North West Business 2020-21 Edition

NORTH WEST 

BUSINESS 

2020/21 EDITION 

THE GUIDE TO BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT 

IN THE NORTH WEST PROVINCE 

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WWW.GLOBALAFRICANETWORK.COM | WWW.NORTHWESTBUSINESS.CO.ZA 

NORTH WEST PROVINCE

CREATING 

LASTING 

LEGACIES

CONTENTS 

CONTENTS 

North West Business 2020/21 Edition 

Introduction 

Foreword 3 

A unique guide to business and investment in the North West. 

Special features 

Regional overview 6 

Spatial planning is at the heart of plans to expand 

the economy of the North West. 

Putting North West on the road to growth 10 

SANRAL and Rustenburg Rapid Transport are investing 

in infrastructure. 

Economic sectors 

Mining 22 

Vanadium is finding new value in batteries. 

Agriculture 28 

New abattoirs will benefit farmers. 

Water 30 

Providing water to schools is a priority. 

Manufacturing 31 

New technology makes new tyres at Bridgestone. 

Tourism 32 

Sport and heritage tourism are new strategic sectors. 

NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2020/21 

2

North West Business 

A unique guide to business and investment in the North West. 

Credits 

Publishing director: 

Chris Whales 

Editor: John Young 

Managing director: 

Clive During 

Online editor: 

Christoff Scholtz 

Designer: Simon Lewis 

Production: Lizel Olivier 

Ad sales: 

Gavin van der Merwe 

Sam Oliver 

Jeremy Petersen 

Gabriel Venter 

Vanessa Wallace 

Shiko Diala 

Administration & accounts: 

Charlene Steynberg 

Kathy Wootton 

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, airport lounges, provincial 

government departments, municipalities and companies. 

FOREWORD 

The 2020/21 edition of North West Business marks the 10th 

publication of this highly successful journal that, since its 

launch in 2009, has established itself as the premier business 

and investment guide for the North West Province. 

North West Business includes news and analysis of the most 

important sectors, with a regional overview covering the strategic 

thinking behind plans to attract investment into the province. 

Best known for its platinum mines, grain and livestock farming 

and tourism, the province is making a concerted effort to bolster 

its manufacturing capacity. Corridor development, agri-parks and 

the creation of a Special Economic Zone are among the economic 

stimulus plans covered in this edition. 

To complement the extensive local, national and international 

distribution of the print edition, the full content can also be viewed 

online at www.globalafricanetwork.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-to-business titles that cover all 

nine provinces, our flagship South African Business title and the 

new addition to our list of publications, African Business, which was 

launched in 2020. ■ 

Chris Whales 

Publisher, Global Africa Network Media | Email: chris@gan.co.za 

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 

Member of the Audit Bureau 

of Circulations 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 | Pics courtesy ASISA, AVMY Steel Science, Bushveld Minerals, 

Implats, Monakaladi Gardens, North West Department of Education, North 

West Provincial Government, North West Tourism, North-West University, SA 

Boer Goat Breeders’ Association, SA Tourism/flickr, Sedibeng Water, Simbra SA, 

Pexels, 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. 

3 NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2020/21

CONTENTS 

Education and training 34 

North-West University now offers Mechatronic Engineering. 

Banking and financial services 36 

All the major banks have agricultural divisions. 

Development finance and SMME support 37 

Banks are running training courses for business owners. 

Energy 38 

Fuel cells are in the spotlight. 

Reference 

Sector contents 20 

Provincial government listings 39 

Index 40 

ABOUT THE COVER: 

Impala Platinum (Implats) is a long-time 

investor in the North West Province. 

The operations in Rustenburg include 

a multi-shaft mining complex and 

concentrating and smelting plants. The 

base and precious metal refineries are in 

Springs, east of Johannesburg. Implats is 

one of the world’s largest producers of 

platinum and palladium. Image: Implats. 


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SPECIAL FEATURE 

Regional overview 

of North West 

Province 

By John Young 

Spatial planning is at the heart of plans to 

expand the economy of the North West. 

Development corridors, a proposed 

Special Economic Zone (SEZ), industrial 

parks and agri-parks with differentiated 

focus areas are among the interventions 

planned to stimulate the regional economy and 

create employment opportunities. 

The North West Department of Economic 

Development, Environment, Conservation and 

Tourism (DEDECT) has committed to entering 

partnerships with the Automobile Industry 

Development Council (AIDC) and the Industrial 

Development Corporation (IDC) to revive industrial 

parks in the province and create industries that will 

target niche markets. 

The creation of district agri-parks is intended 

to boost primary production which in turn will 

increase the amount of raw material that can be 

processed. Companies making car seats within the 

province’s active automotive parts sector would 

be a ready market for treated hides from the huge 

provincial cattle herd. 

The province’s strategic location goes beyond 

the obvious benefit of its proximity to the 

province of 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. These advantages 

will be enhanced by four Provincial Strategic 

Development Corridors, two of which are: 

• The Eco-Tourism Corridor, Bojanala District. This 

corridor extends beyond the tourism sector 

(which includes the Hartbeespoort Dam to 

Sun City, game lodges and game reserves) 

and will be supported by the Platinum Valley 

Special Economic Zone, the automotive 

industry in the Madibeng area and the mining 

opportunities that occur throughout the district. 

The proposed PVSEZ in the Mogwase Industrial 

Area will be designed to create space for 

enterprises which supply the mining industry. 

Other targeted sectors are capital equipment 

manufacturing, renewable energy, agro-processing 

and general manufacturing. Discussions are 

underway with the National Department of Trade, 

Industry and Competition (dtic) for the licensing and 

commissioning of the SEZ. 

• The N12 corridor in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District. 

By promoting residential and commercial activity 

along this route, it is intended to integrate the 

economies of the towns of Matlosana and Tlokwe. 

Private developers are thinking of regional 

links for their new development in Vryburg, 

which is at the intersection of the N14 highway 

(Johannesburg-Upington) and the N18 highway 

which connects Kimberley to Mahikeng. Twin 

City Development and Vuno Developments are 

spending R290-million on the town’s first retail 


6


mall, which will serve as a regional attraction. 

Twin City Development is partnering with the 

Moolman Group in the construction of the new 

Rustenburg Mall. 

Spatial thinking requires infrastructure to 

underpin it. In 2020 the North West Department 

of Public Works and Roads was busy with 13 road 

construction projects valued at R900-million. 

Geography and economy 

The North West is bordered on the west by the 

Republic of Botswana and on the east by Gauteng, 

the engine of the South African economy. 

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 Vaal River runs along the province’s 

south-eastern border with the Free State, and the 

province also shares borders with the Northern 

Cape to the south and Limpopo in the north. 

The mineral reserves in the province are 

enormous. Platinum group metals (PGMs) 

predominate but there are significant deposits 

of gold, uranium, diamonds, copper, vanadium, 

fluorspar and nickel. Stone and limestone are also 

found in large 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 

about 70% of the city’s gross geographic product. 

Automotive components firms are clustered 

in Brits, which in turn is close to the automotive 

manufacturing hub of Rosslyn (Pretoria) in 

Gauteng. Towns like Klerksdorp (agro-processing 

and engineering) and Potchefstroom (food and 

beverages) also have manufacturing capacity. 

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 carry varied crops, many of which are sold 

in Johannesburg and Pretoria. 

The agricultural sector also generates largescale 

storage and logistics operations, particularly 

in Klerksdorp, Vryburg and Brits, together with a 

number of agro-processing plants. Senwes is one 

of the biggest with extensive silo infrastructure 

while Suidwes has 17 retail outlets and MGK makes 

full-fat soy at its manufacturing plant. Lichtenburgbased 

NWK makes liquid fertiliser and animal feed, 

processes sunflower seeds and runs 37 silos and 

three grain mills. 

The province’s three Technical and Vocational 

Education and Training (TVET) colleges and the 

well-respected North-West University all have 

several campuses catering to a wide range of 

educational disciplines. The university has a strong 

reputation as a research institution. 

Major towns 

The capital city of the North West Province, 

Mahikeng, 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 city’s main sectors are financial services, 

services, transport and trade. The Garona 

District houses the North West parliament and 

government buildings. 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 the city, 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 

Resort. White rhino and giraffe can be found at the 

Mahikeng Game Reserve. 

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 regularly attend the 

annual Aardklop Festival. The city has a population 


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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 

including Nestlé. 

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 is a local 

municipality within the Bojanala 

Platinum District Municipality and 

the headquarters of both bodies 

are in the city of about 625 000 

residents. 

Rustenburg straddles the 

N4 “Platinum Highway” about 

120km west of the cities of 

Pretoria and Johannesburg in the 

Gauteng Province, the economic 

hub of South Africa. The N4 

stretches across South Africa from 

Mozambique in the east, to the 

Botswana border in the west and, as the Trans 

Kalahari Route, ultimately to Namibia. 

At the foot of the Magaliesberg Mountain 

Range, Rustenburg is only 50km from one of the 

country’s premier tourist resorts, Sun City, which in 

turn is adjacent to the 550km² Pilanesberg National 

Park and Game Reserve which has a small airport. 

Orbit TVET College has a campus in 

Rustenburg, Unisa has a regional office and the 

Agricultural Research Institute’s Industrial Crops 

Division is also located in the city. 

The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace hosted five 

group matches in the 2010 World Cup. Platinum 

mining began in 1929 and has driven the city’s 

growth ever since. ■ 



Putting North West 

on the road to growth 

SANRAL and Rustenburg Rapid Transport are investing in infrastructure. 

Two major transport projects in the 

North West will create conditions for 

better mobility to and from the province 

and within its principal city. The South 

African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) 

opened the R512 Pampoennek road in September 

2020 and the elements of the Rustenburg Rapid 

Transport scheme are coming together to promise 

enhanced movement around the province’s most 

populated urban centre. 

