The Limpopo province, through its strong delegation led by the Premier Sello Moloto, participated with other fellow countrymen in celebrating the tenth anniversary of the South African/Chinese diplomatic relations as well as the China Import and Export Commodities Fair.

During a press conference called by Moloto accompanied by Agriculture MEC, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi, following their return to Polokwane after a two-week visit to the People’s Republic of China, Moloto said the visit had been extremely successful for a number of reasons.

“During the visit the local delegation focused on promoting the comparative advantages of mining, and tourism as in agriculture some progress has already been made as some fruit that has originated here such as bananas and oranges are already being grown in China.” He added that since their first visit to the country in 2005, the provincial agricultural department has bought 18 tractors from China and this equipment is being used at Madzivhandila and Tompi Seleka agriculture colleges.

“Furthermore two technicians have undergone training in China and they are now training tractor owners under the supervision of the Limpopo Agri-business Training Academy,” Moloto added. *Other benefits are that two Chinese professors from fishery science specialising in agriculture are currently in the province for a period of two months working with the local officials in areas of aquaculture.

*And finally Limpopo mining has also seen no less than R250 million towards the expansion of ASA Metals at Dilokong in the Sekhukhune district. - John Phadu