DEDECT and PHASA strengthen partnership to advance wildlife economy and SEZ
designation.
The North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and
Tourism (DEDECT), led by the MEC Bitsa Lenkopane held a strategic engagement with the
Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa (PHASA) on 20 January 2026, aimed at
strengthening collaboration in support of the Province’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ)
designation process. This forms part of the series of stakeholder engagements toward the
designation of the province’s proposed SEZ.
These consultations are being conducted with sectors identified as central to the economic
vision of the province, ensuring that every industry with a strategic role is included in shaping
the final application and implementation framework of the SEZ. Part of the departmental
delegation included Head of Department Mr. Relebohile Mofokane, Acting CEOs of North
West Parks and Tourism Board and NWDC Jonathan Denga and Thapelo Mokotedi, as well
as PHASA CEO, President, and Chairperson, Jess de Klerk, Eardley Rudman, and Ilse de
Klerk.
The engagement focused on positioning the wildlife and biodiversity economy as a key
industrial pillar within the proposed SEZ, with emphasis on localisation, beneficiation, job
creation, skills development, and meaningful community participation.
The meeting confirmed that the SEZ programme presents an opportunity to ensure that
products derived from the Province’s wildlife economy are processed, beneficiated and
manufactured within the North West, rather than exported for processing elsewhere.
Opportunities were identified across the full wildlife value chain, including skins and hides
processing and tanning, bone-related product streams, and other wildlife-derived
manufacturing activities, supported by enabling systems such as compliance, traceability,
logistics, and market access.
PHASA reaffirmed its commitment to partner with the Provincial Government by providing
technical expertise, research, and evidence-based inputs to strengthen the SEZ designation
application. The association further highlighted the importance of science-based decisionmaking and confirmed collaboration with institutions such as SANBI and Stellenbosch
University to support credible research and data-driven planning.
MEC Lenkopane placed strong emphasis on transformation and community development,
asserting that the SEZ must deliver tangible socioeconomic benefits for the people of the
province. She reiterated that the wildlife sector must support inclusive development by creating
jobs, expanding opportunities for small businesses, and ensuring that rural communities are
not excluded from economic growth. The collaboration with PHASA represents a commitment
to local enterprise development, skills development, compliance support, and targeted
interventions that will assist local businesses and previously disadvantaged individuals to
participate meaningfully in the biodiversity and wildlife economy.
A Biodiversity Economy and Manufacturing Workstream will be established to drive
coordination, project identification, and implementation, operating under clear governance and
reporting arrangements. The MEC welcomed PHASA’s commitment and reiterated that
partnerships with organised industry are critical to unlocking investment, industrial growth, and
community beneficiation in the Province.
“This engagement marks an important step in ensuring that the wildlife economy contributes
meaningfully to industrialisation, job creation, and community upliftment in the North West.
The SEZ provides a platform to turn our natural assets into inclusive economic opportunities,”
said the MEC.
Progress on the agreed action plan will be monitored and reported to the MEC as the SEZ
designation process advances.
The MEC will lead her department to also engage with mining and tourism industry role
players, as well as other government departments and municipalities.
END //
Issued by the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and
Tourism.
For inquiries, contact:
Thomas Matlapeng – 083 687 3649
OR
Mr. Jeremiah Matebesi
Director: Communication and IT Services
072 333 0325
Email: JeremiahMatebesi@nwpg.gov.za
Twitter: @nwpg_dedect / Facebook: @nwdedect