North West Business 2017 edition

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NORTH WEST 

BUSINESS 

2017 EDITION 

THE GUIDE TO BUSINESS 

AND INVESTMENT IN 

NORTH WEST PROVINCE 

JOIN JOIN US ONLINE US ONLINE 

WWW.NORTHWESTBUSINESS.CO.ZA

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Your business partner - 

The North West 

Development 

Corporation 

C8 M10079Y 28K R169 G17 B44 

Pantone 187C 

Let the NWDC assist your business to be first! 

The vision of the North West Development 

Corporation is to be the cornerstone of 

sustainable economic development and job 

creation in the Bokone Bophirima (North West) 

Province. The Province is an ideal investment 

destination due to its array of valuable resources 

and business opportunities. 

During 2013 an enlarged and improved North 

West Development Corporation came into being 

with the incorporation of trade and investment 

promotion agency, Invest North West, as well as 

the Mahikeing Industrial Development Zone into 

its ranks. All the services offered by the former 

bodies such as Invest North West have been 

retained and amplified in the NWDC.

The NWDC has 10 branches across the North 

West Province and its surrounding areas such as 

Babelegi and Ga-Rankuwa in Gauteng and the 

Northern Cape, offering an extensive range of 

services. These services include: 

• Property rentals (Industrial, retail and 

residential) 

• Exporter support 

• Investor assistance 

• Industry development 

• Small business development 

• Loan/finance facilitation and; 

• CIPC (company) registrations 

The NWDC also owns the Dirapeng tourism 

subsidiary which holds the resorts of Bakgatla and 

Manyane in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, the 

Christiana All Seasons Resort and the Madikwe 

River Lodge. 

Within its basket of services offered, the NWDC 

is committed to assisting producers and 

manufacturers of exportable products to grow 

as exporters to become export-ready. In doing 

so, the NWDC assists these exporters to identify 

and secure export markets, and also facilitates 

international exposure through various platforms 

such as trade shows and international expos. 

In addition, the NWDC manages a number of 

special projects aimed at growing the local 

economies of the province’s villages, townships 

and small dorpies. Operational projects 

include an Alternative Building Material Factory, 

bakeries and a laundry. 

The NWDC is committed to showcasing the firstmover 

advantage of investing in the Bokone 

Bophirima Province. 

Contact us to explore the myriad opportunities available by: 

• Visiting our website www.nwdc.co.za 

• Following us on social media; we have presence on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn or 

• Contacting our Head Office in Mahikeng on 018 381 3663/7 

NWDC - We assist you to be first!

CONTENTS 

CONTENTS 

North West Business 2017 Edition. 

Introduction 

Foreword5 

North West Business is a unique guide to 

business, investment and tourism in the province. 

Special features 

Message from the Premier6 

The Premier outlines the vision and strategy 

for inclusive growth. 

Regional overview of North West Province 8 

The assets of the North West Province are 

many and varied. 

Villages and small dorpies are in focus 12 

Plans are in place to boost economic growth 

in the North West’s smaller towns. 

Tourism a destination overview 16 

Tourism is a key pillar of the North 

West economy. 

South African economy at a glance 22 

Insight into the performance of the 

South African economy. 

Economic sectors 

Mining28 

The platinum province is also rich in many 

other minerals. 

Agriculture32 

Grain and beef farming is done on a large 

scale in the North West. 

Energy34 

Generation and manufacturing hold 

great potential. 

Water35 

The City of Tlokwe is a water award-winner. 

Manufacturing36 

The North West’s strong resource base could 

underpin a much bigger manufacturing sector. 

Education and training 37 

The North West education sector covers 

high-level research to training for 

technicians and artisans. 

Banking and financial services 38 

Financing for agricultural products is a big 

sector in the North West. 

Development finance and SMME support 42 

Public and private sector funding is available 

for entrepreneurs. 

Government 

North West Provincial Government 46 

A guide to the province’s government 

departments. 

North West Local Government 47 

A guide to the district and local 

municipalities. 

Reference 

Index48 

Maps 

North West regional map 11 

North West municipal map 11 

NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2017 

4

UIF SAVING JOBS 

THROUGH SOCIALLY 

RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENTS 

The National Development Plan is a blueprint serving as 

a guideline to government departments and state entities 

on how they can play a role in government wide efforts 

of creating decent work, reducing unemployment and 

poverty. The Unemployment Insurance Fund is among 

the leading state entities in the implementation of the 

provisions of the NDP to address the slow economic 

growth, unemployment and poverty in South Africa. 

The UIF social investment mandate ensures that, 

additional to earning good financial returns, investments 

must be supportive of long term economic, social and 

adhere to sustainable environmental outcomes. The 

investments must also yield a good social return for the 

country. These investments have sustained 6 860 jobs of 

which 3 024 are permanent, 3 836 are temporary/seasonal 

and 195 are new jobs created during the financial year 

ending in March 2016. 

UIF INVESTMENTS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY 

The UIF investments are contributing to the energy 

requirements of South Africa and the investments in the 

renewable energy sector provides a total capacity of 192 

megawatt of electricity of which 117 megawatt is solar 

energy and 27 megawatt is wind generated electricity. 

The De Aar project is a shining example of the UIF energy 

investments and this project produces 90 megawatt of 

electricity and was completed in April 2016. The solar plant 

in the area generates enough electricity to power 15 000 

houses. Another mainstay project is the Phakwe Group ran 

projects undertaken in the Northern and Eastern Cape. 

INVESTMENT IN FOOD SECURITY 

The UIF investments in this regard are undertaken under 

the banner of the UIF Agri-Fund in partnership with 

Futuregrowth and Day Breaker Poultry Project. The UIF 

Agri-Fund has invested in 4 farms situated in Mable Hall 

in Limpopo. One of the farms is a cash crop farm spanning 

450 hectares. The farm in the last financial year produced 

235 hectares of white maize, and cotton was planted in an 

area covering 28 hectares. 

A further three farms are located in the Saron area in the 

Western Cape. In this project a total of 178 hectares has 

been used to plant grapes, 37 hectares has been used to 

pant citrus fruit. Furthermore, there is potential to plant an 

additional 92 hectares of grapes. The Daybreaker Poultry 

project operates in Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga 

and the combined projects have facilities to grow 1.6 

million broiler chickens. 

INVESTMENTS IN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES 

The UIF concluded two investments in this regard that 

include a BEE hospital manager, Busamed to build a 

private hospital in Modderfontein and Fund Manager 

Razorite Heatlhcare that focus on the provision of 

affordable heathcare facilities that include rehabilitation 

and sub-acute centres. 

The Modderfontein hospital is a 220 hospital bed with subacute 

facilities. This hospital is under construction. While 

the RH Fund Manager has concluded seven investments 

that include: 

• Busamed with four hospital facilities 

• HealthMed with two facilities 

INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION 

UIF has invested in three investments that play a role 

to unlock access to education. The investments were 

concluded with Eduloan – an organisation that provides 

financial support to tertiary students and South Point and 

Educor organisations that provide student accommodation. 

By March 2016, Eduloan had disbursed about R446 986.64 

benefiting 34 047 students, whiles South Point provided 

about 10 000 student with accommodation. 

UIF INVESTMENTS IN ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT 

The UIF has concluded two investments with the aim of 

supporting small and medium enterprises. In this regard 

the PIC on behalf of UIF has concluded investment deals 

with Musa Capital and TOSACO. 

The investments will support more than 250 SMMEs across 

various sectors inclusive of agriculture and affordable 

housing. Musa Capital for example has a supply chain of 

over 250 SMME’s that have facilitated the creation of 2 500 

jobs. 

TOSACO investments is planning to advance capital to 

young black entrepreneurs who aspire to own and manage 

Total Filling stations around the country. 

For more information: 

Call: 0800 843 843 or 

visit: www.labour.gov.za

FOREWORD 

North West 

Business 

A unique guide to business and investment in the 

North West. 

The 2017 edition of North West Business is the seventh issue 

of this highly successful publication that, since its launch 

in 2009, has established itself as the premier business and 

investment guide to the North West Province. 

North West Business includes news and analysis of the most 

important economic sectors and interviews with some of the 

province’s active business leaders and investors. 

To complement the extensive local, national and international 

distribution of the print edition of the journal, the full content 

can also be viewed online at www.northwestbusiness.co.za. 

Updated information on the North West is also available through 

our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at 

www.gan.co.za, in addition to our complementary business-tobusiness 

titles that cover all nine provinces as well as our flagship 

South African Business title. 

Chris Whales 

Publisher, Global Africa Network Media 

Email: chris@gan.co.za 

CREDITS 

Publisher: Chris Whales 

Publishing director: 

Robert Arendse 

Editor: John Young 

Online editor: Christoff Scholtz 

Art director: Brent Meder 

Design: Colin Carter 

Production: Lizel Olivier 

Ad sales: Sam Oliver, 

Gabriel Venter, Jeremy Petersen, 

Nigel Williams, Gavin van der 

Merwe, Shiko Diala and 

Sydwell Adonis 

Managing director: Clive During 

Administration & accounts: 

Charlene Steynberg and 

Natalie Koopman 

Distribution and circulation 

manager: Edward MacDonald 

Printing: FA Print 

DISTRIBUTION 

North West Business is distributed internationally on outgoing 

and incoming trade missions, through trade and investment 

agencies; to foreign offices in South Africa’s main trading 

partners around the world; at top national and international 

events; through the offices of foreign representatives in South 

Africa; as well as nationally and regionally via chambers of 

commerce, tourism offices, trade and investment agencies, 

airport lounges, provincial government departments, municipalities 

and companies. 

PUBLISHED BY 

Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd 

Company Registration No: 2004/004982/07 

Directors: Clive During, Chris Whales 

Physical address: 28 Main Road, Rondebosch 7700 

Postal address: PO Box 292, Newlands 7701 

Tel: +27 21 657 6200 | Fax: +27 21 674 6943 

Email: info@gan.co.za | Website: www.gan.co.za 

ISSN 1996-1022 

COPYRIGHT | North West Business is an independent publication published 

by Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. Full copyright to the 

publication vests with Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. No part 

of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the written 

permission of Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. 

PHOTO CREDITS | COVER: Philip Mostert. Pictures supplied by flickr. 

com, Madikwe Game Reserve, Sunimages, Anglo American, Wikimedia 

Commons, Mapio, Elverma Nutritions, SATourism, North West Tourism, 

and Pixabay. 

DISCLAIMER | While the publisher, Global Africa Network Media (Pty) 

Ltd, has used all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained 

in North West Business is accurate and up-to-date, the publishers 

make no representations as to the accuracy, quality, timeliness, or 

completeness of the information. Global Africa Network will not accept 

responsibility for any loss or damage suffered as a result of the use of or 

any reliance placed on such information. 


6

Wesvaal Chamber of Business 

First Annual Conference on Manufacturing and Renewable Energy 

Date: 3-4 November 2017 | Venue: Protea Hotel, Klerksdorp 

T 

he Wesvaal Chamber of Business is proud to announce 

that it will host the first annual regional conference on 

Manufacturing and Renewable Energy in Klerksdorp in 

November 2017. 

As the City of Matlosana moves into the post-mining era, 

the possibilities of the vibrant and growing renewable energy 

sector are being explored. The City aims to be a Smart City 

and present itself as an industrial precinct which is attractive 

to local and international investors. 

The conference aims to attract investors into the region. 

The KOSH area (Klerksdorp, Orkney, Stilfontein and Hartbeesfontein) 

already has significant manufacturing capacity and a 

workforce with experience in mining, engineering and related 

fields. The provincial development agency is keen to attract 

manufacturers of solar panels to the North West: this 

conference will provide an opportunity to explore these and 

other options. 

Access to good schools and colleges presents opportunities 

for research and development and the closeness of the 

area to the big markets of South Africa’s economic powerhouse, 

Gauteng Province, provides obvious advantages. 

Distinguished speakers will address topics such as: 

• Energy Efficiency 

• Funding for Development 

• Manufacturing Incentives 

• The Renewable Energy 

Manufacturing Sector 

• Solar Power: regional impact 

For more information about this conference view: 

www.wesvaalchamber.org 

The Wesvaal Chamber of Business was founded in 1898 and is one of the oldest Chambers in South Africa. It is affiliated to the 

South African Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SACCI). Member companies can advertise through the Wesvaal Chamber 

Network, obtain certificates of origin and credit reference checks and attend regular seminars and workshops. 

A new initiative is the CEO Bosberaad. This meeting provides a chance for business leaders to exchange business 

opportunities and explore ways to create a conducive climate for investment in the KOSH area. 

Contact details: Telephone: +27 18 468 3750 | Website: www.wesvaalchamber.org 

Rustenburg Chamber of Commerce 

Striving towards a healthy community and business environment, 

economic stability and growth, and becoming a truly world-class city. 

The Rustenburg Chamber of Commerce serves as 

the voice of business in the Rustenburg area, strives 

to create an environment for business to thrive and 

offers talks and networking events for members. 

The RCOC is affiliated provincially to the North 

West Business Forum (NWBF) and the Noord 

Wes Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut, and nationally 

to the South African Chamber of Commerce and 

INDUSTRY (SACCI) and the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut 

(AHI). Representation on both provincial 

and national bodies enables the RCOC to escalate 

important matters to higher levels when necessary 

and distribute important regional, provincial and 

national trends and information to our members. 

This will require a strong focus on positioning the 

Rustenburg business community to meet the challenges 

of a changing landscape in and around 

Rustenburg and the North West Province now and 

in the future. 

Vision 

A healthy community and business environment 

through sustainable economic growth 

Strategy 

• Unite business leaders 

• Empower members and community 

• Lead and support economic growth strategies in 

Rustenburg Local Municipality 

Plan 

• Share vision 

• Grow membership 

• Engage stakeholders 

The Tlhabane Chamber has joined the Rustenburg 

Chamber Of Commerce as part of our new chapter. 

The first event for the chamber in 2017 was a 

networking and expo event at Rustenburg Kloof in 

February at which the guest speaker was the Chief 

Financial Officer of Sibanye Platinum, Mr Justin 

Froneman. 

Address: 223 Beyers Naude Drive, Rustenburg 0299 

Tel: +27 72 171 3686 | Email: info@rcoc.co.za | Website: www.rcoc.co.za

MESSAGE 

Premier outlines 

vision and 

strategy 

for inclusive growth 

Premier Supra Obakeng 

Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo 

Industrialisation Strategy calls for new factories, private 

partners are sought for an ambitious irrigation policy and 

a major convention centre upgrade, the Mahikeng Airport 

Logistics Hub strategy is attracting interest from foreign 

investors, and vast amounts of minerals are yet to be 

quantified in the province. 

leadership is 

the ability to use lessons 

of the past to act 

“Visionary 

in the present such 

that there is broad convergence 

of thought and action in determining 

future history.” 

