The North West Provincial Executive Council has received a report on progress regarding the pledges made by investors during the Premier's Gala Dinner in Sun City outside Rustenburg with investors in September. The investment pledges are set to rejuvenate the economy of the province and create much needed jobs for locals. The initiative which was led by MEC Nono Maloyi, accompanied by Members of the Executive Council, Executive Mayors, and senior managers in government and state-owned enterprises, aimed at expediting co-ordination of investments in the province.
Its primary objective is to address high levels of unemployment in the province which have surged to over 53 percent. During the investment dinner, the province successfully secured thirty investment commitments to the value of R132,4 billion. Of the original 30 projects, 15 have been confirmed and are at different stages of readiness. The confirmed projects have a total value of R45,398 billion. Five projects are ready for implementation and will be rolled out in the next three months while four projects will be ready in the next six to 12 months.
Several more projects will be processed in the next two years. The Executive Council also received progress on the Bojanala Special Economic Zone (SEZ) which is envisaged to offer a diversity of industrial, business and investment opportunities while transforming the region into a sustainable beneficiation hub for mineral and agro-processing as well as manufacturing. The SEZ is expected to create 100 construction sites and close to 1 000 jobs in the next 12 months.
Furthermore, the Executive Council reflected on the disturbing phenomenon of violence in schools, particularly instances where gangsters have been forcefully gaining entry into schools. The Executive Council has resolved that a minimum of two security personnel be appointed through the Expanded Public Works Programme as an interim measure while a lasting solution is being sought. The Council expressed satisfaction at the rollout of the Accelerated Service Delivery Thuntsha Lerole Programme in various municipalities across the province.
