By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe
The MEC for DEDT(Department of Economic Development and Tourism), Jesta Sidell, led a media launch to officially introduce the Mpumalanga Investment and Mining Conference, on Friday 26 September 2025, at MEGA Building, City of Mbombela.
The media launch was in preparation for the main event scheduled for 2-3 October 2025, in Middleburg.
MEC Sidell said the conference will play a significant role in reinforcing Mpumalanga’s position as a mining powerhouse and diversifying the economy to attract new investments across various sectors.
According to Sidell, this is informed by the strategic priorities of the 7th A 34dministration as announced by  President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, in line with the vision to drive inclusive economic growth and job creation, reduce poverty, and tackle the high cost of living.
She mentioned that the conference is anchored on the third pillar of government’s economic strategy, which is the investment stimulus.
“ We have been working on it for some time, but it was formalised by the honourable Premier, Mandla Ndlovu, during the SOPA(State of the Province Address) tabled in February this year. In today’s launch, we signify our state of readiness for this conference, which at its core is to drive and stimulate growth and build an inclusive economy that will create jobs for the people of Mpumalanga.
“ As we reimagine our economic future, the mining sector is and will remain a cornerstone for provincial economy contributing significantly to our GDP(Gross Domestic Product),” she said.
Sidell said mining will remain a key focus in the conference, but other vast opportunities in the Green economy such as renewable energy, tourism, and agriculture will be vastly highlighted.
According the MEC, Mpumalanga contributes 7.8% of the country’s GDP, and this positions the province as the fourth largest, of all 9 provinces in the country.
“ The conference is a building block of a new economic path to propel the slow economic growth due to international geo-politics. We recorded an expansion by only 0.5% in 2022, 0.4% in 2023, and less than 1% in 2024. The growth rate projections for 2024 to 2029 is 1.6% per annum. The conference will showcase key projects and investment-ready opportunities,” said Sidell.
She acknowledged the important role played by the media, as it serves as the link between the state, private sector and the residents.
“ We also recognise the important role that the media plays, not just in communicating key messages, but fostering meaningful engagements between the state and the private sector for a realisation of a public/private partnership. The Mpumalanga Investment and Mining Conference is not just an event, it is a testimony to our determination to create a thriving, inclusive and sustainable economy for all of us,” Sidell concluded.
Conference Objectives
– Drive Inclusive Economic Growth
– Attract Investment
– Showcase OpportunitiesKey Focus Areas
– Attract Investment
– Showcase OpportunitiesKey Focus Areas
– Renewable Energy: Develop and commercialise cleaner technologies to build a low-carbon economy.
– Tourism: Restore and develop new tourism ventures, aiming to create a unique world-class experience.
– Agro-Processing: Create value chains and stimulate growth in rural communities through investment in agro-processing.
– Tourism: Restore and develop new tourism ventures, aiming to create a unique world-class experience.
– Agro-Processing: Create value chains and stimulate growth in rural communities through investment in agro-processing.
The MEC was accompanied by the Chairperson of the Board at MEGA(Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency), Jabu Mahlangu, HOD(Head of Department) at DEDT, Immy Serakalala, CEO(Chief Executive Officer) of MEGA, Isaac Mahlangu, Deputy Director-General in the Office of the Premier, Nonhle Mashinini-Nkosi.
