Picture: The North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane
By OBAKENG MAJE
13 July 2025- The North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane will host a Business Forum Colloquium in partnership with key stakeholders in the MSME sector across the North West.
Lenkopane said the colloquium is part of her department’ strategic build-up to the 2025/26 budget speech and forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships, foster dialogue, and align departmental interventions with inclusive economic priorities.
“This platform will bring together registered business forums, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), and key government entities to deliberate on pressing economic challenges affecting the MSME sector, particularly access to bridging finance, regulatory bottlenecks, and institutional support.
“With a strong focus on empowerment, financial solutions, and stakeholder collaboration, the event under the theme “Driving Economic Empowerment” will also align with South Africa’s broader G20 2025 priorities of inclusive growth and sustainable economic development, especially in rural and underserved areas,” she said.
Lenkopane further said forums play a vital role in unlocking local economic opportunities, and this engagement reaffirms the department’s commitment to building a thriving, inclusive, and resilient provincial economy. She added that, the event will be held at the Mmabatho Convention Centre on 15 July 2025, at 12pm.
2 July 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it will hold North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi to account following his oral reply to my question regarding underspending by North West Provincial Departments. The DA said according to Mokgosi, based on pre-audited financial performance, most departments spent between 98% and 99% of their allocated budgets aligned with acceptable spending norms.
DA spokesperson on Office of the Premier, Freddy Sonakile said, however, the total provincial underspending still amounts to a staggering R383 million, which includes significant shortfalls in key departments. Sonakile said the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development and Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism recorded expenditure levels below 95%, together accounting for R143 million in underspending.
“The Premier has committed to assessing the severity of the underspending and the reasons behind it, with a view to instituting consequences in terms of applicable legislation for both MECs and Heads of Department (HODs). He further indicated, in response to a follow-up question, that this review would be completed within a month.
“Additionally, the Premier confirmed that the province lost R294 million in conditional grants, with only R172 million submitted for rollover consideration by departments such as Health, Arts and Culture, Education, Human Settlements, and Agriculture and Rural Development,” he said.
Sonakile further said the majority of these grants are linked to infrastructure delivery. He added that, in the words of President Cyril Ramaphosa at last week’s National Council of Provinces (NCOP) sitting: “Failure to spend funds by a department is tantamount to treason, regardless of how little those funds may seem.”
“So, we fully agree. Every cent of underspending reflects a lost opportunity to deliver services to the people of North West, whether it’s a road not fixed, a clinic not built, or support not given to farmers and entrepreneurs.
“The DA will monitor this matter closely, particularly the outcomes of the Premier’s promised review, and we will continue to hold the provincial government accountable, not just for spending funds, but for ensuring value for money in every expenditure undertaken,” said Sonakile.
Meanwhile, the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi spokesperson, Sello Tatai said: “As per the pre-audited 2024/5 financial expenditure performance almost all the departments spent their entire budget registering 98% to 99%, which is the expected performance as per legislation.
“This includes the Office of the Premier, Health, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Community Safety and Transport Management, Provincial Treasury, Education, Co- operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Social Development and Human Settlements.”
Tatai said this is a much-improved performance compared to the previous financial year. He said only the Departments of Agriculture and Rural as well as Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism whose expenditure is below 95% amounting to R143 million.
“A total amount of under-expenditure of all departments is R383 million respectively. The Office of the Premier working with the Provincial Treasury, would evaluate the severity and reasons for underspending, and thereafter all the necessary consequence management processes will ensue in line with both applicable legislations for both MECs and HoDs.
“Of the R294 million underspending on conditional grant an amount of R172.2 million has been submitted for rollover approval in the 2025/26 financial year in the Departments of Health, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Education, Public Works and Roads, Human Settlements and Agriculture and Rural Development,” said Tatai.
He said as indicated above, the funds relate to services rendered to citizens through various conditional grants and the bulk of these funding are attached to infrastructure projects.
Picture: The North West DEDECT and Free State delegates during meeting/Supplied
By AGISANANG SCUFF
30 June 2025- The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane hosted an interprovincial engagement with her counterpart, Free State MEC for Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA), Ketso Makume, with the aim of forging a collaboration to unlock cross-border initiatives and deliver mutual benefit for the two provinces.