The R512 connects the towns of Brits in 

the North West and Randburg in Gauteng via 

Hartbeespoort, providing a good connection to the 

N4 highway. The cost of the road project through 

Pampoennek was R377-million and the road was 

opened by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula. 

“This road gives expression to the notion that 

transport is the heartbeat of the South African 

economy, playing an integral part in the country’s 

economic growth. Roads are an essential part of 

South Africa’s transport system and are important 

infrastructure to enable economic activity 

and access to social amenities,” said Mbalula at 

the ceremony. 

Skhumbuzo Macozoma, CEO of SANRAL (left), and 

Fikile Mbalula, the Minister of Transport, celebrate the 

opening of the Pampoennek Road in the North West. 


10


SANRAL is currently working on other roads 

in the North West, including the N14 and N12 

highways. SANRAL’s Horizon 2030 strategy aims 

to ensure that local communities benefit when 

roads are built in their areas. Construction of the 

Pampoennek route generated 209 permanent 

jobs for locals with R27.4-million spent by August 

2020. About 180 people were offered training and 

12 subcontractors were employed on the project. 

Moving Rustenburg 

Rustenburg is one of the fastest-growing cities 

in South Africa. With a population of more than 

500 000, city planners have turned their attention 

to improving the quality of life for commuters 

through an integrated and intelligent public 

transport system. 

Rustenburg Rapid Transport (RRT) aims to 

manage and allocate road space more efficiently, 

to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and 

ultimately to provide a better user experience 

for people using public transport and for people 

working and walking in the inner city. 

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is one of the elements 

of the RRT system. There are two main BRT 

corridors where passenger volumes are high. 

The corridors will have dedicated bus lanes with 

In June 2020, the Rustenburg Local Municipality 

welcomed the first Yarona Bus at a session 

held at the Rustenburg Civic Centre. The RRT 

project will begin with a testing and training 

phase and the first bus will be used by the 

Rustenburg Rapid Transport team to train drivers, 

and test various infrastructure components 

including stations and priority traffic lights in a 

build-up to the main launch. 

The Rustenburg Rapid Transport programme 

forms part of the road-based component of the 

national Bus Rapid Transport Strategy, overseen 

by the National Department of Transport. Its goal 

is to ensure swift movement of large numbers 

of people between parts of a city in a quick and 

safer way. 

The local taxi industry has been working 

closely on the programme and affected taxi 

operators will create and run a bus-operating 

company (BOC). Several milestones have already 

been reached in this sphere, namely the creation 

of Taxi Negotiating Forum and the signing of a 

Memorandum of Agreement. 

There are further plans for public transport to 

become more integrated in the future. This might 

involve co-branding and a single fare system. 

On the topic of regulation, Executive Mayor Mpho 

walkways and stations which allow for easy access. 

The RRT system is designed to cater for up to 

75 000 commuters daily when operating at full 

capacity. Construction of the RRT project’s road 

network has begun and various other projects have 

been undertaken related to the project, including 

traffic lane upgrades and the installation of 

dedicated traffic lights and signals. Cycle lanes and 

walkways for cyclists and pedestrians have been 

constructed to complement the RRT system. 

Khunou says that a “fully-fledged transport entity” 

is being discussed for the future. “As things stand, 

the only people who will participate in this new 

system are going to be those who are affected,” 

says Khunou. 

“The idea moving forward is to involve other 

parts of the industry, then you can then regulate 

all forms of transport in the city. That is something 

we are looking in to that will happen a bit further 

into the future.” ■ 


FOCUS 

Rustenburg Rapid 

Transport explained 

The Yarona Bus service will improve connectivity and access. 

The Rustenburg Local Municipality is getting 

closer to its vision of turning Rustenburg 

into a “world-class city”. With the Rustenburg 

Rapid Transport project, the city has 

invested heavily in public transport infrastructure, 

resulting in job creation and small business development. 

The project will improve efficiency in public 

transport by introducing the Yarona Bus, an Integrated 

Public Transport System that will soon ferry 

commuters from their places of work or homes to 

their destinations. 

The launch of Yarona Bus service will commence 

with a mixed fleet of 10 standard buses and up 

to 200 minibus taxis with the entire mixed fleet 

managed by the bus operating company (BOC) 

formed by the affected minibus taxi and bus 

operators. RRT is engaging these affected minibus 

taxis and bus operators thoroughly and they are 

expected to enter into various agreements with 

the municipality to implement an integrated public 

transport system in the City of Rustenburg. Over the 

next three years, the services are expected to be 

increased to cover more areas and commuters, with 

Contact details 

Theron Rapoo 

Tel: +27 14 590 3721 

Email: trapoo@rustenburg.gov.za 

more buses to be purchased to replace and in some 

areas, to integrate with the minibus taxis on some of 

the routes. 

Rustenburg aims to be one of the cities to 

integrate the minibus taxi system with buses, which 

will operate under the company management. 

Affected drivers from the minibus taxi industry will 

also be afforded an opportunity to be trained to 

drive buses should they qualify and be employed 

by the company. Other affected employees of 

the minibus taxi industry will be trained for other 

employment opportunities within the company, as 

will all residents of the area, who will be given the 

opportunity to apply for any career. 

The Rustenburg Local Municipality has been 

working closely with the local and affected taxi 

industry, who are supportive and have become 

a part of the transformative agenda of the RRT 

project. Some of the key milestones achieved with 

the local taxi industry include the establishment 

of the Taxi Negotiating Forum, the conclusion 

of a Memorandum of Agreement, and the 

establishment of the BOC which affected taxi 

operators will transition into. 

The municipality plans to roll out 10 buses for 

Phase 1A of the system before the end of 2020 

with a further 30 buses planned in the following 

24 months. In total, 45 buses and 150 taxis will 

form the first phase of the system. The municipality 

is further undertaking construction of 18 stations 

on two trunk roads and in the central business 

district (CBD). 

Once complete, the Yarona 

Bus service is envisaged to 

do up to 100 000 passenger 

trips daily on two corridors, 

with 18 stations, 450 bus stops, 

one depot and one operations 

control centre to manage 

the services. ■ 

NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2020/21 12

FOCUS 

A world-class public 

transport network 

Frequently asked questions answered. 

What is the IRPTN? 

Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network refers to 

the integration of the various modes of transport 

which seeks to provide a safer, reliable, accessible, 

affordable, transport system that gives priority to 

public over private transport. The plan is to provide 

integration of public transport with the emphasis 

being on the delivery of a Rapid Transit (RT) system. 

This includes the integration of the system with 

other services, including local and long-distance 

bus services, feeder vehicles, taxis, pedestrian 

passageways, bicycles and private cars. 

owners of private vehicles and in doing so, ease 

congestion, reduce the impact on the environment 

and support the development of a sustainable city; 

to achieve this objective by placing 85% of the 

municipality’s population within 500m of an IRPTN 

road, or feeder corridor; to improve and integrate 

the municipality’s urban transport system and 

attract more investment and tourism and ultimately 

stimulate the economy and job creation. 

Which areas will be covered? 

• Phase 1A: North-western areas of the CBD 

including Tlhabane, Tlhabane West, Rustenburg 

North and Geelhout Park. 

• Phase 1B: Meriting, Freedom Park, Sunrise Park, 

Ramochana and Boitekong Extensions 4 and 7. 

• Phase 1C: Protea Park, Cashan and part of 

Rustenburg CBD. 

• Phase 2: Kanana. This will have six feeder routes. 

What is RRT? 

Rustenburg Rapid Transit is the municipality’s 

IRPTN project management office responsible for 

planning, managing and implementing services for 

a high-quality public transport system that runs on 

an exclusive dedicated lane with coordinated and 

prioritised signalling. The people of Rustenburg, 

the municipality and the RRT department have 

named the bus service Yarona Bus. 

Why is the Yarona Bus being introduced 

in Rustenburg? 

To transform existing public transport 

conditions by providing a high-quality, 

cost-effective, car-competitive public 

transport system that will serve the 

mobility needs of all segments of the 

municipality’s population, even current 

What kind of jobs will be created? 

General labourers, drivers and operators, artisans 

and technical skilled persons, supervisors, managers, 

cleaners, security, cashiers, retailers, mechanics, etc. 

Will people living with disabilities 

be able to commute on the 

Yarona system? 

The Yarona system is designed to 

accommodate people with special 

needs. Buses will be designed to 

ensure easy boarding and descending 

for people with special needs. ■

INTERVIEW 

Mpho Khunou, Executive Mayor, 

Rustenburg Local Municipality 

An efficient transport 

system will help 

Rustenburg achieve 

its vision 

Rustenburg’s Executive Mayor Mpho Khunou explains 

how the Rustenburg Rapid Transport system will ease 

congestion, improve commuters’ experiences and 

revitalise the city’s central business district. 

How does the Rustenburg Rapid Transport scheme fit into 

the city’s broader planning? 

We are very pleased to have been chosen to participate in this national 

programme of 13 municipalities countrywide. It is a programme 

initiated by the National Department of Transport to tackle transport 

challenges in major cities. The plan fits in well with our long-term vision 

of becoming a world-class city. In order achieve this, the City must have 

an efficient transport system which is universally accessible, reliable 

and provides a linkage with other modes of transport. With this new 

transport network, we aim to facilitate a more efficient economy. 

Biography 

Executive Mayor Mpho Khunou 

grew up in Rustenburg where 

his father was a mineworker 

and attended school in 

Mahikeng. Active in ANC 

Youth League politics from the 

early 1990s, Mayor Khunou 

served as a Rustenburg city 

councillor between 1995 and 

2000, during which time he 

was Chief Whip. After a period 

as an entrepreneur, he worked 

in various capacities within 

the municipality’s executive 

management. Elected to his 

current position in 2011, he was 

re-elected in 2016. 

