Free State premier Mxolisi Dukwana Dukwana and SA Deputy President Paul Mashatile visited Jagersfontein on 9 May 2023 to unveil grand plans to rebuild the town which was badly affected by the mine dam disaster in which two people lost their lives, one person is still missing and many were left destitute.

Business Day reports some R15 billion will be invested to get the show on the road. The major project is a solar power plant which is expected to create 6 000 jobs. The second is a cannabis and hemp industrial park which will focus on developing textile, medical and hygiene products.

“To rebuild Xhariep, we need to reimagine it and that begins with letting go of our attachment to the old. We will build an industrial area, which will house a variety of companies — among others, soap factories, hemp factories and the agricultural industry,” Dukwana said.

A skills development institution to upskill the youth is also planned, he added. “This initiative will empower our communities to be a place of economic activity that has full control of the entire value chain. Through education we will solve our own problems here at home.”

The provincial department of agriculture has earmarked R4m for agriculture in Kopanong. “The funds will be directed to assisting small-scale farmers who lost livestock, animal feed, water reticulation and fencing,” the department said.

To mitigate against drug and alcohol abuse and other social ills in Jagersfontein and surrounding areas, it was also announced that the department of sport, arts, culture & recreation will build a multipurpose centre in Kopanong.

Mashatile established a project management task team comprising deputy ministers, MECs, mayors, municipal officials and experts who will meet regularly and oversee implementation of deliverables.

A skills development institution to upskill the youth is also planned, he added. “This initiative will empower our communities to be a place of economic activity that has full control of the entire value chain. Through education we will solve our own problems here at home.”

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