Tender information for all 5 opportunities can be downloaded here.  

Here is a summary of the key bid requirements and deadlines for the listed tenders: 

1. Bid Number: MTPA/20252026/COM/04   

Description: Appointment to source an operator to invest, upgrade, operate, and manage the Zithabiseni Holiday Resort.   

• • Closing Date & Time: 06 May 2026 at 11:00 AM. 
  • Briefing Session/Site Visit:
    • Site Visit: 17 March 2026 at 14:00, Siyabuswa Industrial Park.
    • Non-compulsory Briefing Session: 21 April 2026 at 11:00 (Virtual via MS Teams; link available upon request from Priscilla.Gwebu@mtpa.co.za).   
  • Bid Document Collection: Available on the MTPA website or at the MTPA Complex Office for R200 (non-refundable).   
  • Submission Location: Supply Chain Management Unit, Procurement Office, Hall’s Gateway, Mataffin, MTPA Finance Block E, Mbombela.

2. Bid Number: MTPA/20252026/COM/05 

Description: Request for proposal for an operator to invest, operate, and manage a bush camp concession at Songimvelo Nature Reserve for 15 years.

• • Closing Date & Time: 06 May 2026 at 11:00 AM. 
  • Briefing Session/Site Visit:
    • Non-compulsory Briefing Session: 31 March 2026 at 10:00 (Virtual via MS Teams; link available upon request from zanele@mtpa.co.za).   
    • Site Visit: Book through Tekani.shilenge@mtpa.co.za or robertmasango7@gmail.com.
  • Bid Document Collection: Available on the MTPA website or at the MTPA Complex Office for R200 (non-refundable).   
  • Submission Location: Supply Chain Management Unit, Procurement Office, Hall’s Gateway, Mataffin, MTPA Finance Block E, Mbombela.   

3. Bid Number: MTPA/20252026/COM/06   

Description: Request for proposal for an operator to invest, design, upgrade, operate, and manage a 24-bed lodge in Sara Bank at Manyeleti Nature Reserve.

• • Closing Date & Time: 06 May 2026 at 11:00 AM. 
  • Briefing Session/Site Visit: No briefing session.   
  • Bid Document Collection: Available on the MTPA website or at the MTPA Complex Office for R200 (non-refundable).  
  • Submission Location: Supply Chain Management Unit, Procurement Office, Hall’s Gateway, Mataffin, MTPA Finance Block E, Mbombela.   

Mpumalanga has an abundance of wildlife

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4. Bid Number: MTPA/20252026/COM/07   

Description: Appointment of an investor to invest, design, develop, operate, and manage a 24-bed lodge facility at Dixie Koppie.   

• • Closing Date & Time: 18 May 2026 at 11:00 AM. 
  • Briefing Session/Site Visit: No briefing session.
  • Bid Document Collection: Available on the MTPA website or at the MTPA Complex Office for R200 (non-refundable).   
  • Submission Location: Supply Chain Management Unit, Procurement Office, Hall’s Gateway, Mataffin MTPA Finance Block E, Mbombela.   

5. Bid Number: MTPA/20252026/COM/08   

Description: Request for proposal for an operator to invest, design, develop, operate, and manage a 24-bed tented bush camp lodge at S8 Dam in Manyeleti Nature Reserve.

• • Closing Date & Time: 06 May 2026 at 11:00 AM. 
  • Briefing Session/Site Visit: No briefing session.   
  • Bid Document Collection: Available on the MTPA website or at the MTPA Complex Office for R200 (non-refundable).   
  • Submission Location: Supply Chain Management Unit, Procurement Office, Hall’s Gateway, Mataffin MTPA Finance Block E, Mbombela.   

For all bids, proposals must be clearly marked with the respective tender reference number and submitted to the specified location before the closing date and time.    

All Photos Credit: Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency

Contact for more information

Potential investors seeking more information are encouraged to make contact with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA). Also see official tender information in the link above.

Zithabiseni Resort and Conference Centre, located in Mpumalanga’s “Cultural Heartland,” is managed by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) as of 2023. The resort has faced financial challenges over the past five years, with expenditures consistently exceeding revenue, leading to infrastructure deterioration and reduced tourist activity. Although 48 chalets were recently renovated with funding, the resort still requires significant refurbishment, with an estimated cost of R101.8-million.   

