Archives: News

DEDECT MEC leads the departmental team to meet DBSA in preparation for the SEZ
designation.

In a significant move toward the road to Special Economic Zone (SEZ) designation application
and industrial park revitalization, the North West MEC for Economic Development,
Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Ms. Bitsa Lenkopane, led a high-level
delegation on an engagement with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) at its
head office on 20 January 2026.

The MEC met with the DBSA team, led by Chief Risk Officer Mr. Mpho Kubelo, and was joined
by DEDECT Head of Department Mr. Relebohile Mofokane, NWDC Acting CEO Mr. Thapelo
Mokotedi, and various officials from the department and its entities.

The engagement focused on a structured partnership process aimed at unlocking industrial
development outcomes while simultaneously resolving institutional financial exposures. This
strategic approach is designed to transform the province’s industrial assets into functional,
well-managed anchors for investment and local economic development with the assistance of
DBSA and key stakholders. Central to this vision is the revitalization of three key industrial
hubs that serve as the foundation for the province’s growth.

The Bodirelo Industrial Site is being positioned as a future-facing growth platform specifically
aligned to the SEZ designation pathway, with plans already underway to address bulk
infrastructure constraints such as water and electricity supply.
Simultaneously, the partnership targets the Babelegi and Ga-Rankuwa Industrial Parks for
focused turnaround and stabilization interventions to restore industrial activity and improve
revenue collection.

MEC Lenkopane emphasised that restoring these sites is essential for the designation
application of the Bojanala SEZ as well as job creation, SMME development, and
industrialisation, noting that when these assets are functional, they serve as vital anchors for
local communities.

To ensure these plans move from proposal to reality, a Technical Task Team will be formally
introduced to operationalize the solution through clear deliverables and accountability
mechanisms.

This team, which includes representatives from DEDECT, NWDC, DBSA, National Treasury,
the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Gauteng Provincial Government
and City of Tshwane, is mandated to finalize infrastructure and settlement packages within a
30-day solution sprint.

The collaborative effort will also foresee the operationalisation of the Infrastructure
Development Fund to support bulk utility upgrades, ensuring that the North West Province
accelerates its industrial growth and remains a competitive destination for investment.

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

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

Graduate Internship Advert 2025-2026 (Erratum)

dedect GENERAL NOTICE RENEWAL OF LIQUOR LICENSES FOR 2026-2

DEDECT call for applications date extended 2025 (1)

The MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, MEC
Bitsa Lenkopane, has rolled out a high-impact initiative in the JB Marks Local
Municipality as part of the Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated Service Delivery Programme.
The event, held in Potchefstroom, was attended by the Premier of the North West
Province, Honourable Lazarus Mokgosi, and the Member of the Mayoral Committee
(MMC) for Local Economic Development, Ms Malverine Davis. Together, they
officiated the sod-turning ceremony for the Dunlop Wheel and Alignment Project, a
milestone that signals a new wave of transformation in township enterprise
infrastructure and local job creation.

The project which started as a commitment from the previous financial year, is now
taking shape as a catalyst for revitalising local economic activity. Once completed, the
site will be transformed into a vibrant market hub for and the informal traders and
business owners, providing a formalised and safe trading environment that fosters
entrepreneurship, strengthens MSME participation, and supports sustainable
livelihoods.

Premier Mokgosi commended DEDECT for its proactive approach to driving inclusive
economic growth. “The Thuntsha Lerole Programme demonstrates government’s
commitment to improving the lives of our people through tangible, on-the-ground
initiatives. By supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and
empowering communities, we are building a sustainable and self-reliant provincial
economy,” said Premier Mokgosi.

To strengthen support to local enterprise development, the department in partnership
with Absa Bank, recently trained 58 informal traders in business and financial
management. The group includes operators in sectors such as salons, shoe-making,
tuckshops, laundry, motor spares, car wash, shisanyama, and catering.

This initiative forms part of the department’s broader mission to fight unemployment
and poverty through entrepreneurship and skills development. Graduates of the
programme will receive start-up resources and ongoing support to help them establish
and grow viable, competitive businesses.

MEC Lenkopane reaffirmed the department’s unwavering commitment to creating
opportunities for ordinary citizens, especially youth and women.

“Our goal is to ensure that every initiative we launch translates into real impact —
empowering families, stimulating local economies, and restoring dignity through
meaningful work. The Dunlop project, our business training, and our environmental
programmes are all steps towards that vision,” said MEC Lenkopane.

To ensure sustainability, the department will continue supporting the Dunlop project
through its various programmes. Through the Business Regulations Unit, the
department will assist participants with business permit registration to ensure
compliance and formalisation. Additional support will include business development
assistance, market linkages, and aftercare services to strengthen operational
capacity.

