Musina is likely to reap huge spin-offs from the FIFA World Cup 2010 euphoria when thousands of soccer fans enter South Africa through the Beit Bridge Border Post.

The influx of soccer spectators from various countries to the north of the Limpopo River is envisaged to boost the tourism industry in Musina tremendously, which will in turn attract investors keen on establishing industries ranging from manufacturing and retailing to hotels.

Addressing more than 100 entrepreneurs during the Musina Local Municipality’s Local Economic Development Gala Dinner on Friday at the Musina Show grounds, representatives of Trade Investment Limpopo (TIL), National Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nafcoc) and the Foundation of Africa Business and Consumer Services (Fabcos) pledged to join hands with the community to facilitate the development of Musina’s economy.

Delivering the keynote address, Mayor Caroline Mahasela reassured the business fraternity that the process of developing Musina’s LED strategy is underway.

“Rest assured that all the inputs from our society, including the youth, women and differently abled people are going to be considered when our Municipal Council adopt our LED strategy to ensure that Musina is uplifted to become one of the best performing economic hubs,” said Mayor Mahasela.

Urging the community and business owners to keep Musina clean, Mayor Mahasela said: “Be assured that as we strive to attract investors to come and establish various industries in Musina, we cherish what we have already achieved. Let’s stop scaring away potential investors by refraining from littering our town because potential investors are very sensitive towards this.”

“As part of our LED strategy for growing the economy in the short, medium and long term, we need to diversify our economy to ensure that we encompass various sectors, including retailing, tourism, agriculture, mining and manufacturing. We have to engage with all these sectors and their unions actively to finalise our LED strategy, which aims to co-ordinate activities around the development of these industries,” Mayor Mahasela concluded.