Premier Mokgosi launches North West growth hub at OR Tambo to boost digital visibility and unlock economic opportunities for SMMEs.

North West Premier, Mr. Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi, accompanied by MEC Bitsa Lenkopane for
Economic Development and Executive Mayor of Rustenburg, Cllr. Sheila Mabale Huma,
launched the North West Growth Hub on 31st July 2025 at OR Tambo International Airport.
The Growth Hub, based at Shop No. 17 at OR Tambo International Airport, is a game-changer
for local Medium, Small, and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs), providing enhanced visibility in
competitive markets, support in accessing digital platforms, and opportunities to collaborate
across industries. With a strong focus on showcasing our rich biodiversity, cultural heritage, and
entrepreneurial spirit, the Growth Hub will unlock fresh economic pathways across agriculture,
conservation, manufacturing, and hospitality.

This strategic milestone is set to significantly enhance the province’s digital marketing and
branding capacity, positioning the North West as a compelling destination for tourism, trade,
and investment. The North West Growth Hub aims to amplify visibility for the province’s diverse
Medium, Small, and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs), promote its rich biodiversity, and unlock
growing economic opportunities.

“Through this Growth Hub, we aim to amplify the visibility of the province to this lucrative market
by exposing it to our rich biodiversity, and unlock growing economic opportunities across
various sectors,” said Premier Mokgosi.

Premier Mokgosi added that the Growth Hub programme also aligns with the objectives of the
Provincial Growth and Development Strategy, which will be launched in due course.

“However, at the centre of this initiative is to build a digitally enabled, competitive, and inclusive
economy which can help the province address the challenges of unemployment, poverty and
inequalities in our communities,” maintained Premier Mokgosi.

The Growth Hub is a flagship initiative of the Department of Economic Development,
Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), aligning with the department’s digital
transformation priorities as pronounced by MEC Bitsa Lenkopane during the 2025 Budget Vote.
It is a core pillar in the province’s broader strategy to build a digitally enabled, competitive, and
inclusive economy.

Once fully equipped with modern digital infrastructure, the hub will serve as a sustainable
platform for marketing the North West as a premier tourism destination, while also accelerating
the development of township economies and promoting localisation.
Ends.

Issued by the Department of Economic Development,
Environment, Conservation and Tourism
For inquiries, contact:
Ms. Suzan Molaodi
Media Liaison Officer
082 979 0459

OR

Mr. Jeremiah Matebesi
Director: Communication and IT Services
072 333 0325
Email: JeremiahMatebesi@nwpg.gov.za
Twitter: @nwpg_dedect / Facebook: @nwdedect

Celebrating Nelson Mandela Day with Action: A New Home for the Pule Family

As part of the Nelson Mandela Day celebrations, the DEDECT, led by MEC Bitsa Lenkopane
and HOD Mofokane, together with Moses Kotane, Acting Mayor, Cllr Dithothi Tshetlhane, MMC
for LED Nkeifeng Motshabi, Kgosi Papi Monnakgotla, joined the CEO of Mankwe Game
Trackers, Mr Chris Thai, along with his management team, to hand over a newly built home to
the Pule family.

The Pule family, headed by a grandfather who had been living in a shack with his four siblings
and four great-grandchildren, received the keys to their new home on Nelson Monday Day, 18th
July 2025 – bringing hope and dignity to their lives.

The donation was made following the passing of the family’s nephew, who was one of the
providers and had been working for Mankwe Game Trackers. He sadly passed away due to
COVID-19.

The house, located at No. 2312, Lekwa Section in Ledig, was fully sponsored by Mankwe
Game Trackers, a valued tourism stakeholder of the DEDECT. The family also received other
donations, including household contents, from other tourism role players.

In the spirit of Nelson Mandela’s legacy, the 67 minutes of service led by our dignitaries were
dedicated to finalizing the painting of the home, which includes a toilet facility, planting of
vegetable garden seedlings, and groceries donated by other tourism sector partners (Sun City,
Kwa Maritane, Zimasa Travel, Ivory Tree, and Kingdom Resorts).

This initiative reflects the power of public-private partnerships, which MEC Lenkopane strongly
advocates for among role players in the Economic Development, Environment, and Tourism
Sector, and highlights the impact of collective action in uplifting our communities.

Ends.

Issued by the Department of Economic Development,
Environment, Conservation and Tourism
For inquiries, contact:
Ms. Suzan Molaodi
Media Liaison Officer
082 979 0459

OR

Mr. Jeremiah Matebesi
Director: Communication and IT Services
072 333 0325
Email: JeremiahMatebesi@nwpg.gov.za
Twitter: @nwpg_dedect / Facebook: @nwdedect

MEC’s Business Colloquium ignites unified vision for an inclusive North West Economy

MEC Bitsa Lenkopane set a powerful tone for the MEC’s Colloquium for Business Forums in
the North West, which took place on 15th July 2025 at the Mmabatho Convention Centre,
hailing it as a platform poised to ignite inclusive economic growth across the Province.
The colloquium forms part of the MEC’s build-up programme towards the departmental budget
speech.