In celebrating the centenary 

anniversary of the birth of Oliver 

Tambo, we draw inspiration from 

Oliver Tambo’s fearlessness and 

focus on the task of dismantling 

apartheid and its remaining 

legacy of poverty, inequality and 

unemployment. We call upon all 

the people of Bokone-Bophirima 

Province to recommit ourselves 

to the project of increasing the 

pace of constructing the National 

Democratic Society whose foundation 

Oliver Tambo guaranteed. 

The North West Development 

Corporation (NWDC) will be repositioned 

to serve as our Provincial 

Mining Agenda Implementer to 

ensure that mining procurement 

takes place in line with the new 

envisaged VTSD Preferential Procurement Act. (VTSD is a strategy designed 

to improve the economies of Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies.) 

Current geological information illuminates vast amounts of minerals 

that are yet to be quantified. These include the salt fields that span 

Delareyville, the limestone that covers Taung, through Mothibi to 

Severn as well as the Morokweng and Lichtenburg, the tigers eye that 

spans Mothibi, Severn and Vorstershoop, the untapped alluvial and 

alluvial diamond fields, as well as manganese and iron ore. 

These initiatives will be coordinated by the Office of the Premier 

working together with the national Department of Mineral Resources 

through: 

• Expanding small-scale mining 

• Mining beneficiation 

• Mining procurement 

• New venture mining. 

New interest from investors 

The North West Development Corporation working with the Rural, 

Environment and Agricultural Department (READ) will implement the 

following strategic mandates: 

• Acceleration of VTSD Agro-Businesses to build small scale agro-hubs 

• Establishment of Special Economic Zones in addition to the existing 

one, the Platinum Valley SEZ 

• Implementation of the Mahikeng Airport Logistics Hub strategy 

will be intensified through strategic partnerships. New interest has 

been shown by investors from United Arab Emirates 

TOGETHER WE MOVE BOKONE BOPHIRIMA FORWARD 


8

MESSAGE 

• Implementation of the VTSD Industrial Hubs in 

strategic areas 

• Finalisation and implementation of the Provincial 

Industrialisation Action Plan. 

Our Industrialisation Strategy will use the allocation 

for learner support materials to set up a stationery 

manufacturing factory in the province to supply 

all schools and government departments, working 

together with existing retailers. In addition, we will: 

• Accelerate the establishment of the People’s 

Economic Growth Agency (PEGA) through 

smooth integration of existing State-Owned- 

Enterprises 

• Work with the construction industry with a view 

to establishing a provincial construction hardware 

factory with VTSD branches to support 

small enterprises through the housing budget 

• Coordinate Local Economic Development efforts 

across all municipalities in order to build strategic 

partnerships with the private sector. 

The Executive Council has mandated the NWDC to 

proceed with the implementation of core elements 

of the Mahikeng Rebranding, Repositioning and 

Renewal Programme, the Government Precinct 

and Stadium projects and plans to upgrade the 

Mmabatho Convention Centre to international status. 

Discussions are at an advanced stage to secure 

a strategic partner to invest R10-billion in these 

projects. 

Agriculture, Culture and Tourism (ACT) represents 

the first and the core concrete plan, supported 

by mining as a tributary, to drive the economic 

policy development and approach of Bokone- 

Bophirima Province. 

Government is engaging with stakeholders in 

the public and private sectors with a view to raising 

about R5-billion to implement the Provincial 

Irrigation Strategy. Taung College of Agriculture is 

the only college in the country accredited to offer 

a National Diploma Qualification in Irrigation 

Management. 

The office of the Premier through the North 

West Development Corporation has collaborated 

with the North West University and the National 

Technology Innovation Agency to host the first 

Provincial Innovation competition in the province. 

We are engaging with the ICT industry and various 

stakeholders who have an appetite to contribute 

towards the socio-economic transformation of our 

province. As part of this process, we will be hosting 

the 1st Annual Energy, Science and ICT Lekgotla in 

Tlokwe in March 2017. 

A new human settlement delivery approach is 

being introduced, called the “Bietjie-Bietjie maak 

meer” within the context of the VTSD preferential 

procurement strategy. There will be a flexible cap of 

50 units per developer, directed specifically at small 

contractors at levels 1-4. Appointed developers will 

be encouraged to employ local people, including 

subcontracting with the objective of transferring skills. 

Investment index book 

The Premier of Bokone-Bophirima will visit all 18 

municipalities in 2017 to engender the culture of 

entrepreneurship with special focus on Villages, 

Townships and Small Dorpies. This will be done 

in partnership with other social partners, Dikgosi, 

Business, Labour, NGOs, CBOs, development finance 

institutions, FDIs, the Department of Mineral 

Resources, etc. 

These visits will culminate in the launch of an 

Investment and Economic Development Index Book 

which will contain full investment and economic 

development potential of each village, township 

and small dorpie in Bokone-Bophirima. 

Road partnerships 

We are exploring possible Public Private Partnerships 

to deal with the effects of mining haulage or heavy 

mining transport machinery on our roads network. 

We have to redouble efforts to secure private-sector 

funding for the building of roads. No 

contractor in the province will be allocated a road 

tender which is more than 20km with effect from 

the beginning of 2017/18 financial year. 

The Adjusted Provincial Allocation for 

Infrastructure in the current financial year is 

R5.8-billion. 

People of this province want progress and are 

positive about the direction the province is taking. 

TOGETHER WE MOVE BOKONE BOPHIRIMA FORWARD 

9 NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2017

A REGIONAL OVERVIEW OF 

NORTH WEST 

PROVINCE 

The assets of the North West Province are 

many and varied. From fantastic mineral 

wealth and sophisticated commercial agriculture 

to manufacturing, the province is 

also strategically located very close to the 

nation’s biggest markets. 

Known variously as the Platinum Province 

or South Africa’s ‘Texas’ because of its big 

beef herds, the North West province makes 

up 6.8% of the population of South Africa 

(3.6-million), 8.7% of the land mass (105 076km²) and 

accounts for 5.8% of economic output in terms of 

gross value added. 

The provincial government of the North West has 

adopted the name Bokone Bophirima Province for 

the provincial entity which is bordered on the west by 

the Republic of Botswana and on the east by Gauteng 

province, the engine of the South African economy. 

The big four sectors of the provincial economy are 

mining, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism. 

The Vaal River runs along the province’s southeastern 

border with the Free State, and the province 

also shares borders with the Northern Cape to the 

south and Limpopo in the north. 

The province’s strategic location goes beyond its 

proximity to Gauteng: the major roads linking trade on 

an east-west axis pass through the province, as does 

the major railway line which runs from Cape Town 

in the south to Zimbabwe and beyond in the north. 

The Mahikeng Airport connects the capital city of 

Mahikeng to Johannesburg and the major tourism 

hub at Pilanesberg Airport. There are smaller airports 

at centres such as Klerksdorp and Rustenburg. 

Mining contributes 31% of the region’s gross domestic 

product. The mineral reserves that still lie 

beneath the ground in the province are enormous. 

Platinum group metals predominate but there are 

significant deposits of gold, uranium, diamonds, 

copper, vanadium, fluorspar and nickel. Stone and 

limestone are also found in rich quantities. 

Mining beneficiation takes place at many places, 

with Rustenburg being particularly strong in this 

sector. The economy of the town is closely linked to 

the fortunes of platinum mining, with the sector contributing 

77% of the city’s gross geographic product. 

The North West is a major producer of maize 

and sunflower seeds and many other agricultural 

products. About 20% of South Africa’s maize comes 

from the province, as does 15% of its wheat. 

The dry western part of the province is home 

to beef cattle, game ranching and hunting. The 

normally well-watered eastern and north-eastern 

regions can carry many kinds of crops, many of which 

find themselves on the tables of the citizens of the 

nearby urban centres of Johannesburg and Pretoria. 

The agricultural sector also generates largescale 

storage and logistics operations, particularly 

in Klerksdorp, Vryburg and Brits.

Manufacturing capacity is concentrated in the 

larger towns in the north-east and eastern regions 

of the province. Automotive components firms 

are clustered in Brits, which in turn is very close 

to the automotive manufacturing hub in Rosslyn 

(Pretoria) in Gauteng. Towns like Klerksdorp (agriprocessing 

and engineering) and Potchefstroom 

(food and beverages) also have manufacturing 

capacity. 

The province’s other great assets include big 

tourist attractions such as Sun City, the Pilanesberg 

National Park and associated game reserves and the 

Hartbeespoort Dam. Two UNESCO World Heritage 

Sites are located at Vredefort Dome (where a meteorite 

hit the earth about two million years ago) and 

Taung, where the discovery by an archaeologist 

of a skull in 1924 is regarded as one of the most 

significant of all time. 

The province’s three Technical and Vocational 

Education and Training (TVET) colleges and the 

well-respected University of the North-West all 

have several campuses catering to a wide range of 

educational disciplines. The university has a good 

reputation as a research institution. 

Assets 

While the North West province enjoys tremendous 

advantages in terms of agricultural and mineral assets, 

and it has fine infrastructure in some aspects 

of the first economy, it is also true that much of the 

population is still rural and remains unconnected to 

economic opportunity. 

Much of the planning of the provincial government, 

development agencies and financing bodies 

is aimed at finding ways of helping small businesses 

thrive in poorer communities. 

Some of the institutions involved in this process 

are the Small Enterprise Development Agency (seda), 

the Industrial Development Council (IDC) and the 

development agency of the provincial government, 

the North West Development Agency. 

Measures include: 

• financial support for small, medium and microenterprises 

(SMMEs) 

• building infrastructure in rural areas 

• finding ways of expanding the value chain in 

mining and in agriculture 

• directing tourists to new sites which will benefit 

communities 

The possibility also exists that a totally new sector, 

renewable energy, will help to transform the lives of 

previously excluded communities. This is already 

taking place to a small extent in that the province’s 

first solar plant is partly owned by the community 

in which it operates. There is much more scope for 

this kind of partnership, but there is also tremendous 

scope for the development of a manufacturing sector 

to support the renewable energy sector. A start 

has been made to attract solar panel manufacturers 

to the Platinum Special Economic Zone in the 

Bojanala District Municipality. 

Principal towns 

Mahikeng 

The capital city of the North West Province lies 

on the banks of the Molopo River. Situated in the 

north-west sector of the province near the Botswana 

border, the city has a strong services sector and a 

population of approximately 300 000. 

The Mahikeng International Airport is served 

by SA Express. Flights to and from OR Tambo 

International (Johannesburg) and Pilanesberg 

Airport (Sun City/Pilanesberg National Park) link the 

city with the main economic hub of the region and 

to the most visited tourist area. 

The city’s main growth sectors are financial 

services, services, transport and trade. The Garona 

District houses the North West parliament and government 

buildings. The administrative headquarters 

of the BaRolong tribe are located in the city. The 

arts are promoted by the Mmabana Cultural Centre, 

while the North West Institute of Hotel and Tourism 

Management is one of three tertiary institutions in 

the city. North-West University’s Graduate School 

of Business and Government Leadership is located 

in Mahikeng, and Unisa has a presence. Other 

institutions are the Taletso TVET College and the 

International School of South Africa. 

The town is well served by hotels such as the 

Mmabatho Palms, Hotel and Casino Convention

SPECIAL FEATURE 

Resort. Mahikeng Game Reserve has white rhino 

and giraffe among its fauna. 

Tlokwe (Potchefstroom) 

The city of Potchefstroom is administered by the 

Tlokwe Local Municipality. A large campus of North- 

West University and its business school is located 

in the city, as is the Vuselela TVET College and the 

Potchefstroom College of Agriculture. More than 120 

000 people attend the Aardklop Festival every year. 

The city has a population of about 173 000. 

The sports facilities of North-West University are 

world class and have been the base for Spain’s soccer 

team and Australia’s cricket team in world cups. 

Tlokwe is a hub for the strong commercial agriculture 

of the region and has several food and beverage 

manufacturers. Nestlé has recently invested. Some of 

the bigger enterprises include fertiliser companies 

such as Kynoch, munitions manufacturers, and food 

processors like King Food. An army base contributes 

to the economy, and the airfield formerly used by 

the military is now run by the municipality. 

The N12 Treasure Route passes through the city 

and holds potential for further development of tourist 

highlights such as Boskop Dam and the Mooi 

River on which the town is located. 

Rustenburg 

Rustenburg is close to platinum mines and Sun City, 

two of the economic jewels in the crown of North 

West Province. The town is also near beautiful parts 

of the bushveld, the Magaliesberg Mountains and 

the Pilanesberg National Park. 

Rustenburg has a varied manufacturing sector, 

although most of it is mine-related. Large-scale 

platinum smelters operate in Rustenburg. 

One of Orbit TVET College’s campuses is in 

Rustenburg, Unisa has a regional office, and the 

Agricultural Research Institute’s industrial crops 

unit and the Seda Platinum Incubator are located 

in the city. Health facilities are good in the city, with 

Netcare and Life Healthcare having a presence, in 

addition to the provincial hospital. Rustenburg’s 

population is about 596 000. 

Klerksdorp (City of Matlosana) 

With a population of over 400 000, Klerksdorp is 

an important regional centre and the town where 

several important companies’ headquarters are located. 

These include Senwes, through whose silos a 

large proportion of South Africa’s grains move every 

year, and a number of engineering enterprises which 

serve the mining industry. 

Matlosana is situated on the N12 Treasure Route 

and is marketing itself as a potential logistics hub. 

An intermodal facility based in the town’s airport has 

been developed. The city council has set aside land 

for the development of industrial and commercial 

enterprises. Break-bulk facilities, storage space and 

distribution centres are needed, offering concrete 

opportunities for investors in those fields. 

Bloemhof 

Bloemhof is a centre of maize growing and cattle 

raising on the southern boundary of the province, 

and DairyBelle has a large milk-production facility 

in the town. The Bloemhof Dam is one of the three 

large dams on the Vaal River that supply bulk water 

to surrounding areas. The Bloemhof Bonanza is the 

biggest and most lucrative inland-angling event in 

South Africa, with more than 2 000 anglers trying 

to win R1.5-million in prize money. The nearby SA 

Lombard Nature Reserve has a fine herd of black 

wildebeest. 

Naledi (Vryburg) 

Vryburg is the principal town of the Dr Ruth 

Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality. Cattle 

auctions held several times a year are among 

the biggest and best supported in the country. 

Auction time boosts the town’s population very 

considerably, from the norm of about 70 000. The 

Theiler Agricultural Museum and Cattle Centre 

is an important research centre for the livestock 

sector. 

Tiger Kloof Combined School, situated south 

of Vryburg, is a Dinaledi school, whereby extra 

interventions are made to improve mathematics 

and science teaching. It is also one of a handful of 

schools identified for upgrading by the national 

Historical Schools’ Restoration Project. Notable 

past pupils include Sir Seretse Khama and Dr Ruth 

Mompati. The Leon Taljaardt Nature Reserve has 

white rhino, buffalo and zebra. 


