OFFICIAL STATEMENT

07 SEPTEMBER 2026
PARYS, FREE STATE

NGWATHE BUSINESS BREAKFAST 2026: POSITIONING NGWATHE AS A DESTINATION FOR INVESTMENT, TOURISM AND OPPORTUNITY

The Edgar Legoale Foundation is proud to officially announce the Ngwathe Business Breakfast 2026, taking place on Thursday, 17 September 2026, at Woodlands Country Lodge in Parys, Free State, under the theme:

“Positioning Ngwathe as a Destination for Investment, Tourism and Opportunity.”

The Business Breakfast forms part of the broader Ngwathe Spring Experience 2026, a September programme created to connect tourism, business, investment, sport, culture, entertainment, entrepreneurship and Local Economic Development.

The Business Breakfast has been developed as a focused investment and economic-development platform that will bring together national, provincial and local government, corporate South Africa, investors, commercial banks, development finance institutions, tourism and hospitality stakeholders, organised business, entrepreneurs, SMMEs and strategic partners.

Its purpose is to create a practical environment in which stakeholders can engage on the opportunities that exist within Ngwathe, the barriers that must be addressed, and the partnerships required to turn economic potential into investment, enterprise development, tourism growth and employment.

At the centre of the Business Breakfast is a clear objective:

To connect opportunity with capital, businesses with markets, investors with projects, and government with the partners required to unlock sustainable economic development.

POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT ALIGNMENT

The Ngwathe Business Breakfast is aligned with key development priorities across all spheres of government.

At national level, the platform supports the objectives of the National Development Plan: Vision 2030 and the Medium-Term Development Plan 2024–2029, particularly the focus on inclusive economic growth, job creation, investment, infrastructure development and stronger partnerships between government and the private sector.

At provincial level, the Business Breakfast supports the broader direction of the Free State Growth and Development Strategy – Vision 2050, which places emphasis on economic growth, infrastructure, investment, enterprise development and employment.

At district level, it supports the development priorities of Fezile Dabi District Municipality, including Local Economic Development, tourism, agriculture and agro-processing, SMME support and stronger coordination between government, business and communities.

At local level, the Business Breakfast is closely aligned with the Ngwathe Local Municipality 2026/27 Integrated Development Plan, which places emphasis on Local Economic Development, infrastructure investment, SMME growth, tourism, partnerships and attracting investment.

The Business Breakfast therefore provides a practical platform to advance development priorities already identified by national, provincial, district and local government.

MAKING NGWATHE INVESTMENT-READY

Ngwathe has significant potential in tourism and hospitality, agriculture and agro-processing, property and infrastructure development, energy, events, enterprise development and the broader service economy.

However, potential alone does not attract investment.

Businesses and investors need confidence in infrastructure, institutions, financing mechanisms, planning, access to markets and the overall enabling environment.

The Business Breakfast will therefore create space for serious discussion around:

* infrastructure required to support investment;
* energy security;
* water, roads and transport connectivity;
* development and commercial finance;
* land and property development;
* investor confidence;
* tourism and destination development;
* public-private collaboration;
* supplier development;
* and local enterprise participation.

The objective is not simply to discuss challenges, but to identify what different stakeholders can practically contribute towards making Ngwathe more investment-ready.

MEC DIBOLELO KATHLEEN MANCE TO PROVIDE PROVINCIAL LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE

The Edgar Legoale Foundation is honoured to welcome Ms Dibolelo Kathleen Mance, MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure in the Free State, who will deliver a Provincial Leadership Address and participate in the first high-level strategic discussion.

Her contribution will focus on the relationship between public infrastructure, investment and strategic partnerships in creating the conditions required for sustainable economic growth.

Infrastructure directly affects investor confidence, business activity, construction, property development and the ability of communities and local enterprises to participate in economic opportunities.

The MEC will participate in the strategic discussion titled:

“MAKING NGWATHE INVESTMENT-READY: INFRASTRUCTURE, CAPITAL AND THE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT”

The discussion will bring together perspectives from government, development finance, commercial banking, infrastructure, energy, organised business and corporate South Africa.

It will also examine how infrastructure spending and new investment can create opportunities for local contractors, suppliers, workers and SMMEs.