The resort spans 102 hectares and offers 56 operational chalets, accommodating 196 guests. The resort is fully functional, with the main facilities in daily use. However, the remaining 389 chalets are in need of renovation. This could increase guest capacity to over 1,000.   

The facilities include conference halls and rooms with a combined seating capacity of 160, a 100-seater fully licensed restaurant, swimming pools, a braai lapa for 500 guests, a picnic area, sports bar with a pool and big screen television, an outdoor gym, an educational trail and quad and 4×4 trails. The resort employs 72 staff members, with no recent changes in staffing.   

Zithabiseni Resort and Conference Centre is located within the 13,300 hectares of Mabusa Nature Reserve, along the road between Groblersdal and Bronkhorstspruit.

Zithabiseni hosted 921 guests and 14,100 festival attendees in 2024, with visitors drawn to leisure, business, and cultural activities. The resort plans to expand its accommodation options, introduce new tourism activities, and transform one facility into a museum showcasing Ndebele culture.   

The MTPA is considering two business models for the resort: concession and timeshare. A turnaround strategy is being developed to address infrastructure challenges, improve marketing, and create economic opportunities for the local community. Revitalizing the resort is expected to generate employment, support local businesses, and enhance tourism in the region.

Vision 

The MTPA aims to restore Zithabiseni Resort to its former glory, combining natural wilderness with high-quality service to attract visitors and promote sustainable tourism.

Future plans include the following:

• Expand accommodation (camping, bush camps, student housing, chalet upgrades).
• Transform a facility into a museum showcasing Ndebele culture with Dr. Esther Mahalangu as a tourism ambassador.
• Introduce new activities like ziplining, water slides, quad biking, horse riding, wellness center, cultural village, and sports facilities.  

Private sector collaboration

Revitalizing the resort requires collaboration between the private sector and government.

The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) is seeking to source an operator that will invest, upgrade, operate and manage the Zithabiseni Holiday Resort.

BID NUMBER: MTPA/20252026/COM/04

View or download the official tender information on the link below. 

Closing date for submissions: 6 May 2026

Contact for more information

Potential investors seeking more information are encouraged to make contact with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA). Also see official tender information in the link above.

Recognized as one of the most important international platforms dedicated to the superyacht refit and aftersales sector, the event connects shipyards, captains, yacht managers and marine service providers through structured networking meetings, technical discussions and industry forums focused on innovation, sustainability and the future of yacht servicing.

Building on Durban’s strong presence in 2025

Durban’s presence at the 2026 event builds on the momentum established during YARE – Yachting Aftersales & Refit Experience 2025, where Invest Durban played a highly visible role in promoting the city as a strategic superyacht destination.

During the 2025 event, Invest Durban sponsored the prestigious Gala Dinner, one of the key networking highlights of the programme, bringing together superyacht captains, shipyards and global industry leaders. The sponsorship provided a unique opportunity to position Durban within high-level industry discussions and to showcase the city’s potential as a marine services hub.

In addition to the sponsorship, Invest Durban’s brand presence was prominently displayed through event banners and promotional material, significantly enhancing the city’s visibility among international participants attending the event from across the global yachting industry.

Advancing international investment partnerships

A key outcome of the 2025 engagement was the signing of a mutual Letter of Intent (LOI) aimed at fostering cooperation and promoting foreign direct investment opportunities into Durban’s marine sector.

The agreement focuses on attracting investment from international superyacht builders, refit specialists and global marina developers, supporting Durban’s ambitions to expand its maritime infrastructure and strengthen its role within the international superyacht ecosystem.

For Durban, this partnership represents an important step toward developing world-class facilities that can support visiting superyachts through refit, repair and maintenance services while also creating opportunities for marina development and associated tourism infrastructure.

Positioning Durban within the global refit market

The superyacht refit sector continues to experience strong global growth, representing a significant portion of industry activity and offering opportunities for cities with the right infrastructure, technical skills and strategic location.

Durban’s geographic position along key Indian Ocean cruising routes, combined with the capabilities of the Port of Durban, provides a strong foundation for developing a competitive superyacht servicing ecosystem in the Southern Hemisphere.

