Hailed by President Cyril Ramaphosa for exceptional performance as the first female Premier of Limpopo Province. Dr. Phophi Ramathuba seems to be sailing smoothly in tourism attraction, while job creations remain unsustainable. 
The premier outlined plans and achievements of Limpopo at the State of the Province address Botes Hall in Polokwane on Thursday.
Dr. Ramathuba acknowledged that temporary jobs have risen in the first quarter of 2025, where about 64 000 jobs were created.
Even though the province remains fourth largest employer in South Africa.
Residents are demanding permanent jobs for security.
Limpopo employment is driven by EPWP contracts that afford residents a temporary work for a period of six months.
An anonymous resident expressed dissatisfaction regarding the Premier’s 28% unemployment in the province.
“Roads construction jobs and EPWP are the biggest jobs. Ward Councilors are given a mandate and authority to recruit locals through the paper number method. ANC members are the ones who afforded the opportunity, ” said a concerned resident.
Premier Ramathuba intends to reduce unemployment below 20%
“We will build on this momentum and work with renewed urgency to reduce unemployment further with a clear goal of bringing it below 20% and ensuring that growth in our Province is inclusive, sustainable, and job_rich” said the Provincial Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba
Limpopo Industrial Agenda theme ” Turning resources into factories and factories into jobs seems to be moving on a snail pace.
The prolonged Musina Makhando Special Economic Zone ( SEZ) that was launched in 2018 by the former Premier Stanley Mathabatha has not yet reduced unemployment as planned.
“We have also appointed a new CEO who is expected to drive the vision of the province in that area,” said the Provincial Premier Ramathuba
SEZ is a large industrial development project in the Vhembe District between the towns of Musina and Makhado near the Beitbridge border with Zimbabwe.
Its aim is to promote industrialization, investment, and job creation.
The project was expected to attract more than R40 billion in investment and create over 21 000 jobs.
It has two main development sites
First South Site ( Energy and Metallurgical)
- Heavy industry
- Steel and metal processing
- Energy production
- Mineral beneficiation
- Second North site ( Antonvilla)
- Light and medium manufacturing
- Agro_ processing
- Logistics and warehousing
- Trade services
Premier Ramathuba confirmed during her address that the court battle of land issue is resolved.
” We are delighted to report that indeed we have made great strides with the land now formally transferred to the SEZ, and bulk work has begun,” Premier Ramathuba explained
The project was approved by the former President Jacob Zuma’s administration in July 2016.
Operator license was issued by the Department of Trade and Industry 2017.
The project is now extended to explore new green and advanced opportunities with CSIR, FTIP, Valterra Platinum, and Mintek to pursue hydrogen energy derived from PGM’s framed as practical step forward local beneficiation
As the local government elections looms, the premier emphasized that municipalities affected by the recent floods will be granted R500 million to rebuild their infrastructures.
Where 27 lives were lost, others are still missing , including a 5 year old boy from Mbawula village in Giyani.
According to the provincial government, about 450 roads were damaged, and 3500 houses were destroyed.
” We are now directing the MEC of Finace, Mr. Kgabo Mahoai to make available funds to the provincial departments to cover the urgent recovery” outlined by the premier.
She alluded that every Rand would be accounted for by the official personnel given authority to manage the funds.
” There is no space for corruption for entrepreneurs who are busy salivating at the smell of these funds,” said Provincial Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba
Oppositional parties were not pleased with her address. EFF MPL’s tried to disrupt her speech.