12


NORTH WEST PROVINCE 

N 

Vaalwater 

Thabazimbi 

Limpopo 

Bela-Bela 

BOTSWANA 

R49 

Sun City/Lost City 

Vorstershoop 

Hotazel 

R31 

Kuruman 

N14 

Reivilo 

Lykso 

Moloporivier 

Vryburg 

Stella 

N18 

R 49 

Taung 

R34 

R49 

Mmabatho 

Delareyville 

Schweizer- 

Reneke 

N4 

MAHIKENG 

Sannieshof 

Ottosdal 

Wolmaransstad 

Zeerust 

R52 

Groot-Marico 

Lichtenburg 

N14 

Coligny 

Klerksdorp 

Swartruggens 

R30 

Koster 

Ventersdorp 

Potchefstroom 

N12 

Orkney 

Rustenburg 

R30 

Magaliesburg 

Westonaria 

Parys 

Brits 

Hartbeespoort 

Mooinooi 

JOHANNESBURG 

R59 

Carletonville 

Vereeniging 

N1 

R82 

PRETORIA 

Gauteng 

Sasolburg 

R57 

Heilbron 

N1 

N3 

Sishen 

Kathu 

Northern Cape 

Warrenton 

Bloemhof 

N12 

Christiana 

Wesselsbron 

Welkom 

Kroonstad 

Free State 

Motorway 

Main Road 

Railway 

Ventersburg 

Reitz 

Postmasburg 

Ulco 

Bultfontein 

Municipalities in North West Province 

Limpopo 

BOTSWANA 

Ramotshere 

Moiloa 

Moses Kotane 

Bojanala 

Madibeng 

Moretele 

Molopo 

Mafikeng 

Kgetlengrivier 

Rustenburg 

Ratlou 

Kagisano 

Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati 

Naledi 

Ngaka Modiri Molema 

Tswaing 

Ditsobotla 

Dr Kenneth Kaunda 

Matlosana 

Ventersdorp 

Tlokwe 

Merafong 

City 

Gauteng 

Mamusa 

Maquassi Hills 


Greater Taung 

Lekwa-Teemane 

Free State 

Metropolitan/District Municipality 

Boundary 

Local Municipality Boundary 

District Municipality 

Local Municipality 

Bojanala 

Naledi 



Villages, townships and small 

dorpies are the focus of 

development 

Plans are in place to boost economic growth in the North West’s smaller towns and areas 

previously neglected. 

The provincial government of the North West 

has announced that one of its five major priorities 

will be to boost economic development in 

villages, townships and small “dorpies”. In every 

sector where government influence can be brought 

to bear, consideration must be given to how policy 

will improve lives in VTSD (villages, townships and 

small dorpies). 

This scheme is one of five major initiatives which 

form part of the larger “Rebranding, Repositioning 

and Renewal of Bokone-Bophirima”, the Setswana 

name for North West. The other four are ACT 

(Agriculture, Culture and Tourism); RHR (reconciliation, 

healing and renewal); Setsokotsane (comprehensive 

and integrated service delivery campaign) 

and Saamwerk-Saamtrek (call for unity of purpose 

above race divisions). Village development plans are 

to be created for each one of the 767 in the North 

West. The process has begun across the province’s 

municipalities. 

Creating links within the agricultural economy is likely 

to be the best way of making a significant impact, and 

the VTSD strategy acknowledges this. Agriculture is one 

of the strongest sectors in the North West economy, 

so creating added value along the agricultural chain 

is an easier task than creating an entirely new sector. 

An initiative to create community bakeries has 

already kicked off, with Transnet and the National 

African Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) 

supporting the programme. Another project, which 

will also go some way to improving food security 

and reducing hunger, involves the setting up of 

warehouses in each of the province’s districts. These 

warehouses would make available to local entrepreneurs 

basic foodstuffs at a good price that can then 

be sold on through tuckshops. 


14


Another way of saying that 

opportunity must be created 

along the value chain is to state 

that better linkages must be created 

between towns and rural 

areas. Prospective businesses 

in rural areas (or small dorpies) 

often have no access to finance, 

find transport costs prohibitive 

and struggle to connect to the 

relevant market. Improved infrastructure 

can be part of the 

problem, whether that is simply 

providing better roads, but it can 

also be the establishment of food 

markets in smaller areas, and the 

building of public abattoirs and 

silos so that small traders and 

entrepreneurs don’t have to carry 

those heavy costs. 

The agri-park scheme that is 

being implemented in each of 

the province’s four districts plays 

into that theme. With proper 

storage facilities, areas for trading 

and even some training available, 

farmers and traders can both 

benefit from the centralisation of 

some functions and exposure to 

a broader market. 

The same principle applies to clothing and retail. 

The province wants to see designers given an 

opportunity to show their garments, even if they 

themselves don’t have a shop front, either in retail 

outlets or on some other public platform. 

Loan funding for small, medium and micro-enterprises 

is something that several agencies are tasked 

with, including the Small Enterprise Development 

Agency (Seda) and the Industrial Development 

Corporation (IDC). Seda has a focus on four sectors: 

agri-processing, community tourism and protected 

areas, mining and mineral beneficiation, and trading. 

All of these are highly relevant to the VTSD strategy 

of the North West 

There are also private initiatives such as the 

Masisizane Fund (Old Mutual), the Shankuka Black 

Umbrellas and Anglo American’s Zimele initiative 

which looks to support small businesses within the 

mining company’s supply chain. 

The provincial government has its own development 

agency, the North West Development 

Corporation, which has been tasked with seeing 

to it that qualifying co-operatives and SMMEs get 

loan financing in the R1 000 to R1-million bracket. 

The NWDC can also provide infrastructure (offices or 

factory space) to help new enterprises. 

The provincial government has also committed 

to making it easier to do business with government, 

in terms of tenders, impact assessment, licensing and 

doing away with restrictive by-laws. Electrification 

plans are set to focus more on rural areas and small 

villages in the years ahead, with 13 422 new households 

in 104 villages getting access to electricity in 

2016. VTSD will also receive priority in terms of the 

allocation of public housing. 

Zoning in all villages, townships and small dorpies 

is to be amended, so that there is a clear area where 

business can take place. It is hoped that this will do 

away with the costly re-zoning process that can limit 

start-up enterprises. 

A concrete way for the provincial government to 

boost VTSD is to buy its goods and services, where 

possible, from VTSD vendors. The aim is to procure 

70% of goods and services from such sources in 

2016/17. A start was made in 2016, with R2.5-billion 

or 41.6%t being spent in VTSD. 

Provincial government is not the only state entity 

that can assist in VTSD strategy. The South African 

National Defence Force (SANDF) has several facilities 

in the North West (artillery, training, intelligence, 

infantry, etc) and all of these units spend a lot of 

money on resources: the VTSD strategy wants to 

see some of that money spent in villages, townships 

and small dorpies. 

Similarly, the tourism sector is expected to align 

its strategy to promote areas that have not received 

significant income in the past. A focus on cultural 

tourism would allow for a greater focus on some 

rural areas that can offer beadworks and pottery or 

places like the Mphebatho Cultural History Museum 

in Moruleng. The nearby Manyane Resort (in the 

Pilanesberg National Park) has recently been refurbished 

and should provide local communities with 

employment opportunities. 


PROFILE 

Madibeng Local 

Municipality 

The strategic location of Madibeng Local Municipality supports a 

wide range of economic activities and attracts thousands 

of tourists to Hartbeespoort Dam. 

The Madibeng Local Municipality lies within the 

Bojanala Platinum District between Rustenburg 

to the west and Pretoria in the Gauteng province 

directly to the east. 

The main economic activity in Madibeng is mining 

but the town of Brits has significant manufacturing 

capacity, particularly in the automotive component 

sector. Hartbeespoort Dam is a major tourist attraction 

and there are many farms in the Municipality 

that produce quality vegetables and fruit for the 

Tshwane market. 

Madibeng LM is well located in that regard. 

Being close to Gauteng’s big cities (including 

Johannesburg and Krugersdorp) allows for good 

access to these large consumer markets and also 

makes it easy for local residents to find potential 

employment in those centres. 

Madibeng can be reached by train and has an airport 

for light aircraft. Lanseria Airport is located 40 

kilometres from Brits. 

Geography 

The Madibeng Local Municipality extends over 

3 839km² on the eastern edge of the North West 

Province. It lies between the Magaliesberg and the 

Witwatersrand, 60km from Rustenberg and 50km 

north of Pretoria. The Magalies and the Crocodile 

rivers feed Hartbeesport Dam, an important source 

of water for the province and a very popular tourist 

spot. The main towns are Brits, Hartbeespoort, 

Marikana and Mooinooi. 

Executive Mayor – 

Cllr Jostina Mothibe. 

Acting Municipal 

Manager – Energy 

Manaka. 

Governance 

Madibeng Local Municipality is one of five municipalities 

in the Bojanala Platinum District. It is categorised 

as a Category B Municipality. An Executive 

Mayoral System is in place. Forty-one wards are represented 

by 81 councillors (10 of whom are members 

of the Mayoral Committee), with a full-time Speaker, 

Chief Whip and Executive Mayor. 

The Municipality has implemented a Performance 

Management System whereby performance is monitored 

through conducting performance assessments 

on a quarterly, mid-year and annual basis. 

Performance audits are conducted by both 

the Internal Auditors and Auditor General and 

performance reports are also published in the 

Annual Report. 

On the service delivery front the Municipality 

continues to implement service delivery projects 

such as the paved cluster roads in areas of Oukasie, 


16

PROFILE 

Mothotlung, Hebron, Kgabalatsane and Letlhabile 

through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG). 

The Municipality has also upgraded provincial 

gravel roads to tar surfaces in areas like Rasai and 

Fafung. Water supply infrastrastructure projects are 

currently under construction in the eastern parts 

of the Municipality such as Itsoseng and Klipgat. 

More homes in the areas of Regorogile, Oskraal 

and Kgabalatsane have been electrified with the 

assistance of Eskom. 

The Municipality in conjunction with the National 

Water and Sanitation Department is working around 

the clock to address the challenge of water supply 

with the expansion of the Brits Water Purification 

Plant. The current plant produces 60ML per day 

while the newly refurbished plant will produce 

80ML per day. 

Economy 

A diverse economy has mining, manufacturing and 

tourism as the main employers and contributors 

to regional gross domestic product. A third of the 

world’s chrome comes from this area and there is 

a huge resource of platinum group metals that is 

mined by several large companies. 

In Brits there are several automotive components 

manufacturers, like Bosch, who run a sophisticated 

plant that makes starters, alternators and braking 

systems. Bridgestone make tyres at a recently 

upgraded factory and Giflo Engineering and cable 

producer, CBI Electric are other companies in 

the sector. 

Tourism 

Madibeng Local Municipality straddles the Heritage 

Route which links the Cradle of Humankind (a World 

Heritage site in Gauteng) with the Pilanesberg and 

Madikwe Game Reserves. Hartbeespoort Dam is 

one of the most visited places in South Africa, with a 

wide range of activities being offered nearby. More 

tempting is the diversity and scenic beauty of the 

Hartbeespoort Dam, the Madibeng tourism hub, with 

a magnificent view of the Magaliesberg mountains, a 

globally recognised biosphere reserve. 

Other fun outings can be had to a Cheetah Centre, a 

Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary, a Chameleon Village 

Reptile Park, the Hartebeespoort Snake & Animal 

Park, the Hartebeespoort Dam Aquarium, the Inyoni 

Estate Crocodile Farm, The Elephant Sanctuary and 

The Ukutula Lodge & Lion Centre. 

The aerial cableway at the dam is very popular, as 

is hot-air ballooning. There are any number of adventure 

tourism activities on offer. These include: 

• zip-lining 

• combat paintballing 

• horse-riding 

• quad-biking 

• helicopter flights 

• jet-boat cruises 

• adventure camps. 

Fishing is another very popular pastime and arts 

and crafts are very well catered for in the area. 

CONTACT INFO 

Key personnel: Executive Mayor – Cllr Jostina 

Mothibe | Acting Municipal Manager – Energy 

Manaka 

Key contact person: Tumelo Tshabalala 

Address: 53 Van Velden Street, Brits 0250, 

South Africa 

Postal Address: PO Box 106, Brits 0250, South 

Africa 

Phone: +27 12 318 9100 | Fax: +27 12 318 9203 

Email: customercare@madibeng.gov.za 

Website: www.madibeng.gov.za 


DESTINATION OVERVIEW 

Tourism 

Tourism is a key pillar of the North West economy. 

SECTOR INSIGHT 

Sun City has spent R1-billion 

on upgrades. 

• Cultural tourism is a new 

focus area for the province. 

Tourism has been identified by the North West Provincial 

Government as a “key pillar” of the economy. In addition to promoting 

the already popular game reserves, Hartbeespoort Dam 

and Sun City, the provincial planners are targeting the cultural 

sector as a potential growth market. The Mahika-Mahikeng Cultural 

Festival is expected to grow in significance to the regional economy 

as it expands, having been started in 2015. 

Arts and culture development centres (Mmabana Centres) are 

found in three of the province’s districts. Twelve public museums have 

been identified together with 400 heritage sites as part of a census 

on the province’s cultural assets. The long and interesting history 

of the Batswana people provides rich scope for commemorations, 

memorials, song and dance. 

Three tourism strategies (Culture and Heritage; Events and an overarching 

regional strategy) are set to inform what the premier of North 

West has called the Arts Culture and Tourism (ACT) developmental 

agenda for the province. In keeping with the emphasis on small towns 

and rural areas, a Rural and Social Tourism strategy is to be charted. 

Among other provincial plans is a publication to be produced by 

the Department of Tourism to market the province, particularly to 

attract potential tourists in SADC countries, in other parts of Africa 

and in BRICS countries like China, India, Russia and Brazil. Related 

to the SADC theme, is a scheme to develop transnational routes 

that would include sites such as 

Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Direct 

flights are being contemplated 

to BRICS countries. 

The Department of Tourism 

in the North West hosted the 

Bojanala District lekgotla (public 

meeting) where discussions were 

held about the way forward for 

tourism in the province. There is 

a strong belief that the industry 

can become a major creator of 

jobs and wealth within communities, 

if the correct strategies 

and products are developed. 

Anthropology comes 

to the fore at Taung, site of 

the first discovered fossil of 

Australopithecus africanus. 

The North West Development 

Corporation (NWDC), has an investment 

plan linked to this famous 

site, involving a museum, 

hotel and spa resort. 

The NWDC is also offering 

investors the opportunity to 

expand the terminal building at 

Pilanesberg Airport. 

The Treasure Route runs along 

the N12 highway and includes 


18

DESTINATION OVERVIEW 

wildlife, cultural, scenic, industrial 

and environmental tourist attractions. 

The “treasure” relates to the 

gold mines scattered along the 

route. A highlight is the Vredefort 

Dome, an enormous 300km crater 

left when a meteorite struck the 

earth about two-billion years ago. 

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Adventure sports is a growing 

section of the tourism sector. 

Hot-air ballooning over the 

Pilanesberg mountains is a popular 

pursuit, as is quad-biking 

among the foothills. Canopy 

tours in the Magaliesberg are on 

offer, with many opportunities for 

water sports of every kind on the 

province’s many water bodies. 

