropical Growers’ Association: www.subtrop.net
19 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
OVERVIEW
Forestry and paper
Sonae Arauco has expanded its White River factory.
Timber frame house. Image: Eco Log Homes
The White River plant of Sonae Arauco now offers more decorative
solutions because of the installation in 2019 of a Dieffenbacher
melamine press. The company’s aim is to make the site
a uniquely integrated facility.
Among the new offerings as a result of the R200-million expansion
are a woodgrain named for and inspired by the Chobe River and Grigio,
a “marbled fantasy décor”. The company produces particleboard and
fibreboard, melamine-faced boards and finishes. The invitation to the
launch of the factory extension claimed that the factory is the “most
efficient in Africa”. The company has another plant at Panbult between
Ermelo and Mkhondo (Piet Retief ).
Sawmilling South Africa (SSA) and the Institute for Timber
Construction South Africa (ITC-SA) made an offer during the Covid-19
lockdown to share with the South African government their skills and
expertise. Sawmilling South Africa is an industry association which
represents the majority of sawmillers in South Africa. By building
alternative housing (with wood), it was felt that this could contribute
to thinning out densely populated informal settlements to slow the
spread of the virus.
Sector Insight
An Agriculture and Forestry
Technology Park is planned.
Mpumalanga has the ideal
climate and topography for
forests. Sabie and Graskop
represent the hub of the industry,
but commercial forests are also
found to the east and south
along the Swaziland border.
About 11% of the land mass is
forested, with 4% of that being
natural forest. The province is the
national leader in total hectares
under forest (514 000ha) and in
export earnings.
Forestry accounts for about
8% of Mpumalanga’s gross
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
20
OVERVIEW
domestic product. The sector
comprises logging, saw-milling,
wood product and pulp and
paper manufacture. Pulp and
paper are the main exports,
along with sawn lumber, wood
chips and wattle extract. Most
sawn timber in South Africa is
used in the construction sector.
The Provincial Government
of Mpumalanga plans to
develop an Agriculture and
Forestry Technology Park. The
Mpumalanga Economic Growth
and Development Path (MEGDP)
intends to expand the industrial
base of the provincial economy
with a focus on beneficiation,
agri-processing and the
development of value chains.
Companies
Sustainability is the modern
watchword but finding a way to
use resources for people is also
popular. The MTO Group, which
has 39 900ha of plantation under
management in the Lowveld,
has teamed up with mountainbike
enthusiasts of White River
and Nelspruit to develop a set of
trails through the hilly landscape
of the area.
One of the biggest
operations in the forestry and
paper sector in Mpumalanga is
Sappi’s Ngodwana Mill. The mill
produces 330 000 tons of paper
pulp for its own consumption,
250 000 tons of dissolving wood
pulp (DWP) and 380 000 tons
of paper (newsprint and kraft
linerboard used for packaging)
annually. Exports account for
70% of the mill’s product.
Ongoing investment at
Ngodwana Mill will contribute
R13-billion to the provincial economy over 20 years. Sappi’s other
large facility in the province, the Lomati Sawmill in Barberton, produces
kiln-dried Southern African pine lumber from sawlogs supplied by
Sappi Forests.
The mill generates its own energy through co-generation
(steam and electricity from renewable and other sources). Sappi has
recently built a sugar-extraction demonstration plant at Ngodwana.
Findings from the experiment will help to improve the process of
extracting bio-renewable chemicals. Sappi is partnering with Valmet,
a Finnish company.
Other forestry companies are looking into energy generation,
including AFCOL. Mpumalanga has 40% of South Africa’s forestry
resources. This fact presents an opportunity to exploit the sector’s
byproducts in the biomass-to-energy field.
The Zebra Pellets plant in Sabie is to be converted by national utility
Eskom into a torrified pellet plant. The wood will be provided to the
plant (owned by the Industrial Development Corporation) and then
heated without the use of oxygen (torrified) which creates a coal-like
product without the carbon.
York Timbers owns and operates five processing plants, including
the including the largest sawmill and plywood plants in South Africa
and it has 60 470 planted hectares. The company is considering
investing in biomass energy generation. The Industrial Development
Corporation (IDC) has a stake in York Timbers and a 42.6% share in Hans
Merensky Holdings, a company with timber and processing interests in
three provinces. Merensky is responsible for 20% of South Africa’s sawn
pine lumber.
The Mondi Group has extensive forestry holdings in the province
and has been working on introducing a higher degree of mechanisation
in its operations. Mondi has also instituted an ecosystem management
plan throughout its forestry operations with the intention of better
managing the impact its work has on the environment.
Although local demand is dwindling, the export market for pulp
and paper is strong. Pulp production figures have been on the rise for
several years and companies like Mondi are increasingly focusing on
pulp export because of better margins.
PG Bison has a board plant in Piet Retief. Komatiland Forests, a
100% owned subsidiary of state company SAFCOL, has big plantations
in several districts. TWK is a R6-billion agricultural company with its
headquarters in Mkhondo. ■
Online Resources
Forestry South Africa: www.forestry.co.za
Institute for Timber Construction South Africa:
www. itc-sa.org
Sawmilling South Africa: www.timber.co.za
Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry of
South Africa: www.tappi.org
21 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
OVERVIEW
Oil and gas
Gas finds off the coast of Mozambique could be significant.
Sector Insight
Gas-to-power forms part of
a national masterplan.
Sasol at night. Image: Sasol
Massive natural gas finds in Mozambique’s Rovuma Basin
could have a big impact on Mpumalanga’s economy.
The province is already equipped with energy and fuel
infrastructure and expertise.
The Liquefied Natural Gas Independent Power Producer Procurement
Programme (LNG IPPPP) is part of the broader programme of
the National Department of Mineral Resources and Energy which
encourages private investment in renewable energy, namely the
Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement
Programme (REIPPPP). The total allocated to gas-to-power in the
national power plan is 3 726MW, of which 3 000MW is for LNG.
The new gas from Mozambique could be shipped as liquefied
natural gas (LNG) to Maputo and continue from there to the Sasol
plant at Secunda via the existing Rompco pipeline.
The promoters of the Nkomazi Special Economic Zone believe
that the fact that the pipeline passes through the SEZ is a big selling
point. An alternative would be for the LNG to be shipped to Richards
Bay before being piped north.
Many of the big mining and manufacturing concerns in
Mpumalanga have long-term contracts for the supply of gas with big
gas companies. Afrox and Air Liquide are two of the biggest, with the
latter having 3 500 national customers, which include Sappi and Sasol.
International chemicals and energy company Sasol has several large
plants in Mpumalanga and plays a major role in the economy of
Mpumalanga. Sasol Gas is one of the four Sasol operations at Secunda,
Online Resources
Independent Power Producers Programme: www.ipp-projects.co.za
Petroleum Agency SA: www.petroleumagency.co.za
PetroSA: www.petrosa.co.za
supplying natural gas to Sasol
Synfuels and buying Sasol
Synfuels’ methane-rich pipeline
gas to sell to customers in
Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.
Sasol and the provincial government
have commissioned a
technical feasibility study for a
Petrochemical Technology Park
to be located in the province.
Sasol will be a key player
when national government
finalises policy on biofuels. Sasol
is already making 285 000kl of
absolute alcohol in ethanol from
sugar fermentation annually.
About 60-million litres of liquid
fuel is produced each day at
the coal-to-liquid plant run at
Secunda. Sasol has finished its
mine replacement programme
and feedstock is secure until the
year 2050.
Another part of the REIPPPP
covers the conversion of
biomass to energy. At Sappi’s
Ngodwana mill, a 25MW project
is underway.
Transnet Pipelines runs a
3 800km network of underground,
high-pressure petroleum
and gas pipelines
throughout the eastern parts
of South Africa. The company’s
sophisticated multi-product
pipeline (NMPP) between the
coast and Gauteng transports a
range of liquid products. ■
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
22
Water
National department steps in with tanks and trucks.
OVERVIEW
In response to the Covid-19 crisis, the National Department of Water
and Sanitation (DWS) delivered 500 water tanks and 56 water trucks to
several Mpumalanga municipalities. This was to ensure that residents
had a reliable supply of water to wash their hands and for drinking.
The Operations and Maintenance Division of Nafasi Water is
responsible for large water treatments plants at Middelburg and
eMalahleni. Nafasi is a rebranding of Aveng Water which was purchased
by Infinity Partners for R95-million in 2019. Infinity is owned by the
former Aveng Water CEO Suzie Nkambule and E-Squared Investments.
The Middelburg Water Reclamation Plant (MWRP) produces no
brine and avoids energy-intensive methods, a world first for a mine
water treatment plant. Phase 2 of the eMalahleni project produces
drinking water after treating mine water from one of the
collieries of Anglo American Thermal Coal. Rapid growth
in the Ehlanzeni District Municipality has persuaded the
Provincial Government of Mpumalanga to build a new
dam on the Crocodile River in the City of Mbombela.
Citizens of the Thembisile Hani Municipality will get
more immediate relief from water shortages with the
construction of a treatment plant on the Moses River.
Acting on a disturbing report published by the Centre
for Environmental Rights on the way some mining
companies are using water, a provincial Environmental
Management Committee has been appointed to
conduct environmental impact analysis and assess
climate change threats.
NuWater was contracted to reduce waste at the
water treatment plant for eMalahleni Municipality. An
ultra-filtration technology was used to reduce waste from 20Ml/day.
A total of 327 water infrastructure projects benefiting 350 259
households have been completed, with a further 165 sanitation
projects finalised. A bulk water supply system connecting villages
within the Bushbuckridge area has been completed. Rand Water has
taken over the operations of the Bushbuckridge Water Board.
A joint project with Eskom related to rain-water harvesting will
also create jobs. The Siyasebenza Job Creation Initiative is intended to
Online Resources
Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency:
www.iucma.co.za
Komati Basin Water Authority: www.kobwa.co.za
National Department of Water and Sanitation: www.dwa.gov.za
Water Research Commission: www.wrc.org.za
Image: Nafasi Water
Sector Insight
Nafasi Water is a recent
purchase for Infinity
Partners.
create 900 jobs in the Nkangala
District Municipality.
The Imkomati-Usuthu Catchment
Management Agency
covers Mpumalanga, parts
of Limpopo and part of the
Kingdom of Swaziland and is
responsible for water usage
issues relating to the following
river catchment areas: Sabie-
Sand, Crocodile, Komati,
Nwaswitsontso and Nwanedzi.
The Komati Basin Water
Authority (KOBWA) is an
important agency in controlling
water resources in the region.
Formed out of a cooperation
agreement between South
African and Swaziland, the
agency has built two large
dams and is responsible for their
upkeep. ■
23 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
FOCUS
Ensuring water for all
in Inkomati-Usuthu
The Green Scorpions protect the environment.
The Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management
Agency is responsible for several
functions related to water resources in the
Mpumalanga Province.
These include:
• Water resource planning
and operations.
• Real-time river operations.
• Adaptive operational
water resource management
framework.
• Water resource protection.
• Water resource utilisation. DR Thomas Gyedu-
• Public participation.
Ababio, CEO
The Green Scorpions explained
The Environmental Management Inspectorate
(EMI), commonly known to the public as the Green
Scorpions, are government officials (from national,
provincial and local government, including
the parks authorities and relevant government
entities) who are responsible for compliance
and enforcement activities with environmental
legislation. Simply put, the Green Scorpions
represent the environmental compliance and
enforcement capacity in respect of the National
Environment Management Act (NEMA) and
the Specific Environmental Management Acts.
According to the Department of Environment,
Forestry and Fisheries, the EMI must see to it that
environmental legislation is followed and enforced.
The EMIs have the powers to:
Investigate: question witnesses, inspect and
remove articles, take photographs and audiovisual
recordings, take samples and remove waste.
Inspect: enter premises to ascertain whether
legislation is being followed and seize evidence of
criminal activity.
Enforce: search premises, containers, vessels,
vehicles, aircraft and pack animals; seize evidence
and contraband; establish roadblocks and make
arrests.
Administer: issue compliance notices and
admission of guilt fines.
The EMIs are not empowered to prosecute cases
in court. All cases continue to be handed over
to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for
prosecution. The EMIs therefore work closely with
prosecutors country-wide to ensure the successful
prosecution of offenders.
The South African Police Service
The South African Police Service continues to
play a crucial role in enforcing environmental
legislation and EMIs work closely with the SAPS in
the investigation of environmental crimes. In terms
of the National Environment Management Act, all
police officers have the powers of an EMI.
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
24
Companies and the EMI
The biggest exposure most companies have is
from technical non-compliances with conditions
imposed in an Environmental Authorisation
(often called RoDs) issued in terms of NEMA or
similar permit conditions, such as the conditions
contained in a Waste Management Licence
issued in terms of the National Environmental
Management, Waste Act, 2008 and others.
For this reason, it is important to carefully
design an environmental management
programme to ensure awareness and ongoing
compliance with each of the conditions in any
authorisation which the company has. A further
exposure is undertaking a listed activity without an
environmental authorisation.
There have been a number of changes to the
activities which are listed over the years and it is
important for companies to keep up to date with
these changes and re-examine their operations
from time to time, especially when undertaking
any sort of expansion of an existing activity.
Issue of a Directive
The DEA also has empowered EMIs to issue
directives. Unlike a compliance notice, the
authorities may only issue a directive if they
believe that actions by the company are causing
pollution or other damage or degradation to the
environment. The obligation in the statutes is to
take reasonable measures to avoid such pollution
or damage. ■
Issue of a Compliance Notice
Where a company is failing to comply with a
permit condition or with some other provisions
of an environmental statute, a non-compliance
notice may be issued by the DEA. When issuing
a non-compliance notice, the DEA does not
have to believe there is any actual harm to the
environment from the transgression but simply
that there is non-compliance with a technical,
legally-binding requirement.
Contact details
Postal address: PO Box X11214, Nelspruit 1200
Physical address: MAXSA Building, 13 Streak
Street, Nelspruit. Tel: +27 13 753 9000
Email: information@iucma.co.za
Website: www.iucma.co.za
25 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
OVERVIEW
Mining
Afrimat is looking to expand into Mpumalanga.
Sector Insight
New investor Menar
has two coal mines
in the province.
Image: Anglo American Plc
Afrimat is listed on the JSE in the “Construction and Building
Materials” section, but the company has shown an appetite
for acquiring mines in order to diversify. In May 2020 Afrimat
made a bid for control of Unicorn Capital Partners (previously
Sentula Mining) which controls the Nkomati anthracite mine in Mpumalanga.
The mine, which is in the south-eastern corner of the province,
has proven resources of 8.7-million tons and upwards of 400 jobs
were created over the last two years. Local communities have a 16.1%
stake in the relaunched mine and the Mpumalanga Economic Growth
Agency (MEGA) holds 34%.
The private investment and management company Menar, which
is headquartered in Luxembourg, controls and manages two assets
in Mpumalanga through Canyon Coal and Sitatunga Resources.
Extension projects are underway or planned at Phalanndwa colliery
and De Wittekrans.
Other companies engaged in expansion of life-of-mine projects are
Pan African Resources and Evander (Elikhulu tailings), Exxaro Resources
(Leeuwpan) and South32, which is spending about R4.3-billion
at Klipspruit.
Mpumalanga accounts for 83% of South Africa’s coal production
and is the third-largest coal-exporting region in the world. Although
renewable energy is catching
on in South Africa, there is no
prospect of Mpumalanga’s
coal-fired power stations being
mothballed soon.
Mining’s contribution to
provincial GDP is 25.9% and the
sector employs 53 000 people.
Most of the province’s mining
companies are involved in
training. The Colliery Training
College (CTC) in Emalahleni
is owned by a consortium of
companies: Exxaro, Glencore,
Kanga Coal, South32 and
Izimbiwa Coal. The centre offers
a broad range of artisan training,
including auto electrician, fitting
and turning and millwrights. CTC
has been recognised as a leader
in artisan training by the National
Skills Authority.
Coal giant Exxaro, which
runs five mines in the province,
has committed R3.8-billion to
its Belfast project, an investment
that will create 1 160 jobs
and have an impact on the GDP
(over the life of the mine) of
R39-billion.
After Exxaro Coal Mpumalanga’s
transfer of its 50% stake
in the Arnot coal mine to
mineworkers at no cost, the
workers received a further 5%
“free-carry” because of the specifications
of Mining Charter III.
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
26
OVERVIEW
The mine thus becomes South
Africa’s first majority workerowned
mine. Wescoal is the
other shareholder and operator
of the mine.
The opening in 2019 of
Sasol’s Impumelelo Colliery
south-west of Secunda was the
final phase of an investment in
new coal mines to replace three
coal mines that had reached the
end of their lives. Sasol produces
40-million tons of coal annually.
Impumelelo, which will produce
8.5-million tons per year, cost
R5.6-billion to build.
Anglo American has sold its
thermal coal operations to Seriti,
which is therefore the secondlargest
provider of thermal coal
to Eskom, supplying almost a
quarter of the utility’s annual coal
requirements.
State coal company AEMFC
(African Exploration Mining &
Finance Corporation) runs a
colliery at Vlakfontein near Ogies
and is planning to develop
other projects. South32 has four
collieries and three processing
plants in the province. The
company has 4 860 full-time
employees and 4 400 contractors.
ArmCoal is a black-owned coal
company that arose out of a
deal between Xstrata Coal SA
and African Rainbow Minerals
Limited (51%).
Rich resources
Coal, platinum, gold and nickel
are the province’s major mineral
resources and all are still in
demand. South Africa produces
75% of the world’s platinum,
80% of its manganese, 73% of its
chrome and 45% of its vanadium.
Deposits of chromite, magnetite and vanadium are the basis of the
ferro-alloy complex in Witbank-Middelburg (in the District Municipality
of Nkangala) and Lydenburg (Mashishing).
Nkomati Mine was South Africa’s only pure-nickel operation before
it was decided to place it on care and maintenance in preparation of
closure. The underground mine was closed in 2015 and the open-pit
operation will close in 2020.
Stillwater Sibanye is the new owner of the Burnstone gold mine
near Balfour. Stonewall Resources runs the TGME Project, near the
towns of Pilgrim’s Rest and Sabie. Stonewall has ambitious targets of
going beyond production of 40 000 ounces from this and other historic
mines in the area.
Having taken full control of its Barberton mines, Pan African
improved its BEE position (Shanduka Gold is a 23.8% shareholder) and
set about increasing its annual gold output to 100 000 ounces. Platinum
is an important mineral for the modern economy. Two Rivers is a joint
venture between Implats (46%) and African Rainbow Minerals.
Northam Platinum, which
has assets on both limbs of the
Bushveld Igneous Complex, has
purchased the Everest mine
from Aquarius Platinum. Everest
is adjacent to Northam’s existing
Booysendal mine.
Jubilee Platinum has sold its
Smelting and Refining business
in Middelburg to Siyanda
Resources. Sylvania Platinum
now has seven PGM recovery
plants that extract chrome from
tailings on both sides of the
Bushveld Igneous Complex.
Lydenburg is home to the Lion ferrochrome smelter that is a joint
venture between Glencore and Merafe Resources. Assmang, the joint
venture between ARM Ferrous and the JSE-listed Assore, operates a
chrome mine (Dwarsrivier) and a ferrochrome plant where chrome
alloys are made.
The Manganese Metal Company (MMC) in Nelspruit is the largest
producer of pure electrolytic manganese in the world. MMC is owned
by Samancor (51%) and Bilston Investments owns the balance. ■
Online Resources
Colliery Training College: www.ctctraining.org
Minerals Council South Africa: www.mineralscouncil.org.za
National Department of Mineral Resources and Energy:
www.dmr.gov.za
South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy:
www.saimm.co.za
27 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
OVERVIEW
Manufacturing
Mpumalanga’s natural resources support a diverse manufacturing sector.
Columbus Stainless’ factory. Image: Columbus Stainless
F
rom steel to chemicals, petroleum and stainless steel to paper
and fruit juice, Mpumalanga makes a wide variety of products.
There is a distinct geographical divide. Fuel, petroleum and
chemical production occurs in the southern Highveld region
clustered around Sasol’s plants. The Sasol chemicals and liquid fluids
complex at Secunda is a vital component of Mpumalanga’s manufacturing
sector. The company has two propylene manufacturing plants
and recently completed two major investments aimed at improving
flows and expanding production.
Propylene is an input for polypropylene which is used in packaging,
automotive components and textiles. The market is growing in South
Africa at 4% per annum, roughly the same rate as the global market.
The northern Highveld area, including Middleburg and eMalahleni
(Witbank), is home to ferro alloy, steel and stainless-steel concerns.
In the Lowveld, agricultural and forestry products are processed
while Sappi’s giant mill is close to the company’s forests south-west of
the provincial capital, Mbombela.
Standerton has textile-manufacturing capacity in the form of
Standerton Mills. It is also home to several plants that use local raw
materials: Nestlé has an infant-cereal manufacturing plant, RCL runs
farms in the Carolina district and Early Bird is prominent. McCain and
Sector Insight
Food and forestry provide
the most jobs in the
manufacturing sector.
PepsiCo (Simba) have plants
that use the province’s plentiful
potato crop.
TSB Sugar runs two large
mills and produces fruit juices
through a subsidiary company.
Nelspruit is the centre of the
province’s food-processing
cluster. Approximately 70% of
jobs in the manufacturing sector
are in food and forestry.
A Social Enterprise Development
Programme has been
designed by the Provincial
Government of Mpumalanga
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
28
OVERVIEW
to assist township and rural
manufacturing businesses in
the steel fabrication sector. This
will include manufacturers of
finished products such as door
frames, window frames and
concrete products like paving
bricks, building bricks and blocks.
A key objective of the provincial
government’s Mpumalanga
Economic Growth and Development
Path (MEGDP) is to
expand the industrial base of the
provincial economy. To do this,
policy-makers are focusing on
beneficiation, agri-processing
and value chain development.
A large agri-processing fruit
hub is planned for the province.
