The Ngwathe Spring Experience brought businesses together with the Ngwathe Business Breakfast, hosted by the Edgar Legoale Foundation at Woodlands, and attended by the Free State MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Dibolelo Mance, who delivered the keynote address.

Various speakers contributed to an insightful programme, focussing on the value chain and market access opportunities, banking solutions, funding and enterprise development, and government support and opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMME’s)

Particular emphasis was also placed on renewable energy and investment opportunities for SMMEs, and valuable advice was given on how to build your business and your brand, the road to digital transformation, and building a business that can be sustained.

In her feedback on Ngwathe’s Investment Opportunities, Ms Palesa Mokoena, manager for Tourism and Marketing for the Ngwathe Local Municipality, outlined progress with the Damlaagte Solar PV
Plant Construction, Sediba Solar Plant Construction, Vredefort Dome Revitalisation Project, the Container SMME Park in Parys’ main street, the Mimosa Gardens, Uniefees Dam Assessment Project, and planned new developments.

Mokoena reported that more than 1 000 temporary and permanent jobs have been created to date for local and regional residents by the Damlaagte Solar PV Plant Construction Project, while the Sediba Plant
will create about 2 760 jobs pre-, during, and post-construction of the plant.

Although the Vredefort Dome visitor’s centre is currently at 60% completion, the project is stagnant, awaiting a budget extension request letter being prepared by the municipality to the National Department of Tourism and the DBSA.

Mokoena said the municipality is supported by the Free State Department of Finance, Tourism and Economic Development for the refurbishment of the Container SMME Park in Parys, with the project now 85% completed.

She explained that small businesses are housed in the facility and that more space will empower local SMME’s once the project is completed. The municipality has also partnered with a local solar energy company to support these local businesses on an ongoing basis.

With regard to the Mimosa Gardens Assessment Project, she said the municipality has recently appointed a service provider to undertake a conditional assessment and feasibility study of
the Mimosa Gardens resort facility in Parys. The project has been completed, and the intention is to improve tourist attraction, entertainment, recreation and accommodation, as well as to enhance
municipal revenue and contribute to job creation.

She concluded by saying that the project will give the municipality an indication of
the current value of the facility and the way forward for investment.