SECUNDA, MPUMALANGA — President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday visited Sasol’s Secunda Operations, describing the country’s largest integrated fuel and chemicals complex as a strategic industrial asset that continues to support South Africa’s economic growth, energy security, manufacturing capability and employment.
The visit gave the President a first-hand overview of Sasol’s integrated operations and the company’s contribution to the national economy through large-scale industrial production, innovation and skills development.
During the visit, President Ramaphosa received a comprehensive briefing on the Secunda facility’s end-to-end value chain, which includes coal mining, gasification, proprietary Fischer-Tropsch technology, refining, logistics and chemical production.
Sasol processes approximately 35 million tonnes of locally mined coal each year at the Secunda complex, converting it into a broad range of liquid fuels and chemical products that supply critical sectors of the South African economy.
The President was also briefed on the company’s contribution to strengthening local manufacturing, supporting domestic supply chains, advancing technological innovation, developing specialised industrial skills and sustaining thousands of jobs across its operations.
Discussions focused on Sasol’s continued investment in maintaining a globally competitive industrial base while improving operational efficiency and advancing its energy transition initiatives. Company executives also outlined efforts to ensure a reliable supply of liquid fuels and chemical products that remain essential to economic activity.
The visit highlighted the importance of large-scale industrial infrastructure in supporting South Africa’s broader development agenda, including attracting investment, enhancing industrial competitiveness and promoting inclusive economic growth.
President Ramaphosa was accompanied by Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu during the visit.
The delegation was hosted by Sasol President and Chief Executive Officer Simon Baloyi, together with Sasol Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairperson of the Board Muriel Dube, as well as members of the Sasol Group Executive Committee.
The visit forms part of government’s continued engagement with strategic industries that play a central role in driving industrialisation, strengthening productive capacity and supporting South Africa’s long-term economic development objectives.
