The MEC for the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane, has outlined a bold programme of action to position tourism as a leading driver of jobs, investment and community development, while strengthening the biodiversity economy and accelerating environmental compliance and waste management reforms in the 2026/27 financial year.
Tabling the Department’s Budget Vote, MEC Lenkopane said the budget reflects a deliberate shift towards unlocking the full economic potential of the province’s tourism assets. She emphasised that tourism remains one of the most powerful engines for inclusive growth in the province, adding that the budget ensures that natural and cultural assets are converted into real and tangible opportunities for communities.
According to the MEC, the Department’s tourism programme takes centre stage, anchored by a structured tourism commercialisation programme aimed at unlocking the economic value of provincial tourism and conservation assets. This model is designed to attract private-sector investment into underutilised facilities while ensuring that ownership remains with the people of the North West Province.
MEC Lenkopane highlighted that through this approach, the province has already received investment proposals and projects valued around R1.8 billion have progressed through due diligence, investor capability assessments and compliance processes.
“We are not only attracting investment, but we are deliberately restructuring the tourism economy in a way that places communities at the centre of ownership and benefit-sharing,” said the MEC.
She added that the commercialisation framework ensures that communities participate directly in tourism development through structured shareholding arrangements linked to assets located on or near their land.
Moreover, the Department continues to strengthen tourism as a key contributor to the provincial economy. During the 2025/26 financial year, tourism generated an estimated R10.9 billion, supported approximately 9 242 jobs, and benefited 344 tourism enterprises. The province also recorded over 4.17 million domestic tourists and approximately 462 463 international arrivals, reflecting sustained recovery and continued growth.
In addition, the Department has allocated R70 million towards tourism development and promotion in the 2026/27 financial year. This allocation will support destination marketing, investment promotion, tourism safety, heritage tourism, youth employment and enterprise development.
MEC Lenkopane emphasised that the Department is intensifying collaboration with North-West University to reposition the Mahikeng and Taung hotel schools as accredited hospitality training centres. She further noted that a Memorandum of Understanding with Sun City is being finalised to create structured pathways for experiential learning, internships and employment opportunities.
“We are deliberately building bridges between training and employment so that our young people do not remain outside the tourism economy,” said the MEC.
Adding to that, engagements with Sun City will facilitate the placement of 81 hospitality and tourism graduates, strengthening the pipeline from education to work opportunities.
The Department has also profiled 562 accommodation establishments, confirming 6 614 rooms and 12 676 beds, with capacity exceeding 4.1 million visitors annually. To enhance visitor safety, 70 Tourism Monitors have been deployed across key sites, including 45 stationed at major border posts.
Furthermore, strategic tourism infrastructure projects such as the Hartbeespoort Heritage Trail and the Lehurutshe Bird and Trophy Hunting Project continue to support local employment, skills transfer and community participation.
The Department will also work with the Barolong Boo Ratshidi Traditional Council to position the upcoming Silver Jubilee celebrations as a flagship cultural and heritage tourism event during Tourism Month in September 2026, further strengthening community-led tourism development.
Another key pillar of the provincial economy is the biodiversity economy, which continues to play a critical role in sustainable growth. The Department has extended the 2026 hunting season to 31 August 2026 and finalised wildlife quota allocations for 66 tribal authorities, supporting sustainable conservation and community-based natural resource management.
MEC Lenkopane highlighted that the introduction of an electronic permitting system has improved efficiency, reduced administrative delays and enhanced revenue collection from biodiversity-related permits and licences.
“We are modernising our systems to ensure that conservation also contributes meaningfully to local economic development,” said MEC Lenkopane.
Turning to the waste economy, the Department is intensifying support to municipalities following findings that only three of the province’s 18 municipalities are currently compliant with Integrated Waste Management Plans and waste by-laws.
The Department will provide technical support, strengthen compliance monitoring and assist municipalities to improve waste management systems, develop and review Integrated Waste Management Plans, strengthen by-laws and plan compliant landfill sites.
Moreover, the Department is scaling up the #MatlakalaKaZaka Programme, which promotes waste as an economic resource rather than a burden. Adding to that, communities, schools and environmental clubs are being mobilised around recycling, waste separation and environmental awareness, while youth, cooperatives and emerging enterprises will receive skills development support in recycling and waste handling.
The Department is also revitalising government-owned buy-back centres and drop-off centres to strengthen the recycling value chain and expand opportunities for waste reclaimers, women, youth and small businesses.
“Our approach to waste is simple: what was once seen as refuse must become a resource that creates jobs, dignity and sustainable livelihoods,” said the MEC.
MEC Lenkopane concluded that the 2026/27 Budget Vote reflects a balanced and integrated approach that places tourism at the centre of economic growth.
Issued by the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism
For inquiries, contact:
Mr. Jeremiah Matebesi
072 333 0325
Email: JeremiahMatebesi@nwpg.gov.za
Twitter: @nwpg_dedect / Facebook: @nwdedect