Located in the Nkomazi Special
Economic Zone, the proposed
hub, with an estimated value of
R10-billion, would deal with the
whole value chain from growing
fruit through to processing,
marketing and logistics. Having
manufacturing facilities at the
core of the hub will enable
a variety of businesses to be
established, both upstream
(to supply the plant) and
downstream (to deal with the
products of the plant).
Steel
Middelburg-based Columbus
Stainless is a major supplier of
stainless-steel products to the
domestic and international
market. About 25% of the
company’s production is sold
domestically. The South African
steel industry has endured tough
times. According to the South
African Iron and Steel Institute
(SAISI), the sector has shown
virtually no growth since 2013.
The country produces about six-million tons annually, but costs are
high and domestic demand is low. The industry has important strategic
value and has about 190 000 employees. Creative thinking kicked in
when Highveld Steel’s troubles reached a tipping point in 2015. Aside
from the business rescue process, the 1 000ha property has been repurposed
as a multi-purpose site for industry and commerce. Called
the Highveld Industrial Park, the project promotes a wide range of
manufacturing enterprises.
Stockpiles of coal and vanadium are being sold off, but two iron
plants and a steel plant offer fully-equipped metallurgical and steelmaking
facilities, supported by environmental monitoring services and
metallurgical and chemical laboratories.
The structural mill of Evraz Highveld Steel in Witbank was officially
relaunched in June 2017 after ArcelorMittal South Africa signed a
contract to supply blooms and slabs for the mill to make into heavy
structural steel. The two-year contract had an option to renew
but ArcelorMittal took the alternative option in July 2019 when it
announced its intention to buy the mill.
Samancor Chrome (which runs Ferrometals) is the second-largest
ferrochrome producer in the world with three plants, two of which are
in Mpumalanga: eMalahleni (Witbank) and Middelburg.
Metals and machinery
The presence of Ferrometals (a Samancor company) in eMalahleni
means that Mpumalanga is an important place for metals and
machinery manufacturing. It produces charge chrome and is one
of the largest ferrochome plants in the world. Joint ventures such as
Crometals, Poschrome and Elkem Ferroveld operate from the site.
In the course of an upgrade, FLSmidth has also doubled the size of
its Delmas Supercentre to 10 500m². The company makes equipment
for materials handling and mineral processing. The centre also hosts a
training facility and handles repairs for customers.
In Middelburg, Thos Begbie makes a variety of products at its
heavy engineering works. Graphite Freezeline Solutions opened a new
graphite facility within the Begbie property in 2018. Thos Begbie has
announced an expansion into Zambia, where it will service and repair
furnace components.
The Manganese Metal Company in Nelspruit is the largest producer
of pure electrolytic manganese metal in the world. Delta EMD, in the
same town, is one of the biggest producers of electrolytic manganese
dioxide, a material used in the manufacture of alkaline batteries. ■
Online Resources
Highveld Industrial Park: www.highveldindustrialpark.co.za
Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency: www.mega.gov.za
South African Iron and Steel Institute: www.saisi.co.za
29 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
FOCUS
Columbus Stainless
The future of manufacturing.
Columbus Stainless, a member of the Spanish
based Acerinox SA Group of Companies,
is South Africa’s and Africa’s only
producer of stainless-steel flat products.
Founded in 1966, Columbus Stainless is the only
fully integrated, technologically advanced, single
site stainless-steel producer in Africa. The plant
based in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, produces a
wide range of Austenitic, Ferritic, Utility and Duplex
grades of stainless steel suitable for most applications
and has melting capacity of 1 000 000 tons
per annum to supply stainless-steel flat products
(coils, plates and sheets) to various final customers,
distributors, engineering shops and mines globally
(in Africa, Europe, the United States, Asia, etc).
The company supports the livelihoods of
1 300 employees and 600 contractors. Through its
BBBEE programme, Columbus Stainless actively
promotes doing business with small, medium and
micro enterprises (SMMEs) owned or controlled by
black entrepreneurs who are able to supply quality
products and services in a timely and competitive
manner. These businesses have created more than
100 sustainable jobs in the last five years.
Columbus produces many grades of stainless
steel, which include the three main families of
stainless-steel grades:
Columbus Stainless’ factory.
• Austenitic Grades: Popular grades include
304 and 316 which are used in applications
demanding high hygienic and cleanability
properties such as equipment used in dairy
processing and meat-handling, water storage
tanks; catering and hospitality (cooking utensils,
food processing equipment, cold storage) and
healthcare industries.
• Duplex Grades: These include 2304 and 2205
which are used in the chemical, petrochemical
and mining industries due to their excellent
corrosion resistance properties in very harsh
conditions for various types of processing
equipment and holding tanks.
• Ferritic Grades: Popular grades include 430
and 441 which are used in general kitchenware
and catering applications as well as automotive
applications, ranging from exhaust systems to
highly visible trim. The ferritic grades also include
the very versatile and popular 3CR12®.
3CR12® is a low-cost utility ferritic stainless
steel developed by Columbus Stainless and
used widely throughout the South African
mining industry as a cost-effective solution to
mild corrosion environments in a wide range
of structural applications. It offers excellent
properties in sliding wet-abrasion conditions due
to its superior corrosion resistance and slideability
characteristics when compared to carbon steels.
Applications are widespread and include materials
handling environments in mines and coal wash
plants. It is used for applications such as ore cars
and wagons, chutes and launders as well as shaft
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
30
steel work, chimney stacks, ducting, roofing and
cladding (most commonly poultry and piggery
buildings), walkways including grating, hand rails,
stairs, electrical boxes and security fencing. It is
also widely used in sewage processing plants and
municipal water storage tanks.
Mpumalanga boasts a wide variety of large
industries, including power generation, mining,
farming and manufacturing. To support these
diverse industries throughout South Africa, the
steel industry lies at the helm. Stainless steel has
proven itself as a multi-functional and adaptable
metal of choice and has proven successful and
offers great value to the manufacturing industry.
The manufacturing industry as a whole is under
great strain, especially in this tough economic
climate. With this in mind, one has to consider the
financial attributes of any project, structure or
equipment. Life-cycle costing is therefore an
invaluable tool that takes into consideration the
initial material cost, fabrication costs, maintenance
and refurbishment costs, lost production costs
due to downtime and possible replacement cost
over a defined product’s lifespan. Stainless steels
generally have higher input cost compared to
some competing materials, yet they are proving to
be the most cost-effective long-term choice. The
case study related to coal rail wagons in the South
African market clearly illustrates these principles.
Case study: coal wagons
In 1985, trial coal wagons were manufactured out
of 3CR12 material in the hot rolled and annealed
(HRA) surface finish. These wagons are used to
transport coal between Ermelo and Richards
Bay. They have a payload of 80 tons and make
the journey roughly five times a week. Before
3CR12, the wagons were made from Cor-Ten,
but these only lasted 8-12 years, with refurbishment
required after five years.
Over the years, inspections of these coal wagons
have been conducted after 27 years of service.
Such a study was done in 2012. The wall thickness
of these coal wagons was measured using accurate
ultrasonic measurement equipment. The mild-steel
wagons recorded corrosion-abrasion wear loss of
160 micrometres per annum (160μ/yr). This is
attributed to the surface rust or iron oxide being
removed, exposing fresh steel. The fresh steel in an
oxidising environment reverts back to its natural
iron-oxide state, forming a continuous corrosion
cycle. Compared to mild steel, stainless steel forms
a very thin, tenacious oxide layer which gives it its
characteristic corrosion resistance. The metal loss
of 10μ/yr was recorded for 3CR12 wagons in this
application. From these measurements, 3CR12 coal
wagons in this environment have a predicted total
life of 65 years. Mild-steel wagons would have to be
replaced eight times in this time period, increasing
costs and potential lost production time.
