1

Editorial

We are at a time when we should

ponder on the wrongs which inflicted

our country through minority rule. It is

also a time to celebrate the coming

age of democracy. The unwavering

youth of 1976 is proof that we can

achieve anything we set our minds to

“Just over a third of the

population is under the age of 15.

This makes us a nation with a

future, and we must utilise all

available resources to build that

future. That future is our young

people” President Jacob Zuma. I

urge all the youth to go out there and

make a difference where you can.

We had also been privy to the

excellent work done by our MEC, the

Hon. Mme Rosho who lead the

initiative of equipment donation for

women and the assistance offered by

the department to various other

causes. We have very insightful

articles which focus on some of these

women run businesses. Furthermore,

the honourable MECʼs budget speech

presentation 2013/2014 was a great

success, we urge you to read the full

document and understand the steps

that the Department is taking in

achieving its mandate. We have also

placed the highlights in this publication

to give you a perspective on the

overall content of the document. We

are pleased to say that the highlights

have been translated into Setswana for

your convenience.

You will find much more interesting

work being done by our department

inside the publication. Also in this issue

of Lesedi, are many discerning articles

and columns which will give you a

view on the economic situation of the

province, take you on a tour of the

valuable assistance the department

gives to SMMEʼs, the nature

conservation and environmental role

we are fulfilling and the ever present

engagement within the tourism

industry.

I am confident that you will enjoy this

issue of Lesedi and do not hesitate to

contact us for further insight.

Preface

It is already the middle of the 2013

Gregorian calendar proof that time

waits for no one. It is with this

sentiment that we should make the

best of every moment. Whether at

work or in your personal lives;

continuously strive for excellence even

with limited time on our side. This is

exactly what we aim to do, and are

currently doing, at the department. We

are utilising all of our time accordingly

in order to produce outstanding work

and meet necessary targets.

opportunity to meet with Chinese

delegates from Henan Province in

order to facilitate mutual tourism

benefits between the two provinces.

As a province, and through the

Honourable Premier Mme Thandi

Modise, we have also had a great

opportunity to visit China in order to

facilitate investment to the province.

This is aimed at targeting tourism and

industrialisation. We foresee many

opportunities for our people to benefit

from.

We all know that the surge of rhino

poachers is increasing at an alarming

rate and we have thus concentrated

our efforts into strategising and

implementing necessary plans in order

to save this beautiful creature. Let us

assure you that we are doing our best

to eradicate this epidemic, even within

our own structures.

We are hard at work in an attempt to

fulfil our mandate, it thus seems fitting

to quote Colin Powell in this instance,

“A dream doesn't become reality

through magic; it takes sweat,

determination and hard work.” We

can assure you that our hard work and

determination will prevail as we drive

this province to new heights.

MEC Motlalepula Rosho

This quarter was packed with notable

events aimed at common goals

between us as the Department, our

stakeholders and the public sphere.

We have fulfilled our duties, among

others, by hosting dialogs such as the

Liquor Lekgotla, which is intended to

inform and engage the liquor trading

industry in the province, as we have

done with the consumer industry. We further

hosted the first of its kind BRICS expo

and International Trade and Tourism

conference, which provided us with an

opportunity to showcase the North

West Province as an ideal investment

and tourism destination, and give our

SMMEʼs an opportunity to engage with

our BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and

China) partners. We also had an

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Dintlha tse di ko setlhoweng mo pegelo ya

tekanyetso kabo ka mokhuduthamaga

Motlalepula Rosho

MEC Rosho o fana ka tekanyetso kabo ko palamenteng

Maitlhomo magolo a lefapha mo ngwageng wa matlotlo wa 2013/2014:

1.

Moono wa Talafatso ya Ikonomi / Green Economy

Lefapha le tla tsenya tirisong seteratheji (strategy) sa porofense se se

satswang go konosediwa sa tlhabololo ya motlakase go oketsa phitlhelelo

ya motlakase ka go dirisa “solar energy‟ e o e dirang ka tlhabo ya letsatsi.

Lefapha mmogo le dimasepala di tla rotloetsa mekgwa e meswa ya

tlhokomelo ya leswe ka go itsisi ditirelo tsa leruri tse di maleba tsa tseo ya

matlakala.

Lefapha le tla samagana le porogama ya go oketsa kitso le bokgoni

(Learnership programme) jwa go lwantsha mekgwa e e sa lolamang ya

tshomarelo ya matlakala.

2. Tokafatso le mekgwa a kgodiso ya bojanala / Tourism Development

and Growth Initiatives

Bojanala ke karolo nngwe e e tsayang seabe mo kgodisong ya ikonomi

Lefapha le tlile go rotloetsa bojanala go batho le dikolo go etela ditheo tsa

bojanala, le go rotloetsa dikolo go oketsa maeto a.

Lefapha le tla samagana gape le go tlhabolola didiriswa tse seemo sa tsone se

koafetseng mo mafelong mangwe a boiketlo mo porofenseng.