Through participation in YARE – Yachting Aftersales & Refit Experience 2026, the Invest Durban delegation is actively engaging with global industry leaders to:

• Promote Durban as an emerging superyacht refit and maintenance destination
• Strengthen partnerships with international shipyards and marine service providers
• Encourage foreign direct investment in marina infrastructure and marine manufacturing
• Position Durban as a gateway to the African and Indian Ocean yachting markets

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Strengthening Durban’s ocean economy

Participation in international platforms such as YARE – Yachting Aftersales & Refit Experience forms part of eThekwini Municipality’s broader strategy to grow the city’s ocean economy and attract global investment into the maritime sector.

By building strategic relationships with industry leaders and investors, Durban aims to unlock new opportunities for marine manufacturing, tourism development, skills transfer and job creation.

As the global superyacht industry continues to expand, Durban’s engagement with YARE demonstrates the city’s commitment to strengthening its position as a competitive maritime destination and a future hub for superyacht services in the Southern Hemisphere.

Contact the team!

International superyacht builders, refit specialists and global marina developers should contact Invest Durban as soon as possible to discuss opportunities in Durban.

Key assets include Saldanha Bay Port—Africa’s deepest natural harbour—for bulk exports such as iron ore, supporting oil, gas, and maritime services. The district includes five municipalities: Matzikama, Cederberg, Bergrivier, Saldanha Bay, and Swartland. 

In 2024, the WCD generated R47.1-billion in GDPR (Gross Domestic Product per Region), contributing 5.1% to the Western Cape economy. It supported 182,346 jobs (7.1% of provincial employment). Sectoral composition in 2024 showed a balanced mix: 

• Primary activities: 25.0% of GDPR and 38.0% of jobs (agriculture dominant at 23.9% GDPR and 37.8% employment). 
• Secondary sector: 26.1% of GDPR (manufacturing 21.1%). 
• Tertiary sector: 48.9% of GDPR and nearly half of jobs (strong in trade, finance, personal services, and government). 

Growth opportunities abound in renewables (wind/solar farms), green hydrogen, aquaculture, agro-processing, and eco-tourism, driven by the revised Economic Development Strategy (May 2025), which emphasises inclusive growth for higher employment and incomes through private-sector innovation and stakeholder synergy. 

Projections & Featured Projects: Long-term GDPR growth 1.4%–2.0% annually through 2028. FDI since 2003: R631.7m (1,504 jobs).

Key projects:

• Matzikama Aquaculture Zone (R600m–R1bn),
• Clanwilliam Smart Town (R450m),
• Hopefield Museum (R6m),
• green hydrogen initiatives (multi-billion scale potential). 

Planning for Growth 

The Een Weskus / One West Coast Plan 2025-2050 (revised Nov 2025) and Spatial Development Framework (2020) guide sustainable development, focusing on nodes such as Saldanha-Vredenburg and the N7/Olifants corridors.

Under-supply of social facilities (e.g., 40 primary schools) creates opportunities for education/health investments. IDP Amendment (2022-2027) and 2024-2027 Budget/MTREF support these. 

Municipal investment profiling: A digital approach

In 2023, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA introduced the “Investment Profile Template Guide for Municipalities in South Africa” to help municipalities present their investment potential. Research showed only 15% of South African municipalities had investment profiles at the time.

However, limited financial and human resources have hindered digital promotion and investment attraction. SALGA has launched a programme to assist municipalities with digital initiatives, and the following municipalities are included in the first phase:

• City of Ekurhuleni (Gauteng) 
• West Coast District Municipality (Western Cape) 
• Mnquma Local Municipality (Eastern Cape) 
• Matjhabeng Local Municipality (Free State)

The main objective of this project is to provide municipalities with a platform to market themselves as investment destinations to both domestic and foreign investors using an already existing platform and access to the Global Africa Network audience.  

This reputation for hosting world-class gatherings was further solidified last week at the Sandton Convention Centre during Meetings Africa 2026. As the 20th anniversary of the event, it demonstrated Gauteng’s unmatched ability to facilitate thousands of confirmed business meetings, directly linking African products to global buyers and generating significant economic impact.

To that effect, Gauteng recently attracted R27-billion in Foreign Direct Investment from key global markets like the UK and the United States. Gauteng is clearly gaining momentum, with the inaugural Gauteng Investment Conference (2025) securing R312-billion in commitments, while the province claimed the lion’s share of last year’s Presidential Investment Conference, with over R180-billion in pledges.

