The Matatiele Local Municipality has taken a significant step toward boosting local economic development and job creation following the council’s adoption of a motion to establish a municipal-owned brick manufacturing plant.
The proposal, tabled by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), aims to capitalize on the high demand for building materials in the area while also creating much-needed employment opportunities for the local community.
Our people are subjected to high levels of poverty and unemployment due to limited job opportunities within the municipality.
As the EFF and the municipality embark on this ambitious project, questions arise about its potential impact, management, and implications for existing private businesses in the sector.
Speaking with EFF Alfred Nzo Regional Secretary Siseko Sikhafungana, he stated that although the motion has been adopted and discussed, the council is yet to deliberate further in the next council meeting. “It is a progressive motion expected to create job opportunities for unemployed youth in Matatiele and generate municipal revenue,” he said.
Explaining the rationale behind the motion, Sikhafungana emphasized that Matatiele Local Municipality is largely underdeveloped, with stagnant economic growth due to a lack of production capacity. “Our people face high levels of poverty and unemployment due to limited job opportunities within the municipality,” he said.
He continued, “We need to increase industrial production capacity to boost economic growth and create sustainable jobs. We have the potential to become an industrial hub and job center of the Eastern Cape, as we possess abundant raw materials.”
Additionally, Sikhafungana highlighted the opportunity to leverage these raw materials to establish Matatiele as a leading force in the construction industry in the Eastern Cape and South Africa.
However, newly appointed Matatiele Local Municipality spokesperson Ndabuko Masumpa clarified that the council process allows all members to present motions, fostering broader contributions to the municipality’s development agenda.
“Once a motion is presented, it is forwarded to the appropriate departments and structures within the municipality for evaluation and consideration. This process ensures that the motion is assessed for its feasibility, alignment with the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), and compatibility with the available budget,” said Masumpa.
In conclusion, he stated that the municipality is currently implementing various economic development initiatives aimed at increasing the participation of previously disadvantaged communities. These initiatives seek to empower these communities, enabling them to contribute to and benefit from local economic growth.