Lefapha le tlile go tlhola lefelo la tshedimosetso la baeng (Visitor Information

Centre) mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotso Mompati go godisa sedika jaaka

nngwe ya mafelo a bojanala.

Lefapha le tla itsisi le go godisa setso le ngwao mo go tsa bojanala mo

porofenseng.

Lefapha le tlile go reka Taung Hotel and Conference Centre go e dira lefelo la

thuto (hotel school) ka maikaelelo a go le dira lefelo la thuto le le tlhwatlhwa .

3.

Tlhagiso potlana ya dijo

/ Small Scale Maize Milling and Food Processing.

Special Economic Zone (SEZ)

Madirelo(Industry) ya didiriswa e o go neng go lebeletswe gore e tla tlhola

MIDZ e tla dirisetswa go tlhola Special Economic Zone (SEZ) mo Mahikeng.

Lefapha ka tshosometso ya EID Cluster le tla tsosolosa boema fofane jwa

boditshabatshaba jwa Mahikeng e e tla nnang karolo ya Mahikeng Special

Economic Zone.

4. Letlhakori la thefosano mo go tsa meepo /

Mining Supplier Park Zone

Lefapha le tla matlafatsa dikgolagano mo tirisanong ya indasetiri

magareng ga mafapha (sectors) a ikonomi mo porofenseng.

5. Letlhakori la tlhagiso ya tshipi, le didiriswa mo madirelong a

dipalangwa / Metal Fabrication, Captial and Transport Equipment

Industrial Zone

Lefapha le tla tlhola Metal Fabrication, Capital and Transport Equipment

Industrial Parks mo sedikeng sa Dr Kenneth Kaunda.

6. Letlhakori la madirelo ya polasitiki le dikhemikhale / Plastic and

Chemicals Industrial Park

Lefapha le tla aga Industrial Park e o tiro ya yona e tla nnang go tlhagisa

dipolasetiki le go dira dikhemikhale mo porofensing.

7. Mafelo a thuso mo go tsa kgwebo / Business Processing Services

Centres

Lefapha le simolotse kgwebo potlana ya Call Centre ko Logaganeng. Go

solofetswe fa se e tla nna motlhala wa diporojeke mo metse selegae.

Lefelo le, le solofetswe go fitlhelela kgolo ya manno a le somepedi mo

isagweng fa puso e ka letshegetsa.

8. Tokafatso mo go tse di amang dijanaga / Automotive Industrial

Development Park

Lefapha le tlile go simolola madirelo a dijanaga a botlhokwa jwa one bo

akaretsang go oketsa bogolo jwa porogama ya Tshwane Automotive City.

madirelo a, a tla tlhomiwa ko Rosslyn mo lefelong la tsa kgwebo la

Madibeng.

9. Kgodiso ya dikgwebo potlana / Small Business Development

Lefapha le tla tswelela go tshegetsa dikgwebo potlana gonne di le

botlhokwa thata mo kgolong ya ikonomi ya porofense.

Lefapha le tla ema nokeng setheo sa bagwebi ba ba sa itekanelang mo

mebeleng (Disability Entrepreneurial Centre model) ko Feel at Home

Disability Centre mo Mahikeng, Ngaka Modiri Molema.

MEC Tebogo Modise impresses international investors in Thailand

The Ambassador of Thailand Ms Marks and MEC of Sports, Arts and Culture Tebogo Modise

during the Trade and Investment Summit held in Thailand

There are unlimited investment

opportunities in the North West

Province

in South Africa. This is the

powerful message that North West

MEC Tebogo Modise, delivered to more

than 300 influential business leaders in

Thailand during an official visit in April.

Doing business with Thailand is a

necessity as it has a liberal market-

orientated economy located at the

centre

of Asia-

the fastest growing

economic region in the world.

Investors in the country benefit from

its ease of doing business, world class

infrastructure, a government that is

responsive to investor needs, a cost

effective workforce and enjoyable

working and living environment.

Wrapping up her week- long visit to

Thailand, MEC Modise told

international investors in a moving

address that she was keenly aware

that people overseas only know about

the three metropolitan cities,

Johannesburg, Cape Town and

Durban. "We are here to introduce you

to the North West Province, which is

part of a robust and growing South

African economy. The provincial

economy has been growing

impressively over the last few years".

Mining is one of the key industries in

the province and contributes 42% to

GDP, followed by agriculture with 13%

and manufacturing with 12%. The

total wealth created in South Africa

amounted to R430 billion in terms of

GDP. Of this, the North West

contributed R20 billion.

"In addition, we have a strategically

located airport with one of the longest

runways in the world.“

Modise told investors that North West

province is rich in mineral wealth and

presents opportunities in a variety of

manufacturing activities especially in

platinum jewellery, diamond cutting

and polishing. "Mineral beneficiation is

our priority focus area. We are moving

away from primary production to

secondary and tertiary production".

She also identified tourism as another

key economic sector. "Tourism is

growing at an unbelievable rate.