Furthermore, the Business Licensing Unit will guide informal traders in applying for
business licences and facilitate the adjudication process through the relevant
authorities. Formalisation will enable these enterprises to be integrated into the
departmental enterprise database, improving their access to other government
support programmes, including the Tuckshop Programme led by the National
Department of Small Business Development.

As part of the departmental Matlakala ke Zaka campaign promoting environmental
sustainability, MEC Lenkopane announced plans to assist out-of-school Youth
Environmental Clubs to register a cooperative that will conduct regular cleaning
campaigns in and around the project site.

“The environmental club will have a great opportunity to collect and recycle waste
generated by informal traders within the Dunlop Project area, turning waste into wealth
while promoting a circular economy,” MEC Lenkopane added.

These integrated initiatives, aims to transform local enterprise infrastructure, empower
MSMEs, and create real job opportunities, advancing inclusive growth and sustainable
economic development across the North West Province.

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

For too long, employees of Golden Leopard Resorts (GLR) have faced delays in salary
payments, pension contributions, and third-party deductions. The Department of
Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) is
pleased to confirm that these challenges are being decisively addressed. A 4.7%
salary increase has been approved for all GLR employees, effective from the 2024/25
financial year, with 19 months of back pay to be processed by the end of November
2025.

“This is not merely a financial correction; it is a restoration of trust, a reaffirmation of
government’s compassion, and a recognition of the human impact that administrative
and financial shortcomings have had on individuals, families, and communities,” said
MEC Bitsa Lenkopane.

On behalf of the North West Provincial Government, DEDECT extends a heartfelt
apology to all GLR employees and their families for the hardship, uncertainty, and
distress they have endured. “Your patience and perseverance have not gone
unnoticed. Your commitment, even through adversity, is the foundation upon which
this renewal is being built,” the MEC added.

The MEC announced that the Department has successfully presented the Golden
Leopard Resorts (GLR) Turnaround Strategy to the Executive Council (EXCO),
marking a significant milestone in restoring stability and sustainability at the entity. This
strategy represents more than a financial intervention; it is a commitment to rebuilding
institutional integrity, restoring employee confidence, and positioning GLR as a
sustainable and competitive contributor to the provincial tourism economy.

The history of GLR has not been without difficulty. The entity was transferred from the
North West Development Corporation (NWDC) to the North West Parks and Tourism

Board (NWPTB) without corresponding financial resources, resulting in an unfunded
mandate that placed immense strain on the Board’s financial position.
This was compounded by historical debt dating back to 2014, resulting in debt owed
to third parties, including the South African Revenue Service (SARS), provident funds,
medical aid schemes, and family court maintenance orders. These obligations have
not been honoured since 2022, despite deductions being made from employees’
salaries.

MEC Lenkopane acknowledged, with humility and sincerity, that part of the historical
debt burden stemmed from previously unapproved budgets and Annual Performance
Plans (APPs). “The Department recognises that these governance lapses contributed
to the financial distress that undermined service delivery and employee welfare. We
are now turning this page with purpose and integrity,” she said.

The department is working tirelessly to settle historical debts and strengthen
governance systems that ensure sustainable operations. The approved Turnaround
Strategy has paved the way for both operational recovery and the restoration of dignity
to the hardworking employees who have endured years of uncertainty.

“The GLR turnaround is not only about financial recovery, it is about building a
sustainable, ethical, and performance-driven organisation that values its people,
strengthens governance, and contributes meaningfully to tourism growth and job
creation in the North West Province,” said MEC Lenkopane.

For inquiries, contact:
Mr. Jeremiah Matebesi
Director: Communication and IT Services – 072 333 0325
Email: JeremiahMatebesi@nwpg.gov.za
Twitter: @nwpg_dedect /
Facebook: @nwded

ERRATUM – DEDECT VACANCIES -1

The North West Provincial Department of Economic Development, Environment,
Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) is developing a database and platform for Micro, Small
and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and large-scale exporters to improve market access,
presence, and efficiency through technology. The department is inviting export-ready
businesses to submit their details for registration on the platform and be considered for
marketing on government-endorsed digital platforms.

Interested businesses must:

• Be located and operating in the North West Province
• Be compliant with CIPC & SARS and have a SARS Exporter Registration Certificate
• Have products that are market-ready – Packaging, labeling, quality standards,
certifications (e.g., SABS, HACCP & ISO9000)

CLOSING DATE: 17 NOVEMBER 2025

Interested exporters are requested to register using the link below:

https://forms.office.com/r/gNDzssnfa1

For More Information Contact exportersdatabase@nwpg.gov.za.

DEDECT VACANCIES CIRCULAR 2025