As the country grapples for sustainable
infrastructure development for the future in
energy, water and sanitation, transport, digital
infrastructure, human settlements, agriculture and
agroprocessing, stainless steel is the material of
choice due to its durability, low maintenance and
sustainability.
Columbus Stainless is proud to have contributed
to the development of this material over five
decades and will continue to do so as Africa and
the world continues to grow. Indeed, the future of
manufacturing is Stainless. ■
31 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
OVERVIEW
Transport and logistics
Mpumalanga is the country’s busiest rail province.
There is more freight rail traffic in Mpumalanga than in any
other province. This is principally because of the transport of
coal, but there are also large volumes of chrome, ferrochrome,
forestry products, chemicals, liquid fuels and general freight.
The Balfour North to Volksrust section of the Gauteng to Durban
mainline carries the largest volumes, most of which is long-haul
freight passing through the province. The busiest internal provincial
Transnet Freight Rail section is the Maputo Corridor which runs west
to east from Pretoria to Maputo.
Despite these high rail volumes, a huge amount of mineral
product (mainly coal) is transported by truck around and out of
the province. This puts immense pressure on Mpumalanga’s roads
network, particularly in the Gert Sibande District and the Nkangala
District. Road improvement plans aim to simultaneously fix rural
roads and make better connections between rural and urban areas.
The statistics relating to coal haulage in Mpumalanga are
stupendous. In one 12-hour period, 34 198 tons of general freight
were recorded for the section of the N4 highway between Nelspruit
and Komatipoort. On the R50, Leandra to Standerton, the volume
was 25 615 tons (Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads
and Transport). Mactransco’s website states that its trucks serving
Tshikondeni Coal Mine travel 3.7-million kilometres per year, working
Sector Insight
Coal haulage companies
truck vast quantities
every day.
all day for six days a week.
The fleet of ABF Legend Logistics,
a Super Group company,
contains more than 200 superlink
coal haulage trucks while
another company in the group,
SG Coal, claims to have one
of the biggest fleets of coal
haulage trucks in Africa. Coal
Tipper Resources operates out
of Bethal.
The South African National
Roads Agency (Sanral) has
presented its long-term vision,
Horizon 2030, as part of its
contribution to the National
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
32
OVERVIEW
Development Plan 2030.
Road improvements which
have boosted the transport
infrastructure of Mpumalanga
include the upgrades to the
R570 (linking Malelane on
the N4 to Swaziland), the N11
(Hendrina-Middelburg) and part
of the vital R573 Moloto Road,
which carries huge volumes of
traffic to Gauteng and Limpopo.
Sanral’s three-year plan for the
R573 allocates R1-billion to
the project.
A clause in Sanral’s contract
ensures that small companies
are involved. Raubex Construction
has formed a joint venture
with Biz Afrika, Khuluphala
Tradings and Themolo Business
Enterprise.
The R573 forms part of
the Moloto Corridor, which
connects the province with
Gauteng Province. The longterm
aim is to create a coordinated
road and rail corridor
including rapid rail facilities. With
about 50 000 motor vehicles
using the route every day, it is
one of the busiest parts of South
Africa’s road network. The plan to
upgrade the corridor is one of 18
national Strategic Infrastructure
Projects (SIPs).
The first phase of the
Moloto Corridor Development
Programme, which involves the
upgrading of road infrastructure
is nearly complete. Accidents
have been reduced as a result of
the R3.7-billion first phase.
A new flight has been
added to SA Airlink’s connections
between Limpopo and
Cape Town. In addition to
the regular early-morning
flights out of Nelspruit Kruger
Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) with a late-afternoon
return flight, an early morning Saturday flight has been added. This
leaves Nelspruit KMIA at 7h40 and arrives in Cape Town at 10h05
and is targeted at the leisure traveller.
Nelspruit KMIA is the province’s main airport, serving both
the capital and being a convenient entry point to the southern
part of Kruger National Park. Airlink has direct flights to and from
Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Livingstone in Zimbabwe.
Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport is a popular destination for travellers
on their way to private game lodges and is also near the Orpen Gate of
Kruger Park. Middelburg Airfield is one of the larger alternate airports in
the province, boasting a 1.9km runway that can accommodate a 737.
The annual Middelburg Air Show is held in June. Many game lodges
have airstrips and helipads. SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service operates
out of the old Nelspruit airport just south of the city.
The Maputo Development Corridor is Africa’s most advanced
spatial development initiative (SDI) comprising road and rail
infrastructure, border posts, and port and terminal facilities. Run
by the Maputo Development Corridor Logistics Initiative (MCLI),
the corridor runs from just outside Pretoria in Gauteng, through
Witbank, Middelburg and Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, and on to
Maputo in Mozambique.
Rail
An infrastructural development that should boost trade is Transnet’s
planned Swaziland Rail Link (SwaziLink) project. A 146km railway line
between Lothair in Mpumalanga and Sidvokodvo in Swaziland will
allow for better movement of freight between the countries and
provide an alternative route for freight to Richards Bay.
Transnet Freight Rail is the main operator and the chief freight
movements are coal, fuel, chemicals, timber, iron and chrome ore,
fruit, maize, animal feed, wholesale and retail goods, steel, building
supplies, fertiliser and consumer goods. The port of Maputo in
Mozambique is an attractive option for freight. The coal terminal at
Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal receives the majority of the coal that is
mined in the province.
Private rail operators Sheltam service the coal mining and
ferrochrome-metal industries from regional headquarters in Witbank.
The company runs systems, hauls raw materials and rebuilds and
refurbishes locomotives. ■
Online Resources
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport: www.kmiairport.co.za
Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative: www.mcli.co.za
Middelburg Airfield: http://middelburgaeroclub.com
Railroad Association of South Africa: www.rra.co.za
South African National Roads Agency Ltd: www.sanral.co.za
33 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
OVERVIEW
Tourism
Tourism makes up 7% of provincial GDP.
Sector Insight
Andover Nature Reserve
is at the centre of a Game
Triangle.
Kruger National Park. Image: Wikipedia
The importance of tourism to the economy of Mpumalanga
cannot be overstated. It makes up approximately 7% of provincial
gross domestic product (GDP) and is a major source
of employment. The effect of the Covid-19 epidemic will be
strongly felt. The total number of international tourists increased by
about 100 000 between 2017 and 2018 (to 1.6-million). The key source
countries were Mozambique, eSwatini, the USA, Germany and the
United Kingdom. Domestic tourism did even better in 2018, rising to
2.9-million, compared to 2.2-million in 2017.
The Kruger National Park is Mpumalanga’s most famous tourism
asset and it falls under South African National Parks (SANParks).
Other notable landmarks include God’s Window and the Blyde
River Canyon but there are several noteworthy sites run by the
provincial government.
Among these provincial assets is Andover Nature Reserve, which is
tucked into a game triangle with Timbavati and Thornybush reserves
nearby to the north, Sabi Sands to the south and the Orpen Gate to the
east leading to the mid-section of the Kruger Park. The Manyeleti Game
Reserve, another provincial park, is 15km away within the Kruger Park.
