30 JULY 2024 – Locally-owned tuck shops and beneficiaries of SASSA grants will soon both benefit from a strengthened tuck shop sector, through robust interventions announced by the MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Ms Bitsa Lenkopane during her budget vote address on 26 July 2024.

The Department will embark on tangible programmes to support this sector, particularly in townships and villages as part of stimulating their economies. The starting point will be to position these retailers to take advantage of the one billion government expenditure on grants while at the same time serving grant beneficiaries.

Following the closure of SASSA pay points in the province, grant recipients will be provided with closer, reliable and efficient grocery stores to shop, withdraw minimum cash and use vouchers supplied by SASSA.

The Department, through the NWDC and SASSA, will work with other entities such as SEDA, NYDA, NDA, SIFA and the National Department of Small Business to strengthen the tuck shop sector in townships and villages as it implements this programme in a phased approach.

Said MEC Lenkopane: “Following a selection criterion that is based on business regulations and other policies, qualifying tuck shops will be provided with stock, appropriate technology and properly built structures. This will help them to increase their market share in the sector.

They should and they will be able to serve our elders with efficient services as well as quality products. The economic spinoffs related to this intervention are huge and will accrue to other businesses in the economy, particularly to those in the food processing sector.”

Highlighting achievements of the past year in the budget speech, MEC Lenkopane reported that the department has further managed to submit all relevant requirements for the issuance of a license for the Bojanala Special Economic Zone (SEZ). All previous concerns regarding the license have been addressed and the department has resubmitted the application. As soon as National Government grants the license, the department with its executing entity, the NWDC is ready to hit the ground running. For the Bojanala SEZ, a total of thirteen new investments are in the pipeline with a potential investment of R163, 591 billion and the possibility of creating nineteen thousand jobs.

In responding to the energy challenges in the province, MEC Lenkopane announced that the North West Development Corporation will be concluding a study on the usage of different energy mixes across all municipalities. Specific attention will be given to government buildings and households in townships and rural villages. The outcome of this study will assist in providing an appropriate response to several pledges to invest in the energy sector made at the Premier’s Investment Engagement in September 2023.

MEC Lenkopane announced a firm plan of action for the revitalisation of several industrial parks resorting under the North West Development Corporation. Considering that most of the buildings and infrastructure are more than thirty years old and deteriorating, MEC Lenkopane announced that the Department will be engaging with Gauteng and the Tshwane Municipality to submit a joint submission to the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Council for the industrial townships revitalisation to be included as part of the Economic Recovery Plan to uplift the industrial parks located in Moretele, Mogwase and Ga-Rankuwa, thereby addressing unemployment and poverty, particularly in Babelegi in Hammanskraal.

MEC Lenkopane further announced that the Department will be part of the labour activation programme spearheaded by the Department of Labour. With the assistance of the NWDC a total of 5 600 people, especially youth, women and people with disability will be trained in farming to produce various agricultural produce in the Dr KK District through a partnership with Lyla Farm.

The economic development and investment initiatives will see the North West Province actively working towards a future where township economies are vibrant, resilient, and inclusive for all, supported by a strong investment component.

Issued by the North West Development Corporation, A reporting entity under DEDECT.
Release information based on MEC Lenkopane Budget Vote of 26 July 2024

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