FROM OPPORTUNITY TO ENTERPRISE

A second strategic discussion will focus on:

“FROM OPPORTUNITY TO ENTERPRISE: TOURISM, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INCLUSIVE LOCAL ECONOMIC GROWTH”

This discussion will examine how investment and tourism growth can translate into sustainable businesses, markets, employment and opportunities for people within Ngwathe.

Key areas will include:

* access to finance;
* youth entrepreneurship;
* tourism and destination development;
* corporate procurement;
* supplier development;
* market access;
* enterprise growth;
* and opportunities arising from tourism, events and major investment projects.

The Foundation believes that economic development must create opportunities for local businesses and communities.

SMMEs and entrepreneurs should not remain outside major investment conversations. They must be part of the value chain.

TOURISM AS AN ECONOMIC ASSET

Tourism will form an important part of the Business Breakfast because Ngwathe already has a strong destination economy.

The area is supported by the Vaal River, the Vredefort Dome, accommodation establishments, restaurants, hospitality businesses, outdoor and adventure tourism, events and a growing lifestyle economy.

The opportunity now is to strengthen this base and ensure that more tourism spending benefits local businesses.

Tourism must support accommodation, restaurants, transport, retail, events, creative industries, tourism operators, local producers, SMMEs and employment.

The Business Breakfast will therefore explore how Ngwathe can use its tourism assets to attract further investment, develop new tourism products and strengthen existing enterprises.

AGRICULTURE AND AGRO-PROCESSING

Agriculture and agro-processing will also form part of the broader economic conversation.

The opportunity extends beyond primary agricultural production.

It includes processing, packaging, storage, logistics, distribution, procurement and creating greater value from agricultural products before they leave the region.

Partnerships between farmers, businesses, entrepreneurs, financiers, investors and government can help unlock further economic opportunities in this sector.

MOVING FROM DISCUSSION TO ACTION

A key feature of the Ngwathe Business Breakfast will be its focus on practical follow-up.

The Foundation recognises that serious investment decisions require due diligence, feasibility studies, technical assessments, funding processes and internal approvals.

The Business Breakfast will therefore not seek unrealistic public commitments to immediate financial investment.

Instead, it will seek to facilitate Investment and Partnership Action Commitments.

These may include:

* investor site visits;
* technical project assessments;
* funding-readiness engagements;
* meetings between businesses and financiers;
* supplier-development engagements;
* destination partnerships;
* project reviews;
* and further due-diligence processes.

An Investment and Partnership Action Register will be used to capture areas of interest, responsible organisations, agreed next steps and follow-up periods.

The intention is simple:

When an investor, financial institution, corporate or development partner identifies an opportunity, the conversation must not end when the Business Breakfast ends.

NGWATHE OPPORTUNITY PIPELINE

The Business Breakfast will also seek to strengthen the way Ngwathe presents its economic opportunities.

A concise Ngwathe Opportunity Pipeline will identify opportunities across areas such as:

* tourism and hospitality;
* property and commercial development;
* infrastructure;
* energy;
* agriculture and agro-processing;
* destination development;
* events;
* and enterprise participation.

The purpose is to move beyond simply saying that Ngwathe has potential.

Potential investors and financiers need to understand what the opportunity is, what stage it has reached, what kind of capital or partnership is required and what the next engagement should be.

This will help strengthen Ngwathe’s ability to move from general investment promotion towards more structured investment facilitation.

WHY BUSINESS SHOULD BE IN THE ROOM

The Business Breakfast has been structured to create value for different participants.

For entrepreneurs and SMMEs, it provides access to financiers, government representatives, development institutions, corporate decision-makers and potential partners.

For corporates, it creates opportunities to identify suppliers, explore partnerships, engage clients and better understand the local economy.

For commercial banks and development finance institutions, it creates direct engagement with businesses, developers, entrepreneurs and potential projects requiring financial solutions.

For investors and developers, it provides access to stakeholders who understand Ngwathe’s economic environment, infrastructure, tourism assets and development opportunities.

For tourism establishments and entrepreneurs, it creates an opportunity to participate directly in shaping conversations around tourism investment and destination development.

The Foundation encourages participants to approach the Business Breakfast not simply as an event to attend, but as a platform to build relationships, identify opportunities and initiate practical follow-up.