How will the dedicated bus lanes help to improve the 

commuter experience? 

Feeder routes and walkways will link commuters with major trunk roads 

which have dedicated bus lanes to ensure a faster service and promote 

easier access to various parts of the City, which is currently a major 

challenge to residents. Furthermore, the trunk routes have stations which 

have incorporated green building principles such as natural light. Phase 

1 to 4 of the integrated public transport network is envisaged to place up 

to 60% of the City’s residents within 500 metres of a service. 

Will conditions for pedestrians and cyclists improve? 

The City constructed infrastructure for non-motorised transport 

(NMT) which is already being used in some parts of the city. On the 

R510 and R104 roads there is dedicated infrastructure for cyclists and 

pedestrians which a lot of people are using to cycle into the city, as 

well as on the feeder routes. We will focus on signage and safety once 

the system comes into operation and this will ensure that transport 

service will be attractive to private motor users. 

What are the key achievements you want the RRT to reach? 

The RRT is designed to reduce congestion by having fewer taxis on 

NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2020/21 14

INTERVIEW 

the road. The infrastructure built in the Central 

Business District (CBD) has already done a lot in 

improving access and the quality of mixed traffic 

lanes. The entire functionality of the CBD will be 

improved, and we envisage the CBD to be more 

liveable and friendlier for the business community 

and residents. The project fits in with the objective 

of the municipality to rejuvenate the CBD and will 

assist to create spatial integration and thus bring 

more opportunities. 

What is the budget of the RRT? 

The project is funded through a grant from the 

National Department of Transport. Since inception 

of the project in 2012, about R3.1-billion has been 

spent. There is about R200-million in the current 

budget to complete the stations, increase the 

bus fleet, start with the bus depot and deal with 

the issues concerning transition of the current 

informal taxi industry. The Municipality will be 

implementing the system in phases – the first 

phase will come into operation in January 2021. We 

estimate that the system will be fully operational 

in about five years. When it is fully operational, 

we expect to be able to transport about 60% of 

commuters. In October busses will be delivered, 

testing will take place and the training of drivers 

will start. Final touches for an interim depot will be 

done and the stages that follow will depend on 

allocations from national government. 

How many jobs has the RRT created? 

The project has created about 1 200 jobs and 

about 105 SMMEs have been involved. As we 

implement more infrastructure projects including 

the main depot, feeder roads and the completion 

of stations, there will be more jobs created 

and more opportunities for local SMMEs. Our 

projection is that there will be opportunities for 50 

to 60 more SMMEs to be involved and overall, a 

total of 2 300 jobs will be created by RRT. 

How important is the integration of public 

transport? 

You can’t talk about an economic revival of an 

economy that functions optimally without an 

efficient public transport system. You have to be 

able to move people in and out of the CBD in 

an efficient manner. What is exciting about this 

project is that it will also go a long way towards 

promoting spatial transformation so that the CBD 

becomes lot more vibrant and liveable. 

How will Yarona’s operations be managed? 

In terms of the national Public Transport Act, this 

is an empowerment scheme for existing public 

transporter operators. We have to conclude an 

agreement with existing public transport operators 

who have formed an entity called the Taxi 

Negotiating Forum. They are envisaged to run the 

system through a bus operating company (BOC) for 

a maximum of 12 years. 

We have been in discussion 

since 2011. We are at a 

critical stage now in terms 

of our interaction with them 

and are discussing the 

participation agreement 

and how we subsidise 

them. Those involved are 

the existing public transport 

operators who are trading 

along the routes such as 

Swartruggens, the R510 

and all of the feeder roads. 

In other words, only those 

affected by the new system, 

or those who will be 

incorporated. ■ 


ADVERTORIAL 

see money differently 

SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL BUSINESS 

AIMED AT CREATING JOBS AND 

GROWING THE ECONOMY 

Nedbank’s Provincial Manager of Retail Relationship Banking for 

North West Province, Pieter Naudé, says that small businesses are 

the mainstay of the economy and Nedbank provides small-business 

owners with support that goes beyond banking. 

‘ 

‘ 

Nedbank offers simple, 

affordable banking solutions 

and value-added services 

to get and keep your 

business going … 

Covid-19 has dealt entrepreneurs a 

major blow and, naturally, they are 

overwhelmed and anxious about the 

future of their businesses. Nedbank is proud 

to be involved in various ways to help 

mitigate the economic impact of the crisis 

on this vital sector. For example, 

BackaBusiness is an innovative and relevant 

way in which people can show their support 

for small businesses to ensure their survival. 

Loyal customers, family and friends, and 

society at large can join the movement to 

pay now and redeem a reward from the 

business owner once trading resumes.’ 

‘Beyond this Covid-19 relief, our experts are 

available to provide all the support you 

need. Nedbank offers simple, affordable 

banking solutions and value-added services 

to get and keep your business going,’ says 

Naudé. 

Initiatives such as the free-to-join 

networking portal, SimplyBiz.co.za, The 

Essential Guide for Small-business Owners, 

business registration services and free 

small-business seminars are all geared to 

support small and medium-sized 

enterprises. 

’ 

Naudé adds that Nedbank’s Professional 

Banking solution is built on five pillars. ‘We 

provide our professional clients with banking 

at their fingertips, benefits that matter, 

expert savings and investment advice and a 

unique household banking approach, which 

allows them and their families to finance 

their dreams and growth.’ 

‘With dedicated relationship bankers, 

tailored financing options and 24/7 service, 

the banking experience we offer is 

seamless, enables our clients’ financial 

aspirations and is flexible to grow as your 

needs grow,’ says Naudé. 

Ifyouwanttotap into our small-business 

expertise to reach your business goals, 

please email Pieter Naudé at 

PieterN@Nedbank.co.za or visit 

www.nedbank.co.za.

ADVERTORIAL 


NEDBANK BUSINESS BANKING 

AIMS TO SUPPORT ALL BUSINESS 

SECTORS IN THE NORTH WEST 

Johann Swanepoel, Provincial Manager for Business Banking in the 

North-West Province, says Nedbank Business Banking’s business 

managers are specialists in the commercial, agriculture, professional, 

wholesale and retail industries and services, as well as the public sector. 

‘ 

At Nedbank Business Banking we 

believe that you need a flexible, 

… 

resilient 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, allowing you to 

concentrate on what’s most important to you 

– running your business,’ says Swanepoel. 

Our bigger-picture banking approach 

enables us not only to provide you with the 

banking solutions you need, but also to give 

you a holistic view of how our products are 

connected to create a framework that 

yields maximum impact across every facet 

of your business and beyond. We know that 

success in business is about partnerships, 

and that is why we put the building of deep, 

lasting, value-adding relationships at the 

centre of everything we do. This means your 

goals are our goals, your vision is our vision, 

and your success is our success – while you 

rely on our additional support that is most 

needed in times of change and uncertainty. 

In the agricultural sector particularly, 

Nedbank understands that if the various 

challenges it faces are not addressed, it will 

threaten economic growth, food security, 

‘ 

Nedbank has developed innovative 

funding solutions designed to support 

farmers with sustainable farming 

interventions … 

’ 

employment and investment. ‘By using our 

financial expertise to do good, we partner 

with our agricultural clients to contribute to 

a growing, competitive, transformed and 

climate-resilient agricultural sector.’ 

To this end Nedbank has developed 

innovative funding solutions designed to 

support farmers with sustainable farming 

interventions, ranging from water efficiency 

mechanisms and cutting-edge irrigation to 

renewable-energy financing. Swanepoel 

says that Nedbank’s leadership position in 

renewable-energy finance is helping many 

farmers and agribusinesses to benefit from 

cleaner, more reliable and affordable power 

generation than the national grid can provide. 

If you are interested in taking your 

business to the next level, please email 

Johann Swanepoel at 

JohannEu@nedbank.co.za or visit 

www.nedbank.co.za/business.

ADVERTORIAL 


MONEY EXPERTS BRING 

21ST CENTURY BANKING 

TO ALL COMMUNITIES 

At the heart of Nedbank’s business 

strategy is its belief that its 

sustainability depends on its ability to 

integrate into the communities in which it 

operates.. 

Daniel Makinita, Regional Manager for Retail 

Business Banking in the North-West 

Province explains: ‘Nedbank has continued 

to deliver on its brand promise, which is to 

use our financial expertise to do good for 

individuals, families, businesses and 

communities in which we operate. Our 

client-centred strategy has enabled us to 

reach out to our clients in time of need 

during the Covid-19 national lockdown.’ 

The Nedbank Contact Centre and advanced 

digital innovation, including the awardwinning 

Nedbank Money app, enabled the 

bank to continue serving clients in the 

comfort of their homes. It brought 

convenience to clients and helped them to 

comply with lockdown regulations. 

Makinita says that for small- and mediumbusiness 

clients, Nedbank continues to 

deliver end-to-end solutions through a 

dedicated business manager. ‘Our business 

managers are supported by a team of 

‘ 

Our client-centred 

strategy has enabled us 

to reach out to our clients 

in time of need during 

the Covid-19 national 

lockdown. 

’ 

experts across the bank to deliver seamless 

banking solutions. Our bigger-picture 

business approach ensures that we are able 

to take a holistic view of the business by 

understanding the vision, cashflow cycle, 

and transactional and capital expenditure 

needs of the business. This way, we become 

trusted advisors to the business owners who 

strives to grow their business.’ 

If you are interested in taking your business 

to its next level or need information about 

Nedbank’s specialised service offering, 

please email Daniel Makinita at 

DanielMak@Nedbank.co.za or visit 

www.nedbank.co.za.

