Peter Venn the CEO of Seriti Green flanked by his COO Chabisi Motloung, Seriti Green ESD beneficiary and the Managing Director of HMI Projects Freddy Mkhwanazi , David Mahlobo Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation and Maggie Skosana is the Director-General in the Office of the Premier in Mpumalanga. Picture Credit: Linkedin
By Staff Reporter
Mbombela – Private sector investment in renewable energy and enterprise development was highlighted in Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu’s State of the Province Address this morning. Seriti Green was cited as an example of how energy infrastructure investment can support economic diversification, job creation and local business participation in South Africa’s coal-producing heartland.
Delivering the address to the provincial legislature on Wednesday, Premier Ndlovu stressed the importance of collaboration between government, industry and civil society in addressing structural economic challenges. “Madam Speaker, solving complex socio-economic issues such as unemployment, poverty, inequality, gender-based violence, crime and infrastructure is not a sole responsibility of government. It requires a collaborative, all hands-on-deck approach by government, the private sector, labour and civil society,” he said.
In this context, the Premier highlighted Seriti Green’s social and economic development initiatives, noting their alignment with provincial priorities. “Seriti Green’s social and economic development portfolio has committed to align its programmes with the Mpumalanga government priorities,” he said.
“Central to this commitment is enterprise development, focused on supporting SMMEs alongside structured entrepreneur programmes designed to catalyse sustainable job creation and broaden economic participation.”
Among the programmes referenced was Agri for Change, which supports emerging agricultural entrepreneurs with training, business development support and improved market access. “Through their Agri for Change programme, Seriti supports emerging agricultural entrepreneurs with technical expertise, business development skills and improved market access,” the Premier said.
According to the address, the programme has already produced measurable outcomes. “The programme has contributed to 41 permanent agricultural jobs and enabled measurable entrepreneurial growth.”
The initiative has also helped unlock new capital for participating businesses. Premier Ndlovu said the results illustrate the potential of coordinated enterprise development initiatives. “This reflects the transformative potential of structured enterprise development when supported by financiers, mentors and government partners.”
The Premier also referred to Seriti Green’s broader role in South Africa’s energy transition, particularly within Mpumalanga, where coal remains central to the provincial economy. “Seriti and Seriti Green are advancing South Africa’s Just Energy Transition through a delivery-focused model rooted in South African ownership, capital and operational capability,” he said.
“To safeguard energy security, coal and renewable energy sources are being developed in parallel. This approach enables decarbonisation, creates new economic opportunities and jobs, and ensures continuity for communities historically dependent on coal.”
A key project cited in the address is the Ummbila Emoyeni renewable power development, currently under construction in the Gert Sibande district. “Seriti Green, the renewable energy arm of the Seriti Group, has been in operation for three years and is currently constructing the 900 MW Ummbila Emoyeni wind and solar farm, with the first 155MW phase scheduled for completion in mid-2026,” the Premier said. “Investment to date totals approximately R15 billion, with a further R25 billion planned over the next two years.”
Employment creation linked to the development was also highlighted. “Job creation remains central to the company’s work. More than 1,700 jobs have been created, with 53% allocated to local residents within a 15 km radius.”
Construction activity associated with the development has also created opportunities for local contractors. Among them is HMI Projects, an electrical and civil engineering firm led by Mpumalanga entrepreneur Freddy Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi founded the company 15 years ago after gaining operational experience at Columbus Stainless Steel, where he spent seven years as a production flow coordinator focusing on production efficiency and quality assurance. He holds a Diploma in Electrical and Civil Engineering.
Under his leadership, HMI Projects has developed into an established contractor delivering electrical and civil engineering services, with strong safety compliance and disciplined site management.
The company currently employs 82 workers on the Ummbila Emoyeni site, with 25 more expected shortly, many of whom are drawn from surrounding communities, illustrating the growing participation of local enterprises in large-scale infrastructure developments in the province.
Commenting on the recognition in the Premier’s address, Seriti Green CEO Peter Venn said the development of projects such as Ummbila Emoyeni depend on collaboration between communities, local contractors and infrastructure investors. “Projects like Ummbila Emoyeni are not only about generating renewable energy. They are about building capability in the places where we work. Companies like Freddy Mkhwanazi’s demonstrate what is possible when local entrepreneurs are able to participate in the construction of world-class infrastructure.”
For Mpumalanga, where the Just Energy Transition (JET) is unfolding alongside the continued importance of coal mining and power generation, developments of this scale are increasingly viewed as mechanisms to support economic diversification while maintaining regional stability.
