MEC for Finance and Economic Affairs for Gauteng, Paul Mashatile, is flanked by Mayor Mlungisi Hlongwane and Mayor Busi Modisakeng at the conclusion of the Sedibeng Growth and Development Summit.

[15.11.2006] Stakeholders in the District of Sedibeng rounded off a highly challenging and stimulating two days deliberating the Growth & Development Strategy for the Region. The Summit convened in the picturesque Walkerville where 250 delegates grappled with the challenges of reducing unemployment, stimulating economic growth, alleviating poverty and accelerating service delivery.
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The Summit was opened by MEC for Local Government in Gauteng, MEC D Mahlangu, who said in her opening address:

“Over the next ten years, we have committed ourselves to raise the level of economic growth, reduce unemployment and poverty, and ensure universal access to basic services such as water, electricity and sanitation. We have also committed ourselves to redistribute 30% of agricultural land and to transform the legacy of apartheid spatial planning. The key question that we have to ask ourselves gathered her today is: What is Sedibeng’s contribution towards achieving these goals?

In his address, District Mayor Mlungisi Hlongwane, gave a hopeful message of economic upturn citing several examples of significant movement in the local economy. These include the positive growth at Mittal Steel, now South Africa’s No.1 company, expansion of facilities at British American Tobacco and Karan Beef, boasting Africa’s largest feedlot.

The commercial and residential development in the ‘Eye of Africa’ project (R8 billion initial investment) as well as corridors of development along the Sharpeville precinct, the R82 and R59, and N1 in Heidelberg are all loaded with great potential. The Mayor also took the opportunity to announce a high powered Mayoral Investment Council and the launch of a Sedibeng Business Association.

Stakeholders deliberated strategies under the themes of Revive, Renew, Reintegrate, Reinvent and Release Human Potential, as was presented in a presentation by the District Municipal Manager, Ms Lisa Seftel.

On the second day MEC for Finance and Economic Affairs in Gauteng, Paul Mashatile added credence to the optimism by outlining the provincial support that Sedibeng could expect from the Gauteng Provincial Government. He also outlined the overall development strategy for Gauteng in the context of the Global City Region programme. In a live broadcast from the venue, SAfm’s Xolani Gwala interviewed  Mayor Hlongwane and MEC Mashatile. Callers had the opportunity to put questions to the two politicians.

Stakeholders responded to the Summit inputs and a Summit Declaration was crafted collectively.

The ‘First Generation’ Growth and Development Strategy will now be subjected to extensive community interrogation and scrutiny through ward based meetings that will be linked to the IDP process. All documents relating to the GDS can be accessed here.