Hartbeespoort Dam is the biggest 

of these, but there are ample 

opportunities for water -lovers 

at Bloemhof Dam, Boskop Dam 

(north of Potchefstroom) and 

Vaalkop Dam (north of Brits). Each 

of these dams has great birdlife, 

with up to 250 species living at 

or visiting the dams. 

Hotels, casinos and 

resorts 

One of South Africa’s highestprofile 

entertainment complexes, 

Sun City Resort, was relaunched 

in 2016 after a R1-billion refurbishment 

by Sun International. 

Between 2014 and 2016 the 

project created more than 2 000 

new jobs. 

The Sun City Hotel has been 

re-branded as the Soho Hotel 

which comes with a party zone 

designed to evoke Las Vegas. A 

new events space called Sun Park 

offers outdoor and indoor options 

for hosting festivals, events and launches. A new Sporting Hall of Fame 

has been added to the popular water features and the famous Gary 

Player Golf Course. In recent times the format of the annual Nedbank 

Golf Challenge was expanded to include a bigger field of players with 

more global significance because points won at the event counted 

for international rankings. 

The provincial capital, Mahikeng, has its own resort in the Mmabatho 

Palms Hotel Casino and Convention Resort. As part of the Peermont 

group, which has hotels and casinos in six of South Africa’s provinces, 

the Mmabatho Palms offers eight gaming tables and slot machines. 

The Gambling Board falls under the provincial Department of 

Economy and Enterprise Development and it has approved 262 Limited 

Pay-out Machines and six new bingo operations. 

North West’s other casinos are at Sun City and the Morula Casino 

and Hotel at Mabopane (both run by Sun International) and Klerksdorp 

(Rio Hotel Casino and Convention Resort), another Peermont property. 

The provincial government has applied to national government to 

have a fifth licence granted in the province. 

Nature and game reserves 

The strategy of the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) 

includes ramping up investment in the province’s 12 smaller parks 

with a view to creating jobs in the second economy. This presents an 

opportunity for private investors to become involved. An investment of 

R43-million has been made in the Manyane Game Lodge in Mahikeng 

in partnership with the national Department of Tourism. 

Another project is in the form of an ambitious plan to create a 

mega-park in the north-western sector of the North West, the Heritage 

Park. The idea is to link the existing parks of Madikwe (on the Botswana 

border) and the Pilanesberg National Park (a provincial park). Nearly 

20 000 hectares of land is being prepared for incorporation, which is 

intended in a later phase to become a transnational park. With much of 

the targeted land being currently used for marginal cattle farming, it is 

expected that the transference of this to the potentially more lucrative 

game-reserve option will bring considerable benefits. 

As the fourth-largest park in South Africa, Pilansberg covers an area of 

55 000 hectares. 

ONLINE RESOURCES 

North West Development Corporation: www.nwdc.co.za 

South African National Parks: www.sanparks.co.za 

Tourism North West: www.tourismnorthwest.co.za 


PROFILE 

Mmabatho Palms is 

an entertainment oasis 

The destination of choice for gaming and conventions in Mafikeng. 

South Africa’s and the North West’s favourite oasis 

resort experience, Mmabatho Palms Hotel Casino 

and Convention Resort, is conveniently located in 

the historic town of Mafikeng, the capital city of the 

North West Province. Perfect for business, weekend 

getaways and entertainment, the resort is located 

adjacent to the Leopard Park Golf Course. 

The elegant four-star Peermont Walmont hotel is 

dressed in classic style with every modern comfort 

and features 150 rooms and suites. The resort encapsulates 

an entertainment oasis with its central 

swimming pool shaded by the fronds of Motswedi 

Palm trees. A host of other entertainment options 

are also available including an additional swimming 

pool, mini-golf, tennis, a children’s play area and the 

18-hole championship Leopard Park Golf Club next 

to the resort. 

The Motswedi Terrace Restaurant is a chic à la carte 

restaurant with a distinctive African theme and offers 

a full breakfast and internationally flavoured cuisine. 

Guests can also relax at the Motswedi Terrace Bar 

next to the pool with a refreshing drink or exotic 

cocktail. Gaming at the Mmabatho Palms casino is 

an exciting affair with a variety of 155 slots in various 

denominations and eight gaming tables offering 

Roulette, Blackjack and Poker games. 

The Palms Retreat Wellness Spa is a full beauty centre 

offering a variety of luxurious treatment options. 

The spa has seven treatment rooms and a separate 

couples’ treatment room to provide the most private 

and comfortable of settings. The world-class 

convention facilities include four conference rooms 

which can accommodate up to 300 guests. There 

is also the Boma, perfect for outdoor events with a 

seating capacity of up to 120 guests. Venues offer 

flexible configuration capacities and state-of-the-art 

technology, making them suitable for a variety of 

functions from board meetings to team-building 

or from weddings to conferences. 

Mmabatho Palms is conveniently located near to a 

range of must-see sites, nature parks and birding hot 

spots. The Botsalano Game Reserve is a short drive to 

the west of the city and hosts more than 200 bird species 

in wide grasslands and Acacia and Karee woodlands. 

One of the world’s oldest volcanic craters extends 

through the park into Botswana. Mafikeng Game 

Reserve is much closer, being on the city boundary. It 

is known as “The Home of the White Rhino”. 

With everything under one roof, Mmabatho Palms is 

the perfect destination for a family break, corporate 

event, golfing getaway or romantic rendezvous. 

Website: www.mmabathopalms.co.za 


20

Break away to Mmabatho Palms Hotel Casino Convention Resort in the historic 

town of Mafikeng. This beautiful retreat has something for everyone, with a 

four star 150-key Walmont hotel, an exciting casino, the Motswedi Terrace 

Restaurant, two swimming pools and loads of fun activities for children. 

The exquisite Palms Retreat Wellness Spa offers a variety of luxurious 

beauty treatments in peaceful and relaxing surroundings and the 18- 

hole championship Leopard Park Golf Club is easily accessible from the 

resort. Outdoor sporting and entertainment events are a regular feature 

of the full sized soccer field and the convention centre can accommodate 

up to 300 delegates in a variety of rooms as well as the outdoor boma. 

Live it up, Oasis Style at Mmabatho Palms. 

FOLLOW US 

To book your stay, call PEERMONT CENTRAL RESERVATIONS on 0860 777 900 (SA only) 

or +27 (0)11 938 1928 or book online at www.mmabathopalms.co.za 

PEERMONT PROUDLY SUPPORTS THE NATIONAL RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING PROGRAMME. 

PROBLEM GAMBLING COUNSELLING TOLL-FREE LINE 0800 006 008. PLAYERS MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER. WINNERS KNOW WHEN TO STOP.

INTERVIEW 

Strong growth on 

North West route 

CEO of SA Express Inati Ntshanga talks about the 

operating environment for the airline. 

Inati Ntshanga 

BIOGRAPHY 

Inati BIOGRAPHY Ntshanga was appointed 

as the Chief Executive Officer of 

SA Express in September 2010. 

A Harvard University Economics 

graduate, Inati has over 18 

years aviation experience as 

well as senior management 

and executive experience in the 

private sector. 

As CEO of the airline, he also 

serves as Executive Director on 

the SA Express Board of Directors 

and in 2015 was appointed 

as the Chairperson of the Airlines 

Association of Southern 

Africa. 

What is the size of the commercial airline sector in the 

North West? 

Currently, SA Express is the only carrier that flies into Pilanesberg and 

we have grown our operations to include Mahikeng. We fly direct from 

OR Tambo International on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 

from Cape Town International on Mondays and Fridays. 

We have built partnerships with several establishments in the area 

to offer competitive and comprehensive packages for passengers 

flying SA Express. We have seen strong growth on this route and our 

expectation is this trend will continue. 

Since being appointed CEO of SA Express, what have 

been the primary challenges of running the airline? 

External factors such as fluctuating exchange rates, volatile oil prices 

and ever-increasing competition mean that as an airline, SA Express 

needs to remain relevant by being dynamic and innovative. 

Economic factors such as recessions mean that flying is not viewed 

as a more of a luxury service. The industry has definitely become more 

competitive over the last five years. This is not only been on the major 

domestic routes, we have seen new entrants on secondary routes as 

well. This has led to reduced yield for the airline, although this has been 

offset somewhat by market growth. 

Key challenges remain living up to our customers’ expectations 

and remaining a viable entity in a competitive trading environment. 

Which routes are likely to deliver the most growth for 

your airline in the next few years? 

What we have seen in some markets, is the stimulation of new market 

segments by new entrants and this excites us. We intend to grow our 

product offering to incorporate this trend. This will primarily be on our 

domestic network, although we expect our regional routes to benefit 

from a degree of organic growth as well. This is primarily driven by 

connecting traffic through our partnership with South African Airways 

and our membership of the international Star Alliance. 


22

We Fly North West! 

Discovering the best of Bokone Bophirima is now only a flight away. 

As an airline of choice to North West Province, we now offer 

weekly flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Pilanesberg, 

and from Johannesburg to Mahikeng, all at your convenience. 

Because We Fly for You. 

Visit www.flyexpress.aero for domestic flights to Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, East London, 

Kimberley, Hoedspruit, George, Johannesburg, Richards Bay, Cape Town, Mahikeng, Pilanesberg, 

Durban and regional flights to Lubumbashi, Gaborone, Walvis Bay, Lusaka and Harare.


South African economy at a glance 

Insight into the performance of the South African economy is provided through these 

graphical representations of key statistics. 

ZIMBABWE 

NAMIBIA 

BOTSWANA 

Limpopo 

0.9% (7.1%) 

MOZAMBIQUE 


-3.6% (6.5%) 

Gauteng 

2.1% 

(34.3%) 

Mpumalanga 

2.7% 

(7.5%) 

SWAZI- 

LAND 


2.8% (2.1%) 

Free State 

1.8% 

(5%) 

LESOTHO 

KwaZulu- 

Natal 

2.3% 

(16.1%) 

Western Cape 

2.0% (13.6%) 

Eastern Cape 

1.0% (7.6%) 

SA GDP: Percentage of growth per province (2014) and percentage 

contribution to national GDP (figures in brackets). 

SOURCE: STATS SA WWW.STATSSA.GOV.ZA 

PROVINCE CAPITAL PREMIER POPULATION (2015) AREA GRP BILLION RAND 

Eastern Cape Bhisho 

Phumulo 

Masualle 

6 916 200 168 966km 2 R289.9 

Free State Bloemfontein 

Elias Sekgobelo 

"Ace" Magashule 

2 817 900 129 825km 2 R189.1 

Gauteng Johannesburg David Makhura 13 200 300 18 178km 2 R1 305.6 

KwaZulu- 

Natal 

Pietermaritzburg Willies Mchunu 10 919 100 94 361km 2 R610.1 

Limpopo Polokwane 

Stanley 

Mathabatha 

5 726 800 125 754km 2 R271.5 

Mpumalanga Mbombela David Mabuza 4 283 900 76 495km 2 R284.2 

North West Mahikeng 

Supra 

Mahumapelo 

3 707 000 104 882km 2 R249.5 

Northern Cape Kimberley Sylvia Lucas 1 185 600 372 889km 2 R79.9 

Western Cape Cape Town Helen Zille 6 200 100 129 462km 2 R518.1 

Snapshot of South Africa’s provinces 

SOURCE: INSTITUTE OF RACE RELATION’S SOUTH AFRICA SURVEY 2016 AS REPORTED ON BUSINESSTECH.CO.ZA 


24


How South Africa’s economy performed in 2015. * 

* PRELIMINARY RESULTS | SOURCE: GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, 4TH QUARTER 2015 | WWW.STATSSA.GOV.ZA 

SECTOR LP MP GP NW KZN FS NC EC WC 

Agriculture 2.5 2.8 0.4 2.1 3.8 4.3 6.0 7.5 3.5 

Mining 29.4 24.9 3.3 33.6 1.9 13.3 26.7 0.2 0.3 

Manufacturing 2.5 11.5 13.5 4.4 15.8 8.5 2.1 12.2 11.8 

Electricity 2.8 5.4 2.4 1.4 2.5 3.1 3.0 1.4 2.0 

Construction 2.5 3.3 4.3 2.6 3.0 2.0 1.6 2.1 4.3 

Wholesale 10.8 10.3 14.2 9.3 15.5 12.3 9.9 14.7 17.0 

Transport 5.4 5.8 8.3 6.1 11.9 7.1 7.8 7.9 9.1 

Finances 14.0 10.9 22.8 11.1 16.5 14.2 11.6 18.6 26.6 

Personal 

Services 

Government 

Services 

3.8 4.3 3.6 7.0 5.8 10.2 8.1 9.1 5.1 

16.0 10.5 17.0 12.1 13.3 14.7 12.8 22.0 10.2 

Taxes 10.3 10.3 10.1 10.3 10.0 10.3 10.2 10.2 10.0 

Gross Domestic Product by province, percentage contribution. 

SOURCE: STATS SA WWW.STATSSA.GOV.ZA/?PAGE_ID=735&ID=1 


FOCUS 

Nedbank partnering 

with business for good 

Kevin de Beer, Nedbank Regional General Manager, Branch Networks, explains how 

Nedbank works with communities to deliver banking solutions. 

Nedbank continues to build on its client-centred strategy 

aimed at delivering distinctive experiences and channels of 

choice for businesses and clients in the North West. This has 

seen the bank simplify and enhance its product offering in 

line with its value-banking philosophy based on simplicity, transparency 

and affordability. Innovation and technological advancements, 

as well as training and development of staff, have been key pillars in 

achieving the bank’s objectives. 

Nedbank has also placed greater emphasis on client engagement 

to better understand the diverse and individual client needs across 

its personal and business banking base. “Innovation is an integral 

component of a holistic approach that encompasses our systems 

and processes. It is an enabler in delivering distinctive client experiences. 

Despite the tough economic environment, Retail and Business 

Banking has delivered value to our shareholders while significantly 

improving client experience. Through these milestones we are well 

geared to weather the persisting macroeconomic environment, and 

highly competitive business conditions,” says De Beer. 

Since 2012 Nedbank has launched several first-to-market innovations, 

such as the award-winning Nedbank App Suite, the Home Loans 

Online Digital Channel and Market Edge, as well as the “Branch of the 

Future” concept in communities locally and nationally. “Working with 

communities is entrenched in our values through community development, 

skills development, education and job creation, as well as environmental 

conservation. These play a vital role in building a sustainable 

economy and vibrant society. We believe our fast-growing presence in 

communities goes a long way in enabling greater financial inclusion 

while contributing towards economic growth,” concludes De Beer. 

Nedbank has also invested in innovative alternative distribution outlets 

through its strategic partnership with Pick n Pay and Boxer stores. 

These partnerships, which span over 15 years, enable communities to 

get access to financial services every day of the week, even Sundays 

and public holidays. 

Nedbank provides several communities, including individual and 

business clients, with access to products and services through Nedbank’s 

workplace banking offering through a dedicated banker. This is a unique 

service for clients, with financial fitness training a key aspect of the offering. 

