CONTENTS
CONTENTS North West Business Edition 2021/22 edition Introduction Foreword 7 A unique guide to business and investment in the North West. Message 9 A message from the North West Development Corporation. Special features A regional overview of the North West Province 10 Global prices are supporting rising production for miners and farmers but governance issues at local level need to be addressed. The North West has the metals and minerals to help the world go green 14 Palladium is more valuable than gold, and not only in dollars. Economic sectors Mining 18 Many mining companies are thinking of expansion. Agriculture 28 Training in agriculture is in the spotlight. Water 32 A cross-provincial irrigation scheme is a national priority. Manufacturing 36 An Integrated Manufacturing Strategy aims to stimulate the sector. NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2021/22 6
FOREWORD 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: Tyra Martin Production: Aneeqah Solomon Ad sales: Gavin van der Merwe Sam Oliver Jeremy Petersen Gabriel Venter Vanessa Wallace Shiko Diala Administration & accounts: Charlene Steynberg Kathy Wootton Distribution and circulation manager: Edward MacDonald Printing: FA Print DISTRIBUTION North West Business is distributed internationally on outgoing and incoming trade missions, through trade and investment agencies; to foreign offices in South Africa’s main trading partners around the world; at top national and international events; through the offices of foreign representatives in South Africa; as well as nationally and regionally via chambers of commerce, tourism offices, airport lounges, provincial government departments, municipalities and companies. The 2021/22 edition of North West Business marks the 11th 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. The boom in commodity prices that accompanied the international slowdown that resulted from the Covid-19 pandemic was a boon to the North West’s mining companies and helped to offset some of the hardship in the province during 2020 and 2021. This topic is covered extensively in the mining overview and in a special feature on the new uses to which platinum group metals (PGMs) are being put in the service of the rising cleaner energy movement. North West Business includes news and analysis of the most important sectors. Best known for its platinum mines, grain and livestock farming and tourism, the province is making a concerted effort to bolster its manufacturing capacity through a dedicated new strategy. 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 | 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 | Aurecon; Bushveld Minerals; De Wildt Solar; Juanita Swart on Unsplash (boats on Hartbeespoort Dam); Implats; Mafikeng Digital Innovation Hub; North-West University; Pilanesberg Platinum Mine; Sun City; Tourism North West; Vuselela TVET College; John Young. 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. 7 NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2021/22