ADVERTORIAL 


NEDBANK BUSINESS 

BANKING HELPS PUBLIC 

SECTOR SEE MONEY 

DIFFERENTLY 

‘ 

Nedbank is committed to delivering 

easy and innovative banking 

solutions to government, 

municipalities and state-owned enterprises 

throughout South Africa. 

Monei Seleho, Nedbank's Provincial 

Manager for the Public Sector in the North 

West Province, says that given the strategic 

importance of the public sector to the 

economy and the country at large, Nedbank 

has a dedicated public sector team to 

provide financial solutions that enable the 

broader mandate of service delivery. ‘We 

understand that the various spheres of 

government and their agencies face unique 

challenges, and are ready and able to draw 

on the bank’s innovative, seamless and 

hassle-free products to help build a greater 

nation.’ 

But the bank's role goes beyond providing 

banking solutions to these vital entities. As 

money experts who do good, Nedbank 

strives to empower the people behind the 

public sector by saving them time, money 

and helping them to manage their money 

better. 

'We help them save time by providing onsite 

help from our dedicated teams and through 

‘ 

Nedbank strives to 

empower the people behind 

the public sector by saving 

them time, money and 

helping them to manage 

their money better. 

’ 

our market-leading Nedbank Money app 

and other digital solutions. We also help 

them save money through our preferential 

banking solutions and our award-winning 

Financial Fitness and Consumer Education 

Programme. The programme helps them 

manage their money better by providing 

budgeting and money management 

training, equipping their staff members to 

deal with everyday money management 

challenges better,' says Seleho. 

To find out more about how Nedbank can 

partner with your organisation togrowa 

greater South Africa, please email 

Monei Seleho at MoneiS@Nedbank.co.za or 

visit www.nedbank.co.za/business. 

Nedbank Ltd Reg No 1951/000009/06. Authorised financial 

services and registered credit provider (NCRCP16). 

SPO6015

The Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway is a privatelyrun 

amenity that is located north of the town of 

Hartbeespoort, offering views of the Magliesberg 

mountain range and the Hartbeespoort Dam. 

Erected in 1973, the 1.2km cableway was 

upgraded in 2010. The venue has won awards 

for its conference facilities. Hiking, paragliding 

and other adventure sports take place nearby. 

Image: SA Tourism 


20

KEY SECTORS 

Overviews of the main economic sectors 

of the North West 

Mining 22 

Agriculture 28 

Water 30 

Manufacturing 31 

Tourism 32 

Education and training 34 

Banking and financial services 36 

Development finance 

and SMME support 37 

Energy 38

OVERVIEW 

Mining 

Vanadium is finding new value in batteries. 

Pilanesberg Platinum Mines created Community Crusher as a 

non-profit enterprise but with 14 employees and a steady set 

of orders for building projects run by the company, the small 

business is showing the potential to become a bigger business. 

Many mines run similar programmes, sourcing goods and 

services from local community-based companies and sometimes 

providing mentoring and advice on how to improve as businesses. 

Impala Platinum (Implats) has a programme of procurement in which 

it supports local business and black-owned businesses through 

enterprise and supplier development programmes. 

Pilanesberg Platinum Mines has been active 80km north-west of 

Rustenburg for just over ten years. Mining operations are conducted by 

contractors while PPM manages the concentrator (screen, crush, mill, 

float, thicken and dry). The operation has annually achieved an average 

of about 150 000 ounces of platinum group metal (PGM) concentrate. 

The Provincial Government of the North West is in talks with several 

mining companies in the Matlosana Local Municipality area (which 

includes Klerksdorp and Orkney) as some mines are being closed 

down. One of the initiatives to extract more value from mining is the 

proposed Platinum Valley Special Economic Zone. Creating a base 

for companies to supply the mining industry is one of the key drivers 

behind the scheme. 

The SEZ is intended for Mogwase in the Bojanala District, north of 

Rustenburg and east of Sun City. When fully developed, 200ha of land 

will be taken up by three infrastructure facilities comprising Logistics, 

Light Manufacturing and Heavy Manufacturing. 

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. 

Mining news 

Several mining companies are investigating energy – both in order to 

power their own operations because of the risk of the national utility 

failing to supply electricity, and to find new uses for platinum. 

Image: Bushveld Minerals 

Sector Insight 

A CSI project is turning 

into a viable business. 

Bushveld Minerals has 

two arms; Bushveld Vanadium 

and Bushveld Energy which is 

working on Vanadium Redox 

Flow Batteries (VRFB). Energy 

storage is the focus of much 

research across the globe and 

Bushveld Energy intends its solar 

installation at its Vametco mine, 

supported by VRFB, to answer 

many questions. Bushveld 

Vanadium is one of three 

vanadium producers in the world. 

Sibanye-Stillwater has 

renamed the mining operation 

it bought from Lonmin in 2019, 

Marikana. The sale was completed 

in June 2019. This is Sibanye- 

Stillwater’s second major 

purchase of platinum assets in 

the North West, after buying 

Anglo American’s Rustenburg 

Platinum Mines Limited. 

Between the fourth quarter 

of 2018 and the fourth quarter 

of 2019 the global price of 

platinum slumped, but a later 

surge in the price of other 

PGMs such as palladium and 

rhodium offset this downturn. 

The fact that the mining 

industry continued to operate 

through most of the lockdown 

that accompanied the Covid-19 

outbreak helped to bring some 

stability back to the sector. 

In early 2020 rhodium rose 

to its highest price since 2008, 


22

OVERVIEW 

NEW WIMSA CHAIRPERSON RAISES THE BAR 

Selected as one of the “Top 100 Global Inspirational 

Women in Mining” by Women in Mining UK in 2018, 

Thabile Makgala was recently appointed to the position 

of Chairperson of Women in Mining South 

Africa (WiMSA). Thabile holds the position of Executive: 

Mining at Impala Platinum but getting to the 

top was no easy journey. Thabile recalls “numerous 

obstacles while navigating my mining career path”. 

Her qualifications include a Master’s degree 

in Business Administration from the University of 

Stellenbosch Business School and a Bachelor of 

Science degree in Mining Engineering (Cum laude), 

from the University of the Witwatersrand. But as the 

first female mining engineer graduate at Goldfields 

Kloof and Driefontein division (now Sibanye Gold), 

it soon became clear that, as she recalls, “the industry 

had not adequately prepared itself to accept 

women in mining”. 

“The response to women’s needs (infrastructure, 

personal protective clothing 

and policies) was slow and very little was 

in place to address women’s issues.” 

Her extensive experience has given 

Thabile insight into what is needed. 

“Women and men should hold equal 

representation in the workplace,” she 

says, “and mining companies should prioritise and 

advocate for diversity, inclusion, parity and for 

greater recognition of female leadership within 

their organisations.” 

Thabile is encouraged by progress made by 

women in mining but wants to see “more deliberate 

and proactive action”. Her hope is that in 10 years, “the 

fundamental elements such as empowering, caring, 

showing respect, connecting and growing our female 

talent, would have been achieved”. 

$8 200/oz, and palladium achieved 

a new record high of nearly 

$2 150/oz. Some mining companies 

discovered that several 

of the other minerals that are 

present in their mines (gold, 

copper and nickel) were surging 

in price, causing them to investigate 

ramping up operations. 

Some companies chose to 

sell assets while others have 

undergone major restructuring. 

Impala Platinum will spend R2.7- 

billion over two years to scale 

down production from 11 shafts 

to six lower-cost, profitable, 

shafts. In FY2018 Impala 

produced 580 800 ounces 

of refined platinum. Impala 

Refinery Services (IRS) smelts and 

refines concentrate and matte 

and recycles auto catalysts. 

The mining sector still makes 

a big contribution to provincial 

GDP although that percentage 

is now below 30%. About 18% 

of total employment in the 

province is in mining. 

Mineral resources 

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

Bushveld Igneous Complex, a remarkably rich minerals formation. Mines 

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

65% of South Africa’s PGMs. Chromite is the other major mineral mined 

throughout the province, and there are several ferrochrome smelters and 

other processing plants. South Africa produces about 70% of the world’s 

chrome. 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. Other minerals 

include fluorspar, vanadium, rhodium, uranium, copper, limestone, slate, 

phosphate, manganese, coal and nickel. 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 plant near Lichtenburg. AfriSam, PPC and 

Lafarge are active 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. AfriSam has taken 

measures to reduce carbon emissions at its Dudfield cement plant. ■ 

Online Resources 

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

Minerals Council South Africa: www.mineralscouncil.org.za 

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

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


FOCUS 

Delivering opportunities 

in local communities 

Implats spent R1.6-billion supporting local businesses in 2019. 

Implats’ enterprise and supplier development activities 

focus on supporting local and black businesses and are 

designed to contribute to socio-economic development 

in neighbouring communities, build a more robust and 

competitive supply chain for the Implats Group, and ensure 

compliance with regulatory expectations. 

Enhancing procurement opportunities is important to 

create sustainable communities, improve community relations 

and advance the economic development of these areas. 

Implats’ preferential procurement practices and 

enterprise and supplier development activities make a 

tangible difference to the lives and families of emerging black 

entrepreneurs and stimulate economic development in our 

host communities. 

In 2019, Implats’ South African operations made good 

progress on increasing levels of localised and preferential 

procurement. Local-to-site procurement increased to 23% of 

total spend, amounting to R1.6-billion. Implats strives, as far as 

possible, to source all goods and services within South Africa, 

with an emphasis on local businesses. 