Our wide range of products and services include the Nedbank 

Kevin de Beer, Nedbank 

Regional General Manager 

Keyona Plus transactional account, 

which comprises funeral 

cover, a personal loan facility, the 

Just Save Account and the Send 

Imali money transfer solution, 

enabling clients to transact, borrow, 

save and take out cover. To 

encourage the youth to save and 

build their financial fitness from an 

early age the Nedbank4me offering, 

enabling the youth to transact 

and save with the benefit of 

earning preferential interest. 

For more information call 

+27 51 400 5813 or visit 

www.nedbank.co.za. 

NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2017 26

Zooming into 

Nedbank’s small 

business interventions 

Nedbank’s Regional Manager, Small Business Services, Kim Lawrence, 

explains how Nedbank is committed to partnering with businesses for growth. 

FOCUS 

“ 

Recognising 

that small businesses are the mainstay of the 

economy and arguably the best remedy for the country’s 

unemployment challenges, Nedbank has, over the years, 

instituted various interventions aimed at giving support to 

the small-business sector. Over and above our small-business services 

solutions, we provide small-business owners with support that goes 

beyond banking, freeing up their time to truly focus on running their 

businesses,” says Lawrence. 

Nedbank has built a solid reputation as a bank for small businesses 

through initiatives such as Small Business Friday, free small-business 

seminars and the SimplyBiz.co.za platform – all geared to support 

the small- and medium-sized enterprises sector. For example, the 

Small Business Friday initiative, in association with the National Small 

Business Chamber, seeks to encourage everyone in South Africa to 

rally behind and support small businesses. Apart from its name, the 

initiative calls on everyone to make a conscious decision to vote small 

businesses through their hearts, feet and wallets; not only on Fridays, 

but every day. 

Supporting small businesses can lead to more sustainable economic 

growth, social upliftment and job creation. The biannual Nedbank 

Small Business Seminars are free and provide practical advice and 

solutions for small-business owners. Inspired emerging entrepreneurs 

who attend the seminars benefit from invaluable insight shared by 

small-business experts. The seminars are rolled out across the country 

and topics include issues such as cashflow planning and turning 

strengths and weaknesses into more sales and profits. 

SimplyBiz.co.za is a free-to-join value networking portal designed 

especially for small businesses. It seeks to help small-business 

owners facing unique challenges with valuable insights from 

other entrepreneurs and our seminars. Moreover, the online portal 

helps small businesses to improve their business administration 

Kim Lawrence, Regional 

Manager Small Business 

Services 

skills, keep up with the latest 

trends, network with other small 

businesses and share ideas. 

For more information about 

Nedbank’s Small Business 

Services call Kim on 

+27 51 400 5772 or send an 

email to KimL@nedbank.co.za. 

27 

NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2017

FOCUS 

Nedbank 

Whole-view Business Banking 

Willie Chavalala, Nedbank Regional Business Head, Pretoria & North West, 

explains how they are making the bank relevant to business owners in the North West. 

There is good news for North West business owners and entrepreneurs 

seeking a unique banking experience: Nedbank Business 

Banking has 11 business managers located across the province 

specialising in key industries such as retail, commercial, industrial, 

manufacturing and the agricultural sector, among others. They are 

ready to assist you with professional advice, industry-specific solutions 

and a comprehensive range of financial products and services. 

“At Nedbank Business Banking we believe that you need a financial 

partner who not only understands your circumstances and aspirations, 

but also provides you with relevant solutions and a banking experience 

that is hassle-free. This allows you to concentrate on what’s 

most important to you – running your business,” says Chavalala. 

At the core of Nedbank’s offering in the North-West is a relationship-based 

model with a business manager dedicated to your business 

as the key entry point into the bank. Each business manager is 

supported by a team – comprising a credit manager, credit analyst 

and services manager with a thorough understanding of the regional 

economy and business market, and a genuine interest in the success 

of each individual business. 

“When you do business with us, you deal with people who know 

the area, understand its nuances and are familiar with the various 

industries operating here. We encourage you to see money differently 

with Whole-view Business Banking TM ,” explains Chavalala. 

An additional benefit of banking with Nedbank Business Banking 

is that your business and your personal financial needs can be 

managed in one place. 

“Because business owners and their businesses are very often 

financially dependent on each other, our client service teams now 

also offer individual banking solutions, better advice and a hasslefree 

service to you and your staff because we already know and 

understand your needs,” says Chavalala. 

Nedbank provides several communities, including individual 

and business clients, with access to products and services through 

Willie Chavalala, Regional 

Business Head 

Nedbank’s workplace banking 

offering through a dedicated 

banker. This is a unique service 

for clients, with financial fitness 

training a key aspect of the 

offering. 

For more information about 

Nedbank’s specialised service 

offering please call the 

Business Banking team on 

+27 12 436 7740 or visit 

www.nedbank.co.za. 

NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2017 28

17264 

SEE MONEY DIFFERENTLY WITH 

WHOLE-VIEW 

TM 

BUSINESS BANKING 

With Whole-view Business Banking from Nedbank, there’s one bank with one view across your business, 

allowing us to create unique business and financial solutions together. You’ll get partnership advice from 

a dedicated local client service team, supported by a team of specialists. By having the full picture we’ll 

have a deeper understanding of your business, which will take it further than ever before. 

Sometimes, a change in approach can change everything. Partner with Nedbank today. 

Search Whole-view Business Banking. 

Nedbank Ltd Reg No 1951/000009/06. Authorised financial services and registered credit provider (NCRCP16).

OVERVIEW 

Mining 

The platinum province is also rich in many other minerals. 


A platinum special economic 

zone is being established to 

attract investors. 

• Sephaku Cement’s 

Lichtenburg clinker plant 

produces 6 000 tons per 

day. 

• There are new owners 

for platinum and chrome 

assets. 

There are nearly 300 active mines in the North West and the sector 

contributes 31.3% of regional gross domestic product. A large 

number of families rely on the income earned on mines, with about 

18% of total employment in the province coming from mining. 

The North West Province is aligned with the Western Limb of the 

Bushveld Igneous Complex, a remarkably rich mineral formation. Mines 

in the province produce 50% of the platinum produced in the world, 

and 65% of South Africa’s platinum group metals. 

Chromite is the other major mineral mined throughout the province, 

and there are several ferrochrome smelters and other processing plants. 

Gold and uranium are found along the border of the province with 

Gauteng and the Free State (in Klerksdorp and Orkney). Diamonds are 

mined at Christiana, Bloemhof and Lichtenburg. Lichtenburg is also the 

centre of the cement industry. 

Other minerals found in the North West include fluorspar, vanadium, 

rhodium, uranium, copper, limestone, slate, phosphate, manganese, 

coal and nickel. There are also significant stone and granite operations. 

Volatility in global markets has led to the price of platinum dropping 

very steeply, leading to large-scale lay-offs at some mines, but analysts 

believe that the price will recover in 2017. AngloGold Ashanti, which has 

five gold mines on the border of North West and the Free State province, 

and employs nearly 25 000 

across all its operations in South 

Africa, is considering reducing its 

workforce. 

All companies operating in 

South Africa are expected to 

register with the Unemployment 

Insurance Fund (UIF) so that 


30

OVERVIEW 

workers who suffer retrenchment 

will receive a pay-out to support 

them while they look for new 

employment. 

The overall picture for platinum 

group metals (PGM) looks 

rather better, with chrome in 

particular rallying in the second 

half of 2016. Palladium and 

rhodium have also increased 

in price. 

The results produced by 

Royal Bafokeng Platinum 

(RBPlat) in 2016 reflected how 

things have changed since the 

platinum boom of a just a few 

years ago. RBPlat (originally a 

joint venture between Anglo 

American Platinum and Royal 

Bafokeng Holdings) turned a 

profit of nearly R600-million in 

2014 but the lower prices have 

pushed back the construction of 

the company’s Styldrift I Project 

and led to reduced production 

at the Bafokeng Rasimone mine, 

resulting in a loss in 2015. 

Royal Bafokeng Holdings is 

the investment vehicle of the 

100 000 members of the 

Setswana-speaking Royal 

Bafokeng Nation who live in the 

Rustenburg valley. 

Another partnership with 

a community is the Sedibelo 

Platinum mine, where the local 

Bakgatla traditional authority 

has a 26% stake on behalf of the 

community (in the Moses Kotane 

Municipality of the Bojanala district). 

Main community projects 

concentrate on water supply, 

roads and bursaries for local students. 

A hydroponic farm and a 

brickworks have been initiated. 

Sedibelo (formerly Platmin), 

which received investments 

from the Industrial Development Corporation (2012) and Pallinghurst 

(2014), has a 100-Moz PGM resource base. 

Buying and selling 

• Impala Platinum is selling its 65% share in Impala Chrome, an 

extraction business which is located in Rustenburg. 

• The Evraz Group has sold its 78.8% in Brits-based Vametco, a mine 

and plant that produces vanadium. Bushveld Minerals, which is 

listed on the Alternative Investment Market in London, is the buyer. 

• Rustenburg Platinum Mines Limited (including three mine shafts, 

two concentrating plants and on-site chrome recovery plant) has 

been sold by Anglo American to Sibanye Gold. This is part of the 

broader Anglo American strategy to divest itself of a number of its 

assets, and also points to a strong acquisitions strategy that Sibanye 

Gold has embarked on since it was established in 2012. With some 

other acquisitions, Sibanye now controls about 800 000 ounces 

of platinum and uranium as a by-product of its gold production. 

With the possibility that it will also buy coal mines, Sibanye Gold 

will likely change its name in the near future as it looks more like 

a resources company. 

SEZ and SPI 

The Platinum Valley Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is to be established 

at Mogwase in the Bojanala District, north of Rustenburg and east of 

Sun City. When fully developed, 200ha of land will be given over to 

three infrastructure facilities comprising Logistics, Light Manufacturing 

and Heavy Manufacturing. Areas of investment that are expected to 

grow fastest include fuel cell technology (in which platinum is a vital 

component), machinery for mining, energy generation and renewable 

energy component manufacturing. 

A range of incentives will be available to potential investors via the 

national Department of Trade and Industry (dti). By way of example, 

the 121 Tax Allowance Incentive offers capital investment allowances 

and training support up to R900-million for new or existing industrial 

projects. There are a number of other incentives specific to investors 

in an SEZ. 

The Seda Platinum Incubator (SPI) is an initiative of the Platinum Trust 

of South Africa and is funded by the Small Enterprise Development 

Agency (Seda) through its Seda Technology Programme (Stp) 

with the support of the North West Provincial Government and 

private companies. 

Located in Rustenburg, the SPI trains people through the making 

of jewellery, chiefly the design and manufacture of platinum group 


OVERVIEW 

metal (PGM) jewellery. Small PGM jewellery-manufacturing enterprises 

and individuals are located at the centre or supported by 

email correspondence. A three-year period of incubation is offered 

to small businesses. 

Chrome 

There are 20 chromite mines in North West Province. The mines are 

located along a reef running from Brits to Rustenburg and they are 

serviced by several ferrochrome smelters. South Africa produces about 

70% of the world’s chrome, with most of that originating in North 

West Province. 

Most chromite is processed into ferrochrome, a vital component 

in the making of steel. South Africa produces 40% of the world’s 

ferrochrome. 

Diamonds 

Diamonds are found in several parts of the North West: Lichtenburg, 

Koster and Ventersdorp near the centre, and Christiana and Bloemhof 

further south. Rockwell Diamonds sold its Tirisano mine near 

Ventersdorp in 2015, to a group of royalty miners who had been 

working on the site. 

Gold 

Several major companies are active in the area where the provinces of 

Gauteng, Free State and Gauteng meet: Anglogold Ashanti, Harmony 

and DRD. AngloGold Ashanti’s Tau Tona operation is located in 

North West. 


Chamber of Mines of South Africa: www.chamberofmines.org.za 

Geological Society of South Africa: www.gssa.org.za 

Industrial Development Corporation: www.idc.co.za 

Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA): www.mqa.org.za 

National Department of Energy: www.energy.gov.za 

National Department of Mineral Resources: www.dmr.gov.za 

National Department of Trade and Industry: www.dti.gov.za 


South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: 

www.saimm.co.za 

In 2015, Chinese company 

Heaven-Sent acquired the 

gold mine of Village Main Reef, 

Tau Lekoa near Klerksdorp. 

(Buffelsfontein gold mine closed 

in 2013.) 

Harmony Gold has two 

mines in the province: Kal Gold 

and Kusasalethu (formerly 

Elandsrand). The company 

has announced an employee 

share-option plan (ESOP) where 

about 33 000 employees across 

Harmony operations will take up 

ownership of just less than 3% of 

the company. South Africa’s thirdbiggest 

gold miner calculates that 

a qualifying employee might be 

paid out R10 000 for 100 ordinary 

shares after five years. 

Limestone and cement 

Limestone quarries run by G&W 

Base and Industrial Minerals in the 

Marico District are located next to 

a PPC cement factory. 

One of the last economically 

viable limestone deposits in South 

Africa is mined and processed by 

Sephaku Cement. Sephaku runs a 

6 000-ton per day clinker facility 

located near Lichtenburg. 

AfriSam, PPC and Lafarge already 

have a significant presence 

in the Mahikeng/Lichtenburg area, 

but Sephaku is confident that its 

clinker and cement-production 

facilities will be supported by raw 

materials for at least 30 years. 

Granite and slate are found in 

good quantities in the province, as 

is dimension stone. There are more 

than 20 quarry operations in the 

province, with Rustenburg being 

the centre of granite mining. 


32

Wesizwe honours commitments 

made in social and labour plan 

as part of social license to operate 

P 

art of Wesizwe’s strategy in building good stakeholder 

relations with the host community is supporting the 

development of small medium and micro enterprises 

(SMMEs) and continuous engagements with stakeholders. 

The company creates strategic partnerships that support 

infrastructure development for basic services and needs, 

such as education, skills development and health. The 

main focus is on ensuring that the company enables, 

empowers and supports the host community. 

Currently, the largest SLP project so far undertaken by 

the company is the housing project for employees. The 

objective of this project is in line with the mining charter 

requirements on housing. The organization has taken 

proactive action in ensuring that the mine does not 

contribute to the creation of informal settlements while 

the company steps up the provision of formal housing. 

The focus is on developing a 2-phased housing scheme: 

Phase 1: 801 units and Phase 2: 1 504 units. This will be 

an integrated human settlement and to achieve this 

Wesizwe has forged strategic partnerships with North 

West Department of Local Government and Human 

Settlements and the Social Housing Regulatory Authority 

(SHRA) in order to fund the development and Moses 

Kotane Local Municipality. 

Wesizwe Platinum is a public company incorporated in 

the Republic of South Africa with its shares listed on the 

JSE Securities Exchange (JSE). 

For more information on Wesizwe Platinum, visit the website – www.wesizwe.com

OVERVIEW 

Agriculture 

Grain and beef farming is done on a large scale in the North West. 


