Natural resource base:

Natural resource base that consist of agricultural products with the potential of the production of existing agricultural products within the Capricon District, specifically citrus, vegetables, livestock and game farming. There are several government-owned irrigation schemes that are operating considerably below potential. There is also extensive land and buildings for broiler farming that is being under-utilized.

Agro-processing and cluster development:

The Zebediela Citrus is one of largest citrus farms in the Southern Hemisphere. Opportunities mainly in relation to the establishment of new agro-processing based industries that are focused on the beneficiation of the existing agricultural products. There are considerable number of LED opportunities in Agri-Business that could contribute substantially to the economic development of Lepelle-Nkumpi that includes the development of handling plants such as washing and packaging of fruit and vegetables.

Customized factories for meat and hide processing are currently vacant and underutilised in the Lebowakgomo Industrial Park with a potential to create huge opportunities to participate in cluster development for meat production. The facilities incorporate broiler and cattle feed production, livestock farming, slaughtering, processing, packaging and marketing.

Mining and Manufacturing

The beneficiation of raw mineral resources and mining materials has the potential to contribute significantly in expanding the manufacturing sector within Lepelle-Nkumpi. The municipality is bestowed with various mineral resources such as platinum and diamond at Lebowakgomo and Zebediela that could create opportunities for SMMEs. Lepelle-Nkumpi is part of the Dilokong Platinum Corridor and creates a range of opportunities for local economic development.

Tourism development:

Tourism opportunities in the Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipal area are vast. The Wolkberg Wilderness area consists of 40 000 hectares of almost pristine Afromontane grasslands, indigenous forests, spectacular mountain scenery, clean and running streams and rivers. It is the largest wilderness area readily available for all South Africans to explore. The Mathabatha-Mafefe Mountains provide unexplored natural landscapes that provides huge potentials for eco, 4x4, walking and mountain biking trails.

The Downs and Lekgalameetse Nature Reserves have excellent infrastructure in a natural setting for huge tourism-related enterprises such as conservancies, game farms, accommodation and other tourism activities. Much of the land is set aside for conservation and could be developed with innovative tourism attractions and are also located adjacent to the Wolkberg Wilderness Area, while the Bewaarkloof Nature Reserve is located to the west of the Wolkberg Wilderness Area with the biggest opportunity for development in the tourism industry based in these nature reserve precincts.

The effective packaging, commercialisation and merging of the above mentioned reserves could generate huge opportunities to establish Lepelle-Nkumpi as a tourist destination of choice. Lepelle-Nkumpi also has huge opportunities for rural and nature based adventure tourism in the Strydpoort Mountains inclusive of activities such as excellent mountain-biking, caving, rock-climbing, etc.

Retail and services

Given the strong agricultural sector in the region opportunities arise for the trade of agricultural inputs. This includes inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, machinery and seeds or seedlings. The development of the retail and services sectors should also be focused on serving the needs of the local residents and business support should be provided to ensure the development of viable and sustainable businesses.