Andover Nature Reserve is a bushveld conservancy. It has all the
plains game but no elephants or
big cats. Self-catering lodges and
caravan sites are available.
The province’s newest asset
is in fact ancient. A three-billionyear-old
micro-fossil found in
the Makhonjwa Mountains near
Barberton and the border with
Swaziland is thought to be the
oldest sign of life on the planet.
The Makhonjwa Mountains,
themselves somewhere between
3.2-billion and 3.6-billion years
old, have been declared a World
Heritage Site by the United
Nations Educational‚ Scientific
and Cultural Organisation
(UNESCO). The tourist area in
the vicinity of Barberton is now
the Genesis Route.
This brings to 10 the number
of World Heritage Sites in
South Africa and opens up the
possibility of a new type of niche
tourism for Mpumalanga. Funds
for conservation of the area will
be made available from the
World Heritage Fund.
Although the province
already caters for motor-rally
enthusiasts, cyclists, runners,
walkers, fishers, horse-riders, treegliders,
abseilers, white-water
rafters and rock climbers, there is
still potential for more investment
in the ecotourism and adventure
tourism subsectors.
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
34
OVERVIEW
Thebe Tourism has three
projects in the province, the
Kruger Shalati (a luxury train
on the Selati Bridge), the Blyde
Canyon Community Project and
a proposed development for
Lisbon Estate which is adjacent
to Kruger Park. The Lisbon
development will comprise two
hotels, retail, hospitality and
dining facilities and staff housing.
At Blyde Canyon, Thebe has
signed an agreement with local
communities with land claims in
the Blyde River Canyon Nature
Reserve which will involve them
as shareholders in the new
developments. God’s Window is
to receive a Skywalk, the facilities
at Bourke’s Luck Potholes will be
rejuvenated, a cable car project
is planned for Three Rondavels
and another hotel is planned to
boost accommodation options
in the area.
The Provincial Government
of Mpumalanga is looking for
more private partners to invest
in a range of ambitious projects
to boost an already active
sector that has several superb
tourism assets, ranging from
Kudu at Andover NR
about 70 parks and reserves to bird-watching, music festivals,
motor-car rallies and casinos.
The provincial investment agency, MEGA, has packaged many
tourism investment opportunities. The underlying principle is a form
of public-private partnership where the agency would assist in getting
land-use and other legal requirements, and perhaps in seeing that
basic infrastructure was laid on, then the developer would build and
manage a tourism facility.
Protea Hotels by Marriott has three properties in Mpumalanga,
including Protea Hotel Kruger Gate, Nelspruit and Hazyview. At White
River, Premier Hotel The Winkler is 20 minutes’ drive from the Numbi
Gate of the Kruger National Park.
Tsogo Sun has six hotels in the province, ranging from two
StayEasys to Southern Sun The Ridge, which is attached to the Ridge
Casino in Witbank (eMalahleni). Tsogo runs a further two resorts in
Hazyview (Sabi River Sun Resort) and White River (Pine Lake Resort).
Forever Resorts has a big presence in the province, catering to many
caravans and campers and holiday-makers wanting to stay in chalets.
There is also a four-star Forever Resorts Mount Sheba. The Graceland
Hotel Casino and Country Club is a Peermont resort in Secunda.
Training
A graduation ceremony in early 2020 saw 289 young people complete
a year-long hospitality learnership with an NQF Level 3 CATHSSETAaccredited
National Certificate in Fast Food Services.
These were members of Mpumalanga Hospitality Youth Training
Programme (HYTP), a programme that opens up career opportunities
within the local tourism sector in fields such as catering, hotel
and accommodation management, restaurateur and other food
services, general tourism and guide services, adventure and leisure
facilities and local cultural and heritage tours.
The Hazyview Project is an offshoot of the Travel and Tourism
Excellence Academy. The programme is jointly sponsored by Amadeus,
a travel technology company, Economic Development Solutions and
the Thebe Tourism Group.
Hazyview is near the Kruger National Park and the students
are expected to be employed at a new hotel at Skukuza when they
graduate. The Good Work Foundation (GWF) is running the programme
at its Hazyview Digital Campus, in partnership with the South Africa
College of Tourism. ■
Online Resources
Mpumalanga Gaming Board: www.mgb.org.za
Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency: www.mtpa.co.za
South African National Parks: www.sanparks.co.za
South African Tourism: www.southafrica.net
South African Tourism Services Association: www.satsa.com
35 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
OVERVIEW
Banking and financial services
Banking customers are being offered more choice.
All of the big retail banks (Nedbank, Absa, Standard Bank, Capitec
and First National Bank) are present in the province’s major
towns. Agriculture is an important focus area for banks, and
most have specialised divisions such as Nedbank Agribusiness.
TWK Agri offers financing and insurance together with the usual
suite of agricultural services. Afgri, one of the country’s biggest
agricultural companies, offers financial services (financing and
insurance) under the brand Unigro.
Another source of funding for farmers is the Land and Agricultural
Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank), a development-finance
institution that falls under the Ministry of Finance.
In 2017 Tyme Digital received a licence to run a bank. By early 2019,
TymeBank was available in 500 Pick n Pay and Boxer stores and more
than 50 000 customers around South Africa had an account. Tyme
stands for Take Your Money Everywhere and refers to the fact that the
bank does not have a branch network. The bank is targeting the lowerincome
segment and promises speedy transaction and approval times.
Second to market among the country’s new banks was Discovery
Bank, which officially launched in March 2019. Discovery Bank applies
the behavioural model it uses in its health business to reward good
financial behaviour.
The revitalised African Bank, which was put under curatorship in
2014 by the Reserve Bank, is making a play for new customers with an
interesting offering that does not rely so much on digital wizardry as
on presenting the customer with enhanced banking facilities.
African Bank has created an account that allows up to five
additional accounts to be set up in the name of the main account. Fees
are only charged for drawing cash or at the time of a transaction. There
are no monthly fees for any of the accounts which can be either for
saving or transactional. Each user has his or her own card and monies
can be moved between accounts, ideal for families.
Sanlam has entered two partnerships in the insurance market.
African Rainbow Life has launched life cover policies in the lowand
middle-income market, in association with Sanlam and African
Rainbow Capital. Sanlam is also in a venture with Capitec. In 2019
Financial Mail quoted Capitec CEO Gerrie Fourie saying that the bank
was selling 3 000 funeral policies a day.
Online Resources
Financial Sector Conduct Authority: www.fsca.co.za
Public Investment Corporation: www.pic.gov.za
South African Reserve Bank: www.resbank.co.za
Sector Insight
African Bank is competing
for new customers.
eMbalenhle has a new
Ubank branch. Situated at the
Mall@Emba, the branch will
serve customers from Secunda
and other areas such as those
that used to bank at a branch
at the Kinross mine, which has
been closed.
Ubank, eMbalenhle
In line with modern trends
towards digital banking, the new
Ubank branch has internal and
external facing digital walls. The
screens promote new products
and campaigns, give customers
information and provide
financial education. A feature
that is designed to support local
artists is the Feature Wall.
Banks are working hard to
offer products to the previously
unbanked. Nedbank has
partnerships with shops such
as Boxer Stores and Pick n Pay
where customers can have
access to financial services in
previously unserviced areas. ■
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
36
Education and training
Robotics and Coding are now part of teacher training.
