MEC Visits Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency to Strengthen Collaboration on Green Economy Development
On 30 January 2026, the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (MGCA) welcomed the MEC for the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Ms J Sidell to its offices in Middelburg for an engagement focused on strengthening collaboration and advancing green economy initiatives in the province.
The visit provided an opportunity to introduce the MEC to the work undertaken by MGCA and to showcase the range of projects currently being developed to support economic diversification and sustainable growth in Mpumalanga.
In her opening remarks, the MEC reflected on the successful Mpumalanga Mining and Investment Conference held in Middelburg on 2–3 October 2025, which resulted in significant investment pledges for the province. She emphasised the importance of both protecting existing jobs within emerging green economy sectors and creating new employment opportunities, ensuring that economic transition delivers tangible benefits for communities.
The MEC further stressed that green economy projects must deliver meaningful impact and contribute directly to inclusive economic growth.
During the session, the MGCA team presented an overview of the Agency’s growing project pipeline, highlighting initiatives across the Agriculture, Water, Renewable Energy, and Circular Economy sectors. The scale of planned investments and development initiatives demonstrates the province’s expanding green economy opportunities.
The team also highlighted the Green Innovation Challenge, an initiative aimed at supporting youth-led and emerging small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) operating in the green economy. The past two editions of the challenge, held in 2024 and 2025, attracted more than 200 applicants combined, with cash prizes awarded to the top three businesses each year to support enterprise growth and innovation.
The engagement reaffirmed the importance of close cooperation between government leadership and the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency in driving sustainable economic development in Mpumalanga.
MGCA looks forward to continued engagements with the MEC and Head of Department, beginning with the upcoming Enterprise Development Colloquium in the Gert Sibande District, which the MEC is scheduled to attend.
