Deputy Minister outlines board's strategic mandate
Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Zuko Godlimpi has welcomed the newly appointed Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Advisory Board, expressing strong confidence in its capacity to bolster the national SEZ programme and accelerate economic transformation across the country.
Godlimpi was speaking at an induction workshop held in Johannesburg, organised by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic). The session was designed to familiarise board members with the SEZ Act, the Spatial Industrial Development Strategy, departmental industrial policy, and the specific duties expected of each member.
The workshop aimed to build a unified grasp of the Special Economic Zones Act of 2014 and the broader programme it underpins.
"Your appointment reflects both your expertise and the critical role that the Board plays in shaping South Africa's industrial future. The induction is foundational and not just procedural. The purpose is to ensure that the Board and all its members have a shared understanding of the Special Economic Zones legislative framework, the Spatial Industrial Development Strategy, and the broader implementation plan that guides the SEZ Programme in South Africa."
The advisory board, established by legislation, serves as a key strategic counsel to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition on all matters relating to SEZ development and rollout. Its remit spans advising on policy direction, tracking implementation of the SEZ policy framework, evaluating new zone designation applications, reviewing the performance of existing zones, and proposing measures around investment promotion and operations.
Godlimpi emphasised that the board occupies a pivotal position where policy, governance, and economic development converge, making it far more than a supervisory body — rather a strategic tool for ensuring SEZs produce real results for the national economy.
Investment figures paint an encouraging picture
South Africa currently has 12 designated special economic zones, with nine already in operation. By the close of the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, these functioning zones were home to 224 investors, reflecting a combined investment value of roughly R31.744 billion and sustaining 28 821 employment opportunities. Over an eight-year stretch from the 2018/19 financial year, net cumulative investment growth in operational SEZs has reached approximately R17.234 billion.
"As we begin a new term of this Board, we must build on those foundations while responding to the evolving economic realities facing our country."
These figures, Godlimpi noted, demonstrate that the SEZ model is successfully drawing both local and foreign investors, proving that purpose-built industrial infrastructure can spark meaningful productive activity. He stressed that the true value of SEZs extends beyond investment numbers — they hold the power to reshape South Africa's economic landscape.
Acknowledging the nation's pressing challenges of unemployment, sluggish growth, and deep-rooted structural inequality, the Deputy Minister pointed to the country's considerable strengths, including abundant natural resources, robust institutions, and a strategic continental position.
"The SEZs afford us a practical mechanism to convert these opportunities into tangible outcomes."
The advisory board's historical contribution has been instrumental in strengthening governance and accountability within the programme, particularly during the shift from the earlier Industrial Development Zone model to the current, more expansive SEZ framework. With this new term, the board faces the task of building on past achievements while navigating a rapidly shifting economic environment.
The direction of the SEZ programme under renewed board leadership carries significant weight for South African workers and entrepreneurs, particularly in regions where joblessness remains deeply entrenched. Effective oversight could sharpen the competitiveness of existing zones, encourage fresh waves of local and international investment, and channel industrial activity into underserved communities. Much will depend on whether the board can move beyond advisory functions to drive measurable improvements in zone performance, operational efficiency, and inclusive economic participation across the country.
