Over R100 billion worth of investments have been pledged by different local companies and firms, as well as Multinational Corporations.The pledges follow the Premier's Dinner with investors, held at Sun City Superbowl last Friday. The initiative, which Acting Premier Nono Maloyi led, accompanied by Members of the Executive Council, Executive Mayors, senior managers in government and state-owned enterprises, is aimed at expediting 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 percent. The session with investors was also, among others, attended by the Minister of Electricity, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, and the Minister of Human Settlements Mmamoloko Kubayi. Key among this investment drive is the establishment of mega and smart cities in the province, which the North West will coordinate Housing Corporation.
They include Moretele Mega City, Matlosana Smart City, Marikana Smart City, Madibeng and Lanseria Smart City, as well as Taung Mega City. Maloyi has declared the province open for business. He has implored investors to consider the province as their preferred investment destination. "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 said.
A Chinese company led by Aaron Wang also pledged to build a factory at Stilfontein in the City of Matlosana Local Municipality to manufacture solar panels. “This company has bought mining shafts in Stifontein. But they are also investing in alternative energy. Their machinery has already arrived in the country. We are certain that this will bring much-needed socio-economic opportunities for our people and, in particular, the youth" remarked Maloyi.
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. This investment is part of the government's plans centred on mineral beneficiation," said Maloyi.
Other investment pledges that were made include agro-processing, tourism and infrastructure development. Furthermore, a second day after the provincial government held a successful gala dinner, the fire incidents occurred at Cabanas Hotel and Manyane Resort in the province, especially during Tourism Month and in the lead-up to World Tourism Day. MEC Virginia Tlhapi is actively involved in working with the management of these establishments to determine the root cause of the fires and help normalise the situation.
Tourism is crucial for the province's economy, and efforts are being made to address these challenges. Manyane Resort remains closed for now, but other provincial tourism activities continue as planned. Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West has requested the North West police to allocate a task team to investigate the ongoing fires targeting critical infrastructure in the province, such as the Pilanesberg Airport, which was gutted by fire, and now Manyane Resort and Pilanesburg National Park.
This request follows an earlier view by the DA that the ongoing fires in the province indicates possible signs of economic sabotage. Firefighters are still trying to contain a fire that keeps spreading in some parts of the Manyane Resort and Pilanesburg National Park. About 30 chalets were destroyed by the raging fire that broke out on Saturday afternoon.
A fire broke out at the Sun City Cabanas Hotel kitchen at about 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and at Pilanesburg National Park at around 2:00 p.m. The fires broke out on the same day. “Sun City is undertaking a thorough investigation to establish the source of the fire. Arrangements have been made for Cabanas guests to use the nearby Sun City hotel’s dining area,” said Brett Hoppe, the general manager of Sun City Resort.
