BY Obakeng Maje

The North West Province should tap into sustainable energy sources and renewable energy as they have the potential to create jobs that can give unemployed people sustainable livelihoods, Acting Premier Louisa Mabe asserted at the economic infrastructure colloquium gala dinner hosted by the North West Planning Commission at Sun City resort on Monday evening .

Acting Premier Mabe in her keynote address challenged mining houses to support the North West University and colleges as centres of mining related skills excellence.

“The mining industry is the backbone of our economy because mining accounts for 38% of the province’s Gross Domestic Product. The 296 mining operations located in the province accounts for 25% of all mining operations in South Africa and employs 38% of the total number of jobs in the mining sector.

The central question we need to preoccupy ourselves with, is to address the dichotomy of being endowed with rich minerals and yet being declared as one of the poorest provinces of South Africa. What makes it difficult to beneficiate communities in the province to create sustainable job and grow our economy?” the Acting Premier asked adding that Tourism, Agriculture and Manufacturing have huge potential for growth and development.

Mabe emphasised that the foundations laid during the colloquium has potential to unlock economic potential of the province because economic infrastructure development is a catalyst for unlocking development and the potential of the province that should also have a multiplier effect on socio-economic development .

She highlighted that the Planning Commission established by Premier Mme Thandi Modise in 2011 has to finalise a Provincial Growth Plan that is aligned to the New Growth Plan before the end of this year.

“It is critical that the plan be finalised and implemented to propel the province towards a New Growth Path” she emphasised.

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