Global industry leaders are moving beyond talk and are physically expanding their operations in Gauteng. Microsoft is currently investing R5.4-billion into local data centre infrastructure, while Heineken Global has committed R1.9-billion to its operations in Midvaal. The automotive sector is also seeing a boost with Chery International establishing local manufacturing, and the creative economy is set for a massive leap with the R4-billion Cradle Film Studios project which is destined to be the largest production facility in Africa.

What keeps Gauteng ahead of the curve is its connectivity. International arrivals hit 3.8-million this year, supported by new strategic air routes linking the province directly to North America and Australasia. With major infrastructure projects like the Gautrain expansion and a R50-billion dry port on the horizon, the province is effectively streamlining the region’s logistics.

Gauteng it the premier meetings destination in Africa while serving as a powerful catalyst for global opportunity. The 2026 Gauteng Investment Conference (GIC 2026) will provide another opportunity to turn conversations into investment.

Investing in Gauteng

Find out more about the economic and investment environment of Gauteng Province and explore projects in progress, insights and investment opportunities in the region.

The golf coaching clinic took place at the Durban Country Club ahead of the main tournament.   

Tournament organisers partnered with eThekwini Municipality’s Recreation and Parks Directorate to expose young people to the sport and provide professional training and mentorship. 

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Following the development clinic, 14 young golfers who excelled during training have been selected to participate in a five-day golfing bootcamp. The bootcamp will equip them with golf kits, equipment and advanced skills development to help them realise their dreams of becoming professional golfers. 

Seventeen-year-old Langelihle Mkhize from Umkomaas has been selected to join the bootcamp. “I started practising and playing four years ago, and I have never looked back. I owe my progress to my coach, Lindani Mthiyane, for his constant encouragement and for reminding me that everything is possible, regardless of your background,” said the grade 10 learner.  

Acting Senior Manager for the municipality’s Sports Development and Recreation division, Zola Ndlovu, said these coaching clinics are being rolled out across participating districts and continue to grow in impact and reach. 

“The Municipality wanted to give these young golfers a platform to share the stage with world-class athletes who can coach and propel their careers in a sport often perceived as taboo in townships and rural areas. We started this initiative last year and hope to attract more sponsors who believe in our vision of developing youth through sport,” said Ndlovu. 

Location 

Bloemfontein, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Free State, South Africa.

Project description 

The Airport Development Node site is a mixed-use development precinct, focused on both office/commercial precincts and residential opportunities.

It is located adjacent to the N8 highway that runs between Bloemfontein and Botshabelo in the Free State Province, South Africa. The study area is apportioned on land north and south of the N8. It consists of approximately 700 hectares in extent and is approximately 6.5 km to the east of Bloemfontein.

The Bloemfontein Airport/Bram Fisher International Airport is located directly north across the N8. The node has been categorised into two phases as follows:

Phase 1: This phase focusses on the development of the business node, international conference centre and hotel, regional shopping mall, tertiary facilities, mixed use, commercial stands, medium-to-high density residential apartment blocks with integrated mixed-use stands and townhouses.

Phase 2: The focus is on developing an industry where an industrial node will be established and be integrated with the future cargo terminal of the Bram Fischer International Airport. Phase 2 will also provide mixed-use areas to encourage interest from private developers.

Current status:

• Township establishment approved on 18 August 2017
• Bulk engineering infrastructure available: water, sanitation and electricity
• Interchange constructed by SANRAL leading into the development

Project stakeholders

• Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality
• Free State Provincial Government
• National Human Settlements Department
• South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL)
• Airports Company South Africa (ACSA)
• Private sector investors and developers

Issues to be resolved¹

• Capital injection is needed for the provision of reticulation and link infrastructure
• Investments required into the programme
• Any unblocking matters to be resolved as investors identify specific opportunities

Interventions

• Municipal land secured
• Concept plan and urban designs are completed and approved
• Civil and electricity works for bulk infrastructure completed
• EIA approved
• The diagrams and general plans are approved
• Land rezoned

Project development cost: R10.3-billion

Airport Development Phase 1 Opportunities

Contact

Interested parties are encouraged to contact the project promoters for more information about potential investment opportunities in the precinct. (Please reference Airport Development Node in the subject line.)