Lenkopane further said the session ran parallel to the third G20 Sherpa meeting held on 25 and 26 June 2025, at Sun City Resort, in Rustenburg. In her opening remarks, Lenkopane added that two provinces shared geographic assets and economic interests hence it is strategic for them to engage and promote interprovincial economic cooperation.
“Identified areas of cooperation and mutual learning include Special Economic Zones, tourism, heritage and cultural activities, agriculture, industrial parks, enterprise development opportunities around airports, dams and Vredefort Dome UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“The envisaged MoU will activate working forums and facilitate follow-up meetings to implement the agreed upon initiatives. So, I am excited to see the collaboration of the two provinces bringing a caring government to the people of North West and the Free State,” she said.
Meanwhile, Makume echoed the same sentiments when he said they should not allow the provincial borders to be barriers of progress. He said they should put communities first, considering that communities and labour are already intertwined.
“The meeting engaged in robust deliberations on cross border opportunities and areas of cooperation. The discussions explored economic sectors of cooperation such as agro-industrial development, renewable and green energy, industrial and logistics, tourism and cultural routes as well as skills and enterprise support.
“Following the deliberations, the two provinces came to an agreement to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU will give guidance on areas of implementation and practicalities thereof,” said Makume.
Picture: Elephants at Madikwe Game Reserve/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
20 June 2025- The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism said it welcomes the turnaround strategy presented by the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) regarding the management of the Madikwe Game Reserve. This follows a recent oversight visit by the committee to the Madikwe Game Reserve, attended by the North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Bitsa Lenkopane, as well as senior officials from the department and NWPTB.
The engagements focused on challenges facing the reserve, the strategic direction of the Madikwe Future Company and reports of animal welfare concerns, particularly in relation to elephant mortality.
The Chairperson of the committee, Mpho Khunou sought clarity after reports surfaced in the media highlighting high rates of elephant deaths allegedly linked to negligence. Khunou said during the session, the acting CEO of NWPTB, Jonathan Denga, confirmed that the reserve has lost 75 animals—mostly young elephants—due to malnutrition caused by overpopulation.
“With 1,633 elephants, Madikwe faces significant ecological strain, far exceeding the carrying capacity of its 60,000-hectare footprint. Current elephant density is at 2.7 per km², compared to the recommended 0.79 per km² for state-run reserves.
Lenkopane informed the committee that a provincial task team has been established, in collaboration with the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. She said the task team includes NWPTB, SANBI, SANParks, DFFE and academic institutions, and will oversee the implementation of the turnaround strategy.
“The proposed measures include sustainable elephant population management through regulated trophy hunting, contraception, and selective culling of animals with health deficiencies, aiming to preserve biodiversity and strengthen the wildlife economy.
“The strategy also aims to recover at least 65% of the R85 million in outstanding debt, improve contract consistency for concessionaires and traversing rights, and introduce access control systems at Pilanesberg and Madikwe gates to reduce revenue losses,” said Lenkopane.
Khunou said they are pleased to note this strategy and look forward to its implementation as it will resolve long outstanding issues that have seen the deterioration of the NWPTB—especially regarding employee salary payments, poaching control systems, and ensuring the surrounding communities benefit meaningfully from tourism activities.
He said the committee requested several reports from the department and NWPTB, including a comprehensive audit report on Maape and Kgomo, and Golden Leopard Resorts.
“This includes clarification on the Pilanesberg Landing Strip governance, inclusion of unaddressed infrastructure challenges in the turnaround plan and a detailed financial strategy with clear implementation timelines
“The Committee further recommended that the department strengthen its communications strategy to keep communities better informed of opportunities and developments in the conservation and tourism sectors,” said Khunou.
Picture: North West MEC for DEDECT, Bitsa Lenkopane during an oversight visit to Mahikeng Trade Fair Market together with DEDECT officials/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
15 April 2025- The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane, has enhanced support for local businesses during an oversight visit to Mahikeng Trade Fair Market. Lenkopane conducted an oversight visit to the Mahikeng Trade Fair Market as part of her aftercare programme aimed at supporting local enterprises.
She further said the visit focused on assessing the condition of the facility that accommodates small businesses and exploring opportunities to enhance their operations. Lenkopane added that the Mahikeng Trade Fair Market, which houses 20 small factories, serves as a flagship initiative, which highlights the provincial government’s continued commitment to promoting sustainable local economic development.