Four district agri-parks will 

underpin the creation of 

processing plants and agribusinesses. 

• A Bonsmara bull was sold 

for R90 000 in 2016. 

A 

concerted effort to establish sustainable agri-processing, to 

promote food security and to promote local black businesses 

is being made through the establishment of four district 

agri-parks across the North West. 

The North West Department of Rural Environment and Agricultural 

Development (READ) is working together with national departments 

to implement the project: Rural Development and Land Reform, 

Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries and Department of Cooperative 

Governance and Traditional Affairs. 

Each of the agri-parks will have a specific focus: 

• Springbokpan, grain (Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality). 

The silo at this site has been renovated and is ready for use. 

• Vryburg: livestock, red meat (Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District 

Municipality) 

• Moretele/Makapanstadt: red meat and horticulture (Bojanala 

District Municipality) 

• Maquassi Hills: pork and poultry (Dr Kenneth Kaunda District 

Municipality) 

Various agri-processing plants are under consideration for 

the city of Mahikeng: a feedlot and a meat processing plant, 

including an abattoir and packaging facilities. In Taung the plan is 

to establish an animal feed manufacturing plant. 

Variety 

North West’s distinct climatic regions are home to three very different 

types of agriculture. The dry western region is home to large beefcattle 

herds, and this is where 

the growing game-ranching and 

hunting industry has its base. An 

Absa Agribusiness study shows 

that a R5-million investment in 

cattle over six years makes a 4.8% 

return, against 27.7% for buffalo 

and 45.2% for sable. 

The eastern and north-eastern 

parts of the province receive relatively 

good rainfall and are suitable 

for the cultivation of crops. 

Grains 

Nearly two-million hectares 

is planted with summer cereals, 

with about 50 000 hectares 

given over to winter cereals. The 

North West produces about 20% 

of South Africa’s maize and about 

15% of its wheat. The central and 

southern sections of the province 

are dominated by maize and 

wheat farming. 

North West’s average contribution 

to the national maize crop 

over the six years to 2015 was about 


34

OVERVIEW 

20%. The total yield in 2014 was 

14.2 million tons, an exceptionally 

good return, but then the 

drought brought yields down. 

Fully 31% more maize was 

planted for the 2017 harvest than 

had been possible in 2016. This 

amounted to 2.54-million hectares 

and represents good news 

for consumers. The very bad 

national drought had resulted 

in maize having to be imported 

which caused food prices to 

rise; the better planting should 

improve things. However, at the 

time of going to print there were 

concerns about an armyworm 

which had been detected in several 

parts of South Africa. Early 

detection may head off threats to 

the crop. The South African market 

consumes about 10.5-million 

tons of maize. 

Other crops 

When it comes to sunflower seed, 

North West is responsible for 33% 

of South Africa’s stock, and 23% of 

the nation’s groundnuts. 

The North West supplies 5.4% of 

South Africa’s potatoes, but parts of 

the Kalahari are ideally suited to the 

cultivation of seed potatoes. 

The province produces about 

11% of South Africa’s cotton harvest, 

which has been getting 

smaller for many years. There are 

plans to grow the sector again, 

particularly in small-scale farming 

sector. There are cotton operations 

near Sun City in the north 

of the province and in the Taung 

district in the far south. 

The Taung Irrigation Scheme 

covers about 36 000 hectares, and 

companies like McCain (potatoes), South African Breweries (barley) and 

Cotton South Africa (cotton) have standing orders with small-scale 

farmers. This water supply will also allow for the cultivation of highyield 

crops such as pecan nuts, paprika and olives. 

Livestock 

The western reaches of the province are sometimes called “South 

Africa’s Texas” with extensive cattle herds roaming on big farms. 

The North West has approximately 1.6-million beef cattle, representing 

12% of South Africa’s herd. Major breeds include Simmental, 

Brahman, Bonsmara and Simbra, a cross between the Brahman and 

Simmental breeds. 

Auctioneers Proveld Bonsmara achieved an average price of 

R34 000 for bulls at its November 2016 auction. One prize bull was sold 

for R90 000. A national initiative is promoting Nguni cattle. Vryburg is 

the centre of the beef-cattle breeding industry. 

Kalahari Red and Boerbok goats are found in large numbers in the 

dry west. The goats numbers for the province is estimated at 701 587 

which is 12% of South Africa’s total goats. There are estimated to be 

318 843 pigs, which is 20% of South Africa’s total drove. 

Companies 

One of South Africa’s biggest agricultural companies is Senwes. The 

company specialises in the storage and handling of grains and oilseeds. 

Its extensive silo infrastructure extends across the interior. Its 

headquarters are in Klerksdorp. Despite very challenging conditions, 

the Senwes Group had a turnover for 2015/16 of R9.2-billion. 

Suidwes is based south of Klerksdorp in Leeudoringstad. More than 

90% of the shares in the company are held by farmers. Grain handling 

is the main business and there are divisions for retail (17 outlets and 

one animal-feed depot), mechanisation, finance and research and 

agricultural economics (Terratek). 

Brits is the location of the headquarters of the MGK Group, formerly 

Magaliesberg Graan Kooperasie. Tau company runs five divisions and a 

plant that makes fullfat soy, a component in animal feed. 


Agricultural Research Council: www.arc.agric.za 

National Department of Agriculture and Forestry: www.daff.gov.za 

North West Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Environment 

and Rural Development: www.nwpg.gov.za/agriculture 


OVERVIEW 

Energy 

Generation and manufacturing hold great potential. 

The sun shines in the North West, on average, 300 days of the year. In 

addition, the province mines more platinum than any other place on 

earth. These two facts combine to present a suite of opportunities 

for energy generation and for the manufacture of equipment for 

the energy sector. 

A start has been made, but the potential for investors is massive. The 

provincial unit of the Industrial Development Corporation is in discussion 

with the German manufacturer of solar panels who go beyond simply 

making the panels, they allow for horticulture under the farms. In this way, 

the installation of a solar farm can create 35 jobs per megawatt, instead 

of the usual average of 1.6 jobs per megawatt, and make a contribution 

to tackling food security. 

RustMo1, a 7MW solar farm at Buffelspoort, is already producing energy. 

Local company Momentous Energy, in partnership with a community trust 

(representing Lapologang and Tsakane) are behind the project which was 

installed by German company, juwi Renewable Technologies. 

This project is part of the national programme, the Renewable 

Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme 

(REIPPPP) which aims to add some 6 000MW to the national grid by 

2020 (and 13 225MW by 2025). 

An opportunity for solar panel market manufacturers is being promoted 

by the North West Development Corporation at Mahikeng. Investors 

are sought to manufacture and supply panels to farms, housing schemes, 

the mining industry and government. 

The Potchefstroom campus of the North West University is home to 

HySA Infrastructure Centre for hydrogen production, storage and delivery. 

onal strategy designed to make use of hydrogen and fuel cell technology, 

particularly arising from platinum group metals (PGM). 

South Africa’s nuclear-research centre is located at Pelindaba near 

Hartbeespoort Dam, and is run by the South African Nuclear Energy 

Corporation. The Nuclear Engineering Department at North West 

University (NWU) is the only one of its kind in the country, and the 


National Department of Energy: www.energy.gov.za 



Fuel cell technology is an 

important field of study. 

• Manufacturers of solar 

panels are showing 

interest in investment. 

National Department of Science 

and Technology granted a chair 

in Nuclear Engineering to NWU. 

Bioethanol, biodiesel and methane 

gas from waste and renewable 

resources are among the types of 

biofuels being investigated. 

As a grain-producing area, 

North West Province is obviously 

well suited to supplying 

feed stock for biofuel projects, 

but a new set of national government 

guidelines has seen the 

emphasis in this nascent industry 

shift towards finding fuel stock 

from crops that are less likely to 

affect food security. These crops 

include sugar cane, sugar beet, 

canola and sunflower seeds. 

A debate is under way about 

changing national policy to allow 

surplus grain to be used for 

energy production. 

Sunflower seeds are very 

suitable for converting into biofuel, 

and the North West has an 

abundance of this crop. Sweet 

sorghum is a possible feedstock 

for processing into bioethanol. 


36

Water 

The City of Tlokwe is a water award-winner. 

OVERVIEW 

The good rains that finally fell in the interior of South Africa in late 

2016 came as a great blessing after a long and painful drought. 

But in the North West province the rains came even later than 

in most places, putting extra strain on agriculture, towns and 

businesses. South Africa is a water-scarce country and water management 

is critical to economic planning. The western part of North West 

Province is particularly dry. 

In the eastern part of the province, national government has sent 

water tanks to some parts, and has upgraded the treatment plants 

upstream from the Hartbeespoort Dam. Infrastructure in some cases 

has not been serviced for some time, and leaks and skills shortages in 

some municipalities are a problem. 

Three of South Africa’s six major catchment areas are located in the 

province: the Limpopo, the Orange and the Vaal. Within these catchment 

areas, only the Vaal River has a strong-enough flow to allow for 

significant amounts of water to be taken from it directly to support 

irrigation or industry. There are four water-management areas in the 

province, three of which are linked to the Vaal River. Water is imported 

into the provincial system through transfers between water basins. 

The province has 83 sewage-treatment plants, and the national Blue 

Drop award system has found most of them need a lot of improvement. 

In the period from 2009-2014, the municipalities found to have the 

best water systems were City of Tlokwe (Potchefstroom), Rustenburg, 

and the City of Matlosana (Klerksdorp). In that period Tlowe averaged 

97/100 but several water authorities struggled to make improvements. 

Tlokwe is one of only three municipalities in the country that acts 

as a water-service authority and as a service provider. The biggest 

service providers active in the North West are: 

• Rand Water 

• Magalies Water 

• Sedibeng Water (including Botshelo Water) 


Blue Drop Awards: www.ewisa.co.za 

National Department of Water and Sanitation: www.dwa.gov.za 


Rustenburg has introduced 

a digital data management 

system to control its services. 

• The village of Jericho received 

piped water in 2016. 

• Midvaal Water Company 

supplies water to Matlosana 

(Klerksdorp). 

The city of Rustenburg has 

created the Rustenburg Water 

Services Trust (RWST), a specialpurposes 

vehicle that runs the 

town’s relatively new water system. 

It was formed with Magalies 

Water acting as the public partner 

and operator, with Rustenburg 

Consulting Consortium (led by 

Bigen Africa) providing expertise. 

Hartbeespoort Dam is a significant 

factor in the water sector of 

the North West province. It receives 

water from the Crocodile, Jukskei 

and Magalies rivers. It also receives 

a lot of waste from the surrounding 

areas. The storm water that flows 

into the dam includes fertiliser 

and animal waste. Degraded river 

banks and wetlands in the catchment 

areas contribute to the problem. 

The result has been a build-up 

of phosphates in the dam, and various 

projects have been launched 

to tackle the problem–with 

variable success rates. 


OVERVIEW 

Manufacturing 

The North West’s strong resource base could underpin a much bigger manufacturing sector. 

Brits, Rustenburg, Tlokwe (Potchefstroom), Matlosana 

(Klerksdorp) and Mahikeng account for more than half of 

the total manufacturing capacity in North West Province. 

Mining beneficiation, automotive components and food 

and beverages play important roles in the sector, but there is scope 

to massively increase the scope for manufacturing in a wide range 

of other fields. 

The provincial government has pointed out that the share of manufacturing 

to the Growth Value Add (GVA) of the province is only 5% 

– a figure that must grow if employment is to grow along with the 

expanding economy. 

A provincial Integrated Manufacturing Strategy has been compiled. 

One of the report’s findings was that because North West is strategically 

located near to the industrial hub of Gauteng, has low input 

costs, lies on established trade routes and has easy access to natural 

resources, it should make the development of the chemical processing 

sector a good bet. This is especially true for phosphate and nitrogenbased 

fertilisers. 

Another provincial priority is to improve the link between rural and 

urban economies, something which a strong focus on agri-processing 

will achieve. As one of the country’s biggest producers of livestock, 

the North West’s automotive industry could profitably source hides 

for car seats locally. It is this sort of value-added tie-up that economic 

planners are looking at, as they aim to get more value out of the 

agricultural sector. 

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is one of the bodies 

that is helping the province to expand (and maintain) the diversity 

of its manufacturing sector. The IDC sometimes gives loans 


Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC): www.aidc.co.za 

Centre for Advanced Manufacturing: www.cfam.co.za 

Consumer Goods Council of South Africa: www.cgcsa.co.za: 




The North West is encouraging 

phosphate and nitrogenbased 

fertiliser manufacturers 

to invest. 

• The Centre for Advanced 

Manufacturing at North 

West University specialises 

in extruder technology. 

to help businesses weather 

bad times, at other times it 

extends loans (sometimes in 

exchange for equity) to new 

enterprises in new sectors. 

The Centre for Advanced 

Manufacturing (CFAM) is housed 

at North West University. The centre 

specialises in extruder technology, 

an important component 

in the food-manufacturing process. 

CFAM works with Gaborona 

Consulting, the Vaal University of 

Technology, Thripp (a dti technology 

programme) and ChemCity, 

a Sasol initiative. 


38

Education and training 

The North West education sector covers high-level research to training for 

technicians and artisans. 

OVERVIEW 

Very advanced research can be found in the laboratories of 

North West University into subjects such as astrophysics 

and applied molecular modelling. At the same time, provincial 

education authorities are trying to overcome huge 

challenges at rural schools. An important part of the latter process is 

the expansion of boarding schools, to which an amount of R500-million 

has been allocated in the medium-term framework. 

The North West Provincial Government’s broader policy aimed at 

uplifting rural areas will see the Department of Education and Sport 

Development directing more resources to schools in the villages, 

townships and small dorpies (VTSD). 

There are 1 465 primary and high schools in the state sector in 

the North West. Spending on new infrastructure and on renovations 

is set to continue for many years, offering many opportunities 

to contractors. 

South Africa has more private or independent schools than ever before. 

The opening of the PLG Hartbeespoort Academy in 2016 marked the first 

investment into the province of the Pembury Lifestyle Group. PLG has 19 

schools on seven campuses, mostly in Gauteng. PLG intends listing on the 

Alternative Exchange of the JSE in order to raise capital for further expansion. 

Curro believes it will be running 200 schools in South Africa by 2020, 

double its current number. In the North West there are three Curro 

schools, in Rustenburg, Klerksdorp and Mahikeng. 

University 

North West University (NWU) had 67 000 students registered in 2015, 

with about 26 000 of studying by correspondence. The university’s 

main campus is at Potchefstroom with satellite campuses at Mmabatho 

and Vanderbijlpark. 


National Department of Basic Education: www.education.gov.za 

National Department of Higher Education and Training: 

www.dhet.gov.za 

North West University: www.nwu.ac.za 


A new private school has 

opened in Hartbeespoort. 

• Taung Agricultural College 

received R13.4-million 

from a Danish company. 

