Limpopo gets a One Stop Shop for investors as Mashatile warns on raw exports

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has launched the InvestSA One Stop Shop Limpopo, a centralised facility intended to make doing business easier in the province and to strengthen investment facilitation. He officiated at the launch during the sixth Limpopo Investment Conference.

The facility is designed to give investors access to government support services in one place, help them navigate regulatory and administrative processes, improve coordination among the relevant institutions and address investment-related bottlenecks.

Speaking at the conference, Mashatile said the facility sends a clear message that Limpopo is open for business.

“For investors, the One Stop Shop will provide direct access to Government support and guidance throughout the investment process, helping them establish and expand businesses more efficiently,” he said.

“It reflects our commitment to working alongside investors as partners in development and to ensuring that Government becomes an enabler of growth rather than a barrier to it.”

Mashatile used the platform to argue that South Africa cannot build its future prosperity on exporting raw materials alone.

“Our long-term success depends on our ability to add value to what we produce, expand industrial capacity and create productive employment opportunities for our people,” he said.

“We must deepen industrialisation, strengthen manufacturing and build competitive value chains that support economic growth and employment at scale.”

He named mining beneficiation, agro-processing, manufacturing, logistics and energy development as areas where Limpopo is exceptionally well positioned to contribute to that national objective. South Africa, he said, must process more of its mineral resources locally, add value to agricultural production and manufacture more of the goods its economy requires.

“In doing so, we will strengthen local industries, grow exports, create sustainable jobs and build a more resilient economy. But industrialisation cannot succeed without investing in people.”

On skills, Mashatile said young people must have the skills to participate in a changing economy as new investment flows into the province. He called for greater investment in education, technical and vocational training, apprenticeships and workplace learning opportunities.

“Every young person must have a fair opportunity to develop their talents, secure employment and contribute to our country’s growth,” he said.

The Deputy President also pressed the case that investment benefits must be shared more broadly, saying true economic inclusion is achieved when growth creates opportunities for all.

“Investment must create opportunities not only for large corporations but also for township enterprises, small businesses, cooperatives, emerging industrialists and local suppliers,” he said.

“When local businesses participate in value chains, the impact of investment reaches deeper into communities, supports entrepreneurship and creates more sustainable economic opportunities.”

He described inclusive economic transformation as a shared responsibility that government cannot deliver alone. Government, he said, must provide policy certainty and an enabling environment, the private sector must bring investment, innovation and expertise, development finance institutions must help unlock strategic projects, and communities must remain active partners in development.

Turning to the local government elections in November, Mashatile said communities deserve local leadership that is capable, accountable and committed to improving the quality of life of all residents.

“Strong municipalities are essential for delivering services, supporting local economic development and creating conditions that attract investment,” he said.

The source material is the government’s own summary of the launch and the Deputy President’s remarks, published by SAnews (South African Government News Agency) at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/limpopo-opens-door-investment-new-one-stop-shop. It does not state the cost of the facility, where in the province it will be based, how many staff it will carry, or which departments and agencies will be represented in it. It also does not state what the One Stop Shop will be able to decide on its own and what will still require a national department, nor when it opens to investors.