BUILDING THE NGWATHE EXPERIENCE

The Ngwathe Business Breakfast forms part of the Foundation’s broader vision to establish the Ngwathe Experience as a sustainable platform connecting tourism, business, investment, culture, sport, entertainment and Local Economic Development.

The September programme includes:

* Ngwathe Tourism Expo – Friday, 4 September 2026, Parys Airfield
* Ngwathe Business Breakfast – Thursday, 17 September 2026, Woodlands Country Lodge
* Ngwathe Golf Experience – Sunday, 20 September 2026, Parys Golf Estate
* Ngwathe Spring Experience Music Festival – Saturday, 26 September 2026, Fezile Dabi Stadium

Each programme serves a different purpose while contributing towards one broader objective:

Positioning Ngwathe as a destination for tourism, investment, enterprise and opportunity.

The intention is not simply to host successful events.

It is to build a continuous platform that promotes Ngwathe, strengthens tourism, encourages investment, supports local businesses and creates relationships capable of contributing towards longer-term development.

AN INVITATION TO BUSINESS, INVESTORS AND CORPORATE SOUTH AFRICA

The Edgar Legoale Foundation invites businesses, investors, corporate South Africa, commercial banks, development finance institutions, tourism stakeholders, entrepreneurs, professionals and strategic partners to participate in the Ngwathe Business Breakfast 2026.

Companies are encouraged to bring executives, business-development teams, clients, partners and strategic stakeholders into an environment focused on investment, economic development and partnership building.

PARTICIPATION AND CORPORATE PACKAGES

INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION

R550 per person

Includes access to the Business Breakfast, strategic discussions and networking opportunities.

CORPORATE PACKAGE

R10,000

Includes:

* 10 seats
* Reserved corporate table
* Company branding on the table
* Acknowledgement during the programme
* Networking and activation opportunity

The package is designed for organisations seeking visible and strategic participation while engaging government, business leaders, entrepreneurs, financiers and other stakeholders.

PARTNERSHIP AND SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES

Additional partnership and sponsorship opportunities are available for organisations seeking broader branding and strategic participation.

INVITATION TO THE MEDIA – RSVP REQUIRED

Members of the media are formally invited to attend and cover the Ngwathe Business Breakfast 2026.

Journalists, broadcasters, photographers, videographers and digital media practitioners are encouraged to document the strategic discussions, investment opportunities, partnerships and economic-development engagements arising from the platform.

All media representatives intending to attend are requested to RSVP in advance to assist with coordination and accreditation.

THE VISION

The Ngwathe Business Breakfast forms part of a longer-term vision to establish a credible annual platform through which government, business, investors, financial institutions, tourism stakeholders and entrepreneurs can engage on the economic future of Ngwathe.

Its success will not be measured only by attendance.

The Foundation seeks to measure success through:

relationships established, investment leads generated, opportunities identified, businesses connected to markets and finance, projects taken forward and practical engagements that continue after 17 September.

By bringing together leadership, capital, infrastructure, enterprise and opportunity, the Edgar Legoale Foundation seeks to contribute towards positioning Ngwathe as a destination capable of attracting investment, growing tourism, supporting local businesses and creating sustainable opportunities.

EVENT DETAILS

NGWATHE BUSINESS BREAKFAST 2026

Date: Thursday, 17 September 2026
Venue: Woodlands Country Lodge, Parys, Free State

Registration & Networking:
08:00 – 09:00

Business Breakfast:
09:00 – 12:00

Theme:
“Positioning Ngwathe as a Destination for Investment, Tourism and Opportunity.”

Individual Participation: R550 per person

Corporate Package: R10,000
10 seats | Reserved corporate table | Company branding on the table | Programme acknowledgement | Networking and activation opportunity

Partnership/Sponsorship Packages: Available

LEADERSHIP PARTICIPATION

Ms Dibolelo Kathleen Mance
MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Free State
Provincial Leadership Address & Strategic Panel Discussion

GENERAL ENQUIRIES

Nthabiseng Molejane
Project Manager – Ngwathe Experience
071 080 6022
business@ngwatheexperience.co.za

MEDIA ENQUIRIES, RSVP & ACCREDITATION

Bongane Tshabalala
Media Liaison
084 308 0975

Websites:
www.edgarlegoale.com
www.ngwatheexperience.co.za

ISSUED BY:

Edgar Legoale Foundation

Creating a Brighter Future.