Colleges 

North West has three large 

TVET colleges. Vuselela TVET 

College has its headquarters 

in Klerksdorp, where there is 

also an accredited trade test 

centre. There are a further four 

campuses: Jouberton Centre for 

Engineering Studies; Matlosana 

Campus; Potchefstroom Centre 

for ICT; and Taung Campus. 

Orbit TVET College has three 

sites, Rustenburg, Mankwe and 

Brits and in 2015, the total headcount 

of students was 15 012. 

In 2015, the Taung Agricultural 

College received a R13.4-million 

donation from Danish catalysis 

company Haldor Topsøe The 

college had recently been reaccredited 

by the Council on 

Higher Education (CHE) to offer 

the NQF Level 6 Diploma 

in Agriculture specialising in 

Irrigation Technology. 


OVERVIEW 

Banking and financial services 

Financing for agricultural products is a big sector in the North West. 


Miners are getting help to 

deal with debt. 

• Postbank’s full licence is 

imminent. 

All of the country’s major banks and financial institutions 

are represented in the North West. Financial services are 

available even in small towns, although the bigger cities 

like Potchefstroom, Rustenburg and Klerksdorp have a 

greater concentration and diversity. 

Financial services extend beyond advising rich people on how 

to invest their assets, or balance their portfolio. In a province where 

there has been some real financial distress brought about by bad 

times and retrenchments, something is being done to address this. 

A long strike in 2012 created tough conditions for some workers in 

the platinum sector. Anglo American Platinum has teamed up with 

Summit Financial Partners to help miners manage their debt and plan 

their finances better through a scheme called Nkululeko. Garnishee 

orders went down among the Nkululeko group by 80% between 2011 

and 2016. In 2016, Summit won a Constitutional Court judgement 

to the effect that the judiciary must keep an eye on emolument attachment 

orders (garnishees) to make sure they are fair. It had earlier 

been found by a High Court that some orders were grossly unfair and 

exploitative. Summit has an office in Hartbeespoort. 

The Association for Savings and Investment South Africa is 

behind another initiative called Project Qaphela, a financial literacy 

programme aimed at workers in the mining sector. The 

curriculum covers budgeting, saving, borrowing, understanding 

documents such as payslips and 

benefit statements and preparations 

for retirement. Partners 

in the programme include the 

National Union of Mineworkers, 

Sanlam and Coronation. In 2015, 

822 workers attended 29 workshops 

in Gauteng, Limpopo, 

Mpumalanga and North West. 

Ubank is owned by a trust 

that is managed by the Chamber 

of Mines and the National Union 

of Mineworkers (NUM). It has several 

branches in the North West. 

The Chartered Institute for 

Government Finance, Audit and 

Risk Officers trains and rewards 

entities such as city councils for 

clean audits. Dr Ruth Segomotsi 

Mompati District Municipality 

won an award in 2016 for risk 

management. 

In a province with a high 

proportion of rural citizens such 

as North West, the prospect of 

Postbank being upgraded to 

a full-service bank is positive 

news. In 2016 the bank (part of 

the South African Post Office, 

SAPO) received a first-level 


40

OVERVIEW 

licence. Once a board of directors 

has been appointed and a company 

formed, the Reserve Bank 

is likely to grant the full licence. 

The current Postbank focusses 

on taking deposits and 

savings accounts. Postbank has 

secured a R3.7-billion loan to 

enable it to open its own loan 

book. The large geographical 

footprint of the Post Office will 

make the bank easily accessible 

to even remote parts of 

the country. 

Finscope’s 2014 survey of 

South African banking and 

financial surveys shows that 

between 2004 and 2014 a remarkable 

eight-million people 

were connected to the financial 

system in some way. Overall, the 

“financially included” reached 

31.4-million (up from 17.7-million 

in 2004). In a category called 

“formally served” which includes 

services other than formal banks 

with branch networks, the percentage 

of South Africans so 

served grew from 50% to 80%; 

in the “banked” category (more 

traditional but including new 

devices), the percentage grew 

from 46% to 75%. 

With agriculture being such 

an important part of the North 

West economy, each of the Big 

Four banks has specialists in the 

province and dedicated units 

such as Nedbank Agribusiness. 

Focus areas for this unit are 

agronomy (grain, oil seeds, 

sugar and cotton), livestock 

(including game farming), horticulture 

(fruit and vegetables, 

for example), and secondary 

agriculture which covers agricultural 

processing and storage. 

Standard Bank has a R500-million black economic empowerment 

agricultural fund designed to connect farmers who have 

received farms in landreform projects to agri-businesses that will buy 

their produce. 

Another source of funding for farmers is the Land and Agricultural 

Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank), a developmentfinance 

institution that falls under the national Ministry of Finance. 

The large agricultural companies all have finance divisions. 

CertiSure is a joint venture between NWK and Senwes that offers 

short-term insurance, crop insurance, financial planning, medical 

funds and funeral policies. Senwes Credit is a registered credit provider 

which offers asset financing in collaboration with Wesbank. 

Temo Agri (a division of Brits-based Magalies Graan Korporasie) and 

Noordwes Korporasie (Lichtenburg) have received the backing of 

the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to enable them to 

roll out agricultural credits to emerging farmers. 

The Royal Bafokeng Nation, a community of about 150 000 people 

living on platinum-rich land north-west of Rustenburg, is a shareholder 

in a large banking group and several of South Africa’s insurance 

companies through its investment company, Royal Bafokeng 

Holdings (RBH). 

South Africa’s “stokvel” (savings club) market is worth about 

R44-billion: Sanlam is developing products to tap into that market. 

Among innovations designed to reach the unbanked were Teba 

Bank’s allowing customers to deposit at supermarkets, Pick n Pay 

Go Banking (a division of Nedbank), 70% of Absa’s new ATMs (400 in 

one year) in poorer areas and Absa launched two mobile banks, FNB 

also created mobile branches and most of Standard Bank’s new sites 

were planned for townships. Standard Bank’s community-banking 

initiative offers a low-cost cellphone-banking service. Retailers can 

act as agents for the bank, even in very remote rural areas. Nedbank 

has Approve-it, which allows customers to accept or reject an 

Internet transaction by cellphone. 


Auditor-General of South Africa: www.agsa.co.za 

Association for Savings and Investment South Africa: 

www.asisa.org.za 

Banking Association South Africa: www.banking.org.za 

Chartered Institute for Government Finance, Audit and Risk 

Officers: www.cigfaro.co.za 

Financial Services Board: www.fsb.co.za 

Public Investment Corporation: www.pic.gov.za 

South African Reserve Bank: www.resbank.co.za 


INTERVIEW 

Building the economy 

and communities of the 


Provincial Head Retail and Business Banking Standard 

Bank North West, Mr Trevor Holtman, outlines what drives 

the bank and its staff in serving their clients in the province. 

Trevor Holtman 

BIOGRAPHY 

Trevor Holtman is the current 

Provincial Head of Standard 

Bank in the North West Province. 

His 23 years of banking 

experience began at the very 

bottom, and has included various 

senior roles in Retail Banking 

and Business Banking. His 

belief in people and that an organisation 

wins when its people 

are inspired to win has been the 

cornerstone of his leadership. 

What is Standard Bank’s purpose in South Africa? 

Standard Bank Group purpose is “Africa is our home, we drive her 

growth”. This is a phenomenal purpose that binds all Standard Bankers 

together; it talks about us as a bank and bankers being interwoven 

into the fabric of the continent. It shows that we are very clear in our 

understanding that we need to be instrumental in building the economies 

of Africa and helping the people of Africa reach their dreams and 

aspirations. We are very proud that we have a brand and a heritage 

that extends beyond 153 years and a unique presence in Africa and 

beyond – this has earned us our legitimacy and has earned us the trust 

of the communities and nations we serve. In the North West Province, 

where I serve, this is no different. North West is our home, and as a 

consequence we purposefully place ourselves in a position where 

we are instrumental in her growth, the growth of the communities 

within North West and the growth of our people that we serve. This 

is our unifying purpose. 

What is your footprint beyond South Africa? 

Our footprint in Africa is very extensive; we are represented in 17 countries, 

which makes us the bank to talk to about Africa. Furthermore, we 

are also represented in Hong Kong, China, Brazil, Isle of Man, Jersey, 

Mauritius, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States. 

In your role of Provincial Head Retail and Business Banking, 

what is your strategy regarding Standard Bank’s 

business in the region? 

Our strategy in the North West Province aligns to the Group Strategy, 

at the core of which are some building blocks. One building block is 

our Vision. Our vision is to be the leading financial services organisation 

in, for and across Africa, delivering exceptional client experiences and 

superior value. This is what we endeavour to execute in the North West 

Province. We do so by ensuring that we hold ourselves to the highest 

standards when it comes to service, and by ensuring that management 

and leadership of the province are accessible to our customers 

and stakeholders. Most significantly, we do so by ensuring that we 


42

INTERVIEW 

provide our customers with solutions and services 

that meet their needs and help them to reach their 

aspirations and dreams. 

“WE NEED TO BE 

INSTRUMENTAL IN BUILDING 

THE ECONOMIES OF AFRICA 

AND HELPING THE PEOPLE 

OF AFRICA REACH THEIR 

DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS.” 

Has Standard Bank introduced any new 

products and services recently? 

We are extremely excited to offer the business 

community in the North West Province Ucount for 

business. This is our latest offering geared towards 

the SME segment. Members can collect rewards by 

using their Standard Bank Business Credit, Cheque 

or Debit Card to pay for the everyday running of 

their operations. We also have another new exciting 

offering for our Private Banking clients where 

they will have access to Café Blue, Library Lounge 

and Connection Hub, which are our own spectacular 

airport lounges at OR Tambo domestic airport. This 

is just to mention a few. The take up in the province, 

although in its infancy, suggests that this offering is 

addressing a need. Where we are extremely satisfied 

is that we are able to show our customers tangible 

appreciation for choosing to partner with us 

with respect to their banking needs. Ucount means 

exactly that: You! Our customers, count. 

What sectors are you finding to be the 

most active when it comes to clients 

requesting loans to start or expand 

businesses? 

The sectoral activity in the North West Province is 

rather spread, and rightfully so, and we are finding 

activity in hospitality, transportation, suppliers 

to Provincial Government, retail and franchising, 

agriculture, construction, etc. 

Is agriculture a focus area for Standard 

Bank in the North West? 

The farming community is very important to us in 

the North West Province and as a bank we work very 

closely with this community. We have the necessary 

agricultural expertise, support and infrastructure 

within the province to assist our agricultural customers 

with all of their farming needs and requirements. 

We are represented throughout the province and are 

readily available to discuss farming and how we can 

assist as a bank. 

Contact person: Trevor Holtman 

Postal address: PO Box 46, Rustenburg, 0300 

Physical address: 2nd Floor, Barongwa 

Building, cnr Nelson Mandela and Bosch Street, 

Rustenburg 0299 

Tel: 014 591 6184 

Email: Trevor.Holtman@standardbank.co.za 


OVERVIEW 

Development finance and 

SMME support 

Public and private sector funding is available for entrepreneurs. 


Businesses in the agricultural 

chain are popular. 

• Elvema Nutritions is exporting 

tons of porridge. 

Small, medium and micro-enterprises are a key element of 

plans to involve more South Africans in the economy. SMMEs 

drive growth and create employment. In the North West, the 

agricultural supply chain is seen as one of the best ways of involving 

rural communities and entrepreneurs in the world of business, 

and a number of strategies are being implemented by government 

and private enterprise to make this happen. 

A centralised supplier database has been established in the North 

West and the provincial government wants small businesses to get 

registered so they can tender for work. 

The North West Development Corporation and the provincial 

Department of Finance have held workshops to inform small business 

owners about what help is available to them. 

There are plans for government to provide surety for stock in warehouses 

so that tuckshop entrepreneurs can more easily get supplies. 

This plan is linked to trying to fight hunger and poverty, with the stock 

available being basic foods. A possible partner in this is the National 

African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC) because 

it has a good footprint across many areas. NAFCOC and Transnet 

have teamed up with the provincial government to help set up 15 

community bakeries, most of which are run by women. 

The premier of North West, Mr 

Supra Mahumapelo, has committed 

to a number of measures to 

enhance small businesses, especially 

in rural areas. He noted the 

need for following in the State of 

the Province address in 2016: 

• getting rid of restrictive 

by-laws 

• faster awarding of tenders 

• faster EIA application 

processes 

• government offices to be closer 

to places where businesses 

operate 

• improved infrastructure and 

government coordination. 

Agribusiness and agri-processing 

are among the three 

sectors that are targeted by the 

Masisizane Fund for loan financing. 

The others are franchising/ 

commercial and supply chain/ 

manufacturing. Over and above 

loans that are available, some 

training is offered through a 

Business Accelerator Programme. 

The Industrial Development 

Corporation is a strategic lender 

and plays a strong role in 


44

OVERVIEW 

supporting small and emerging 

enterprises in the North West 

province. 

The Kgatelopele Wellness 

Centre in Mahikeng has not only 

became a viable business, employing 

100 people, but provides 

a critical service ranging from 

therapy to the treatment of acute 

ailments. An initial loan of R34- 

million from the IDC helped and 

advised a local clinical psychologist 

in successfully teaming up 

with the hospital management 

group CareCure. Jobs that have 

been created range from porters 

and nursing staff to occupational 

therapists. 

PrimaBake makes eight kinds 

of biscuits in Potchefstroom. The 

IDC’s initial investment in construction 

costs, machinery and 

delivery vehicles for this bakery 

was strategic in the sense that 

the biscuit market is somewhat 

dominated by a few big companies. 

The IDC has also played an 

advisory role for the company. 

The Booth Suite Hotel is a family 

project that drew the support 

of the IDC for a self-catering facility 

aimed at the business traveller 

in Mahikeng. The Bootha siblings, 

Shaah, Farzeen and Saffiyah, two 

of whom are chartered accountants, 

qualified for the Gro-E Youth 

scheme which supports young 

entrepreneurs. 

The Bio-manufacturing 

Industry Development Centre 

(BIDC) is a unit of the Council for 

Scientific and Industrial Research 

(CSIR) which is helping innovators 

and entrepreneurs get their 

products to market. Elvema 

Nutritions instant porridges 

and power shakes are made by 

entrepreneur Makekele Somo-Tladi at her plant near the Hartbeespoort 

Dam. With the help of the BIDC, 31 employees have shipped 500 tons 

of porridge to other countries in Southern Africa and a further 250 

tons in South Africa. She also makes oils and teas, 300 tons of which 

has already been produced. 

The Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) is a subsidiary 

of the National Department of Trade and Industry (dti) and is one 

of the most active agencies in supporting entrepreneurs. The Seda 

Technology Programme (Stp) helps potential businesses become 

trading entities. 

Seda has initiated a programme designed to make co-operatives 

and jointly owned enterprises stronger. The four key sectors are: agriprocessing, 

community tourism and protected areas, mining and mineral 

beneficiation, and trading. The agency supports businesses across 

a range of sectors, from transport to jewellery design and manufacture. 

