Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has published the intention to designate the Fetakgomo-Tubatse as a special economic zone (SEZ) for public comment.

The proposed SEZ will be located in Steelpoort, Fetakgomo local municipality, in the Sekhukhune district municipality, Limpopo, and will be an industrial cluster initiative that will fall within the planned Limpopo platinum and chrome cluster, which has two components of industrial formations.

The proposed SEZ will be located in the industrial hub of the Steelpoort area between two mining establishments, namely the Samancor smelter and the Lion Ferrochrome smelter, which are strategic landmarks for the establishment of the SEZ, says Tau.

The proposed SEZ will focus on the beneficiation of the platinum group metals, chrome and vanadium resources; agroprocessing; and renewable-energy technologies. It will be developed around the R555 corridor, with the intention to create a new smart city, supported by mixed-use developments.

A public hearing session with the affected community will take place in Steelpoort on April 10.

The general public may also send their comments and enquiries to SEZEnquiries@thedtic.gov.za before end of business on May 9.

Further, the Limpopo province has already made progress in the implementation of the proposed Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ (FTSEZ), including securing 1 010 ha of land, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) points out.

The province has also started site clearance, as well as installation of a perimeter fence and security features, roads and storm water, electricity, bulk water reticulation and a water treatment plant, bulk sewer reticulation and a sewage treatment plant.

Additionally, the Fetakgomo Tubatse Industrial Park (FTIP) State-owned company has been established as a subsidiary of Limpopo Economic Development Agency to implement the proposed SEZ, and an interim board and interim CEO have been appointed.

Further, 11 companies with an estimated investment of R10-billion are ready to participate in Phase 1 of the proposed FTSEZ once the infrastructure is in place.

A due diligence study, requested by the dtic, has been conducted by the Industrial Development Corporation to ascertain their level of readiness.

A township establishment application has been conditionally approved by the municipal tribunal, and skills training and small, medium-sized and microenterprises capacitation plans are also in place, which are also known as supplier activation programmes, the department says.

Additionally, a quadripartite agreement has also been signed between the dtic, the Limpopo provincial government, the Sekhukhune district municipality and Fetakgomo-Tubatse local municipality, setting out commitments and responsibilities for each partner.

The intention to designate the proposed SEZ follows a thorough evaluation of the feasibility studies and business plans submitted by the Limpopo provincial government and supported by the local and district municipalities, the dtic says.