OVERVIEW
Image: Sasol Foundation
Agroup of Mpumalanga teachers has had the opportunity to
train as master teachers for Robotics and Coding, courtesy
of Sasol. The Sasol Foundation has also donated multimedia
resources for teachers and pupils in Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
An amount of R40-million was allocated by the Mpumalanga
Provincial Government for the 2020/21 financial year in support of the
Youth Development Fund, which was seeded the previous year with
funding of R10-million.
The Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust (MRTT) is a Section 21
company with several sites in the province, including a Hospitality and
Tourism Academy at Karino outside Nelspruit. The trust’s constructiontraining
facility is accredited as a Construction Centre of Excellence. The
Southern African Wildlife College is located near the Orpen Gate on the
edge of the Kruger National Park.
A public-private partnership, MRTT intends increasing graduate
numbers and is aiming for 50 000 young people to be trained
in courses such as plumbing, painting, electrical, bricklaying and
plastering in the three years to 2023.
A provincial bursary scheme has assisted more than 3 334 students
who are studying in fields such as medicine, veterinary science,
information technology, aviation, education and engineering. The
artisan development programme in partnership with Hydra Arc is
progressing well, with Sasol having committed to taking on all qualified
Online Resources
Mpumalanga Department of Education:
www.mpumalanga.gov.za/education
Sasol bursaries: www.sasolbursaries.com
Southern African Wildlife College: www.wildlifecollege.org.za
University of Mpumalanga: www.ump.ac.za
Sector Insight
R40-million has been
allocated to the Youth
Development Fund.
apprentices from the academy
in Secunda.
The University of Mpumalanga
enrolled 3 220 students
in 2019, a marked increase on
quiet beginnings in 2014 when
the university started life with
167 students. The university has
added bachelor’s degrees in
arts and commerce to its initial
offering of academic courses
in education and agriculture
and a diploma in hospitality.
Geology will soon be offered as
part of a BSc. The main campus
is at Mbombela with satellites at
Siyabuswa (a former education
college) and KaNyamazane,
which hosts hospitality studies.
Mpumalanga has three
Technical and Vocational
Education and Training (TVET)
Colleges, with an enrolment of
over 36 000. UNISA, the Tshwane
University of Technology and the
Vaal University of Technology
also have satellite campuses in
the province.
A sixth rural boarding school,
Thaba Chweu Boarding School
in the Ehlanzeni District, has
opened and a further six are due
for construction. These schools
make access to education easier
for rural children who would
otherwise have to travel long
distances. ■
37 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
OVERVIEW
Development finance
and SMME support
Entrepreneurship training is offered at new youth centres.
Entrepreneurship Development is one of the subjects on offer
at 90 Youth Development Centres which are being established
throughout Mpumalanga. Other courses include accredited training
in computer skills and life skills, with workshops on job preparedness
and career guidance. The centres are part of Mpumalanga’s response
to the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention Programme.
The Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA) is the
implementing agent of the provincial government’s SMME support
Image: Seda
policy. An agreement has been
signed by Standard Bank and
MEGA to launch an SME Fund
with a capitalisation of R500-
million. MEGA has also overseen
the rehabilitation of industrial
premises in former homelands
and formed partnerships with
financial institutions for funding.
Examples of township businesses
supported by the Department of Economic Development
and Tourism (DEDET) are an agreement with Sumitomo Rubber
SA to promote local tyre enterprises and financial support for the
commissioning of a sanitary towel plant by the Ntirhisano Sanitary
Worker Co-operative in Bushbuckridge (and support for business
development and access to market).
Research done by the Small Enterprise Development Agency
(Seda) shows that a high percentage of SMMEs in Mpumalanga are in
the trade and accommodation sector. Whereas the national figure is
about 43%, in Mpumalanga it is closer to 50%.
Seda supports several incubators in the province: Furntech,
furniture manufacturing, White River; Mobile Agri-Skills Development
& Training (MASDT), agricultural training, Nelspruit;
Mpumalanga Stainless Initiative (MSI), stainless steel processing,
Middelburg (with Columbus Stainless); Timbali, floriculture,
Online Resources
Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency: www.mega.gov.za
Mpumalanga Stainless Initiative: www.mpstainless.co.za
National Department of Small Business Development:
www.dsbd.gov.za
Small Enterprise Development Agency: www.seda.org.za
Sector Insight
Trade and accommodation
are leaders in SMME
employment.
Nelspruit; Ehlanzeni TVET College
Rapid Incubator Renewable
Technologies, Nelspruit.
Seda is a subsidiary of
the National Department of
Small Business Development
(DSBD). Seda is not a financial
agency, focussing rather on
training and administrative
support, although the agency
will help SMMEs get in touch
with financial bodies. Assistance
by Seda with a business plan
was the spur that helped Renabo
Plastics Moulders and Furniture
(pictured) get access to financing
which led to growth in turnover
and the addition of three new
staff members.
Sappi’s long-term Ngodwana
mill project will spend more than
R600-million on procuring goods
and supplies from broad-basedblack-economic-empowered
companies, of which R51-million
will go to SMMEs.
Other companies supporting
SMMEs through their buying
chain include Woolworths and
Anglo American. Woolworths
funds TechnoServe to ensure
that small tomato growers can
grow produce that will meet
the demanding standards of the
retailer, and to help them expand
production.
Anglo American’s Zimele
runs four enterprise development
and investment funds.
Zimele runs hubs related
to the supply chains of platinum,
thermal coal and, with
Mondi, forestry. ■
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
38
Mpumalanga Local
Government
A guide to district and local municipalities in Mpumalanga.
LISTING
EHLANZENI DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
Physical address: 8 Van Niekerk Street,
Nelspruit 1201
Postal address: PO Box 3333, Nelspruit 1200
Tel: +27 13 004 0291 | Fax: +27 13 759 8539
Website: www.ehlanzeni.gov.za
Bushbuckridge Local Municipality
Tel: +27 13 004 0291 | Fax: +27 13 799 1865
Website: www.bushbuckridge.gov.za
City of Mbombela Local Municipality
Tel: +27 13 759 9111 | Fax: +27 13 759 2070
Website: www.mbombela.gov.za
Nkomazi Local Municipality
Tel: +27 13 790 0245 | Fax: +27 13 790 0886
Website: www.nkomazi.gov.za
Thaba Chweu Local Municipality
Tel: +27 13 235 7300 | Fax: +27 13 235 1108
Website: www.tclm.co.za
GERT SIBANDE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
Physical address: Cnr Joubert and Oosthuise
streets, Ermelo 2350
Postal address: PO Box 1748, Ermelo 2350
Tel: +27 17 801 7000 | Fax: +27 17 811 1207
Website: www.gsibande.gov.za
Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality
Tel: +27 17 843 4000 | Fax: +27 17 843 4001
Website: www.albertluthuli.gov.za
Dipaleseng Local Municipality
Tel: +27 17 773 0055 | Fax: +27 17 773 0169
Website: www.dipaleseng.gov.za
Govan Mbeki Local Municipality
Tel: +27 17 620 6000 | Fax: +27 17 634 8019
Website: www.govanmbeki.gov.za
Lekwa Local Municipality
Tel: +27 17 712 9600 | Fax: +27 17 712 6808
Website: www.lekwalm.gov.za
Mkhondo Local Municipality
Tel: +27 87 630 0180 | Fax: +27 17 826 3129
Website: www.mkhondo.gov.za
Msukaligwa Local Municipality
Tel: +27 17 801 3500 | Fax: +27 17 801 3851
Website: www.msukaligwa.gov.za
Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Local Municipality
Tel: +27 17 734 6100 | Fax: 086 630 2209
NKANGALA DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
Physical address: 2A Walter Sisulu Street,
Middelburg 1055
Postal address: PO Box 437, Middelburg 1050
Tel: +27 13 249 2000 | Fax: +27 13 249 2056
Website: www.nkangala.gov.za
Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality
Tel: +27 13 973 1101 | Fax: +27 13 973 0974
Website: www.moroka.gov.za
Emakhazeni Local Municipality
Tel: +27 13 253 7600 | Fax: +27 13 253 2440
Website: www.emakhazeni.gov.za
eMalahleni Local Municipality
Tel: +27 13 690 6911 | Fax: +27 13 690 6207
Website: www.emalahleni.gov.za
Steve Tshwete Local Municipality
Tel: +27 13 249 7000 | Fax: +27 13 243 2550
Website: www.stlm.gov.za
Thembisile Hani Local Municipality
Tel: +27 13 986 9100 | Fax: +27 13 986 0995
Website: www.thembisilehanilm.gov.za
Victor Khanye Local Municipality
Tel: +27 13 665 6000 | Fax: +27 13 665 2913
Website: www.victorkhanyelm.gov.za
39 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
INDEX
INDEX
Africa Biomass Company (ABC) ...................................................................................................................... 3, 9
Columbus Stainless ..............................................................................................................................................5, 30
Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency ….....................................................................24
Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) …..................................................IBC
MTN....................................................................................................................................................................................IFC
Nedbank .................................................................................................................................................................. 12-15
SA Airlink...................................................................................................................................................................... OBC
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21
40
er Lowveld Chamber
siness and Tourism
Kruger Lowveld Chamber
of Business and Tourism
PROFILE
PROFILE
f business
The voice
in Ehlanzeni.
