Enoch Mgijima launches investor drive with Komani breakfast

KOMANI – The Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality has hosted its first-ever Investor Engagement Breakfast, bringing together investors, planners, and key stakeholders in a bid to unlock economic growth and attract new development to the area.

The event, held in Komani on 23 April 2026, forms part of the municipality’s broader push to position itself as an attractive investment destination while addressing long-standing economic challenges in the region.

Focus on growth and infrastructure

In his address, Executive Mayor Cllr Madoda Papiyana highlighted the municipality’s existing assets and ongoing infrastructure upgrades aimed at supporting economic expansion.

“This Municipality boasts a variety of facilities, an industrial zone, and a plethora of available land for investment. As the Municipality, we are placing our focus on basic service delivery. Right now, we are building a new substation in Sterkstroom and upgrading the Ebden and Mlungisi substations to ensure reliable electricity for all. In our towns, various road construction projects are currently underway. We want to retain our existing businesses and attract more potential investors to drive economic growth and create job opportunities.”

The remarks come as the municipality faces continued scrutiny from residents over service delivery, particularly in areas such as electricity reliability and infrastructure maintenance.

Land release and development plans

Acting Municipal Manager Mr Aphiwe Mkhangelwa outlined more immediate, practical steps aimed at stimulating investment and expanding the local economy.

“We are here to deal with practical ways of growing the local economy. The town must expand — we need a regional mall. The Municipality has available land that we are ready to release for purchase, lease, auction, or any suitable method. The population has grown and government must find means of catering for all their needs. We have institutions of higher learning which we must work with and be able to respond to their needs. Within one month, the Municipality will advertise available land and call for expressions of interest from investors.”

The proposed release of municipal land is expected to be a key test of whether the municipality can translate plans into tangible development outcomes.

Push for partnerships and investment

The engagement is part of a wider strategy to strengthen public-private partnerships and encourage both local and external investors to consider opportunities within the municipality.

Officials indicated that this breakfast is only the starting point, with a larger, fully-fledged Investment Summit planned in the near future. The summit is expected to include a broader range of stakeholders and provide further detail on specific projects and opportunities.

A step toward economic recovery?

While the initiative signals an intent to stimulate growth, its success will likely depend on the municipality’s ability to deliver consistent basic services, a key concern for businesses and residents alike.

Reliable infrastructure, clear investment processes, and follow-through on commitments — including the promised land release within a month — will be closely watched by potential investors.

For now, the Investor Engagement Breakfast marks an early step in what municipal officials say is a longer-term plan to reshape Komani’s economic landscape.