MAHIKENG, MMABATHO CONVENTION CENTRE – 22 JULY 2024

YThe MEC for the department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism – DEDECT, Bitsa Lenkopane has pushed the people of the North West and SMMEs back to working. The MEC held a Nelson Mandela International Day celebration at the Mmabatho Convention in Mmabatho on Monday, 22 July 2024, highlighting the on-going commitment to Mandela’s vision of social justice and equality.

MEC Lenkopane was joined by several distinguished dignitaries, including Ngaka Modiri Molema District Executive Mayor, Cllr. Khumalo Molefe, Mahikeng Local Municipality Mayor, Cllr. Tshepiso Mphehlo, Ratlou Local Municipality Mayor, Cllr. Jafta Matlhomola, Kgetleng Rivier Mayor, Cllr. Thabo Jacobs, and Moses Kotane Mayor, Cllr. Nketu Nkotswe.

This year’s Mandela Day aimed to showcase the department’s significant contributions to supporting small businesses, biodiversity economy, business regulations, tourism, and other essential services. MEC Lenkopane highlighted the pivotal work of its entities: the North West Development Corporation (NWDC), the North West Gambling Board (NWGB), the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB), and Development Finance Institutions.

In her address, MEC Lenkopane emphasized her dedication to inclusivity in her leadership, starting with her 100-day programme to unblock and activate service delivery channels for accelerated services. This programme includes skills development initiatives tailored to meet market demands, ensuring communities are equipped for future employment opportunities, and supporting self-sustainable community projects as part of Mandela Day.

On the day, the MEC made offerings to community development initiatives which included donations of sporting equipment, groceries, renovations, and provision of desktop computers, projectors, and sewing machines to various schools, childcare centres, and non-profit organizations.
The MEC further announced that the department’s programmes were tailored to meet community needs. Key initiatives include the appointment of young people who will form part of the tourism safety monitors programme and the “Working on Fire” safety monitors. MEC Lenkopane highlighted that 200 youth will be employed by the department as data capturers across the province, adding to the existing 200 already in contract. They will help the department to paint a picture of households’ status on their living conditions, employment and education level of the dwellers.

The MEC also pronounced a massive skills development programme on farming and food security with more than five thousand (5 000) unemployed young people from the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda region benefiting. She also highlighted that through the Integrated Development Services Unit (IEDS), unemployed youth and women were identified for the Dunlop Containers project. This project will provide services such as wheel alignment, puncture repairs, and tyre sales and will be rolled out later this month, with the plan to create much-needed jobs for young people.

Through the NWDC, the department will support township and village economy through Tuck Shop support. This initiative, in partnership with the South African Social Security Agency – (SASSA), will equally aid SASSA beneficiaries who are affected by the closure of several grant pay points across the province. The identified tuck shops will receive a facelift on its infrastructure including easier transaction technology for card and or online payments to assist mainly grant recipients. Tuck shops will also be supported in the supply of stock to ensure the availability of necessary supplies for the communities they serve.

The biodiversity economy will receive a boost with MEC Lenkopane announcing the revitalization of the Devil’s Claw project and acquiring of land for the beneficiaries of the project in Ganyesa, at Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality. The project will have a water borehole drilled for easier access to water. She further indicated that, as we are in the hunting season, the department will strengthen its compliance and enforcement to ensure hunters comply with licensing laws. The department will continuously empower SMMEs in their respective sectors to ensure their businesses are sustainable and contribute to the local economy.

Through these efforts, MEC Lenkopane reaffirmed her commitment to empowering communities, enabling them to take control of their economic development, and contributing to job creation and local economic growth.

Issued by the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism

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