Free State
Naledi Municipality
South Africa
Sector
Agriculture & Agri-processing
Opportunities in agro-processing in Naledi stem from the region's existing strength in agriculture, specifically in wholesale meat production, the leather industry and other cattle spin-off sectors. Where value adding and beneficiation has been lost in the past, opportunities now exist for entrepreneurs and investors to take advantage of the raw resources already being produced in the region.
One third of the land in Naledi is used for agricultural purposes, for farming cattle, sheep and grain. The agriculture sector is indeed one of the main sectors in the region contributing to the regional economy. The question then arises why all these raw resources should be transported away from the municipality to processing plants in other parts of the country. Of much greater benefit to the local community would be the establishment of agro-processing plants in the municipality, close to the actual agricultural land in question. The economic boost that such processing and beneficiation projects would provide would be in conjunction with the social benefit that would be derived from any growth in employment opportunities for the local communities, as well as being a sound investment opportunity with good possibilities for a profitable return on investment.
Naledi Municipality overview
Naledi Local Municipality is located in the south-east corner of the Free State along the R702 route and forms part of the Motheo District Municipality. The municipal area measures 11 933km2 and comprises the towns of Dewetsdorp, Wepener and Van Stadensrus. Wepener is the gateway to the town of Mafeteng in Lesotho with the Van Rooyen border gate just seven kilometers from the centre of the town.
Naledi Municipality is a largely rural community with agriculture therefore one of the main economic sectors, together with construction; community, social and personal services; and wholesale and retail trade
services. Tourism and manufacturing are two of the sectors that the municipality would like to explore further as these exhibit a great potential for growth even though they are relatively untapped at present.
