Sekgobelo 'Ace' Magashule Premier: Free State

Freedom to grow

There are many reasons to invest in the Free State, from the quality of the people who live there to the quality of life it offers, says the province’s new premier, Ace Magashule.

The Free State has historically been viewed as the kind of place that people drive through on their way to other places. Endless tracts of farmland punctuated only by telephone wires and windmills was the image that people had in their minds of this province.

Tourists were drawn to the mountains of the east and the coastline beyond its borders, and job-seekers thought they were more likely to find employment in more recognised economic centres like Gauteng.

But that is no longer the case. Increasingly, savvy tourists and businesspeople alike are recognising the understated benefits of this bountiful province. Its vast mineral wealth continues to attract big-name investors such as De Beers, which in 2008 opened its new Voorspoed Diamond Mine near Kroonstad, while its unspoilt spaces and unique rock formations continue to attract holidaymakers seeking to escape the hubbub of busy coastal towns.

While there is no denying that agriculture is a major economic activity in the province, there is more to farming in the Free State than mielies and sunflowers. Agriculture has developed into an industry that displays considerable range and sophistication, expanding to include floriculture for export the European market, organic geranium and mint varietals for essential-oil production, and the raw materials to make biofuels.

The best place to live

The appeal of the Free State expands beyond its scope as a leisure and business destination. More and more South Africans are also seeing this central province, and especially its capital city, as a choice place to live. Many people seem to think that Bloemfontein’s relatively low crime rate, affordable property prices and big-city-meets-rural-town feeling make for the perfect place to raise a family. There is even a choice of tertiary-education institutions to send the children when they leave school.

Of course, the Free State consists of more than just the well-tended streets of the city of roses. The provincial government recognises this, and has set its sights on aggressive development in the poorest areas, with our priority being to improve infrastructure, promote entrepreneurship and emerging businesses, and create employment.

We also aim to create a safe, stable environment for both business and individuals by putting in place sound policies and delivery mechanisms. In his State of the Nation address, President Jacob Zuma vowed to fight incompetence and lack of service delivery at all levels of government. The Free State Provincial Government pledges to uphold the president’s promise and rout these evils from its corridors and even go beyond this, to exceeding expectations in service delivery for the people of the province.

Strategic partnerships

Government can build infrastructure, create employment and facilitate finance for SMMEs for years to come, but the state’s role can only go so far. It is the private sector that, ultimately, will grow our economy.

The Free State Provincial Government has enjoyed an excellent relationship with the business sector in the past, and this seems set to continue. New projects and investments are constantly being launched in virtually every sector of our economy.

We believe that the Free State’s economy will weather the global economic storm and continue to report positive economic growth for the foreseeable future. By endorsing this publication, we hope to amplify the message that the Free State Province is an ideal destination for doing business and enjoying an excellent quality of life. We are sure you will find many reasons for investing in our province.

Sekgobelo 'Ace' Magashule
Premier: Free State

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