SDA takes the driver’s seat in District’s Development
GROBLERSDAL
The Sekhukhune Development Agency (SDA) has been entrusted with driving economic transformation in the Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM), following a special meeting held on Wednesday 1 October 2025 at the West Street Boardroom in Groblersdal.
The meeting, attended by SDM senior officials and stakeholders, affirmed the agency’s readiness to take the lead in the district’s development.
The session was chaired by Ms Katlego Shongwe, Director for Planning and Economic Development, with Local Economic Development (LED) Manager Kgokong Nchabeleng reaffirming institutional support the parent municipality provisioned for the SDA.
“The SDA has been entrusted with projects of significance such as the Sekhukhune District Tourism Routes and Yellow Arum Lily Festival, which the Agency have done justice in terms of the innovative ways in which both projects were given traction and attention by SDA. This is a vote of confidence from the municipality, and a signal that the Agency is returning to its rightful place at the centre of our development agenda,” said Nchabeleng.
SDM Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Planning and Economic Development, Cllr Makaeya Alfred Matlala, expressed confidence in the SDA’s ability to drive development, citing progress made under new leadership.
“I think the SDA is ready to take flight. For many years it was paralysed, and there was doubt whether it could ever fly again. But today, I am convinced that the SDA is not only ready to fly, but it is ready to take the driver’s seat in the development of the District,” Matlala said.
For MMC Matlala, the message is clear: “The SDA is back in the driver’s seat, and this time, it is steering the district toward a future of inclusive growth, tourism excellence, and sustainable development.”
The SDA has been tasked with implementing several key projects, including Sekhukhune District Tourism Routes, a tourism roadshow to promote the district’s unique routes, including the Marota Heritage Tourism Route, Mafulo a Matala Tourism Route, and Platinum Stream Tourism Route.
The Yellow Arum Lily Festival, a cultural and environmental showcase to be held from 24 to 29 November 2025, in Leolo and Roossenekal areas respectively.
The agency will also facilitate the Tšate International Boxing Tournament, a major sporting event to be held on 19 December 2025, in Burgersfort.
De Hoop Dam Resource Management Plan, a public participation session to be held on 20 November 2025, set to engage communities on the plan’s implementation.
Part of the upcoming events, SDA will organize Ward Committees Capacitation Workshop, to be convened on 19 November 2025, aiming to train ward committees on the De Hoop Dam Resource Management Plan.
The Public Participation Session set for 20 November 2025, set to collect community views on the De Hoop Dam’s Resource Management Plan and the inauguration of the De Hoop Dam Management Committee which will be taking place on 20 November 2025 to formalize the governance body for the De Hoop Dam.
SDA Spokesperson, Puleng Mmotla, said the agency is working closely with the Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for joint events, marketing drives, and tourism promotions.
“The agency is also set to inaugurate the De Hoop Dam Management Committee, which will serve as a bridge between communities, government, and development actors,” he said.
SDA Acting CEO, Dr. Rosa Mdluli, outlined the agency’s commitment to repositioning itself as a catalyst for innovation, tourism, and the emerging Blue Economy in Sekhukhune.
“Coinciding with the public participation session will be the official inauguration of the De Hoop Dam Management Committee (DMC). The SDA is leading the facilitation of this governance body, which will serve as a bridge between communities, government, and development actors, ensuring that the De Hoop Dam is managed sustainably and equitably” explained Mdluli.
