President Ramaphosa to officiate the launch of the Free State Catalytic Investment and Industrialisation Project

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 9 October 2026, officiate the launch of the Free State Catalytic Investment and Industrialization Project in Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality.

The ceremony will take place at the Phuthaditjhaba Multipurpose Centre, Free State Province.

The high-level ceremony will be hosted by the Premier of the Free State Province, MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality and the Chinese investors Joy Long-YJC.

The project will mobilise automotive assembly, electric-mobility technologies, components, energy systems, logistics, skills and local suppliers.

The project represents an investment of approximately R100-billion and is expected to contribute to manufacturing, industrialisation, green economy development and the energy transition, while creating approximately 6 500 permanent jobs.

The event will bring together national, provincial and local government, investors, development-finance institutions, infrastructure provider: businesses, training institutions and delegations from all 35 wards of Maluti-a-Phofung.

Details of the launch are as follows:

Date: Friday, 9 October 2026
Time: 09h00
Venue: Phuthaditjhaba Multipurpose Centre, Free State Province

Media Accreditation enquiries:

Free State Premier's Office: Ms Pulane Tsupane on +27 71 302 2595
GCIS: Ms Mpho Phatudi on +27 79 605 2659

Media enquiries:

Free State Premier's Office
Head of Provincial Government Communication Services: Ms Matshidiso Setai on +27 83 795 6498
Premier Spokesperson: Ms Mpho Sikisi on +27 83 449 9463

The Presidency
Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - [email protected]

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria