Economic growth in Limpopo has been consistent over the past ... [Inaudible.] ... years and the province's performance has in fact exceeded national growth. The province recorded growth of 1,8% in 2017 and is expected to continue to perform even better. These improvements in Limpopo's gross domestic product, GDP, are largely driven by mining and agriculture.
Through the equitable share, Limpopo has also been able to drive the economy through various other programmes. Amongst this is the Musina- Makhado special economic zone, SEZ, as well as initiatives to speed up the designation of the Tubatse SEZ. These SEZs will ensure increased investments and jobs, and improve the lives of the people of Limpopo in general and then the Sekhukhune district in particular.
Through this Bill we see even greater contributions from agriculture to economic growth in Limpopo. The funding from the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme grant has been reprioritised to subsidise Land Bank loans to emerging commercial farmers so that they can enter the loan market at a cheaper rate and expand production. This will surely create jobs and contribute to food security.
Furthermore, the allocation for the upgrading of Moloto Road, the R37 that connects the rest of the province to Burgersfort where platinum is
being mined, will surely ensure job creation as well in the province. [Interjections.] We appeal to national government to prioritise this ... [Inaudible.] [Interjections.] As Limpopo we support this Bill. [Applause.]