In her keynote address, MEC Lenkopane emphasised that the colloquium transcends a
meeting and is a vital platform for collaboration, transformation, and shared prosperity. MEC
reaffirmed the government’s need for businesses to be organised and its unwavering
commitment to fostering a transparent, fair, and empowering environment for all businesses,
especially SMMEs, township entrepreneurs, and historically disadvantaged individuals.

MEC further highlighted key interventions immediately available to attendees, including the
Business Turnaround Interventions Programme, the General Dealer Support Programme
and the Informal Traders Support Programme. She strongly encouraged entrepreneurs to
register for the provincial MSME database and leverage the support offered by Enterprise
Support Centres and incubation initiatives.

With a sharp focus on localisation, industrialisation, and access to finance, businesses were
urged to formalise, collaborate, and explore emerging sectors such as the biodiversity and
wildlife economy.

The colloquium is firmly anchored in action and accountability, echoed by MEC Lenkopane.
The department is actively forging partnerships with development finance institutions, banks,
and support agencies to enhance the accessibility of funding and essential support to
businesses in the province.

MEC Lenkopane’s message was clear: by working in unison, government, business forums,
and entrepreneurs can create a thriving, inclusive economy that benefits all people of the
North West.

Ends.

Issued by the Department of Economic Development,
Environment, Conservation and Tourism
For inquiries, contact:
Ms. Suzan Molaodi
Media Liaison Officer
082 979 0459

OR

Mr. Jeremiah Matebesi
Director: Communication and IT Services
072 333 0325
Email: JeremiahMatebesi@nwpg.gov.za
Twitter: @nwpg_dedect / Facebook: @nwdedect

Interprovincial meeting commits to expanding economic opportunities for the North West and Free State Provinces

MEDIA STATEMENT
To : All Media Houses
Date : 26 June 20252025

Interprovincial meeting commits to expanding economic opportunities for the North West and Free State Provinces

The MEC for the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane hosted an interprovincial engagement with her counterpart, MEC for the Free State Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA), Ketso Makume with the aim of forging a collaboration to unlock cross-border initiatives and deliver mutual benefit for the two provinces. The session ran parallel to the third G20 Sherpa meeting held on the 25th-26th June 2025, at Sun City Resort, Moses Kotane Local Municipality.

The interprovincial session was attended by HOD for DEDECT, CEO of North West Development Corporation as well as Senior Managers from both departments.

In her opening remarks MEC Lenkopane highlighted that the two provinces shared geographic assets and economic interests, hence it is strategic for them to engage and promote interprovincial economic cooperation.

MEC Makume echoed the same sentiments when he said we should not allow the provincial borders to be barriers of progress. We should put communities first, considering that communities and labour are already intertwined.

The meeting engaged in robust deliberations on cross border opportunities and areas of cooperation. The discussions explored economic sectors of cooperation such as agro-industrial development, renewable and green energy, industrial and logistics, tourism and cultural routes as well as skills and enterprise support.

Following the deliberations, the two provinces came to an agreement to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU will give guidance on areas of implementation and practicalities thereof. Identified areas of cooperation and mutual learning include Special Economic Zones, tourism, heritage and cultural activities, agriculture, industrial parks, enterprise development opportunities around airports, dams and Vredefort Dome UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The envisaged MoU will activate working forums and facilitate follow-up meetings to implement the agreed upon initiatives.

In concluding the meeting, the host MEC Lenkopane remarked that she was excited to see the collaboration of the two provinces bringing a caring government to the people of North West and Free State.

Ends
Issued by the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism
For inquiries, contact:
Ms. Suzan Molaodi
Media Liaison Officer
082 979 0459
OR
Mr. Jeremiah Matebesi
Director: Communication and IT Services
072 333 0325
Email: JeremiahMatebesi@nwpg.gov.za
Twitter: @nwpg_dedect / Facebook: @nwdedect

MEC BITSA LENKOPANE CHAMPIONS FINANCIAL INCLUSION FOR WOMEN ACROSS THE NORTH WEST

The North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism,
Bitsa Lenkopane, has called for bold, collaborative action to dismantle systemic barriers
that continue to exclude women from full economic participation.
Speaking at a high-impact engagement on Women’s Financial Inclusion, hosted under the
banner of G20 South Africa at the Carousel Casino & Hotel in Hammanskraal, MEC
Lenkopane emphasized the urgent need to centre women in the transformation of financial
systems.

“Too many women remain locked out of economic opportunities — not because they lack
potential, but because they are systematically excluded from access to land, finance, and
influence,” said MEC Lenkopane. “This is not a failure of women; it is a failure of systems. It
requires a collective response from the banking sector and other key stakeholders to rebuild
systems with women at the core.”