Since 2013, Implats has provided support to 41 local 

black-owned businesses through two principal initiatives 

– Aurik and Raizcorp – and helped grow its monthly spend 

with 28 of these businesses by more than 60%. Supporting local and 

black-owned businesses through preferential procurement is an 

important part of promoting transformation and Implats undertakes 

the following activities to develop entrepreneurial skills: 

• Seeking, identifying, supporting and promoting appropriate 

historically disadvantaged suppliers through sustainable 

procurement practices. 

• Leveraging the existing supplier base to unlock local employment 

opportunities, mentorship and investment in the greater value chain. 

• Nurturing an environment for partnerships and joint ventures 

between the existing supplier base and local entrepreneurs. 

• Striving to improve year-on-year BEE spend relative to the 

requirements of the Mining Charter and reporting in parallel on 

B-BBEE performance as per the Department of Trade, Industry and 

Competition’s Codes of Good Practice. 

In 2020 Implats aims to increase the scale of working partnerships 

between the South African government and large and small suppliers. 

Further, our investment in 

the accommodation and living 

conditions of employees is one 

pillar of Implats’ contribution 

to the wellbeing of its 

host communities. Our social 

investment strategy complements 

this by providing schools, 

clinics and other amenities. 

Social programmes and 

investments are identified in 

collaboration with stakeholders 

in the areas in which we operate 

and seek to address identified 

community needs by focusing on 

infrastructure, health, education, 

community employment and 

empowerment initiatives. ■ 


24

ENRICHING LIVES 

By Empowering our People. 

People are the foundation on which exceptional 

performance is built and Implats are committed 

to developing and empowering these people. 

Investment 

and 

development 

of clinics 

Promote 

access to 

affordable and 

effective 

healthcare 

FOCUS 

EMPOWERMENT THROUGH HEALTH AND WELLBEING 

HIV/Aids 

counselling, testing 

and wellness 

programme 

EMPOWERMENT THROUGH EDUCATION 

R60 

million 

spent on adult 

literacy programmes 

in the last 5 years 

Apprenticeships 

and learnership 

programmes & 

investment in the 

development of 

schools 

Recognised 

leaders in the 

mining industry in 

improving living 

conditions 

Joint ventures 

with local 

entrepreneurs 

EMPOWERING LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURE & SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 

R9.2 

billion 

discretionary 

procurement spend 

in 2019 

Local SMMEs 

and black-owned 

businesses supported 

by development 

and advisory 

programmes 

CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 

We are committed 

to ensuring our 

people contribute 

to and benefit from 

our success 

Over 

R4 billion 

invested in 

improving housing 

since 2007 

R465 

million 

invested in skills 

development in 

2019 

R33 million 

spent in the last 

3 years improving 

learning environments 

through school support 

programme 

EMPOWERMENT THROUGH DEVELOPING TALENT AND LEADERSHIP 


Coole Adv 18362

Committed to socio-economic 

development in the North West 

Sibanye-Stillwater is committed to contributing towards the socio-economic 

development of the North West Province. 

Above (left to right): Dr Zweli Mkhize (Minister of Health), Gwede Mantashe (Minister of Mineral Resources 

and Energy) and Job Mokgoro (North West Premier) receiving the donation of PPE for frontline health workers. 

Sibanye-Stillwater is a leading international 

precious metal mining company, with a 

diverse portfolio of platinum group metal 

(PGM) and gold operations and projects. 

It is the world’s largest primary producer of platinum 

and rhodium, the second- largest primary producer 

of palladium and the third-largest producer of gold 

(on a gold-equivalent basis). Sibanye-Stillwater is also 

the leading global recycler and processor of spent 

PGM catalytic converter materials. 

With its Rustenburg and Marikana mining operations 

in the North West providing employment 

to 44 000 workers in the region, Sibanye-Stillwater 

is a significant contributor to the socio-economic 

development of the North West Province. 

In addition to taxes, royalties and wages, the 

company contributes to the development of small 

and medium enterprises through its inclusive 

procurement and enterprise development programme. 

It also contributes to micro enterprises 

Boikagong Primary School in Paardekraal 

Piggery in Boitekong

Above: Deputy Minister of Health Joe Phaahla and MEC of Health of North West, Madoda Sambatha, receiving 

the completed Forensic Pathology Mortuary delivered by Sibanye-Stillwater. 

and social infrastructure through the delivery of 

social and labour plans; projects based on the 

municipal integrated development plans and 

community needs. 

Above: Delivery of sanitisers to Job Shimankana 

Tabane Hospital CEO Mr A Mvula (centre) in Rustenburg 

as part of the 100 000 litres of sanitisers donated 

to help in the fight against COVID-19. 

May, adopting a gradual, phased return to work 

programme to protect the health and safety of its 

employees as much as possible. 

Notwithstanding the operational and financial 

challenges posed by Covid-19, the Group 

has continued to provide support to employees, 

the government and the communities to cushion 

the impact of Covid-19. 

The Group has invested R50-million in various 

initiatives in our doorstep communities and the 

Eastern Cape to assist communities and government 

to deal with the impact of Covid-19 in the areas of 

health, social relief, education and SMME support. 

Supporting stakeholders is a natural step given that 

the company already contributes, in addition to the 

investment towards Covid-19, over R290-million to 

socio-economic development in line with our vision 

of creating superior value for all stakeholders. ■ 

For additional information, please refer to 

www.sibanyestillwater.com 

The Group was, like all industries in South Africa, 

severely impacted by Covid-19. Its operations were 

halted during the last week of March 2020 and limited 

underground production only resumed from 

May 2020. The Group has focused its efforts on the 

safe ramp-up of production from its operations since

OVERVIEW 

Agriculture 

New abattoirs will benefit farmers. 

As part of a drive to help more farmers get connected to the 

more profitable end of the value chain, a beef beneficiation 

project is under consideration. To be located in the Dr Ruth 

Segomotsi Mompati District, a feasibility study is investigating 

whether a public-private partnership for constructing abattoirs and 

other relevant infrastructure would work. 

Another initiative to assist emerging farmers is taking place in 

the wildlife sector. Although the sector is no longer delivering the 

spectacular returns of just a few years ago, it is still a potentially very 

profitable enterprise. To that end, the Provincial Government of the 

North West is to take excess game from its provincial nature reserves 

and make them available to emerging farmers. The North West Parks 

Board will oversee the process and the first donations will be in the 

order of 600 game animals. 

Four district agri-parks are intended to establish sustainable agroprocessing, 

promote food security and bring black businesses into the 

mainstream economy. Each of the agri-parks has a specific focus: 

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

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

Municipality). 

• Moretele/Makapanstadt: red meat and horticulture (Bojanala District 


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


Various agro-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. A 10ha vineyard in Ventersdorp is 

to be expanded to 40ha and a black-owned logistics co-operative has 

been signed to distribute products from the farm. 

Kalahari Red goats. Credit: SA Boerbok 


Emerging game farmers are 

to be given a headstart. 

The Kgora Agricultural 

Institute in Ramatlabama, about 

25km north of Mahikeng, trains 

small-scale farmers in raising 

animals and crop farming and 

works with young people. 

Regional variety 

The dry western region of the 

province is home to large beefcattle 

herds, and this is where 

the growing game-ranching and 

hunting industry has its base. The 

eastern and north-eastern parts 

of the province receive relatively 

good rainfall and are suitable for 

the cultivation of crops. 

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 (pictured), 

a cross between the Brahman 

and Simmental breeds. Kalahari 

Red and Boerbok goats are 

found in large numbers in the 

dry west. The number of goats 

for the province is estimated at 

701 587 which is 12% of South 

Africa’s total. There are estimated 

to be 318 843 pigs, which is 20% 

of South Africa’s total drove. 

Nearly two-million hectares 

is planted with summer cereals, 

with about 50 000 hectares given 

over to winter cereals. The North 


28

Credit: Simbra SA 

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. 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 North West is sometimes 

called “The Texas of South Africa” 

for its superb cattle herds, but 

it also produces good crops of 

onions and other vegetables. 

Proximity to the large urban 

concentrations of Pretoria and 

Johannesburg are advantages 

for the horticulture subsector. 

Companies 

When South Africa’s first 

alternative stock exchange in 

South Africa started trading in 

February 2017, the first listing 

was agricultural company 

Senwes and its holding 

company. Senwes has a strong grain division and it controls 68 silos. 

Its headquarters are in Klerksdorp and in 2019 it increased its stake 

in KLK so that it now controls 57.44% of the company most strongly 

associated with the Northern Cape. 

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. 

The company runs five divisions and a plant that makes full-fat 

soy, a component in animal feed. NWK is another company with 

manufacturing capacity. The Lichtenburg-based enterprise makes 

liquid fertiliser (up to 10 tons per month), animal feed (Opti Feeds), 

processes sunflower seeds (Epko), and runs three grain mills. Another 

subsidiary, Opti Chicks, has a capacity of 600 000 chicks per week. 

NWK also deals in grain, runs several retail outlets and has a halfshare 

(with Senwes) in CertiSure Brokers. The company has 37 silos with 

a capacity of 2.5-million tons. 

AgriNW is the mouthpiece of its affiliated farmers and keeps an 

eye on policy and laws affecting the sector. It also acts as a supportive 

network to help its members achieve optimal results. Agri NW is one of 

the partners in an annual seminar on farming, the Senwes Future Focus, 

which takes place at Nampo Park, south of Klerksdorp in Bothaville in 

the neighbouring Free State Province. ■ 


Agri NW: www.agrinw.co.za 

Grain SA: www.grainsa.co.za 

North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development: 

www.dard.nwpg.gov.za 

Red Meat Producers Organisation: www.rpo.co.za, 


OVERVIEW 

Water 

Providing water to schools is a priority. 

Good progress has been made towards supplying water to 

the 79 schools in the province which were identified as 

having inadequate water facilities. This includes the drilling 

of boreholes and construction of storage tanks. 