“My visit formed part of the Thuntsha Lerole Programme under the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, a proactive initiative aimed at boosting economic growth through comprehensive aftercare services.
“These services include site evaluations of funded projects to assess business viability, identify operational challenges, and enhance support mechanisms for small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and cooperatives,” she said.
Lenkopane said a collaborative venture between DEDECT, the North West Development Corporation (NWDC), the Mahikeng Local Municipality and the Mahikeng Trade Fair Market, represents a foundation in the province’s efforts to empower local entrepreneurs, stimulate job creation and contribute to the broader provincial economy. She said during the aftercare service tour, they also visited several successful empowerment beneficiaries.
“Among them was Mum to Be Wellness Centre (Pty) in Setumo Park, Mahikeng, a wellness spa offering personal care services using DEDECT-funded equipment, which remains in pristine condition.
“In Montshioa, Chomza Technologies showcased its progress after receiving funding for the installation of a network tower located in Ramatlabama village, significantly improving connectivity in the surrounding communities,” said Lenkopane.
She said in Moletsamongwe village, Mahikeng, Lonaka Projects Group demonstrated its growing footprint in agriculture through poultry, egg production and vegetable farming. Lenkopane said the business has shown commendable progress, bolstered by resources provided by the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA).
“In a further show of support for informal and micro enterprises, DEDECT also hosted a flea market in Kopela village, featuring six informal traders and four Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).
“The programme also profiled 14 MSMEs, the majority of which are women-owned, connecting them to developmental opportunities and support services,” she said.
Lenkopane said the department will continue with aftercare services and engagement platforms throughout the province to continue to empower local businesses and reinforce its mandate to create a sustainable and competitive business environment in the North West.
Picture: The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Mpho Khunou
By BAKANG MOKOTO
11 April 2025- The North West Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism has summoned former members of the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) on 10 April 2025, to account for persistent governance and financial challenges facing the entity. During their tenure, the former members failed to appear before the committee on two previous occasions on 4 and 18 February 2025, where they were expected to address, among other matters, delays in employee salary payments for January and February 2025.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Mpho Khunou said they became aware of financial difficulties within the entity after receiving an internal memo issued by the former acting CEO of the NWPTB, Charlene Jacobs. Khunou said, in the memo, Jacobs warned that salaries might not be paid by the end of January 2025.
“This development led to protest action by employees in response to the delayed payments. As a result, the committee invited the North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Evelyn Lenkopane, to provide insight into the general financial health of the entity, with a particular focus on the payment of salaries.
“The committee also took note of a media statement issued by Lenkopane on 25 January 2025, in which she expressed concern over the NWPTB’s financial state. She revealed that the department consistently disburses quarterly tranches to the entity, despite its ongoing struggles to pay salaries,” he said.
Khunou further said determined to ensure full accountability, the committee resolved in February 2025 to issue summonses to the former board members, regardless of the fact that their term had ended at the end of that month. He added that they are extremely pleased that the former members finally appeared before the committee.
“One of the key issues arising from the meeting was that former board members provided conflicting explanations for their absence from the 4 February 2025 meeting.
“The committee will investigate the matter further and take appropriate action should it be found that any member misled the committee. In addition, the former board members failed to provide a comprehensive plan or account of efforts to improve the financial health of the entity and ensure timely salary payments,” said Khunou.
He said the committee has since recommended that the former members submit detailed reports outlining actions taken to address the financial crisis. Khunou hailed the meeting as both groundbreaking and significant. Khunou said the meeting reaffirmed the powers of the Portfolio Committee to hold current and former board members accountable.
“It appears the former board members believed they could evade accountability during and after their tenure. The committee has lived up to its promise to the people of the North West that legal action will be taken when necessary.
“The committee also acknowledged the recent establishment of an interim board by Lenkopane and committed to continue exercising effective oversight over both the entity and the department, without fear or favour,” he said.