of business in Ehlanzeni.
The voice of business in Ehlanzeni.
he official As representative the official body representative of business body of and business tourism and tourism in in
Kruger Lowveld (Ehlanzeni District), our main mandates
e Kruger Lowveld
As the official representative body of business tourism in
are
(Ehlanzeni
to promote
District),
the region
our
as a
main
tourism
mandates
the Kruger Lowveld (Ehlanzeni District), main and investment
mandates
to promote the are destination, to region promote as to the provide a region tourism a as diverse a tourism and suite and of investment networking destination,
opportunities a to diverse provide for our a suite diverse members, of suite and of networking to represent and mar-
speak
and
stination, marketing to provide
keting on behalf opportunities of the business for our and members, tourism community and to represent of our area. and speak We do
portunities
on this behalf
for
by building
our
of the
members,
business and maintaining and
and
tourism
to
meaningful
represent
community relationships
and
of our
speak
area. We with do all
the business this spheres by and building of government tourism and maintaining community as well as meaningful like-minded of our relationships area. organisations, We do with and all by
ing and
spheres acting maintaining as of liaison government between meaningful
as these well as entities like-minded
relationships and the organisations, business with community. all
and by
acting KLCBT’s as president liaison between is Mr Oupa these Pilane entities (pictured). and the business community.
overnment KLCBT’s as well president as like-minded is Mr Oupa Pilane organisations, (pictured). and by
son between these entities and the business community.
Area of of operation
ident is Mr Oupa Pilane (pictured).
The The Kruger Kruger Lowveld Lowveld covers covers the the Ehlanzeni Ehlanzeni District District of of Mpumalanga,
Mpumalanga,
including
including
the
the
following
following
local
local
municipalities:
municipalities:
City
City
of
of
Mbombela,
Mbombela,
Thaba
Thaba
on large shopping chains,
eration
Chweu,
Chweu, Nkomazi
Nkomazi
and
and
Bushbuckridge,
Bushbuckridge,
as
as
well
well
as
as
the
the
southern
southern
part
part
of
engaging large chains to buy
of Kruger National Park and the surrounding private nature reserves. local and to spend their CSI
Kruger National Park and the surrounding private nature reserves. Promote home-grown businesses
budgets locally.
through education processes, research,
maintaining a database,
Lowveld
Member
covers the
benefits
Ehlanzeni District of Mpumalanga,
Member benefits
Local Economic Development:
We are assisting with
e following lobbying for stricter regulations
Listing local on municipalities: website, Pay-to-Play City participation of Mbombela, in various Thaba marketing
on large shopping chains, engaging
large chains
mazi and services Bushbuckridge, and projects, as weekly well newsletter, as the southern invitations part to all of KLCBT incubation in seven main
events,
Listing on
advocacy
website,
and
Pay-to-Play
representations
participation
made
in various
by KLCBT
marketing
on behalf
services
of corridors, mainly
to
adding
buy local
additional
tourism products.
and
nal Park and projects, the surrounding weekly newsletter, private invitations nature to all KLCBT reserves. events, advocacy and Promote to spend home-grown their CSI budgets businesses
members, access to preferential arrangements negotiated by KLCBT
locally.
with representations service providers, made by KLCBT brochure on behalf display of members, at Crossing access Centre to preferential office, through Local Economic education Development: processes, research,
Anti-corruption: maintaining a Several database,
various arrangements sponsorship negotiated options, by KLCBT access with service to tender providers, information. brochure We display are at We are assisting with incubation
Crossing Centre office, various sponsorship options, access to tender information. in seven main corridors, mainly
enefits
actively involved in the following advocacy campaigns:
successful initiatives reduced
lobbying roadside adding for corruption. additional stricter regulations
tourism
Service We are actively delivery: involved in the following advocacy campaigns: on large products. shopping chains, engaging
large chains to buy local and
Public Service participation delivery: Public in participation various forums in various where forums government where government engages Water: Anti-corruption: Bulk-water supply Several faces
bsite, Pay-to-Play in various marketing services
with engages stakeholders with stakeholders regarding regarding budgets, budgets, planning planning and and legislation.
a successful future crisis initiatives and lobbying reduced for
weekly newsletter, Promote home-grown invitations to businesses all KLCBT through events, education advocacy processes, and to spend the roadside increase their corruption. of CSI storage budgets capacity locally.
s made by research, CONTACT KLCBT maintaining on DETAILS behalf of a database, members, lobbying access for to stricter preferential regulations Local is Water: beginning Economic Bulk-water to show Development:
supply success. faces a
future crisis and lobbying for the
negotiated Contact Physical by KLCBT details address: with service KLCBT providers, House, Crossing brochure Centre, display Nelspruit at We are assisting with incubation
Roads increase and of public storage attractions: capacity is
e office, various Postal sponsorship address: Private options, Bag access X 11326, to Nelspruit tender information.
1200
Physical address: KLCBT House, Crossing Centre, Nelspruit in seven Require beginning main to upgrades show corridors, success. and mainly
Tel: +27 13 755 1988
Postal address: Private Bag X 11326, Nelspruit 1200
Roads and public attractions:
Fax: +27 13 753 2986
adding investment. additional tourism
Tel: +27 13 755 1988. Fax: +27 13 753 2986
Require upgrades and investment.
ely involved Email: in the business@klcbt.co.za following advocacy and and tourism@klcbt.co.za
tourism@klcbt.co.za
campaigns: products. Safety and security: A concern
ery: Public Website: participation www.klcbt.co.za in various forums where government Anti-corruption: for all regions in SA. ■ Several
stakeholders regarding budgets, planning and legislation. successful initiatives reduced
53 roadside MPUMALANGA corruption. BUSINESS 2019/20 2017/18
DETAILS
Water: Bulk-water supply faces a
future crisis and lobbying for the
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