Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi has noted that the proposed Vaal Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is aimed at revitalising the economy by driving industrialisation and bringing back its manufacturing strength.

He was speaking to community stakeholders and local entrepreneurs who attended the public consultation meeting hosted at the Vereeniging Town Hall, in Gauteng, on April 15.

Godlimpi told attendees that the move to designate the SEZ follows eight years of extensive work done within the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) to study the causes of the collapse of the “manufacturing might” of the region 30 years ago and to explore new policy instruments that could revive and protect it going forward.

“This region already has strong foundations. It has industrial capacity, strategic location advantages, access to major transport routes and a workforce with experience and potential. What has been missing is coordinated investment, modernisation and new economic drivers aligned with the future.

“The Vaal SEZ addresses exactly that. It is structured to drive reindustrialisation, bringing back manufacturing strength while adapting to modern economic demands. It will focus on sectors such as green industrialisation, agroprocessing, logistics, energy and the blue economy linked to the Vaal river, he said.

The meeting is a critical part of the process necessary for the establishment of an SEZ and was held in partnership with the Gauteng provincial government and the Sedibeng district municipality among other stakeholders.

With job creation being one of the key objectives, Godlimpi noted that during the initial phase of construction alone the project is expected to create over 4 000 direct jobs and more than 1 300 indirect jobs, thereby highlighting that there will be opportunities for local contractors, artisans, suppliers and workers.

“Economic transformation cannot happen without human development. The SEZ will stimulate demand for skills training, apprenticeships and partnerships with educational institutions. Young people in this region must not remain spectators, they must become participants in the economy. 

“By creating jobs, supporting businesses, and restoring economic activity, we directly address some of the root causes of crime. Economic inclusion is one of the most effective tools for building safer communities,” he added.