All new schools built in the North West are supplied with kitchens 

in line with the National Schools Nutrition Programme. 

South Africa is a waterscarce 

country and 

water management 

is critical to economic 

planning. The western 

part of North West 

Province is particularly 

Image: Sedibeng Water 

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. 

Large infrastructure has been the focus of national and provincial 

initiatives in recent years. In his State of the Province address in 2020, 

Premier Dr Zamani Saul announced that priority projects are currently 

at between 80% and 95% completion and he pledged that they would 

be completed in the course of the year. The following projects have 

been completed: 

• Dinokana Water Augmentation. 

• Ganalaagte Boreholes and Sewer Pump Station refurbishment. 

• Naledi Water Augmentation phase 1 and 2. 

• Tshing Cent Fall Sewer Line. 

Municipalities are charged with delivering water and handling 

waste-water but many municipalities have not been equal to the task. 

A new body has been formed to help municipalities deliver services. 

The Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA) falls under the 

National Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional 

Affairs and will assist municipalities to plan for, provide and maintain 

infrastructure. The first action of MISA was to commission 81 engineers 

and town planners. 


Blue Drop Awards: www.ewisa.co.za 

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

South African Association of Water Utilities: www.saawu.org.za 

Water Research Commission: www.wrc.org.za 


A new agency has been set 

up to assist municipalities. 

The province has 83 

sewage-treatment plants, and 

the national Blue Drop award 

system has found most of them 

need improvement. JB Marks 

Local Municipality, which has 

Potchefstroom as its main town, is 

one of only three municipalities in 

the country that acts as a waterservice 

authority and as a service 

provider. It has won awards for 

its levels of service. The biggest 

service providers active in the 

North West are: 

• Rand Water. 

• Magalies Water. 

• Sedibeng Water (which has 

taken over the service area of 

Botshelo Water). 

• Midvaal Water Company 

supplies water to Matlosana 

(Klerksdorp). 

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. ■ 


30

Manufacturing 

New technology makes new tyres at Bridgestone. 

Bridgestone South Africa’s investment in new technology at 

its plant in Brits is allowing the company to produce 19-inch 

tyres for the BMW X3 being assembled in Pretoria. These tyres 

would otherwise have to be imported. 

Bridgestone’s factory is one of only four in the world that 

produces runflat tyres. About 850 people are employed at the plant. 

Also in Brits are wire-harness manufacturer Pasdec Automotive 

Technologies, Bosch, and Dubigeon Body and Coach. SOS Tie & Die is 

a manufacturer of precision pressings, components and press tools, 

based in Brits close 

to Tshwane’s Rosslyn 

automotive hub. 

AVMY Steel Science 

is the largest supplier 

of small-quantity steel 

in the SADC region. 

Chassis manufacturer 

KLT Group announced 

in 2019 the acquisition 

of the Brits plant which 

comprises a pressing, 

Coil prepared for slitting. 

Image: AVMY Steel Science 

welding, assembly and 

e-coating facility. The 

KLT Group has four 

plants in South Africa and employs more than 1 000 people. 

A provincial Integrated Manufacturing Strategy has been 

compiled. The strategy notes the North West’s strategic location near 

to the industrial hub of Gauteng and its low input costs and easy 

access to busy trade routes. These factors make the development 

of the chemical processing sector a good proposition for investors. 

The province also has easy access to natural resources, especially 

with regard to the ingredients necessary for the manufacture of 

phosphate and nitrogen-based fertilisers. 

In addition to Brits (automotive components and tyres), other 

concentrations include mining equipment and engineering 

(Klerksdorp) and food and beverages (Potchefstroom). 


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

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

National Department Trade, Industry & Competition: www.dtic.gov.za 


OVERVIEW 


AVMY Steel Science has a 

new owner. 

Rustenburg has a mixture of 

enterprises, the biggest of which 

are mining-related smelters. 

Production of non-metallic 

mineral products is concentrated 

around Lichtenburg and 

Mahikeng (cement), and 

Rustenburg (stone). Tough 

Metals Toys factory and Totpak 

are located in Ventersdorp. 

As one of the country’s 

biggest producers of livestock, 

hides for car seats for the 

province’s automotive industry 

could profitably be sourced 

locally. The Centre for Advanced 

Manufacturing (CFAM) at North- 

West University specialises in 

extruder technology. 

RCL Foods has a large processing 

plant at Rustenburg. 

Dairybelle (Bloemhof ) and 

Clover (Lichtenburg) have 

cheese factories in the province. 

Water from the Schoonspruit 

Eye near Ventersdorp supplied 

South Africa’s first bottled water. 

Nestlé has purchased the rights 

to this water source. Nestlé’s 

soy-creamer processing plant is 

located in Potchefstroom. 

About 30% of the country’s 

grain and oil-seed crop pass 

through Senwes silos every year. 

Sasko operates a white-maize 

mill in Klerksdorp. SAB’s Rosslyn 

Brewery supplies the North 

West with most of its beer. ■ 


OVERVIEW 

Tourism 

Sport and heritage tourism are new strategic sectors. 

Pecanwood Golf & Country Club. Image: North West Tourism 

The impact of Covid-19 will be felt for many months to come, 

and the tourism sector of the North West Province will be 

affected by the travel restrictions put in place in 2020. 

A saving grace for the province is the extremely wide range 

of activities that are offered to a high standard. This makes it more 

likely that one or more of these subsectors will be in a position to 

lead a recovery. In almost any sector one can think of, North West has 

outstanding representatives. For example, Sun City (golf, conferencing 

and hotels) and several game lodges within both the Pilanesberg and 

Madikwe game reserves are internationally renowned. Birding, fishing, 

hunting and hot-air ballooning are among other popular pursuits and 

Potchefstroom has outstanding sporting facilities for a range of sports. 

Australia and Spain won the cricket and soccer world cups from their 

base in Potchefstroom and international athletes often visit the city for 

training camps. 

The North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) is investing in 

the province’s 12 smaller parks with the intention of creating jobs. In 

partnership with the National Department of Tourism, work has begun 

on the Manyane Game Lodge in Mahikeng, with a budget allocation 

of R43-million. Another project envisages a mega-park in the northwestern 

sector of the province, the Heritage Park. 

The Mahika-Mahikeng Cultural Festival continues to grow in 

popularity. 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 NWPTB is unique in South Africa in that it is the only provincial 

government entity that runs a hotel school. The Institute of Hotel 


The North West Parks and 

Tourism Board is investing 

in its 12 smaller parks. 

and Tourism Management 

(IHTM) has two campuses, one 

in Mahikeng and one at Ga- 

Rankuwa outside Pretoria. The 

courses offered are approved by 

the Council for Higher Education 

and accredited with the relevant 

sector authority, THETA. 

In addition to the provincial 

tourism authority, there are 

regional tourism organisations 

which market special attractions: 

• Harties Tourism Association. 

• Matlosana Tourism Association. 

• Mooinooi: Buffelspoort Valley. 

• N12 Treasure Route Association. 

• Potch Tourism Association. 

• Vredefort Dome Tourism 

Association. 

Taung is the site of the 

first discovered fossil of 

Australopithecus africanus. 


32

OVERVIEW 

The North West Development 

Corporation (NWDC) has an 

investment plan linked to 

this famous site, involving 

a museum, hotel and spa 

resort. The Vredefort Dome is a 

UNESCO World Heritage Site for 

its significance as the landing site 

of a meteorite many millions of 

years ago. 

The North West Cricket 

Association hosted the Under-19 

T20 Cricket World Cup. This is the 

sort of event that the province 

wants to attract to the province. 

The Hockey Junior World Cup 

is next, the first to be held on 

African soil. There is apparently 

interest among owners of 

Premier Soccer League teams 

to bring fixtures to the province. 

To prepare for this, work will be 

done on the Mmabatho Stadium 

in Mahikeng. 

Training Authority (CATHSSETA) and North West Tourism. The theme 

was Tourism and Digital Transformation and more than 7 000 pupils 

and graduates attended the three-day event. 

The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the North- 

West University offers Tourism Management and the professors and 

researchers are at the top of their profession. 

The North West Department of Economy and Enterprise 

Development has supported small tourism businesses in attending the 

international tourism events, such as the 40th International Tourism Fair 

in Belgrade, Serbia. The business owners of TK Afrofist, Thuto Jewellery 

Workshop, Borobalo Diamonds and Polishing Centre and A Re Bopeng 

Ceramics rubbed shoulders with participants from more than 20 

countries including Russia and Turkey and made sales. 

Sun City is far from being the province’s only conference venue. 

Tourism North West lists on its website a range of venues from small 

guesthouses with conference facilities in towns such as Rustenburg 

and Brits to lodges on the banks of the Hartbeespoort Dam. 

In the provincial capital, Mahikeng, there are several options: 

among them are the Mmbatho Palms Hotel Casino Convention Resort, 

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. Gaming is controlled in South Africa and 

licences are restricted to certain operators. 

Hotels and conferences 

Sun City celebrated its 40th 

birthday in 2019. Venues 

available for hire range from 

a 12-seater Council Room to 

the Superbowl which can 

accommodate 6 000, and just 

about everything in between. 

With six kinds of 

accommodation, two outstanding 

golf courses, casinos and 

a choice-filled entertainment 

complex, the Sun City Resort is a 

major tourism asset and significant 

employer in the province. 

Sun City was the venue 

for the 2018 National Tourism 

Careers Expo (NTCE), jointly 

organised by the National 

Department of Tourism, the 

Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality 

and Sport Sector Education and 

Madikwe Game Reserve. Image:Tourism North West 

Mahikeng also hosts the Protea Hotel and the Mmbatho Convention 

Centre (the main auditorium can seat 3 000 people). The Hotel School 

can accommodate up to 200 people. Most of the luxury lodges in the 

province can accommodate conferences, albeit on a smaller scale. ■ 


Aardklop National Festival: www.aardklop.co.za 

Marico Tourism: www.marico.co.za 


North West Tourism: www.tourismnorthwest.co.za 

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


OVERVIEW 

Education and training 

North-West University now offers Mechatronic Engineering. 


