Press Release For Immediate Release
Limpopo Celebrates Youth Excellence and Economic Growth at Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans and Limpopo Trade Showcase 2025
Polokwane, Limpopo Province – The Limpopo Provincial Government, through the Office of the Premier and the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), successfully hosted two prestigious events from 7–8 August 2025 at the scenic Kalahari Waterfront in Thohoyandou: the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans 2025 Celebration and the Limpopo Trade Showcase 2025, led by the Limpopo Tourism Agency.
Now in its 20th year, the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans project honoured trailblazing young leaders under the age of 35 who are shaping South Africa’s future through innovation, leadership, and impact. This year’s national celebration, hosted by the Office of the Premier, proudly shone a spotlight on Limpopo’s own rising stars across various sectors, including entrepreneurship, education, science, arts, and activism.
Premier of Limpopo, Hon. Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, commended the honourees, saying:
“The young people recognised here are the heartbeat of our province and our country. Their innovation, resilience, and leadership inspire us all. Limpopo was proud to host this national celebration and to shine a spotlight on the trailblazers transforming our communities and our economy.”
MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Hon. Tshitereke Matibe, noted:
“The recognition of Limpopo’s youth on this national platform affirms our strategic investment in innovation, heritage, and inclusive development. These young leaders are key to unlocking our economic and social potential, and we are proud to walk this journey with them.”
Running alongside the celebration, the Limpopo Trade Showcase 2025 brought together local tourism businesses, SMMEs, creatives, and entrepreneurs to present their products and services to both local and national markets. The showcase highlighted Limpopo’s dynamic offerings in tourism, culture, investment, and innovation fostering access to new markets and positioning the province as a premier tourism and investment destination.
The event also created meaningful engagement between young entrepreneurs and key stakeholders, including investors, buyers, and government decision-makers. The choice of Vhembe Region, and particularly the Nandoni Kalahari Waterfront, emphasised its appeal as a tourism and economic hub, boasting natural beauty and deep cultural heritage from the sacred Lake Fundudzi to the artistry of the Venda people.
Limpopo Tourism Agency CEO, Mr. Moses Ngobeni, reflected on the success of the event:
“Bringing the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans and the Limpopo Trade Showcase together at the Kalahari Waterfront showed how youth recognition and tourism development go hand in hand. We are proud to be part of a province that celebrates excellence, drives enterprise, and opens economic possibilities for the next generation. The Vhembe region is not only a cradle of culture, but a beacon of opportunity and we invite the world to experience it.”
By uniting youth celebration with enterprise development, Limpopo reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive economic growth, empowerment, and nation-building providing an integrated platform that connects people, sectors, and solutions for a prosperous future.
#Limpopotradeshow2025
#limpoporeimagined
#MGyoungsouthafrican
#GoLimpopo
#MoreToEnjoy
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Released on behalf of Communications by :
Surprise Moshokwa Hitekani Magwedze
Tel.: 015 293 3600 015 293 8300
Mobile: 077 603 1268 071 864 8664
Email: surprisem@golimpopo.com MagwedzeHV@ledet.gov.za
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