SEDIBENG.- The Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM) Executive Mayor, Lerato Maloka jointly with Executive Mayors of the local municipalities hosted the first Executive Mayoral Investment Breakfast Roundtable at Maccuavlei Golf Club recently.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, SDM Spokesperson Saviour Kgaswane said that the primary purpose of the investment breakfast roundtable was to engage on why the region is not attracting investment, engage the local captains of the industry on the challenges and unlock the bottlenecks as well as track progress and tackle challenges related to investment projects earmarked for Sedibeng region, such as Vaal River City, medicinal cannabis; green hydrogen innovation hub; the Vaal aerotropolis and aerodrome; blue economy and tourism; food, agriculture and agro-industries value chain and a steel manufacturing sector.

“Furthermore, the breakfast roundtable is to serve as a strategic platform to build and improve business and investor relations across the region. The session forms an integral part of the Integrated Development Plans and Budget stakeholder participation for the district municipality,” Kgaswane said. Amongst the business leaders in attendance was Sibusiso Buthelezi who is responsible for major projects in the region. “The difference between now and then is that 90% of the bulk infrastructure challenge has now been resolved and now dealing with practical operational programs,” said Buthelezi. He was giving an update on the development of Sharpeville Extension 2 and Bedworth Park Extension 8 townships as phases of the Vaal River City.

“We believe that with the approval of the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) on the Extensions, construction is capable around October definitely before Christmas,” continued Buthelezi, who is also the implementing agent of the Vaal River City. Maloka, emphasized the role of the Vaal Special Economic Zone in Sedibeng region as a vehicle to unlock investment opportunities and resolving bulk infrastructure challenges. I also took this opportunity for us to prepare for the establishment of the Investment Council, that process will be open and to know the people who will be advising the municipality,” she said.