Civil servants are getting 

extra training. 

The Tebogo Nokwana Foundation donates shoes and 

sanitary towels to Matlhare Mokautu Secondary School. 

Image: North West Department of Education 

Ubank and Royal Bafokeng Holdings have established the 

Thutopele Learnership which provides young people with 

working experience while they study towards a National 

Banking Certificate NQF level 5. 

Of the first 15 trainees who went through the learnership, 13 were 

employed by Ubank within the province or in neighbouring Gauteng. 

The programme prepares students for positions as tellers, sales 

consultants and in-service consultancy. 

A Provincial Government three-year programme has placed 120 

unemployed graduates in the agricultural sector on farms as part of 

experiential training and learning. The North West Office of the Premier 

disburses bursaries to the Ikatisong School of Governance (located at 

the University of Pretoria) for civil servants or prospective civil servants. 

Studies can be undertaken in seven faculties. 

The North-West University Business School has agreed to 

collaborate with the North West Provincial Government in building the 

relevant skills of officials. The school offers an MBA and a Postgraduate 

Diploma in Management at three sites. 

A specific initiative to tackle unemployment was planned for 2020, 

a Provincial Skills Development Lekgotla. Participants were to be the 

National Skills Authority (NSA) and various SETAs and their brief was 

to develop a provincial intervention strategy relating to young people 

who are neither employed nor in education and training. 

South Africa’s educational 

institutions are being 

encouraged to focus on artisan 

skills. At the moment, about 

13 000 artisans are trained in the 

country every year; the National 

Department of Higher Education 

and Training (DHET) wants that 

figure to be 30 000 by 2026. 

The first 164 graduates of a 

joint programme of the North 

West Department of Economy 

and Enterprise Development and 

the Construction Education and 

Training Authority (CETA) have 

received certificates in plumbing. 

The three-year apprenticeship is 

focussed on women and youth. 

Technical Vocational and 

Educational Training colleges 

teach skills that are relevant to 

the work place. North West has 

three TVET colleges with several 

campuses each. 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, with about 15 000 

students overall. The Rustenburg 

campus of Orbit College hosts 

a Microsoft IT Academy while 


34

OVERVIEW 

the Mankwe campus offers 

automotive training, the result 

of a partnership between the 

Manufacturing, Engineering and 

Related SETA (MerSETA), Lelethu 

Training and Ford South Africa. 

Orbit TVET College hosts an 

electronics academy courtesy of 

sponsors Samsung Electronics 

on the Mankwe campus, and 

in partnership with the 

MerSETA. Mankwe also offers 

Automotive Repair, Maintenance 

and Transport and Logistics and 

is a Centre of Specialisation in 

Diesel Trade. 

The Taung Agricultural 

College is accredited by the 

Council on Higher Education 

(CHE) to offer the NQF level 6 

Diploma in Agriculture 

specialising in Irrigation 

Technology. 

Two teachers from the 

North West, pictured right, were 

among the top achievers in the 

2019 National Teachers Awards, 

Constance Kgomotso Pilane 

from Mafenya Primary School 

and Genevieve Classen of Fields 

College. As of the start of the 

school year in 2020, 27.5% of 

pupils at schools in the North 

West had access to information 

through connectivity. 

University news 

The CHE has announced that 

the North-West University 

(NWU) Bachelor of Laws (LLB) 

programme has received full 

accreditation. 

A new qualification, 

Mechatronic Engineering, has 

been added to the courses 

offered by the Faculty of 

Engineering. The Bachelor of 

Mechatronic Engineering programme has been approved by the 

Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), enabling graduates to 

compete internationally. This programme will be offered in 2021. 

The faculty now offers eight specialities, including industrial and 

electromechanical and chemical engineering (minerals processing). 

Partnerships include Sasol, Eskom, Denel Aviation, Telkom and Sappi. 

The Faculty of Engineering is a leading department in terms of 

innovations and plays a role, together with the NWU Technology 

Transfer and Innovation Support Office, in commercialising ideas by 

creating companies. 

The university and its researchers are leaders in many fields, 

including astrophysics, tourism, solar energy and extruder technology. 

Among the research entities at NWU, there are five chairs 

allocated by the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI): 

Astrophysics and Space 

Physics, Coal Research, 

Biofuels and other clean 

alternative fuels, Nuclear 

Engineering and Early 

Detection and Prevention 

of Cardiovascular Disease 

in Africa. 

North-West University 

has more than 65 000 

students, with about 

26 000 of studying by 

correspondence. The 

university’s main campus 

is at Potchefstroom with 

satellite campuses at 

Mmabatho and Vanderbijlpark. 

The pharmaceutical 

faculty at the Potchefstroom 

campus of the North West 

University is regarded as a 

national leader. 

The University of South 

Africa (Unisa) has three 

branches in North West, at 

Rustenburg, Potchefstroom 

and Mmabatho. ■ 


Image: North West Department 

of Education 

Mining Qualifications Authority: www.mqa.org.za 

North West Department of Education: www.desd.nwpg.gov.za 

North-West University: www.nwu.ac.za 

NWU Business School: www.commerce.nwu.ac.za 

Thutopele Learnership: www.bafokengholdings.com/careers 

35 NAME BUSINESS 2020/21

OVERVIEW 

Banking and financial services 

All of the major banks have agricultural divisions. 

All of the country’s major banks and financial institutions 

are represented in the North West. Financial services are 

available 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, 

programmes are in place to assist people. 

Long strikes, volatile global markets and layoffs have 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% in a five-year period. 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 

Financial literacy workshops. 

unfair and exploitative. Summit 

Image: ASISA 

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 (pictured). 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. Ubank is owned by a trust that is managed 

by the Minerals Council South Africa and the National Union of 

Mineworkers (NUM). It has several branches in the North West. 

With agriculture being such an important part of the North West 

economy, all of the big banks have dedicated units such as Nedbank 


Association for Savings and Investment South Africa: www.asisa.org.za 

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

Chartered Institute for Government Finance, Audit and Risk Officers: 

www.cigfaro.co 

Financial Sector Conduct Authority: www.fsca.co.za 


Debt management and 

financial planning are 

available to mine workers. 

Agribusiness. Focus areas for 

this unit are agronomy (grain, 

oil seeds, sugar and cotton), 

livestock (including game 

farming), horticulture and 

secondary agriculture which 

covers agricultural processing 

and storage. 

The large agricultural 

companies 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. 

Brits-based Temo Agri 

and Noordwes Korporasie 

(Lichtenburg) has received 

the backing of the Industrial 

Development Corporation (IDC) 

to enable it to roll out agricultural 

credits to emerging farmers. 

The Royal Bafokeng Nation, 

a community of about 150 000 

people living on platinumrich 

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). ■ 


36

Development finance 

and SMME support 

Banks are running training courses for business owners. 

Monakaladi Gardens Wedding and Conference Venue 

expanded its turnover by more than 700% and created two 

new jobs, with a little help from a programme designed 

to support entrepreneurs and increase employment. 

The SAB Foundation Tholoana Programme has provided more than 

R1.6-million in grant funding and business support in the North West. 

The programme invests in entrepreneurs, particularly women, 

youth, people in rural areas and persons with disabilities. The 18-month 

programme provides mentorship, business development tools 

and workshops, access to peer 

networks finance, and support 

throughout the time spent on the 

programme. Monakaladi Gardens 

was a provincial winner in the 

Lilizela Tourism Awards 2019. 

In November 2019 

Nedbank and the Department 

of Economic Development, 

Environment, Conservation and 

Tourism ran a five-day training course for 25 women-led enterprises 

with the focus on financial management, marketing and business 

planning. Wendy Atahwo, the owner of events management company 

Cherry Homes, said that the networking was valuable, as was learning 

new skills and about new marketing trends. 

Standard Bank and Black Cherrie Management offered a series of 

seminars for small business in 2019, the first of which was related to 

financial solutions for SMMEs. The theme was “Up your entrepreneurial 

skills and increase your bottom line”. 

The Provincial Government has announced that in the 2020/21 

financial year it will roll out two digital incubators jointly valued at R16- 

million, at the Mafikeng Innovation Hub and in Mogwase, at the Leema 

Township Incubator. 

Most of the Cooke’s Lake Information Centre in Mahikeng 

(excluding the existing office block) is to become a permanent flea 



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

Tholoana Enterprise Programme: www.sabfoundation.co.za 

OVERVIEW 


Cooke’s Lake Information 

Centre is to become a 

flea market. 

market. A budget of R8-million 

has been approved by the 

National Department of Small 

Business Development (DSBD). 

The DSBD has several 

programmes to assist SMMEs and 

co-operatives. These include the 

Black Business Supplier Development 

Programme and the 

Co-operative Incentive Scheme, 

a 100% grant. The Small Enterprise 

Development Agency 

(Seda) is an agency of the 

DSBD and gives non-financial 

support to entrepreneurs 

through training, assistance with 

filling in forms, marketing and 

creating business plans. 

A provincial policy framework 

is to be adopted to ensure 

that the maintenance of certain 

rural roads is set aside for job 

creation, small contractor 

development and local 

participation. 

The South African National 

Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) 

currently has nine contracts 

covering more than 2 300km 

in the province. A set of subcontracts 

is being negotiated for 

routine maintenance such as the 

patching of potholes, fencing 

and the cutting of grass verges. 

The Seda Technology Programme 

helps potential businesses 

become trading entities. 