Khunou said the committee further identified priorities such as restoring the NWPTB to sound financial health, ensuring stability at senior management level, finalising the merger of the former Parks Board and Tourism Board and resolving the unstable labour environment, which has been marked by prolonged strikes and low staff morale for the NWPTB moving forward:
Picture: The late professor and palaeoanthropologist Phillip Vallentine Tobias holds the Taung skull. / Wikipedia
By OBAKENG MAJE
11 April 2025- Taung World Heritage Site, which is a significant piece of South African heritage, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The site is where a crucial early hominin fossil was discovered.
However, one of the founders of Vaal Taung Tourism Association, Ontshebile Joseph Tshamboko, who is affectionately known as ‘OJ The Dreamer” said, it is disheartening to see that there are no builds-up event to celebrate 100 years anniversary since the discovery of Taung Skull. Tshamboko calls on the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) to make means that it brings Taung Skull from Wits University to Taung, at least for a month.
He further said that it will benefit the economy of the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District at large. Tshamboko said that will also inspire young people who are passionate about tourism.
“For years, as the tourism product owners across the province, we have submitted numerous proposals to previous MECs, but nothing is happening. We do see that tourism in Bojanala is booming, whereas Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District also has the potential.
“When it comes to the Taung Skull issue, it is really throbbing. Yes, we see development but they have been there for the past 10 years. Today, the area is still in the developmental stage, though they said they are completing soon,” he said.
Tshamboko said it will be great if locals have a touch or feel the skull within their jurisdiction as part of its centenary celebration. He said even if there is no physical touch, just to see it will make a difference.
“I think some of us will rest in peace knowing that we have seen our fossil with our naked eyes. When are we going to lay our eyes on that particular precious skull?
“If they are concerned about security, they can do the same thing as they do when showcasing the World Cup trophies. We will be able to generate income and tourism product owners will make profits,” said Tshamboko.
He said people are prepared to pay to see that skull. Tshamboko said the government can even deploy South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to guard the Taung Skull as part of activation.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Evelyn Lenkopane said: “I have been receiving a lot of calls regarding Taung Skull. We are closing shop now and will no longer be a construction site.
“Taung Skull must generate income for the people of Taung. We are busy digitising it and the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, will hand it over to the community, so that activation and economical activities can start rolling.”
Lenkopane said the government has already spent almost R500 million on the Taung World Heritage Site project since its inception. She said they have appointed a project management team that has given a timeline.
“We cannot forever pump money into the project. So, we are giving it to the community and releasing a digitised version of it. We are also engaging Wits University,” said Lenkopane.
Meanwhile, the fossilised skull of a child was discovered by unsuspecting workers in a limestone quarry in Buxton village in 1924. Taung Skull or Taung Child, which was later named Australopithecus africanus, was the first hominid fossil to be discovered on the African continent.
Taung Skull was formally discovered and studied by Raymond Dart. The skull was taken to the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg for research purposes, where it is currently located.
Picture: North West MEC for DEDECT, Bitsa Lenkopane
By OBAKENG MAJE
31 March 2025- The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane, has welcomed the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) resolutions to deal with an illegal industrial action by employees. Lenkopane said employees of the entity have, for the past month or so, embarked on an unprotected strike, which destabilised operations both in the entity and the department, traumatized other staff members and disrupted tourism business operators.
She further said the Board has briefed her that the entity will take disciplinary and or prosecution action against employees or any individual involved in this illegality. Lenkopane added that, the Board has acknowledged that protesting employees had obtained a permit to picket, but flouted the rules thereof, engaging in illegal actions that included intimidations to non-striking staff, vandalism and disruption of private business at lodges and parks.
“Lodge and Park owners have since obtained a court interdict to prevent the illegal picketing and the disruption of their businesses. The Board has directed the entity’s acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to be firm and decisive in implementing its resolutions to deal with any element of criminality and or unsanctioned absenteeism.
“The Board has also resolved that the situation be declared an emergency, to allow the deployment of extra security resources, to protect the property of the entity and its human resource capital. This is also to enable business to normally run again,” she said.
Lenkopane said she welcomes the Board’s decision to implement a salary of 4.7% increase to the non-managerial positions. She said half of the salary increase will be implemented retrospectively from March 2024 and another half in April 2025.
“We appreciate the improved financial management of both the administration and the Directors of the entity. The department acknowledges the salary disparities between employees from the merged the then Parks and Tourism Boards.
