DocumentOngoingSpeech

Address by Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile on the occasion of the 2nd International Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Conference, Durban ICC, KwaZulu-Natal

The PresidencyRef: GOVNEWS-10267 at https://www.thepresidency.gov.za

Official source

Source domain: thepresidency.gov.za

Collected on 22 July 2026

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What this means

This document is a speech by Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile delivered at the 2nd International Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Conference in Durban (Durban ICC, KwaZulu-Natal). The Deputy President outlines South Africa’s SEZ programme progress and challenges, citing World Bank findings and examples such as Coega and other SEZs/industrial parks. He announces a Cabinet-endorsed 20-year SEZ development framework with formal evaluations every five years, including possible restructuring, repurposing, or de-designation for underperforming zones, and describes incentive measures at national, provincial, and district levels. The speech also sets expectations for performance, governance, infrastructure, and community integration to ensure SEZs drive inclusive economic growth.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

economic development programme incentives and frameworkOngoing

Special Economic Zones (SEZ) programme incentives and development framework (Cabinet-endorsed)

The speech announces a Cabinet-endorsed 20-year SEZ development framework with formal evaluations every five years, and describes incentive measures (including a reduced corporate tax rate and manufacturing allowance) and district-level commitments intended to improve SEZ performance and inclusive economic growth.

Who it is for: Investors, enterprises, and partners involved in South Africa’s Special Economic Zones and industrial parks
How to act on it: Use the SEZ/industrial park investment and participation channels referenced in the speech (SEZ CEOs and the SEZ Advisory Board are present), and align projects to the SEZ scorecard/performance expectations and district commitments described in the address.

Facts

Places

KwaZulu-Natal, Buffalo City, Eastern Cape, City of Tshwane, Gauteng

Reference

GOVNEWS-10267 at https://www.thepresidency.gov.za

Amounts

R 14 800 000 000, R 3 000 000 000, R 9 200 000 000

Key Takeaways

Speaker: Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile
Event: 2nd International Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Conference
Location: Durban ICC, KwaZulu-Natal
Programme history: Industrial Development Zone programme introduced in 1997; evolved into SEZ programme under the SEZ Act (shift in 2012)
World Bank claim: SEZ programme attracted R14.8 billion revenue and created 30,000+ jobs
Coega example: Government invested R3 billion by 2010; 21 investments valued at R9.2 billion; 2,837 operational jobs; some investments relocated leading to enclave risk
Spatial Industrial Development Strategy: SEZs referenced against six layers (infrastructure corridors, resource endowments, existing industrial parks, district development model, socio-economic data, community integration)
Cabinet-endorsed 20-year SEZ development framework with evaluations every 5 years (Years 0-5 baseline/KPIs; Year 5 first evaluation; Years 5-15 consolidation/expansion; Years 15-20 maturity by 2046)
Performance threshold: zones scoring below 60% on the scorecard trigger a five-year intervention framework (restructure/repurpose/de-designate)
Incentives: 15% corporate tax rate; Section 12i Manufacturing Allowance up to R900 million; VAT and customs relief in Customs Controlled Areas; Employment Tax Incentive for youth
District commitments: 30% procurement from local SMMEs within a 5km radius; fast-track zoning; bulk services via Service Level Agreements
Named SEZs/industrial parks: Coega, Dube TradePort/Durban SEZ, Dube TradePort linkage to King Shaka International Airport and Port of Durban; Saldanha Bay (freeport); Musina-Makhado; East London IDZ; Isithebe, Ezakheni, Babelegi; Tshwane Automotive SEZ (TASEZ)
Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile
President Cyril Ramaphosa
Programme Director Thamsanqa Ntuli (Premier of KwaZulu-Natal)
Mayor of eThekwini Councillor Cyril Xaba
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau
Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi
Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration Pinky Kekana
Reverend Musa Zondi
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition Mzwandile Masina
Select Committee Chairperson Hildergard Sonja-Boshoff
SEZ Advisory Board Chairperson Fish Mahlalela
World Bank
Nelson Mandela
Minister Majola (former Deputy Minister referenced)
Coega Development Corporation
SBIDZ
SEZ CEOs (group referenced)
Cabinet (endorsed framework referenced)

Dates

Opening Date

17 July 2026