Picture: The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The quest to resuscitate the economy of North West is on course. This comes after more than R100 billion worth of investments was pledged by different local companies and firms as well as Multinational Corporations. The pledges follow a ‘business dinner’ held by the acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi at the Sun City Superbowl over the weekend.
Maloyi said the Members of the Executive Council, Executive Mayors, senior managers in government and State-Owned Enterprises were part of the initiative.
“The aim of the initiative was to expedite coordination of investments in the province. Its primary objective is to address high levels of unemployment in the province, which have surged to over 53%. Key to this investment drive is the establishment of mega and smart cities in the province, which will be coordinated by the North West Housing Corporation.
“They include Moretele Mega City, Matlosana Smart City, Marikana Smart City, Madibeng and Lanseria Smart City as well as Taung Mega City. We have declared that, the province is open for business. We have also implored investors to consider the province as their preferred investment destination,” he said.
Maloyi further said over and above investments in smart cities, there will be R20 billion worth of investment in accommodation facilities for students in Mahikeng, Rustenburg and Potchefstroom. He added that, a Chinese company has pledged to build a factory at Stilfontein to manufacture solar panels.
“This company has bought mining shafts in Stilfontein, but they are also investing in alternative energy. Their machinery has already arrived in the country. So, we are certain that this will bring much-needed socio-economic opportunities for our people and in particular the youth.
“Plans are already in motion to build a university, which will specialise in Mining Engineering. This university will be built in Rustenburg and it is a collaboration between the government and the North West University (NWU). This investment is part of the government’s future plans that are centred on mineral beneficiation,” said Maloyi.
He said other investment pledges were made including agro-processing, tourism, and infrastructure development.
The Guardian 