“We also call on the current NWPTB Directors and management to bring balance thereto. We unreservedly apologised to all staff members and businesses, who experienced the unruly behaviour of the illegal picketing, and assured them that parties are working together to bring the situation to normality,” said Lenkopane.
She said they highly appreciate the efforts of all who stood up and joined hands with the government to fight against the illegal strike.
Picture: The Taung Hotel School and Convention Centre under construction
By OBAKENG MAJE
5 March 2025- A R28 million facelift project at Taung Hotel School and Convention Centre was marred by challenges. Now, the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), was forced to terminate the contractor after he allegedly failed to reach contractual obligations.
The centre is currently undergoing a major restructuring that would result in its expansion from its current capacity. In 2015, the then Department of Tourism (now the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism), embarked on the development and construction of the Taung Hotel School and Conference Centre Infrastructure Programme in efforts to improve the tourism infrastructure and skills development in the province.
According to the North West MEC for DEDECT, Bitsa Lenkopane, the main purpose of the infrastructure programme is to renovate and build additional infrastructure at the Taung Hotel School and Convention Centre in an attempt to convert the existing infrastructure to a Hotel School and Convention Centre into a State-of-art facilities.
Lenkopane said the resulting infrastructure is designed to provide a holistic educational and hospitality environment for beneficiary communities within the context of a Local Economic Development (LED), Rural Development and Community Development. She further said in the 2024/25 financial year, the department has allocated R28 million towards the renovation of the main hotel building and facilities.
“Many job opportunities will be created through the construction project of Taung Hotel School and Convention Centre. The ongoing project has created 78 jobs through local labourers and sub–contracting. This would continue to benefit the community for decades and would positively impact on the lives of many persons, who would in turn positively impact the lives of the community they reside in and the province as a whole.
“Yes, it is true we must close shops, we cannot be a construction site forever. Taung Hotel School and Convention Centre is a hotel and hotels must make money. We also have appointed new people who will complete the project. We told the IDT as implementing service that we are going to terminate its contract, if it does not deliver. So, it is true that they have terminated the contractor and the Head of Department briefed me that they have appointed the new one,” she said.
Lenkopane added that, once the hotel is up and running, they will hand it over.
Picture: North West MEC for DEDECT, Bitsa Lenkopane
By OBAKENG MAJE
24 February 2025- North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane said State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in North West, have been confronted with historic operational inefficiencies and they are focusing on rooting out mismanagement. Lenkopane, who addressed the media today in Mahikeng said, they have taken disciplinary actions against employees for alleged misconduct, property damage and unlawful protest participation.
She further said the SOEs such as the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) are faced with financial distress. Lenkopane added that the Board is confronting financial problems at the NWPTB that are due to multiple factors, including corruption, poor financial management and low revenue generation.
“Golden Leopards Resorts (GLR), a subsidiary of the NWPTB, has also experienced financial difficulties, resulting in unpaid salaries and taxes. Our turnaround plan at GLR has yielded a breakthrough and we will unpack this after the SOPA. DEDECT has gone to extraordinary lengths to fund the NWPTB.
“Despite these efforts, employee salaries were regrettably delayed this month due to internal challenges within the entity. I can confirm that all salaries were paid this past weekend. To ensure that our transformative interventions build better capacity for service delivery, multi-stakeholder engagements, including labour unions and entity boards, will continue to be convened to address these urgent matters,” she said.
Lenkopane said this has necessitated personnel reassignments to expedite service delivery and to facilitate investigations in the department and its entities. She said she will report the alleged corruption to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
“Our commitment to building capable state institutions is unshaken. The Acting Head of Department and I, are engaging constructively with labour unions to resolve employee concerns. In these engagements, we have always put our employees first, respecting their rights and treating each person with dignity.
“The Gambling Board and NWDC have initiated disciplinary proceedings for employee transgressions, including theft and sabotage. Disciplinary proceedings at the Gambling Board have been widely reported and we can confirm that the SAPS has made arrests in this matter,” said Lenkopane.
She said the department’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has been seconded to the NWDC to strengthen financial governance at the entity. According to Lenkopane, these interventions are proof of their commitment to consequence management and proactive leadership.
“A new Board has been appointed to the NWPTB to improve governance and address adverse audit findings. DEDECT is actively engaging with the North West Provincial Legislature’s Committees to address mutual concerns and ensure alignment,” she said.
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