The session, held in partnership with the Mayor of Moretele Local Municipality, Cllr Masango
George Manyike, Speaker of Moretele Local Municipality, Cllr Freda Mapele, Cllr Ditshego
Mbezi, Speaker of Madibeng Local Municipality, and local ward councillors brought together
women from rural and urban communities to explore financial instruments, digital skills
development, and institutional support mechanisms available to them.

MEC Lenkopane underlined the North West Province’s commitment to enabling womenowned businesses to thrive through improved access to credit, procurement opportunities,
and representation in decision-making structures.

“Our goal is not just awareness but empowerment. We must ensure women are supported,
not only to know about opportunities but to seize them,” she said.

The engagement forms part of the province’s G20 Empowerment of Women Working Group
(EWWG) sessions, which aim to address critical priorities, including:
• Advancing the care economy;
• Promoting financial inclusion for and of women;
• Combating gender-based violence and femicide.

Local Economic Development initiatives, Industrial Parks, the Bojanala Special Economic
Zone, Biodiversity Economy Markets, and beneficiation programmes were highlighted as
strategic enablers for women’s economic advancement. Women in the province have long
driven informal economies through stokvels, cooperatives, and village savings groups, and
now, pathways are being opened for them to scale, formalise, and trade beyond borders.

“But as we rise, we must lift others. We must be intentional about opening the door wider for
the next woman in line,” added MEC Lenkopane.

She also urged the financial sector to reimagine inclusive systems that serve the unique
needs of women entrepreneurs, particularly those running micro and small enterprises. The
call to action was echoed by the Mayor of Moretele Local Municipality, Cllr Manyike, who
reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to economic empowerment through local
interventions such as mentorship platforms, microloans, and funding support.

Participating women had the opportunity to engage with representatives from strategic
institutions including African Bank, the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), Small Enterprise
Development Finance Agency (SEFA), SARS, UNISA, and the Young African Entrepreneurs
Institute (YAEI), which was recently launched in partnership with North-West University to
boost entrepreneurship and reduce graduate unemployment.

MEC Lenkopane further encouraged the adoption of circular economy models within the
province’s economic strategy, spotlighting waste-to-wealth enterprises, agro-processing,
upcycling, and bio-energy as practical areas where women can lead.

“From bee farmers turned wine exporters in Taung, to skincare innovators in Mogwase, and
the globally recognized Mor-Gin brand in Moretele, women in the North West are already
trailblazers,” she said. “These are not just success stories, but blueprints of what’s possible
when women are given equal access to capital, markets, and knowledge.”

The session concluded with a resounding commitment to ensuring that women in the North
West are not only beneficiaries of development but also agents of economic transformation,
equipped, empowered, and enabled to lead the province toward inclusive and sustainable
growth.

Thuntsha Lerole: MEC Lenkopane Oversees Destruction of 278 Illegal Gambling Machines

The Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated Phase 4 Service Delivery Programme made significant strides in the Kgetleng Local Municipality on 9 May 2025, with a successful rollout at Reagile Stadium. This initiative, led by MEC Bitsa Lenkopane, focused on tackling illegal gambling operations while promoting business compliance and economic development.
In a decisive move to curb unlicensed gambling, MEC Lenkopane led an operation that resulted in the confiscation and destruction of 278 illegal gambling machines across Rustenburg and Koster. The operation, carried out in collaboration with the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) NW Gambling Board, South African Police Services (SAPS), Hawks, and other stakeholders, targeted informal businesses and unlicensed liquor outlets.
With 169 machines seized in Rustenburg and 109 in Koster, the initiative underscored the government’s commitment to enforcing liquor licensing regulations and eliminating illegal gambling activities. Offenders now face legal penalties and fines as part of efforts to ensure compliance and maintain a lawful business environment.
MEC Lenkopane emphasized the importance of regulation and expressed her commitment to working with the Gambling Board Unit and other stakeholders to implement a provincial programme. This programme will provide corrective measures and support to individuals seeking to transition into lawful business operations, fostering economic development in the process.
Alongside efforts to regulate gambling, the Tourism Unit also took proactive steps to enhance road safety. Through an inspection and a roadblock awareness campaign in Koster, officials engaged with motorists to promote responsible road usage.
Moreover, the service delivery programme extended beyond enforcement actions to include economic empowerment initiatives. Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) were given a platform to showcase their market initiatives through a flea market and exhibition area. The event featured a food court, an exhibition site, and an information session where the public could learn about various departmental services and programmes.
The Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated Phase 4 Service Delivery Programme continues to make an impact, not only by reinforcing compliance and regulatory standards but also by fostering business development and economic growth. As new initiatives unfold, the collaborative efforts of multiple government units and stakeholders promise a stronger, more structured approach to service delivery in local municipalities.

MEC Lenkopane Addresses the Academia-Public-Private–Diplomatic Corps Forum, the Road to G20

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.