The Democratic Alliance in Limpopo welcomes the signing of the Vhembe Agricultural Multiplier memorandum of understanding between organised commercial farmers in Limpopo, the Provincial Government, and the Mutele Traditional Council.
This initiative demonstrates that there are viable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible alternatives for economic growth, job creation, and rural empowerment in the Vhembe District. It stands in stark contrast to the current coal-driven, environmentally unsustainable Musina/Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ), which promotes heavy, polluting industries under foreign ownership.
The Vhembe Agricultural Multiplier illustrates what can be achieved when government enables and supports initiatives from the private sector.
It also highlights the power of collaboration. When government, business (in this case, farmers), and local communities work together in a bottom-up, democratic manner, the results speak for themselves. This approach starkly contrasts with the top-down, command-driven development model championed by the ANC’s National Democratic Revolution (NDR) ideology—an approach that has repeatedly failed to deliver meaningful results and has worsened conditions in our communities.
As the Democratic Alliance, we remain deeply concerned about the current direction of the MMSEZ. We believe that the Vhembe District’s path to sustainable economic development lies in a collaborative, inclusive, and locally driven approach—one where government and stakeholders from all sectors work together for the greater good.
We firmly believe that sustainable economic growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation are best achieved by reducing government intervention. Instead, government should focus on creating an enabling environment for private-sector growth, entrepreneurship, and innovation.