Mpumalanga is one of South Africa’s most productive and important agricultural regions and through strategic investments in the Mpumalanga International Food Market (MIFM) and the Nkomazi Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) the province is set to become a major force in food production and distribution.

Mpumalanga’s sophisticated and well-segmented tourism and hospitality sector is ripe for investment and expansion.

Mpumalanga economy

The provincial economy of Mpumalanga is exceptionally diverse. Established industries in the province include Mining, Stainless Steel, Petrochemicals, Pulp and Paper, Ferro-Alloys, Energy Generation, Tourism, Agriculture and Agro-Processing.

Companies in these sectors include global giants in their industries such as Sasol (energy and chemicals), Sappi (paper, packaging, pulp and forests), Samancor Chrome (ferrochrome), Exxaro, ARM and Glencore (mining).

The province’s commercial farmers are among the most efficient in the world, exporting huge quantities of everything from citrus to macadamia nuts. Columbus Stainless is the only stainless-steel manufacturer on the continent.

Governance

The province has three district municipalities and 17 local municipalities. Several agencies which promote the regional economy report to the Mpumalanga Provincial Government. Large parts of the province comprises extensive rural villages that form part of areas run by traditional authorities.

Transport

Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) in Mbombela plus many airfields such as Middelburg. Extensive freight rail network, busiest in South Africa. The N4 highway (Maputo Corridor) is an east-west spine of a highly developed road system.

Mpumalanga’s strategic location makes it a valuable transport and logistics hub:

• Maputo Development Corridor enhances logistics
• Preferential access to lucrative EU market
• Proximity to South Africa’s economic heartland
• Access to regional SADC market: 360-million population
• Access to deepwater Port of Maputo

Maputo Development Corridor

The Maputo Development Corridor is South Africa’s leading Spatial Development Initiative (SDI), linking Mpumalanga Province, Gauteng Province and the Nkomazi Special Economic Zone with the deepwater Port of Maputo in Mozambique.

This efficient corridor provides investors and exporters with good access to the export markets of South East Africa, the Indian Ocean Rim and Far East Asia. The Maputo Development Corridor comprises road, rail, Special Economic Zone, border posts, port and terminal facilities.

Mpumalanga’s diverse and resource-rich economy makes it one of the most attractive trade and investment destinations in South East Africa.

The corridor runs through the most highly industrialised and productive regions of Southern Africa. The Corridor has been extensively upgraded to international standards and links the industrial heartland of South Africa to its nearest port in Maputo, Mozambique, which is one of the fastest-growing countries in South East Africa.

Unique selling proposition

• Abundant resources: minerals and agricultural produce
• Established manufacturing infrastructure: smelters, petrochemicals, food processing, paper, sugar
• Strategic location: access to regional and global markets
• Tourism hotspots: the iconic Kruger National Park, world-class reserves, adventure tourism and new UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Mpumalanga International Food Market (MIFM)
• Nkomazi Special Economic Zone (NSEZ)
• The University of Mpumalanga
• Support for Green Economy research and investment

How to invest in Mpumalanga

The Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA) is the official Economic Development Agency for the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and an entity of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

MEGA’s primary mandate is to foster the sustainable growth and development of Mpumalanga’s economy through its operational activities of Trade and Investment Promotion, Development Funding, Equity Investments, and Property and Infrastructure Development. The Agency remains accountable to the Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDT).

MEGA is the foreign investor’s or trader’s first point of contact for doing successful business in Mpumalanga Province. Through the Trade and Investment Promotion Division, the Agency provides a variety of services to potential investors and trading partners.

MEGA services

MEGA staff will go out of their way to make the process of investing in Mpumalanga
or starting a business in the province easy. MEGA is focussed on customer needs
and provides innovative solutions with a high level of service. Services include:

• Trade and Investment Promotion
• Properties and Infrastructure
• Funding

Planning the way forward

National government has articulated a Nine-Point Plan which seeks to prioritise projects that will tackle key economic issues. MEGA is aligned with the plan, which include issues relevant to growing the provincial economy:

• • revitalise agriculture and the agro-processing chain
  • advancing mineral beneficiation
  • implementing the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) effectively
  • unlocking the potential of SMMEs, cooperatives and township and rural enterprises
  • resolving the energy challenge
  • stabilising the labour market
  • upscaling private investment
  • investment in science and technology, water and sanitation, transport and broadband connectivity

