MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation & Tourism, Bitsa Lenkopane, today addressed the launch of the Academia-Public-Private–Diplomatic Corps Forum at the UNISA Senate Hall in Pretoria.
The forum’s primary purpose is to unite industry players, entrepreneurs, researchers, government officials, the diplomatic corps, and development partners to foster collaboration for Africa’s economic advancement. MEC Lenkopane delivered a compelling message of support and contributed to a high-level panel discussion themed: “Road to G20 Through Innovation Research and Collaboration.”
Addressing the distinguished gathering, MEC Lenkopane underscored the North West Province’s resolute commitment to fostering strategic partnerships for economic advancement. Highlighting the province’s unique strengths and outlining key areas for development, MEC Lenkopane clearly indicated the potential benefits the Province could leverage from the G20 summit and beyond, particularly with some events scheduled to be held in the North West Province.
The MEC further underscored the crucial need to ensure that the people of the North West directly benefit from the province’s natural resources. “Our resources need to be viewed as an investment in our people, enabling communities to benefit from the wealth generated by them,” stated the MEC.
MEC Lenkopane provided examples such as the province’s rich biodiversity and tourism sectors, advocating for a shift from traditional methods to capitalize on the biodiversity economy and cultural heritage tourism as vital strategies for the province’s advancement. Discussions also covered youth development, conservation, small business growth, and diplomacy.
The MEC thanked UNISA for hosting the forum and highlighted the essential role of collaboration in tackling current socio-economic issues. She emphasized the importance of strong partnerships between government, the private sector, and academia in effectively addressing poverty, unemployment, and inequality across Africa.
The forum saw a significant gathering of influential leaders and stakeholders from government, academia, the private sector, and the diplomatic corps. Their presence highlighted a shared commitment to using innovation, research, and strategic collaboration to drive Africa’s economic development. This event marks an important move towards creating stronger, more impactful partnerships and fostering an environment that supports sustainable growth and prosperity throughout the continent.