Picture: North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi
By REGINALD KANYANE
25 February 2025- All systems go for the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) to host the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, who will be delivering the State of the Province (SOPA) on Thursday. The NWPL speaker, Dr Desbo Mohono said Mokgosi will deliver the SOPA in the Legislature Chamber at 9am.
Mokgosi is expected to come up with strategic measures to improve the economy of the province, including addressing the soaring unemployment crisis, especially amongst the youth.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) caucus leader in the North West Provincial Legislature, Freddy Sonakile said the province’s soaring unemployment crisis calls for urgent action. Sonakile said they are deeply alarmed by the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for Q4 of 2024, which confirms what residents of North West have been experiencing firsthand—a province in economic freefall under an incapable ANC provincial government.
“Unemployment has skyrocketed, with the official rate increasing by 4.5% (20,000 jobs lost) from the 3rd quarter to the 4th quarter, making the North West the worst-performing province in the country.
“Year-on-year, unemployment has surged by 2.3%, while the expanded unemployment rate climbed by 1.3%—a clear indicator that economic opportunities are shrinking under the current administration. Despite a population growth of 1.3% year-on-year, employment ratios continue to plummet, with the Employed-to-Population Ratio dropping by 0.8% in the last quarter alone,” he said.
Sonakile further said this means fewer people are working to sustain their families, while poverty and desperation escalate. He added that the ANC’s failure to create jobs and stimulate growth has left the North West in a deepening crisis.
“The DA has consistently advocated for policies that attract investment, improve infrastructure, and create an enabling environment for small businesses to thrive—yet these proposals are ignored by a provincial government more focused on self-enrichment than service delivery.
“With Mokgosi set to deliver SOPA, we urge him to use this opportunity to present real, actionable solutions to the unemployment crisis. The people of the North West cannot afford another speech filled with empty promises and excuses,” said Sonakile.
He said they demand urgent intervention to address this crisis. Sonakile said the DA will continue pushing for accountable governance, a revitalised job market, and real economic opportunities for the people of North West.
“Change is not only necessary, but urgent. The people of the North West deserve a government that prioritises job creation, economic growth, and a future that offers hope instead of despair,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said: “The Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS) that consists of various government departments and security forces, led by the South African Police Service (SAPS), is geared up to ensure a safe and secure SOPA, which will take place at 10am.
“Law enforcement officers will be deployed in and around the Legislature and surrounding areas to ensure general safety in Mmabatho and Mahikeng.”
Mokgwabone said while daily activities will not necessarily be affected by security arrangements, it is significant for the public to take note of the closure with regulated or restricted access of certain roads and thoroughfares around the precinct between 5am and 3pm on Thursday. He said that will affect the flow of traffic.
“It must be emphasised that civil servants working at neighbouring government buildings will still be allowed to access their offices. The streets/roads that will be affected are Sekame Road and Ngaka Modiri Molema Road.
“This includes Sekame Road and Dr James Moroka Dr James Moroka Drive and Dr Albert Luthuli, Dr James Moroka Road Drive and Hector Petersen, Dr James Moroka Road and Stadium Road, Dr Albert Luthuli and Ngaka Modiri Molema,” said Mokgwabone.
He said an appeal is made to members of the public, civil servants, learners and all those who normally use roads, streets, thoroughfares and other public offices in and around the aforementioned roads to cooperate with law enforcement officials, who will be manning and working in the area.
Mokgwabone said the deployment of law enforcement officials is intended to ensure that normal day to day activities are not unduly affected or obstructed, and the cooperation of everyone is important in this regard.
The Guardian 