Invest in Mpumalanga — Contact MEGA 

Interested companies or individuals seeking to gain access to the vast opportunities available to investors in Mpumalanga, please send a brief message of introduction, indicating your main business or investment objectives:

More investment opportunities in Mpumalanga:

• • PPP opportunity to invest in the Blyde River Canyon Cableway Project
  • Partnership opportunity in development of hydroelectric power station
  • Hotel development opportunity in prime tourism spot
  • Investment opportunities in the Agriculture sector
  • Investment opportunities in Mpumalanga’s tourism sector
  • Invest in the development of a connected urban park in Mbombela, South Africa

Mpumalanga Trade and Investment Profile

Find more details about the economy of Mpumalanga and explore existing opportunities in the region: 

The Greater Tygerberg Partnership’s (GTP) Buy-Back Centre, recently recognised both nationally by PETCO and internationally by the International Downtown Association (IDA), is emerging as a blueprint for tackling waste and joblessness, two of South Africa’s biggest challenges.

Launched in 2019 as part of the Trolley and Recycling Project, the initiative was designed to offer homeless and unemployed individuals a safer, more structured path to earning a living through recycling. What began as a small-scale effort has grown into an internationally recognised model of urban regeneration, green innovation, and social empowerment that is now ready to be replicated in other regions across the country.

In South Africa, approximately 80% of post-consumer waste is processed through the informal economy, with thousands of waste pickers collecting recyclables daily for minimal returns. The GTP model formalises this activity, connecting waste pickers to legal, accessible buy-back centres, providing them with training, stipends, upgraded equipment, and safety-focused trolleys.

The results have been transformative. In the past year alone, the initiative processed over 113,000 kilograms of recyclables, and created 23 jobs for previously homeless or unemployed individuals. Each receives daily stipends and access to ongoing training, life skills development, and addiction recovery support through partners like MES Cape Town and Green Cape.

Bellville faces challenges like poverty, unemployment, and waste overload which mirror those of many cities across South Africa. This model proves that through collaboration between communities, government, and the private sector, we can turn these challenges into opportunities for growth, dignity, and sustainability. 

—Warren Hewitt, CEO at GTP

The addition of South Africa’s first electric waste collection vehicles (EVs) in 2024 further boosted efficiency and reduced carbon emissions, while linking waste pickers to formal recycling markets ensuring they earned more for their collections. Today, over 180 local businesses and schools in Bellville participate in the recycling network, helping build a cleaner city and a more inclusive economy.

A scalable solution with global recognition

The project’s success has earned it the PETCO “Kerbside Collection and Sorting Superhero” Award for its community-driven, long-running, and efficient approach to separation-at-source. Internationally, it received the IDA Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence, placing Bellville alongside leading global cities recognised for innovative urban management and sustainable place-making.

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For Warren Hewitt, CEO of the Greater Tygerberg Partnership, the recognition represents an opportunity to scale impact.

“Bellville faces challenges like poverty, unemployment, and waste overload which mirror those of many cities across South Africa. This model proves that through collaboration between communities, government, and the private sector, we can turn these challenges into opportunities for growth, dignity, and sustainability,” he says.

The Buy-Back Centre’s success is rooted in multi-sector partnerships that bridge divides between informal workers, municipalities, NGOs, and private enterprises. By connecting these networks, the model demonstrates how social justice and environmental sustainability can reinforce each other.

Through collaboration with organisations such as the Voortrekker Road Corridor Improvement District, MES Cape Town, Green Cape, and eWASA, the GTP has built a model that is financially viable, socially inclusive, and environmentally restorative. It integrates informal waste collectors into a circular economy, while reducing municipal waste burdens and improving urban cleanliness.

“What makes this model remarkable is its adaptability. It works just as effectively in a dense urban centre like Bellville as it could in smaller towns or rural districts. Its low-cost electric collection vehicles, community partnerships, and skills development framework make it scalable without the need for large municipal budgets,” adds Hewitt.

It is also replicable across regions looking to tackle unemployment and waste, simultaneously creating a pathway to sustainable livelihoods, cleaner cities, and stronger communities.

