Free State Business 2021

SPECIAL FEATURE
BANDIT – EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
First-world technology and quality combined SABS-approved roadworthy trailers built at Africa
with African simplicity. The main woodchipper Biomass Company in Worcester, South Africa.
unit is manufactured by Bandit Industries, Inc. Engine-powered woodchippers are fitted
with 35-plus years’ experience with Tier 3, South African standard, diesel or
in innovation and international petrol engines, depending on the woodchippers’
research. These units specification or clients’ preference. Electric and PTO
are shipped to options are also available in various Bandit models.
South Africa The add-ons are specifically handpicked to give
where they are you the best set-up and will provide you with a
fitted onto well-balanced woodchipper that will outperform
most other chippers in Africa.
www.abc.co.za
presence in the northern Free State town of
Sasolburg and the company has recently acquired
a US-based firm that specialises in patented
agriculture biological products, further expanding
its geographical footprint and product range.
International fuel, gas and chemicals company
Sasol regularly invests in new technologies and in
expanding production of its many products.
Renergen, the owners of the Virginia Gas
Project, announced in March 2020 that their
findings had “radically improved” the company’s
drilling plan. One of the key facts to emerge is
that the gas contains helium of up to 12%, a good
percentage. Despite the drawback associated with
Covid-19, Renergen also announced that it was
going to roll out filling stations across South Africa
to cater to companies in the trucking industry
converting to gas.
Mining is reduced in importance but remains
a significant employer. Harmony Gold has several
assets in the province and Sibanye-Stillwater
has undertaken a feasibility study on a property
adjacent to its existing Beatrix mine.
In agriculture, the Free State is looking forward
to the implementation of the African Continental
Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the free trade
agreement that was stalled by the Covid-19
pandemic. The Free State’s agricultural export
basket is well suited to trading with African states
and strategies are being considered to promote
apples, asparagus, cherries, cut flowers, sorghum,
venison and wine.
The Free State produces significant proportions
of South Africa’s wheat (30%), sunflowers (45%)
and maize (45%) and is ranked third in contribution
to national GDP in agriculture.
The Free State shares borders with six other
provinces, in addition to the Mountain Kingdom
of Lesotho. A summer-rainfall region with a mean
annual rainfall of 532mm, the Free State’s climate,
soil types and topography vary greatly within the
province, with plains in the west and mountains in
the east.
The western and southern areas are semidesert,
with some Karoo vegetation occurring in
the south. The southernmost region of the Free
State is a largely dry area with open grasslands
predominating, although it is also home to the
Gariep Dam, South Africa’s largest dam.
Municipalities in Free State
The Free State has one metropolitan municipality
(Mangaung), four district municipalities and 19
local municipalities.
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality is a Category
A municipality which governs Bloemfontein,
Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu. The sixth-largest
city in the country, the Mangaung municipal area
covers more than 6 263km² and has a population
of about 850 000 people. Bloemfontein is
responsible for about 25% of provincial GDP.
11 FREE STATE BUSINESS 2021