The Fetakgomo-Tubatse Special Economic Zone (FTSEZ) forms part of the South African Government’s SEZ programme, which is aiming to enhance the country’s manufacturing and export capabilities and attract foreign direct investment. Anchored in the Limpopo Development Plan (LDP), the FTSEZ is positioned and designed to be a top investment destination for companies seeking to be in the forefront of the green energy “Just Transition”, which includes “support for workers and communities affected by the transition away from coal and enables the creation of quality “green jobs” among other things (see more about the partnership in this article).

The priority industries in the FTSEZ will enhance the local manufacturing capacity and contribute to low carbon / green economy, and will offer socio-economic opportunities (for jobs & small businesses), not only to fight climate change, but to enhance energy security and develop local industries in the next 5 to 10 years. The FTSEZ is being developed through a partnership between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), the Limpopo Provincial Government (LPG), Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) and Fetakgomo-Tubatse Municipality (FTM).

The proposed FTSEZ is gearing up to become a centre of excellence for green energy manufacturing, agro-processing and mineral beneficiation. The SEZ is positioned to be a game-changer in shaping and adding momentum to the industrialisation growth path as espoused in the socio-economic recovery plan of Limpopo Province. It is strategically located in the industrial hub of Steelpoort between two huge mining establishments, the Samancor smelter and the Lion ferrechrome smelter, which are strategic landmarks for the establishment of the SEZ.