Traders press for inclusion as province celebrates record pledges
POLOKWANE — Local informal traders and small-business owners in Polokwane say they must be included in the opportunities arising from the R138.4 billion of investment pledges announced at last week’s sixth Limpopo Investment Conference (LIC), held at The Ranch Resort.
Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba and Deputy President Paul Mashatile officiated the launch of the InvestSA One Stop Shop at the event, which the provincial government said was intended to simplify processes for investors. The conference exceeded the provincial target of R120 billion, organisers reported.
Mampapatla Madikoto, secretary of the Limpopo Small Business and Informal Business Association (Lisa), attended the conference to build networks that could help informal traders in Polokwane access opportunities created by the pledges. He said he had engaged with network connectivity companies, the Limpopo Tourism Agency chairperson Freddy Greaver and the Chinese ambassador, with the aim of bringing development initiatives to the city’s informal economy.
“Most of our members are informal traders, followed by tuck shop owners,” Madikoto said, adding that local small businesses should benefit from the proposed investments.
Informal traders in Polokwane face long-standing barriers to accessing formal supply chains and municipal procurement. Madikoto told delegates he hoped the contacts made at the LIC would translate into tangible contracts and training for local entrepreneurs.
Opposition warns pledges are only the start
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo questioned whether large headline pledges will become real investment without functioning municipal services. DA Limpopo leader Jacques Smalle pointed to provincial figures showing that of R452.38 billion in investment commitments announced between 2021 and 2025, only R71.058 billion — about 15.7% — had materialised on the ground.
Smalle argued that investors are unlikely to commit funds or expand where municipalities cannot guarantee reliable water, electricity and well-maintained roads. He specifically raised concerns about municipal service delivery in and around Polokwane, saying businesses cannot grow without these basics.
What the numbers show
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Investment pledges at sixth LIC | R138.4 billion |
| Provincial target before conference | R120 billion |
| Commitments announced 2021–2025 | R452.38 billion |
| Materialised 2021–2025 | R71.058 billion (15.7%) |
These figures were cited by DA leadership at the conference and by other delegates during discussions about implementation and accountability.
Local consequences and next steps
For Polokwane residents the central questions are practical: will any of the projects be located in or near the city, and will procurement and job-creation plans include informal and small businesses? Madikoto and his colleagues are seeking inclusion through networking and direct engagement with investors and provincial agencies.
- Access to procurement: Informal traders want clear pathways to supply goods and services to projects that flow from pledges.
- Service delivery: The DA’s figures underscore that reliable water, electricity and roads remain preconditions for investor confidence.
- Local benefit: Polokwane-based businesses and workers will press for training, local content and jobs from any projects that reach implementation.
The conference also launched the InvestSA One Stop Shop, designed to streamline investor requirements. Provincial officials said the facility aims to make it easier to register projects and obtain approvals, although details on how the office will fast-track local supplier participation were not provided at the event.
As the province moves from announcements to implementation, informal traders and opposition parties alike say they will monitor whether pledges translate into contracts, jobs and improved municipal services in Polokwane. The next steps will require co‑ordination between provincial departments, municipal officials and investors to ensure that the promised funds lead to on-the-ground development that benefits local communities.
Reporting for Polokwane: coverage is based on statements and figures presented at the sixth Limpopo Investment Conference and comments attributed to Mampapatla Madikoto and DA leader Jacques Smalle.
