Govan Mbeki Local Municipality 

Agricultural sector

The most prevalent land use in the rural areas of Govan Mbeki is commercial agriculture. Although soils in large parts of the study area are not ideally suited to arable agriculture , vast areas are being utilized for dryland crop cultivation (crops such as maize, sunflowers and beans). Unimproved grasslands are used for cattle and sheep grazing. Large chicken farming operations occur here and there. Improvements on the commercial farms mostly include the farmsteads (farmer’s house, yard, farmstores, etc.) and labourers compounds.

Kinross was established as an agricultural service centre on the N17 between Leandra and Trichardt.

Gold Mining sector:

Harmony is the only significant gold mining title holder in our area and operates a number of shafts in the area west of Secunda, in the vicinity of Evander and eMbalenhle. The gold reefs are generally deep and shallow
.
As far as future gold mining operations are concerned, Harmony is currently investigating a number of possible projects, including the following:

* the development of a new reduction works at the Evander No. 1 shaft;
* the re-opening of some shafts;
* the sinking of a new shaft west of Lebohang south of Provincial Route R29.

Commercial sector:

As far as offices and retail trade are concerned, Secunda/Trichardt fulfills a regional function, serving not only the local surrounding community, but also the rural areas and towns further afield. Business in Secunda/Trichardt is currently going through a strong growth phase with Bethal is the second most important business destination in Govan Mbeki, and also has a reasonably strong industrial component.

Coal Mining sector:

Secunda can be rightfully be regarded as our country's "fuel and chemicals" capital producing 29% of South Africa's liquid fuel requirements.

The 5 sasol coal mines at Secunda produce 23% of South Africa's coal and also forms the largest underground coal mining complex in the World. Sasol produces 240 other products for customers in 100 countries.

Most of the coal mining currently takes place in the central regions and will remain so during the next 10 years. A total of 13 shafts are located in our area, as well as an extensive network of surface conveyor belts for the transport of the coal from the shafts to the SASOL plant and coal export facility. Opencast mining takes place at Syferfontein to the north of Secunda.

Residential and property investment:

The large scale industrial infrastructure provides potential investment opportunities for property investors. The Municipality boasts prime upmarket residential areas with relatively competitive property prices.

Automotive Retail sector:

Trichardt has developed into an automotive hub, boasting an auto trader for almost all vehicle manufacturers.