Free State
By Thabang Mokoka
Just imagine yourself standing on the red sands of the Vredefort Dome, the oldest meteorite impact site on Earth. Long ago, a rock from space slammed into this ground and changed everything. Now, something else is stirring here. This time, it’s not a force from the sky, but from people, leaders with a bold vision, shaking up the way the Free State thinks about its economy and creativity. Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and MEC Dibolelo Mahlatsi just kicked off the province’s first Public Property Summit, and it’s not just another policy meeting. They’re sketching out a new blueprint for the heart of South Africa, a plan to turn our towns, townships, and open spaces into connected hubs of possibility, energy, and fresh ideas.
Let’s get specific. The summit isn’t about piecemeal development or one-off projects. The goal is to create a living, breathing ecosystem. Take Bloemfontein’s Naval Hill, for instance. Right now, it’s mostly known for that stunning view and the Mandela statue. But what if it became the centre of a film and digital media district? Imagine new sound stages and post-production studios popping up nearby, telling African stories against those golden Free State sunsets. Or think about Phuthaditjhaba, right at the edge of the Maluti Mountains. This place could buzz all year with cultural festivals and adventure tourism, community lodges, artisan markets, local guides, all built on solid, sustainable infrastructure.
Now let’s head to Bethlehem. Not the one from the Bible, but our own, right in the Eastern Free State. People here have always looked beyond the grain silos, and now, so does this vision. Old warehouses could become climate-tech labs, growing Agritech startups that attract young minds from everywhere. The ripple effect is real. Construction jobs are just the start. Suddenly, there’s a need for local suppliers, skills training, help for small businesses. Next, you’ve got the local coffee shop fueling the new studio complex, a security company safeguarding the innovation hub, and a transport network carrying workers and visitors across the province.
This kind of thinking is what sets the Premier and MEC Mahlatsi apart. They get that property is more than bricks and concrete, it’s the foundation for people to dream, create, and thrive. They’re not just erecting buildings, they’re wiring the whole province for opportunity.
So, where does opportunity really catch fire? In the creative economy, hands down. The Premier’s vision lines up perfectly with what artists and entrepreneurs want. Just look at what international renowned, DJ Black Coffee is building in Johannesburg, an “artist Mecca” with studios, living spaces, wellness centres, the works. He’s creating a self-sustaining creative world. The Free State Property Summit is the government’s way of making that happen on home turf. Imagine a creative corridor between Bloemfontein and Clarens, where a young musician from Tweespruit doesn’t have to fly to Joburg or LA to record a world-class album. Talent stays home, local stories get told, and suddenly, our culture is something the world wants to buy. Think about Khuli Chana’s dream, building studios to help young artists grow in Midrand. For him, it’s not just about music, it’s about leaving something behind, building real spaces for the next generation to thrive. That’s why the summit’s focus on public property matters. If government steps up with land and basic infrastructure, and then hands the creative reins to artists and private partners, we can build something real, a true creative industry, not just a slogan.
You see this work in action in Johannesburg. Developers there took a chance on places like Maboneng and Jewel City. They didn’t just put up new buildings, they brought life back into forgotten neighborhoods. Homes, shops, studios, all mixed together. Suddenly, there’s energy, jobs, and hope where there wasn’t any before. The Free State summit isn’t about copying Johannesburg, though. It’s about picking up the best ideas and making them fit our own story. The goal? Real growth that lifts everyone, not just a chosen few.
Down in Cape Town, there’s the Burnwith Barn, where tech folks gather, bounce ideas around, and turn them into real businesses. It’s not just another office park. It’s where community, innovation, and ambition collide. Why not have something like that in Welkom or Sasolburg? Imagine tech hubs focused on renewable energy, mining innovation, the circular economy. The Free State could become a playground for new ideas and industries.
And then there’s that magic only cities can create. Think of The Blyde in Pretoria, a “beach” right in the city. It’s bold and unexpected, and it draws people in. So, what about the Free State? Imagine the Bloemfontein Waterfront, reimagined as a lively promenade on the Modder River. Markets, outdoor shows, art, families hanging out together. Or “The Willows”, transformed into a hub for urban leisure. That’s how you get people to stay, invest, and make memories right here.
This is what Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae is dreaming up, a Free State people don’t just drive through, but a place they choose to live in. Where a kid in Thaba Nchu can believe in becoming a film director, an engineer in Kroonstad can launch a tech start-up, and a farmer in Ficksburg can export local cherries from a brand-new agro-processing park.
With MEC Mahlatsi at her side, the Premier brings both big dreams and the practical steps to make them real. They’re mapping out the whole process, from picking the land to building the roads to launching new businesses. It’s not piecemeal. It’s a plan that links every step, aiming for real results.
So, this first Public Property Summit? It’s more than just a meeting. It’s the start of something big. With teamwork, a strong vision, and a commitment to our people, this idea can grow, like a Sekhukhuni tree, giving shelter and strength for generations. The Free State is on the edge of real change. With this leadership, we’re not just opening up land. We’re opening up our future.
Disclaimer: Thabang Mokoka writes in his own personal capacity
