By BAKANG MOKOTO
29 January 2025- The Department of Economic Development Environment Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) said it has taken a firm decision to turnaround State Owned Entities in the province with specific reference to the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB). The department said in the 2023/4 financial year, DEDECT allocated a total of R286 million to the North West Parks and Tourism Board.
According to the North West MEC for Department of Economic Development Environment Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane, the North West Parks and Tourism Board as a Schedule 3C Public Entity is expected to generate income in order to sustain its operations. Lenkopane said the Board is also expected to account in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
Lenkopane further said, the NWPTB is mandated to collect conservation levies, process lease agreements and 34 concessionaires located around Madikwe and Pilanesberg. She added that the NWPTB also manages a number of flats including Taung Hotel and a string lodges that include the Golden Leopard Resort.
“We have since appointed a Board of Directors that is expected to implement the turnaround strategy, especially around revenue enhancement, review of policies, exploitation of biodiversity economy and ensuring that communities benefit from lodges such as Madikwe and Pilanesberg amongst others.
“To date, 13 conservation areas have been claimed by communities and recently, we have been focusing on obtaining feedback from challenges and achievements from the 6th administration,” she said.
Lenkopane said as they enter the last quarter of the first year of the 7th administration, focus is on introducing new systems to improve the overall performance and operations of the entity. She said in the board meeting that took place on 27 January 2025, she emphasized the importance of accountability, revenue generation and community participation in the biodiversity economy.
“Together, we move North West forward in terms of governance. We will focus on filling all vacancies including rangers and gate attendants. The CFO position and all other senior positions in the board will be filled and subjected to performance agreements.
“A summary of key interventions consequence management on all contracts and transactions that do not comply with the PFMA, revenue enhancement, centralisation of Supply Chain Management processes and SLA with entities on money transfers,” said Lenkopane.
She said this includes involvement of communities in the biodiversity economy, institute forensic investigation and introduction of entity oversight mechanisms.
The Guardian 