By 
The African National Congress (ANC) Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) in the Free State has committed to growing the economy of the province by reviving some of the struggling industries, including mining, factories and agriculture.
The Free State economy is facing strain and needs serious decisive efforts in growing the economy. Stats SA in its Quarterly Labour Force report showed that unemployment in the Free State grew by 1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. This is indicative of an economy that continues to be weakened by a number of challenges.
However, in his budget speech, the MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Mr Ketso Makume said real GDP growth in the province is projected to grow by 1.8 percent on averaged, from 1.1 percent in 2025 to 2.4 percent in 2029.
In its monthly meeting, the Free State ANC PEC resolved on growing the provincial economy. According to the Spokesperson for the party Thabo Meeko, the PEC noted the positive step of South Africa being removed from Grey-Listing and they are targeting a decisive move to grow the province’s economy.
He said the economic landscape of the Free State is defined by deep structural challenges which include the downturn in mining, pressures on the agricultural sector, and the legacy of deindustrialisation. Meeko said the PEC instructed the Sub-committee on the Economy to look into the Free State Growth and Development Strategy to incorporate new developments and pursue new opportunities around Trans-National-Corridor in particular Lesotho as well as a special Economic Zones.
Thabo Meeko said “Agriculture remains a pillar of the Free State economy and the lifeblood of our rural communities. The PEC endorsed the use of tools like KSM to help protect our livestock against pandemics, safeguarding the livelihoods of our farmers and communities. We will work with regional bodies such as the FAO to ensure food security from the ground up. We discussed the need to revive and support cooperatives, such as the historic Cotton Union, to restore our crops and ensure that the fruits of our land benefit our people first, not foreign markets or corporate interests.
We discussed the need to revive and support cooperatives, such as the historic Cotton Union, to restore our crops and ensure that the fruits of our land benefit our people first, not foreign markets or corporate interests.”
“The PEC resolved to advocate for a more industrial approach within SACU, pushing for policies that support our local industries, protect our workers, and create jobs for our youth. The meeting resolved to establish closer cooperation with Lesotho on both Food and Mouth as well strengthens the strategic capacity of Lesotho on Textile Industry.
It means unlocking the Industrial Capacity of the Free State along abundant factories in Qwaqwa and Botshabelo. The need to have a special PEC to engage around issues of the economy was emphasised,” he continued.
