Byline: Levhuwani Matumba
14 August 2026
The Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) successfully hosted its inaugural Gert Sibande Investment Lekgotla on 6 August 2026, bringing together political and administrative leadership from local municipalities, national and provincial government departments, development finance institutions and the private sector.
Held under the theme “Advancing Investment-Led Development,” the Lekgotla provided a platform to strengthen investment coordination and unlock the district’s economic potential.
A key focus of the engagement was the introduction and unpacking of the newly developed Gert Sibande District Investment Framework, which provides a coordinated approach to investment attraction, facilitation, retention and expansion. The framework seeks to create an enabling environment that builds investor confidence while supporting sustainable local development.
The framework is aligned with national, provincial and district development priorities, with a strong focus on economic growth, job creation, industrialisation and improving the ease of doing business.
The high-level engagements also highlighted the importance of positioning Gert Sibande for long-term economic resilience amid South Africa’s evolving energy landscape. Stakeholders discussed the need to proactively prepare for economic transition while capitalising on emerging opportunities in renewable energy and the green economy.
These investments are expected to contribute towards diversifying the district’s economy, strengthening competitiveness and creating new opportunities for sustainable growth.
Participants further reaffirmed that sustainable investment requires a capable developmental local government that provides a conducive environment for businesses through improved infrastructure, efficient municipal services, streamlined regulatory processes and stronger institutional collaboration.
The Lekgotla therefore reinforced a shared commitment to improving coordination across all spheres of government, strengthening investor confidence and accelerating the implementation of catalytic development initiatives throughout the district.
Ms Pretty Chiloane, General Manager for Planning, Economic Development and Innovation (PEDI), concluded the Lekgotla by presenting key strategic resolutions that will guide the implementation of the District Investment Framework.
These resolutions include:
- Establishing dedicated investment advisory committees.
- Profiling investment opportunities across all local municipalities.
- Strengthening institutional capacity through targeted training.
- Developing competitive investment incentives.
- Supporting SMMEs and women-owned enterprises.
- Enhancing investment promotion and marketing.
- Developing a long-term economic vision that positions Gert Sibande as a competitive investment destination for decades to come.
As implementation of the framework gains momentum, GSDM will continue working with government, industry, development partners and investors to translate the outcomes of the Lekgotla into tangible projects that contribute to inclusive economic growth, sustainable job creation and an improved quality of life for the people of Gert Sibande.
Chairing the activities of the event, Cllr Bheki Buthelezi, Member of the Mayoral Committee responsible for the PEDI portfolio at GSDM, said the successful Lekgotla demonstrated the district’s collective commitment to strengthening partnerships that will unlock investment, stimulate inclusive economic growth and create sustainable employment opportunities for local communities.