The Industrial Development 

Corporation (IDC) is a strategic 

lender and plays a strong role in 

supporting small and emerging 

enterprises. ■ 


OVERVIEW 

Energy 

Fuel cells are in the spotlight. 


The Platinum Valley Special 

Economic Zone will encourage 

renewable energy. 

Image: North-West University 

One of the key focus areas for the planned Platinum Valley 

Special Economic Zone (PVSEZ) is the promotion of renewable 

energy. The PVSEZ is in the Mogwase industrial area in 

the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality and has already 

attracted the interest of nine investor companies. Five companies are 

currently operating on the site. 

Most of South Africa’s energy requirements are met by Eskom’s 

coal-fired power stations but the drive to start producing renewable 

energy is growing, and researchers and companies in the North West 

are investigating several options. Big mining companies are among 

the biggest users of energy and many belong to the Energy Intensive 

Users of Southern Africa. 

Bioethanol, biodiesel and methane gas from waste and renewable 

resources are among the types of biofuels under discussion. Sunflower 

seeds and sweet sorghum are suitable for converting into biofuel and 

bioethanol. The South African Energy Resource Institute (Saneri) Chair 

in biofuel research is held by a professor on the Potchefstroom campus 

of North-West University (NWU). 

Silversands Energy is a North West company that produces 

ethanol fuel for an ethanol-powered bus made by Scania South 

Africa for the City of Johannesburg. 

The North West normally has about 300 days of sunshine per year, 

so solar power has great potential, and there is a programme aimed at 

converting bush that is encroaching onto arable land into biomass in 

the form of biocoal (TOR) or briquettes. The Engineering Department 

of NWU regularly competes in an international solar car challenge. 

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


Energy Intensive Users of Southern Africa: www.eiug.org.za 

South African Renewable Energy Council: www.sarec.org.za 

Southern African Alternative Energy Association: www.saaea.org 

Southern African Bioenergy Association: www.saba.za.org 

near Hartbeespoort Dam and 

is run by the South African 

Nuclear Energy Corporation. 

The NWU Nuclear Engineering 

Department is the only one of 

its kind in the country, and the 

National Department of Science 

and Technology has allocated a 

chair in Nuclear Engineering to 

the university. 

The head office of the 

Minerals Council South Africa 

is powered by 40 ounces of 

platinum and natural gas. A fuel 

cell at the Johannesburg site 

of the national mine owners’ 

association is South Africa and 

Africa’s first base load installation. 

Finding new uses for 

platinum provides good news for 

the North West which has huge 

numbers of people employed 

on mines. Several companies are 

working on fuel cell technology. 

The mines and smelters 

around Rustenburg and the 

industrial plants in Brits use a 

lot of energy. They are served 

by Transnet Pipelines, which has 

recently made a big investment 

in the New Multi-Product 

Pipeline. 

The NMPP is built to pump 

three-million litres of product 

per hour over a distance of 

715km, from Durban to the 

industrial hub of the country. ■ 


38

LISTING 

North West 

Provincial Government 

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

Office of the Premier 

Premier: Professor Tebogo Job Mokgoro 

Garona Building, South Wing, 3rd Floor, 

Dr James Moroka Drive, Mmabatho 2735 

Tel: +27 18 388 3040 | Fax: +27 18 388 3008 

Website: www.nwpg.gov.za 

Department of Agriculture and 

Rural Development 

MEC: Desbo Mohono 

Agricentre Building, Cnr Dr James Moroka Drive 

and Stadium Road, Mmabatho 2735 

Tel: +27 18 389 5111 | Fax: +27 18 392 4377 

Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and 

Recreation 

MEC: Tsotso Tlhapi 

House No 1, Lowe Complex, Modiri Molema Road, 

Mmabatho 2735 

Tel: +27 18 388 4494 | Fax: 086 651 7885 

Department of Community Safety and 

Transport Management 

MEC: Sello Lehari 

Tirelo Building, Albert Lithuli Drive, Mahikeng 2745 

Tel: +27 18 200 8401 

Department of Cooperative Governance, 

Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs 

HOD: Phihadu Ephraim Motoko 

NWDC Building, cnr Provident House and 

University Drive, Mmabatho 2735 

Tel: +27 18 388 2891 | Fax: 086 620 7825 

Department of Economic Development, 

Environment, Conservation and Tourism 

MEC: Keneitswe Mosenogi 

NWDC Building, 1st Floor, Cnr Provident Street and 

University Drive, Mmabatho 2735 

Tel: +27 18 387 7700 | Fax: +27 18 384 9440 

Department of Education 

MEC: Mmaphefo Lucy Matsemela 

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

Mmabatho 2735 

Tel: +27 18 388 2970 | Fax: +27 18 384 5016 

Department of Health 

MEC: Madoda Sambatha 

Cnr 1st Street and Sekame Road, Mahikeng 2745 

Tel: +27 18 391 4000 

Department of Public Works and Roads 

MEC: Gaoage Oageng Molapisi 

Ngaka Modiri Molema Road, Old Parliament 

Complex, Provincial Head Office, Mmabatho 2735 

Tel: +27 18 388 1435 | Fax: +27 18 388 4021 

Department of Social Development 

MEC: Boitumelo Theodora Moiloa 

Provident House, University Drive, Mmabatho 2735 

Tel: +27 18 388 2000 | Fax: +27 18 494 1213 

Provincial Treasury 

MEC: Motlalepula Rosho 

Garona Building, East Wing, 2nd Floor, Cnr James 

Moroka and University Drive, Mmabatho 2735 

Tel: +27 18 388 4441 | Fax: +27 18 388 1901 


INDEX 

INDEX 

Africa Biomass Company (ABC)................................................................................................................................5, 9 

Implats...................................................................................................................................................................................24-25 

Nedbank...............................................................................................................................................................................16-19 

Pilanesberg Platinum Mines.........................................................................................................................................IFC 

Rustenburg Rapid Transit (RRT)...............................................................................................................12-15, OBC 

Sibanye-Stillwater..........................................................................................................................................................26-27 


NORTH WEST PROVINCE 

NAMIBIA 

Sishen Sishen 

Northern Cape 

Western Cape 

Vorstershoop 

Hotazel Hotazel 

R31 

R31 

Kuruman Kuruman 

Kathu Kathu 

BOTSWANA 

Postmasburg 

KwaZulu- 

Natal 

Mpumalanga 

North West 

Gauteng 

NORTH WEST 

SWAZI- 

LAND 

Free State 

LESOTHO 

Limpopo 

ZIMBABWE 

Sun Sun City/Lost City/Lost City City 

Eastern Cape 

N4 

N4 

Zeerust Zeerust 

Moloporivier 

Swartruggens 

Brits 

Brits 

Groot-Marico 

Mmabatho 

Rustenburg 

Hartbeespoort 

Koster 

Mooinooi 

N1 

MAHIKENG Koster 

Mooinooi 

N1 

Magaliesburg 

Gauteng 

R49 

Lichtenburg 

R49 

R30 

R30 

R52 

R52 

JOHANNESBURG 

N14 

N14 

Westonaria 

Coligny 

Sannieshof Coligny 

Ventersdorp 

N3 

Stella 

Carletonville 

N3 

Stella 

Delareyville 

Potchefstroom 

Vereeniging 

R 49 

R 49 

N12 

Ottosdal 

Klerksdorp N12 

Vryburg 

Ottosdal 

Vryburg 

Sasolburg 

Parys 

Orkney Parys 

R34 

Orkney 

R34 

R59 

N1 

R57 

Wolmaransstad 

R59 

N1 

R57 

Lykso 

N18 

Lykso 

N18 

R30 

N14 

R30 

Schweizer- 

R82 

N14 

R82 Heilbron 

Reneke 

Heilbron 

Reneke 

Taung Taung 

Reivilo Reivilo 

Northern Cape 

Ulco Ulco 

MOZAMBIQUE 

N 

BOTSWANA 

Warrenton 

N12 

N12 

Christiana 

Bloemhof Bloemhof 

Wesselsbron 

Bultfontein 

R49 

R49 

Welkom Welkom 

Kroonstad 

Thabazimbi 

Ventersburg 

Free State 

Vaalwater 

Limpopo 

Motorway Motorway 

Main Main Road Road 

Railway Railway 

Bela-Bela Bela-Bela 

PRETORIA 

Reitz Reitz 

NORTH The Mahikeng WEST BUSINESS International 2020/21 Airport is served by SA 40Potchefstroom College of Agriculture. More than 120 

Express. The city’s main sectors are financial services, 000 people attend the Aardklop Festival every year. 

Municipalities in North West Province 

Limpopo 

services, transport and trade. The Garona District houses The city has a population of about 173 000.

LISTING 

North West Local Government 

An overview of the North West municipalities. 

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 9203 | 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.gov.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 KENNETH KAUNDA 


Tel: +27 18 473 8000 | Fax: +27 18 473 2523 

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 

JB Marks Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 18 299 5111 

Website: www.jbmarks.co.za 

Maquassi Hills Local Municipality 

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

Website: www.maquassihills.co.za 

DR RUTH SEGOMOTSI MOMPATI 


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.gtlm.gov.za 

Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 53 998 4455 | Fax: +27 53 933 0035 

Website: www.kmlm.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 

Naledi Local Municipality 

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

NGAKA MODIRI MOLEMA 


Tel: +27 18 381 9400 | Fax: +27 18 381 0561 

Website: www.nmmdm.gov.za 

Ditsobotla Local Municipality 

Tel: +27 18 633 3800 | Fax: +27 18 632 5247 

Website: www.ditsobotla.co.za 

Mahikeng Local Municipality 

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

Website: www.mahikeng.gov.za 

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

North West Business 2020-21 Edition

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