In an attempt to widen their marketing network, the Musina Municipality finally launched their much-sought-after product, spirulina, for the first time in Limpopo.

The product, rated amongst the best in the world because of the hot conditions where it is cultivated, had a very successful launch last week at the Vevisa Lodge in Polokwane, where many pharmacists and representatives from the business fraternity were in attendance.

The launch in Polokwane comes barely a year after its launch in Sandton, Gauteng.

Spirulina is a health food supplement, nature’ s richest source of antioxidant vegetable nutrition made from algae, and has no side-effects, as it is raw. The product is produced by Zelpy Pty Limited, a company fully owned by the Musina Municipality. The company was started in 2000 with funds from the Department of Provincial and Local Government and has since become one of Musina’s shining examples of LED projects, surpassing all expectations.

During the event, Cllr Gabriel Ramushwana said the second launch was a milestone and source for celebration. It is a step forward as they are already reaping the fruits since it was launched for the first time last year. He said they were faced with a challenge of deciding which type of project to launch after being funded to the tune of R6 million for development through their LED wing. "We knew from the onset that we wanted to run a unique type of project. Unlike other municipalities, we did not want to do community gardens, poultry farming or any other project that has short-term benefits for communities and which only benefit a few," he said.

He said the prime aim of the project was to push back the frontiers of poverty and fight joblessness. The project will plough back the profits into the community by funding various community projects as reflected in the municipality’s IDP and LED Plan.

In a statement read by the mayor of Musina, Cllr Caroline Mahasela, on behalf of Premier Sello Moloto, the provincial government pledged support for the initiative as it was perfectly within the horticulture cluster of the government´s Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS). He said the good quality of Musina spirulina will be most ideal for treatment of digestive problems, high cholesterol, anemia, diabetes and wounds. He congratulated the Musina municipality on seeing an opportunity where it never existed, by turning their "negative" climatic conditions into great opportunities for fast-tracking growth and development in their area. "We believe that you can become the best in the industry and have no good reason to doubt your potential. A public-private partnership such as this one can become a good role model for the entire country to emulate," he said.