The civic leaders believe that the event will empower the town towards its economic diversification, and make for potential business linkages. During a full council meeting here on Wednesday, councillor Koos Mashaba said, "It would enable us to change our scope as well as to identify what we are lacking here. However, relevant authorities should be made aware that we have many unanswered questions regarding our economic situation in Selebi-Phikwe and we will be expecting answers". Councillor Lekang Mukokomani said while it is a good move for Selebi-Phikwe, it is as good as dangling a carrot in the air because the town will invest its resources on logistics for the day and get nothing in return.
"This is because Selebi-Phikwe does not have industries, and there are no industrialisation plans for the town," he said. The Africa Industrialisation Day was designated by the Conference of Ministers of Industry held in Zimbabwe in 1989 to recognise the important role played by industry in the development process. The aim of the day is to promote the country along with the continent's integration into the global economy through effective industrialisation and market access. The theme for this year's edition is Accelerating Industrialisation for Boosting Intra-Africa Trade. While Selebi-Phikwe is acknowledged to be predominantly a mining town, opportunities for investors and SMMEs to participate in various sectoral value chains and business linkages still exist. The event therefore will assist in profiling the town as a potential investment location thereby supporting government's diversification agenda.
