The Mopani District Municipality hosted a two day economic summit with the intention of improving and growing the economy of the district held at Karibu Leisure Resort recently.
Nkakareng Rakgoale, Executive Mayor of the district, declared theme of the summit as ‘Working towards an inclusive growth for the attainment of economic transformation’.
“The purpose of this summit is to make the Mopani District the food basket of Southern Africa and a tourism destination of choice,” explained Rakgoale.
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The event’s main focus was on trade and manufacturing, tourism and agriculture.
The occasion was honoured by different key role players such as, Brand SA, National Department of Tourism, Small business from the district, Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Limpopo Ecomonic Development Agency (LEDA), Department of Agriculture and other stakeholders. Greater Tzaneen Municipality, Councillor Moses Mahasha, warned the audience that the event must not just be another ‘economic summit’ which does not produce any fruits.
“We hope the summit will come with solutions of establishing jobs for our unemployed youth in the district,”said Mahasha. Mining and technology were some of the sectors which was pin pointed to be potential economic boost for the region. The National Department (NDT) of Tourism will soon open applications for a Tourism Incubation Programme to small businesses in the district.
“We are looking for 50 businesses that can be part of the programme in which they will be trained in all aspects and we can work together in improving the tourism and largely the economy of mopani,” explained Ursula Zondo, NDT represantative.
Different small businesses were also present and showcased their products, ranging form jewellery, traditional clothing, leather bags and whiskey.
The stakeholders also embarked on a panel discussion and looked for ways to move the region’s economy forward. For more information on the tourism programme visit www.tourism.gov.za or email at smmenquiries@tourism.gov.za or 012 444 6465.
