Dear editor
Allow me to reflect on the media seminar that was hosted by the department of trade and industry (DTI) in Polokwane recently. As a government communicator, it was such an honour to be in the presence of about 20 journalists from four of Limpopo’s district municipalities. But more inspiring was the interest that these dedicated men and women, including a reporter from CV, showed in the department’s black industrialists and special economic zones programmes.
The level of engagement that characterised the session, which was addressed by two experts from the department, was amazing to say the least. One was left with no doubt that Limpopo journalists are properly equipped to play the critical role of educating their communities about the two programmes that are aimed at transforming the economy of this country radically.
It was also heart-warming to notice that the journalists who participated in the seminar also felt privileged to have been the first to receive a full briefing from the DTI on the establishment of two special Eeconomic zones in Limpopo.
These will be situated in Musina and Tubatse.
We all learnt that these areas will never be the same after the establishment of the zones due to the positively high socio-economic impact that the zones will have on the neighbourhood of the zones.
The journalists heard that areas surrounding these zones will be hives of activity. The lives of the people will be transformed drastically as a result of the companies that will set up operations in the zones and create large numbers of job opportunities. There will be major improvements in infrastructure, health facilities, education and housing to mention a few.
The journalists were also encouraged to make entrepreneurs in their areas aware of the black industrialists programme that is championed by the department’s deputy minister, Mzwandile Masina.
This is to ensure Limpopo entrepreneurs become part of the 100 black industrialists that the department is working to create in the next three years.
The programme is targeted at black business people who are in manufacturing and related sectors.
Measures are being put in place to provide financial and non-financial support to these entrepreneurs in order to increase the country’s black manufacturers, in particular and successful black businesspeople in general.
Bongani Lukhele
director of media relations at the department of trade and industry
