The North West Development Corporation (NWDC) came into effect when the North West Development Corporation Limited Act (Act No 6 of 1995), was approved by the Provincial Legislature and published in the North West Provincial Gazette in 1995. The North West Provincial Government has recognized the need for the continuance of the organisation as a development corporation for the North West Province. The corporation was identified as being instrumental in the success of the reconstruction and development programme in the North West Province.

The NWDC has aligned its business fully with the strategic objectives of the North West Provincial Government, as outlined in the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy and informed by the terms of the shareholders’ compact and service level agreement. One of our main drives is to give impetus to the development initiatives of the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism by providing project-management services for key projects. The NWDC also manages a social responsibility programme, which disburses once-off donations to various communities, including the physically challenged, senior citizens’ homes, schools, sports and youth development initiatives.

Facing challenges such as the fight against poverty, unemployment and the continual quest to improve SMME development, has guided the NWDC in developing its vision and mission statements:

Vision -The vision of the NWDC is to be an efficient and effective economic development agency of the North West Provincial Government.

Mission – To stimulate economic growth and sustainable development that will result in job creation and wealth

The NWDC has signed various Memoranda of Understanding with, among others, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) and is also involved in a variety of projects such as: the Wild Silk Projects in Ganyesa, Madikwe sisal, Mokgalwaneng factories, Naledi youth car wash project and its many light industrial parks.

By joining forces with our stakeholders, we are able to boost our development drive for SMMEs in the North West. The CIPC project, allows for easy business registration at NWDC branches across the province. Other CIPC services offered at the NWDC include amendments, registration of co-operatives as well as annual returns. An additional project, the North West Province Business Directory (NWPBD) is a web-based business directory. The directory allows businesses to showcase their products and services, encourages information sharing as well as providing the opportunity to attract local and foreign investment. This is made possible by profiling each business with all their necessary information and listing them accordingly. The core focus of the directory is to promote business activities across the North West province.

The R2.3-million Naledi youth car wash project has been completed. This initiative was funded by the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism and project managed by the NWDC. The project consisted of the development of a piece of land within the Vryburg CBD area. Initial planning began in 2008 and the vacant piece of land is now a fully functional small business centre. The centre comprises of four shops and a car wash. The project has now been handed over to the Naledi Local Municipality, which will, through a selection process, introduce relevant young individuals into the premises. These youth will then be trained and the municipality will provide all of the necessary equipment for the businesses, and manage the implementation of the training programmes.The NWDC is proud to have been part of this initiative.

The corporation also aims to expand its developmental impact across parts of the province, where it is yet to have a footprint, by erecting more light industries. The entity has commenced with its plans to build new light industrial parks in the Matlosana, Tlokwe, Taung, Naledi and Moses Kotane municipalities to provide reliable and viable infrastructure that will form the basis of future development and upliftment. These industrial parks provide SMMEs with lower rental options in business or industrial districts across the province. There are currently light industrial parks situated within the Ngaka Modiri Molema, Bojanala and Dr Ruth Mompati districts.

Furthermore, the NWDC adopts a ‘zero tolerance to fraud’ and consistently raises awareness, amongst employees and stakeholders, in an effort to stop and prevent most fraudulent activities within the corporation. One of our foremost anti-corruption defences is the companies Fraud Hotline. Total anonymity is guaranteed when calls are placed reporting fraudulent activities. The Corporation is also a member of the provincial anti-corruption forum.

The NWDC has over the years proved a functional and dedicated organisation with a proven record of accomplishment for facilitating economic growth and job creation. The agency has recently won the provincial PMR Gold and Productivity SA Gold awards within its sector. The NWDC will also appear on the Employment Equity Public Register for 2011, which will be published by the Minister of Labour in terms of section 41 of the Employment Act. This is achieved after duly complying with the Act and successfully submitting an employment equity report to the department of labour, for the second year in a row.

Moving forward the NWDC intends to further its development objectives and stop at nothing in attaining them. ‘Economic empowerment of the North West province is, and always will be, our motivating force.’