Free State Department of Economic Development and Tourism

31/07/2026

Letona la tsa Ditjhelete, Ntshetsopele ya Moruo le Bohahlaodi Foreistata, mohlomphei Ketso Makume kajeno one a phura leshetla le bontate mmoho le batjha ba bashemane ele hoba kgothaletsa ho itlhompha, ho nka boikarabelo le ho sirelletsa bana ba banana mmoho le basadi.

Taba taba ke ho kgothaletsa boNtate ho bohla le ho nka dikeletso tse tsamayang mmoho le maikarabelo.

Letona la boela la toboketsa h**e bo Rakgwebo Potlana ba ikamahanye le tshebeletso tsa lekgetho (tax compliance) le ho ngodisa dikgwebo tsa bona le Bomasepala, e le h**e ba tsebe ho tsetela dikgwebong tsa bona ka botlalo.

Letshwele le beta poho,ha re le ngatana ele nngwe re ka hlola tse ngata.

31/07/2026

31/07/2026

Official Launch of the 2KW locally produced Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyser facility.

Today, the Minister of Science, Technology & Innovation, Prof Blade Nzimande, together with MEC Ketso Makume, officially launched the 2KW local laboratory scale facility, which will be used for experiments and collecting data on dynamic energy profiles based on South African weather conditions during electrolysis at Sasol One Site-Sasolburg.

This facility marks an important milestone in strengthening local innovation and advancing the country's green hydrogen economy. It is a platform for clean energy technologies under SA weather & renewable energy conditions.

When delivering the message of support, MEC Ketso Makume highlighted that the project of this magnitude demonstrates how innovation becomes investment, how research becomes manufacturing capability, and how knowledge becomes jobs.

"The Medium-Term Development Plan recognizes that South Africa must mordenize its productive economy while positioning itself competitively within energy global industries.

Therefore, the Free State Provincial Government views this initiative not as an energy project but as an opportunity for logistics, engineering services, manufacturing, and localisation. We see opportunities for SMMEs. We commend SASOL for investing in people because we see this brilliant initiative as another opportunity for young people seeking meaningful employment in industries that did not exist a generation ago.

We recognize that economic transformation requires more than investment alone because investment follows certainty. It follows efficient infrastructure. It follows capable institutions. It follows reliable energy and an enabling regulatory environment."said MEC.

MEC explained that the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy identifies industrialization, innovation, beneficiation, investment attraction, and economic diversification as critical pillars for transforming the Free State economy.

He further indicated the future demands that new competitive industries are built and rooted in technology, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy.

"Industrialization must create suppliers, investment to create employment, growth must reduce poverty and development to restore dignity hence our commitment that Free State will continue positioning itself as competitive investment destination," MEC concluded.

31/07/2026

31/07/2026

This week’s goes to Kgethogolo Fitment Centre Dunlop Express

If you want safe, efficient, cost effective, fast deliveries, complete tyre and wheel needs and professional advice, Kgethogolo Trading and Projects Pty Ltd is your ultimate solution. Founded by Mr. Thabiso Mph**e from Virginia, Lejweleputswa District, the business has a wide range of tyres ranging from passenger tyres, van tyres, truck tyres, off-road tyres as well as agricultural tyres. They are partners with some of the established businesses in the industry like Dunlop, Falken and Sumitomo Tires.

Their services includes:
 Free vehicle safety check
 Balancing tyres
 Wheel alignment
 Tyre punctures and repairs
 Tyre and wheel rotation
 Wheel repairs

For more information contact the following details:
Address: No. 4 Bullion Street, Virginia, Free State
Tel: 057 402 0013 or 078 747 6118
Facebook: Kgethogolo Fitment Centre Dunlop Express
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected]
Website: kgethogolo.co.za

31/07/2026

The Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDT), in collaboration with Old Mutual, hosted a Financial Education Workshop aimed at empowering entrepreneurs and SMMEs across the Free State.

The workshop focused on equipping entrepreneurs with practical financial knowledge to strengthen and grow their enterprises.

The key topic of the session was Old Mutual’s Financial Education Programme, which teaches businesses how to break old financial habits, build new ones, and make informed decisions about saving, debt management, and investment.

Participants also learned why strong financial management is critical for accessing funding and unlocking business opportunities.

30/07/2026

https://www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za/mangaung-joins-absa-run-your-city-series-with-inaugural-10k-race/?fbclid=IwVERDUATXBMJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR6EhKLE8R0fHTwuO0NJW4CqbhIKWriVhdVBfp29H1dtmkiMMjqqn_pH4oLQPg_aem_eGGomuBOl3lKPHKvT3Fm8A

The Free State will host its first Absa Run Your City Mangaung 10K later this year.

30/07/2026

https://www.sasportspress.co.za/sa-sports/athletics/absa-run-your-city-series-expands-to-six-events-with-the-launch-of-the-absa-run-your-city-mangaung-10k/

Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series expands to SIX events with the launch of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K

29/07/2026

ABSA RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K🏃‍♂️25 October 2026.

29/07/2026

Yaaaalo🏃🏃‍♂️ Let the countdown begin💃💥🥳!

ABSA RUN YOUR CITY Mangaung 10K Officially Announced | 25 October 2026.

Today's press conference delivered a standout moment as ABSA Group Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Sydney Mbhele unpacked how the two-year engagement journey with MEC Ketso Makume unfolded and that today, the Free Staters are witnessing the outcomes of those discussions as they rooted in possibility, persistence and shared belief in the province.

Mbhele highlighted how ABSA RUN YOUR CITY Mangaung 10K will unlock new economic and tourism opportunities for the Free State business community.

"ABSA RUN YOUR CITY Series has become a proudly South African mass-participation road running platform that brings together communities, businesses, elite-athletes, social runners, families, and supporters in the streets of host cities. Its value lies not only in the race itself but in full city experience it creates," said Mbhele.

Furthermore, Mbhele announced that Mr. Valentine Senkhane (Chief Director- Corporate Affairs and Ms. Mphoko Matsie (former employee of the department) spearheaded the engagement processes behind the scenes to bring this event to the Free State, Mangaung Metro, and requested everyone in attendance to give them a round of applause.

The Executive Mayor of Mangaung Metro, Cllr Gregory Nthatisi, welcomed the announcement of the ABSA RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG series and indicated that this activity is more than a sporting announcement but a statement of confidence in Mangaung and the Free State to showcase a capital city as a place of energy, culture, resilience and hospitality.

"As part of ongoing engagements with the private sector, including connection between banking institutions, major city events, destination marketing, sport tourism, township & small business participation, we initiated engagements with commercial banks to better understand their tourism driven products and the way in which their initiatives structured to support small businesses, said MEC Ketso Makume.

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR MANGAUNG & THE FREE STATE

This initiative serves as a platform to bring visitors into our streets, explore them to our heritage, and connect them with our local businesses and stories worth choosing--said MEC.

MEC further alluded that Sport Tourism is not a side issue in economic development but it fills accommodation establishments, supports restaurants and transport operators, creates trading opportunities for small enterprises, strengthens destination visibility and gives communities a sense of ownership over major events hosted in their own city.

He concluded by thanking ABSA for seeing Mangaung not as an afterthought but as a city capable of hosting a national platform with pride and excellence.

🏃‍♂️General entries will open on 01 August.

However, registration is already open today for Absa Rewards members🏃.

Free State is not merely a place to go through; the Free State is a place to go to.