Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Bulelani Magwanishe will officially launch the completed first phase of the revitalised Nkowankowa Industrial Park, in Tzaneen, on April 29.

He is expected to be joined at the ceremony by Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC Seaparo Sekoati, Mopani district mayor Councillor Nkakareng Rakgoale, Greater Tzaneen mayor Councillor Maripe Mangena and Limpopo Economic Development Agency acting CEO Dr Matata Mokoele.

The first phase of the upgrade of the industrial park included the installation of a closed-circuit television system, perimeter fencing and pedestrian and vehicular gates, as well as the refurbishment of high mast lights and the provision of waste skip structures.     

According to Magwanishe, the upgrade of the park was part of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI’s) Industrial Parks Revitalisation Programme which got under way in 2016.

The main objective of the programme is to promote industrialisation, accelerate economic growth, attract investment, promote transformation and encourage the establishment of black industrialists in the industrial parks.

The programme is also aimed at supporting job creation in manufacturing and related sectors.

“The DTI recognises that the industrial parks have the capacity to contribute significantly in broader economic and industrial development in their host regions which are mainly townships and rural areas,” commented Magwanishe in a statement.

“We would like to see them contributing to economic growth, diversification of economic activity, attracting investments to the areas they are located in, job creation and addressing the problem of inequality.

So far, 12 industrial parks have been renovated throughout the country to the tune of half-a-billion rand since the inception of the programme.”

According to Sekoati, the revitalisation of the industrial parks by the DTI will contribute to attracting both domestic and foreign investors to the parks.