In a nation grappling with unemployment and inequality, Bellville’s Buy-Back Centre offers a glimpse of what’s possible when innovation meets compassion. It’s a story of people once marginalised, now earning with dignity, and a revolution in urban renewal, rooted in community, and ready to scale nationwide.

Reference: Statistics South Africa on Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) – Q1: 2025 | South African Government

The Free State Province lies in the heart of South Africa, with the Kingdom of Lesotho nestling in the hollow of its bean-like shape. Situated between the Vaal River in the north and the Orange River in the south, the region is one of flat, rolling grassland and fields of crops, rising to lovely mountains in the north-east.

The Free State shares borders with six other provinces and provides easy access to the main ports of Durban, East London and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). The country’s major national highway, N1, runs through the centre of the province on a north-south axis.

Mangaung, comprising Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu, is South Africa’s newest metropolitan authority. The Bram Fischer International Airport in the provincial capital is the site of a multi-phase industrial and commercial development.

The N8 Corridor covers Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu and contains projects including the ICC Precinct (hotel and convention centre in Bloemfontein), Bio-Medical Park, Airport Node (logistics and supply chain, warehouses, residential apartments, hospitals, schools, hotels and new shopping malls), and tourism infrastructure for the Naval Hill development.

The province has an established institutional, educational and administrational infrastructure and is home to the Supreme Court of Appeal, the University of the Free State and the Central University of Technology.

Multiple sector opportunities

The Free State is home to immense investment opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, ICT, infrastructure development, green energy, construction, tourism and trade.

Some of the biggest current sectors in the province are agriculture, mining, manufacturing and tertiary sectors, making it an ideal location for transport logistics and agro-processing operations. The province is the granary of South Africa, with agriculture central to its economy, while the mining industry is still a large employer.

The province supplies significant proportions of the nation’s sorghum (53%), sunflowers (45%), potatoes (33%), groundnuts (32%), dry beans (26%), wool (24%) and almost all of its cherries (90%). Red meat and dairy are other important products, while game hunting is a growing sector. Crop production represents about two-thirds of the province’s gross agricultural income. The main crops are maize and wheat. Sunflowers, sunflower seeds, sorghum and soybeans are other major crops. The Mangaung Fresh Produce Market plays a vital role in the sector, catering to householders, bulk buyers, informal traders, agents and farmers.

Opportunities are opening up in the province’s gas and energy sector, with exploration licences being granted, and a R200-million plant started producing liquified natural gas (LNG) and helium in 2022.

Opportunities in renewable energy are boundless. Rezoning for solar farms has already taken place in Theunissen, Bloemfontein, Fauresmith and Hoopstad. Solar projects include the 60MW Boshoff Solar PhotoVoltaic (PV) park (Sun Edison) and the 64MW Letsatsi Solar PV (Solar Reserve, Kensani Group and Intikon Energy).

Sasolburg, on the province’s northern border, is one of the country’s most important industrial complexes. It is home to the global giant Sasol and several other chemical facilities. Other towns that are the centre of economic activity include Kroonstad, an important agricultural, administrative and educational centre; Parys, on the banks of the Vaal River; QwaQwa, a vast settlement known for its handcrafted items; Ficksburg, famous for its cherry festival; and Bethlehem, gateway to the Eastern Highlands.

Companies locating to the Free State not only enjoy the opportunity to source inputs at competitive prices, but also benefit from domestic, regional and international markets for their products and services. Because South Africa has been engaging with our economically large trading partners, access to international markets is facilitated through various trade preferences and free-trade agreements.

Adding to the province’s attractiveness as an investment destination, there are several industrial parks and a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) that are supported by the National Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic). Industrial parks are situated in Maluti-A-Phofung, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu. The Maluti-A-Phofung SEZ (MAPSEZ) is situated in Tshiame in the northern part of the province, on the busy N3 highway.

The N3 transports vast amounts of cargo between Johannesburg and Durban, and the infrastructure at the MAPSEZ has been set up in such a way as to suit logistics operators. Manufacturing opportunities are also encouraged within the MAPSEZ and attractive concessions and allowances are available to investors. The key sectors that are being targeted are automotive, agro-processing, logistics, general processing, ICT and pharmaceuticals.

Contact

To find out about a specific opportunity or discuss your potential investment in the Free State, please contact the Free State Department of Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs here:

[contact-form-7]