The North West Development Corporation (NWDC) is the economic 

development agency of the province. Among the NWDC’s services is 

helping SMMEs gain access to funding and providing the infrastructure 

(offices or factory space) to help them succeed. The NWDC also helps 

start-up businesses identify markets and opportunities. 

A private initiative that is creating employment is Anglo American’s 

Zimele: it has launched more than 900 businesses across the country 

with a combined annual turnover approaching R2-billion. There are 

small business hubs at Rustenburg, Mogwase and Thabazimbi. 

Royal Bafokeng Platinum is supporting a project to boost the 

business skills of entrepreneurs. The Micro Enterprise Development 

Organisation (Medo) is sending a mobile office to 29 villages within 

the Royal Bafokeng Nation. 

Shanduka Black Umbrellas has an incubator in Mooi Nooi, near 

Marikana. One of the success stories from that area is Montamaisa 

Bosigo Transport, which has expanded his business beyond being a 

taxi and now does staff transport and courier services. The business 

owner credits the training given him by Shanduka for his progress. 


Development Bank of Southern Africa: www.dbsa.org 

Industrial Development Corporation: www.idc.co.za 

National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry: 

www.nafcoc.org.za 

National Department of Small Business Development: 

www.dsbd.gov.za 


National Empowerment Fund: www.nefcorp.co.za 


Small Enterprise Development Agency: www.seda.org.za 

Small Enterprise Finance Agency: www.sefa.org.za 


INTERVIEW 

David McGluwa 

Focussed funding 

on youth-owned 

businesses is a 

strategic priority 

Regional Manager for the Industrial Development Corporation 

(IDC) in the North West, David McGluwa, expands on 

the diversity of projects funded by the corporation, from 

tourism and mining, to renewable energy, manufacturing 

and agro-processing. 

BIOGRAPHY 

Having obtained qualifications 

in commerce, finance and executive 

management, culminating 

in a Masters in Business 

Leadership, David McGluwa 

worked in various financial 

fields including trade, debt and 

international financing. He has 

led the North West office since 

2008 and is a member of a national 

infrastructure commission, 

Strategic Project 8 (Green 

Industries). 

Most people associate the North West with mining but 

the regional economy is in fact quite diverse. Where 

should entrepreneurs be looking for opportunity? 

Mining remains the key driver of economic growth and job creation 

in the Province. However, there are many other sectors that provide 

opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs in the North West. The 

tourism sector arguably provides the biggest opportunities, with 

prominent National Parks Pilanesberg and Madikwe being home to 

the big five. Other tourism key points include Hartbeespoortdam, 

Sun City, Bloemhof Dam, the Taung Skull and Taung Dam as well as 

the city of Mahikeng. 

In the manufacturing sector there are opportunities worth pursuing 

in automotive components, mining supplies, the localisation of 

imported goods and cultural artefacts. 

Agriculture is a big feature of the North West’s economy and there 

are good prospects in processing (sunflower, feed and vegetables) 

and in various schemes such as the Taung Irrigation Scheme and 

the new concept of Agri-Parks, which will create opportunities for 

storage and trade. 

Both the green economy and waste management offer business 

owners a chance to run sustainable businesses while at the same 

time contributing to cleaner energy provision and cleaner communities. 

Photo-voltaic solar units can be manufactured and the 

opportunities for waste collection, baling, processing and recycling 

will always be with us. 

What sort of projects has the IDC supported in the 

course of funding 52 projects? 

We have a diverse portfolio of projects ranging from mining, tourism, 


46

agriculture, manufacturing and healthcare. Youthowned 

businesses in the province have recently 

received IDC funding of R124-million, which created 

109 direct jobs. We also funded a sub-acute 

hospital, Care Cure Thaneze in Mahikeng, which is 

majority owned by black women, and it is doing extremely 

well. IDC also funded Momentous Energy, 

a solar farm outside of Rustenburg, 17% of which is 

owned by the community around Marikana. 

Are there opportunities for entrepreneurs 

to get involved in the beneficiation 

of mining products? 

The Platinum Valley Special Economic Zone (SEZ) will 

certainly boost beneficiation initiatives in the province. 

Hydrogen South Africa (HySA), based at the 

North West University’s Potchefstroom Campus, is 

working on exciting game-changing initiatives that 

will further boost beneficiation. The province is also 

host to the country’s only platinum incubator, the 

Seda Platinum Incubator (SPI) which has produced 

many entrepreneurs in jewellery manufacturing. The 

IDC is involved in all of these important initiatives, 

the SEZ, HySA and SPI. 

What is the North West branch doing 

to empower youth, women and blackowned 

businesses in the province? 

The IDC recently set aside R4.5-billion to 

INTERVIEW 

finance youth-owned enterprises 

in South Africa, with 

R1-billion of that being offered at 

the very attractive lending rate 

of prime less 3%. In the last two 

years we have approved R124- 

million to youth-owned entities. 

We have an intentional and focussed 

strategy to fund many 

more youth-owned entities in 

the North West. 

The IDC also funded 13 projects 

in the province where 

women have a significant stake 

and we intend to disburse R23- 

billion to black industrialists 

over the next five years. Black 

empowered companies in the 

North West Province currently receive R5.6-billion 

(90%) of IDC funding. 

“THE IDC INTENDS TO 

DISBURSE R23-BILLION TO 

BLACK INDUSTRIALISTS OVER 

THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.” 

What levels of funding will flow from the 

IDC in the near future? 

The IDC plans to disburse R100-billion over the next 

five years into the South African economy. There is 

no set amount allocated per province, it is the responsibility 

of each provincial office to ensure that 

their province gets its equitable stake. The North 

West currently contributes 6% to the SA GDP and 

I am confident that we can disburse a significant 

amount of funding into the North West economy 

over the next five years. 


LISTING 

North West Provincial Government 

A guide to North West Province’s government departments. Visit: www.nwpg.gov.za 

Office of the Premier 

Premier: Supra Obakeng Mahumapelo 

3rd Floor, Garona Building, Dr James Moroka Drive, Mmabatho 2735 

Tel: +27 18 388 2448 | Fax: +27 18 388 2008 

Website: www.nwpg.gov.za 

Department of Community Safety and 

Transport Management 

MEC: Dr Mpho Motlhabane 

Safety House 31-34, Molopo Road, Mahikeng 2735 

Tel: +27 18 381 9187 

Website: www.nwpg.gov.za/public-safety/new 

Department of Culture, Arts and 

Traditional Affairs 

MEC: Ontlametse Mochware 

2nd Floor, Gabomotho Building, James Maroka Drive, Mmabatho 2735 

Tel: +27 18 388 2809/10 | Fax: +27 18 388 1907 

Website: www.nwpg.gov.za/dcata 

Department of Education and Sport 

Development 

Sello Lehari 

2nd Floor, Garona Building, Dr James Moroka Drive, Mmabatho 2735 

Tel: +27 18 388 2562/2564 | Fax: +27 18 388 384 5016 

Website: www.nwdesd.gov.za 

Department of Finance, Economy and 

Enterprise Development 

MEC: Wendy Nelson 

2nd Floor, Garona Building,Dr James Moroka Drive, 

Mmabatho 2735 

Tel: +27 18 388 1363 | Fax: +27 18 388 1704 

Website: www.treasury.nwpg.gov.za 

Department of Health 

MEC: Dr Magome Masike 

National Health Office Park, Cnr 1st Street and Sekome Road, Building, 

Mahikeng 2745 

Tel: +27 18 391 400/1 | Fax: 086 692 9553 (SA only) 

Website: www.nwhealth.gov.za/dohnw 

Department of Local Government and 

Human Settlements 

MEC: Fenny Gaolaolwe 

3366 Bessemer Street, Telkom Building, Industrial Site, Mahikeng 2735 

Tel: +27 18 387 4065 

Fax: 086 586 9597 (SA only) 

Website: www.nwpg.gov.za/HumanSettlements/Site 

Department of Public Works and Roads 

MEC: Madoda Sambatha 

Ngaka Modiri Molema Road, Old Parliament Complex, 

Provincial Head Office, Mmabatho 2735 

Tel: +27 18 388 1454 

Fax: +27 18 388 1819 

Website: www.nwpg.gov.za/publicworks 

Department of Rural, Environment and 

Agricultural Development 

MEC: Manketsi Tlhape 

Ground Floor, Agricentre Building, Cnr Dr James Moroka Drive and 

Stadium Road, Mmabatho 2735 

Tel: +27 18 389 5056 

Fax: +27 18 384 2679 

Website: www.nwpg.gov.za/agriculture 

Department of Social Development 

Acting MEC: Fenny Gaolaolwe 

Provident House Building, University Drive, 

Mmabatho 2735 

Tel: +27 18 388 2476 

Website: www.nwpg.gov.za/dsdwcpd 

Department of Tourism 

MEC: Desbo Mohono 

1st Floor, NWDC Building, Cnr Provident Street and University Drive, 

Mmabatho 2735 

Tel: +27 18 387 7995 

Website: www.nwpg.gov.za/Tourism 


48

North West Local Government 

LISTING 

BOJANALA PLATINUM DISTRICT 

MUNICIPALITY 

Tel: +27 14 590 4500 | Fax: +27 14 592 6085 

Website: www.bojanala.gov.za 

Kgetleng Rivier Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 14 543 2004 | Fax: +27 14 543 2480 

Website: www.kgetlengrivier.gov.za 

Madibeng Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 12 318 9100 | Fax: +27 12 318 9203 

Website: www.madibeng.gov.za 

Moretele Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 12 716 1000 | Fax: +27 12 716 9999 

Website: www.moretele.org.za 

Moses Kotane Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 14 555 1300 | Fax: +27 14 555 6368 

Website: www.moseskotane.gov.za 

Rustenburg Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 14 590 3111 | Fax: +27 14 590 3006 

Website: www.rustenburg.gov.za 

DR RUTH SEGOMOTSI MOMPATI DISTRICT 

MUNICIPALITY 

Tel: +27 53 928 4700 | Fax: +27 53 927 2401 

Website: www.rsmompatidm.gov.za 

Greater Taung Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 53 994 9400 | Fax: +27 53 994 3917 

Website: www.greatertaung.gov.za 

Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 53 441 2206 | Fax: +27 53 441 3735 

Website: www.lekwateemane.co.za 

Mamusa Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 53 963 1331 | Fax: +27 53 963 2474 

Website: www.mamusa.gov.za 

Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 53 933 0029 | Fax: +27 53 933 0035 

Naledi Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 53 928 2200 | Fax: +27 53 927 3482 

website www.naledilocal.co.za 

NGAKA MODIRI MOLEMA DISTRICT 

MUNICIPALITY 

Tel: +27 18 381 9400 

Website: www.nmmdm.gov.za 

Ditsobotla Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 18 632 5051 | Fax: +27 18 632 5247 

Website: www.ditsobotla.co.za 

Mahikeng Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 18 389 0111 | Fax: +27 18 384 4830 

Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 18 642 1081 | Fax: +27 18 642 3586 

Website: www.ramotshere.gov.za 

Ratlou Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 18 330 7000 | Fax: +27 18 330 7019 

Website: www.ratlou.gov.za 

Tswaing Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 53 948 0900 | Fax: +27 53 948 1500 

Website: www.tswaing.gov.za 

DR KENNETH KAUNDA DISTRICT 

MUNICIPALITY 

Tel: +27 18 473 8016 

Fax: +27 18 473 2938 

Website: www.kaundadistrict.gov.za 

City of Matlosana Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 18 487 8000 | Fax: +27 18 464 2318 

Website: www.matlosana.gov.za 

Maquassi Hills Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 18 596 1067 | Fax: +27 18 596 1555 

Merafong Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 18 788 9500 | Fax: +27 18 786 1105 

Website: www.merafong.gov.za 

Tlokwe Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 18 299 5111 | Fax: +27 18 297 0477 

Website: www.tlokwecitycouncil.co.za 

Ventersdorp Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 18 264 8500 | Fax: +27 18 264 8567 

Website: www.ventersdorp.co.za 


LISTING 

INDEX 

Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)................................................................ 44, OBC 

Madibeng Local Municipality................................................................................................ 14 

Mmabatho Palms Hotel Casino Convention Resort........................................................... 18 

Nedbank......................................................................................................................... 24 - 27 

North West Development Corporation (NWDC)................................................................ IFC 

Office of the Premier............................................................................................................... 6 

Rustenburg Chamber of Commerce...................................................................................... 5 

Standard Bank.............................................................................................................. 40, IBC 

SA Express............................................................................................................................. 20 

Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).................................................................................... 3 

Wesizwe Platinum.................................................................................................................. 31 

Wesvaal Chamber of Business............................................................................................... 5 


50

The NWDC has 10 branches across the North 

West Province and its surrounding areas such as 

Babelegi and Ga-Rankuwa in Gauteng and the 

Northern Banking Cape, offering an for extensive your range of business 

services. These services include: 

Standard Bank understands that as a business owner, you would 

• Property rentals (Industrial, retail and 

prefer to free up your time and focus on running your business. Its 

residential) 

online banking solutions allow you to do that. 

• Exporter support 

• Investor assistance 

• 

We 

Industry development 

understand that to manage your business you cannot 

• Small business be restricted development by banking hours. We also understand that 

• Loan/finance managing facilitation your financial and; affairs online can be daunting. 

• CIPC (company) registrations 

At Standard Bank we have a range of online banking 

solutions that enable you as the business owner to do your everyday 

The banking, NWDC everywhere also owns you the are. Online Dirapeng banking tourism 

convenient, cost effective 

and secure. which You holds can the have resorts peace of of Bakgatla mind when andyou transact online. 

subsidiary 

Manyane in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, the 

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Within your its business? 

basket of services offered, the NWDC 

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international What can exposure I do on through online various banking? platforms 

such • Pay as trade people shows and companies, and international that is, suppliers expos. or invoices 

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• 

special View projects account balances aimed at and growing download the statement’s local history 

• 

economies 

Top-up on 

of 

prepaid 

the province’s 

services 

villages, townships 

and small dorpies. Operational projects 

More info 

include Is it secure? an Alternative Building Material Factory, 

To find out more about online 

bakeries and a laundry. 

• Yes. As the business owner, you will maintain complete oversight banking, contact us anytime 

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Bophirima • Your confirmation Province. is required (One Time PIN) before beneficiaries 

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Visit our website to see our 

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• A smartphone, tablet, laptop 

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• You must be the director or 

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transactional fees and subscription 

fees are as per the 

annual Standard Bank pricing 

schedule 

• Register online or download the NWDC Standard - Bank We assist app form you your to app be store first! www.standardbank.co.za

FCB10021862JB/E 

Financing 

businesses across South Africa’s 

industrial landscape 

The IDC is committed to inclusive and sustainable 

industrial development. We finance existing or emerging 

businesses that are set to benefit South Africa’s economy 

and facilitate the creation of jobs for its people. If you’re 

an entrepreneur and have a business plan that is relevant 

to an industry that the IDC supports and require business 

finance of R1 million or more. Call us on 0860 693 888 or 

visit idc.co.za to enquire about the financing criteria for 

the sectors that the IDC supports.

North West Business 2017 edition

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