The OR Tambo Special Economic Zone (SEZ) aims to promote economic development, job creation and growth through the government’s SEZ programme and is a flagship programme for developments in Ekurhuleni, in full accordance with the District Development Model.

“This model enables us to integrate and foster economic development opportunities in collaboration with key stakeholders,” Gauteng Economic Development MEC Tasneem Motara said during a commemoration event on March 15.

“Together, we are committed to harnessing the potential of this SEZ to drive sustainable economic growth and create opportunities for all,” she expressed.

The Jewellery Manufacturing Park (JMP) is part of the OR Tambo SEZ and OR Tambo International Airport Precinct 1 development.

Advocacy for South Africa's mineral beneficiation strategy is the driving force behind the JMP's conception. This strategy aims to bolster the manufacturing of minerals extracted in South Africa into finished products for global consumption.

South Africa remains a crucial source of raw minerals for the global market.

Concurrently, the JMP seeks to contribute to the resuscitation of the jewellery and diamond industry, which has declined since the early 2000s. This has, consequently, contributed to job losses in the sector.

The JMP is home to multiple industry roleplayers, including regulatory agencies established to facilitate South African manufacturers' access to diamonds for beneficiation and to review and approve all necessary licences to beneficiate or trade minerals in South Africa.

The SEZ also encompasses companies specialising in moving high-value items made in the precinct to air-side freight. The JMP also has a business development hub, providing access to essential skills for persons trained in the industry.

Looking at the next phase of the OR Tambo SEZ, Motara noted that these developments would also create employment opportunities and foster economic growth, highlighting that the SEZ was already collaborating with key market players and stakeholders to ensure the success of these initiatives.

This includes the establishment of a “robust” enterprise development programme aimed at supporting the participation of small, medium-sized and microenterprises in the SEZ development.

When the OR Tambo SEZ Precinct 1 is fully operational, it is projected that about 3 500 employment opportunities will be created, with Motara pointing out that 2 700 operational jobs have already been created.

Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Fikile Majola expressed that the event provides a platform for government and strategic partners to demonstrate what collaborative efforts can achieve toward finding workable solutions for some of South Africa’s challenges.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi noted that loadshedding, particularly unplanned loadshedding, had an adverse effect on the country’s economy. As a result, the Gauteng provincial government was, as of April 1, introducing 300 MW to the Gauteng energy grid.

Lesufi also pointed out that the gazetting of the Vaal SEZ had been finalised.

Majola argued that the SEZ programme should be used to help strengthen partnerships with other African countries to help realise a vision of an “integrated African economy”.

He noted that collaboration with the private sector was also important for the programme.

“The launch of OR Tambo SEZ represents a pivotal moment in our industrial development agenda aligned with the National Industrial Policy Framework, Industrial Policy Action Plan and the National Development Plan,” said Motara

“Together, let’s embrace this opportunity to drive economic development, empower our people and build a prosperous future for Gauteng and the South Africa that we all want,” she added.