There are vast opportunities in this

area. For investors, there is a strong

market for more lodges".

Modise assured potential investors that

the provincial government will provide

potential investors with whatever

support they may need for the mutual

benefit of all partners.

She reiterated her call overseas

people to consider North West as their

holiday destinations. "Come to the

North West Province to enjoy the beauty,

hospitality and tranquillity of our

province and its people".

Economic Development hosts the North West Liquor Traders

Consultative Lekgotla

“Morality in certain societies has

vanished as a result of alcohol abuse,

families have become unstable due to

liquor abuses and itʼs important for us

to all play a part. It cannot only be the

Department that is responsible, we

need all to comply with the liquor

regulation framework”, said MEC for

Economic Development, Environment,

Conservation and Tourism, Ms

Motlalepula Rosho. The MEC was

speaking at a Liquor Traders

Consultative Lekgotla that was held at

the Mmabatho Convention Centre

earlier this year. .

Each year, the month of January is

marked to be “Liquor Month” for the

North West Province, through the

commitment made at the National

Liquor Policy Council. The Lekgotla was

a platform which the Department and

other stakeholders used to create

awareness around the abuse of liquor

by the public as well as addressing

Liquor Traders who attended the Liquor

Traders Consultative Lekgotla

issues of non-compliance by licensed

traders. It is also informed, among

others, by the need to encourage

participation in liquor trading

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governance issues by creating a

responsible and sustainable trading

environment, which is underpinned by a

culture of compliance with prescribed

legislative requirements.

The North West Liquor Board has

received many complaints relating to

the sale of liquor beyond stipulated

trading hours, liquor being sold to

minors and pregnant women, over

intoxicated patrons and the sanction of

uncontrollable behaviour of certain

patrons in liquor outlets, which result in

public nuisances and incidents of

violence. Addressing delegates, the MEC

cautioned that if a license holder was

found leasing their liquor trading

premises to foreigners, some of whom

did not qualify to trade, it entirely

undermines licensing authorities as well

as tribal authorities, if based within

tribal land. “Not only will the liquor

license be taken away from the owner,

but they will also be blacklisted against

opening any business for the rest of

their lives. The same applied to those

who use RDP houses as a form of

business premises”. The MEC further

stated that those who are illegally

conducting business, especially the sale of liquor in RDP houses, will face the

harsh reality of their houses being

repossessed by the State. Moreover,

she indicated that extended business

hours, which in the past were approved

by the Liquor Board, will be withdrawn

as extended trading hours do not bring

about any benefit to society and instead

contributed to the opposite.

The MEC indicated that she has already

instructed the Board to withdraw all

applications for extended hours,

previously approved. ”By the end of

March 2013 and as from the 1st April

2013, all previously approved extended

hours permits will lapse,” explained MEC

Rosho.

Approximately 1200 liquor traders

comprising of, tavern , pub , night

club, restaurant, bottle stores

owners and micro liquor distributors

around the Province attended the

event. The success of the event could

be directly linked to the dialogue

between the traders, the MEC and the

Liquor Board. “Please note that we will

continuously engage with you as liquor

traders and the public, on matters

which will lead to optimising the liquor

trading sector for all”, concluded MEC

Rosho.

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MEC flanked by members who attended the Consultative Lekgotla

South African dignitaries promoted SA at the FITUR International Tourism Fair

in Spain in

February 2013. Pictured among them are MEC Motlalepula Rosho (in red) and Tourism

Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk (second from the right).

Bright future ahead for the SA Tourism industry The tourism sector in South Africa has grown in leaps and bounds over the years.

After the sector experienced a slight decline after influx due to the 2010 World Cup,

2012 saw significant growth with tourist arrivals to South Africa growing by 10.5%

for the first six months of 2012, more than double the global average of 5% in the

same period.

Furthermore, between October 2011 and October 2012, the volume of same day

visitors increased by 8.8% (from 317 561 in October 2011 to 345 603 in October

2012) and the volume of tourists increased by 8.5% (from 723 247 in October 2011

to 784 862 in October 2012).

South Africa is working relentlessly to create a conducive environment for the

tourism sector to grow and develop, and to translate growth into a chain reaction of

attracting more long term investment into the country.

Tourism in South Africa

South Africa is taking initiative in building on the interest in the country as a tourist

attraction through various initiatives. Innovation, strategic partnerships and

collaborations are some of the anchor drivers of this growth.

Although overall growth in tourist arrivals has been strong, growth from the

emerging markets has been particularly robust; Arrivals from Asia grew by 40.7%

and those from Central and South America by 54.4%.

Interest from BRICS Countries

There has been a significant increase in tourists into South Africa from the BRICS

countries, significantly from China and India. According to www.southafrica.info

growth in SA's tourism sector from the Chinese market increased by a startling

63.5% between January and September 2012, making China the country's fourth-

biggest overseas tourist market.

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The North West Province robust in attracting tourists

The North West Province is seizing

each and every opportunity to

translate the growth in tourism into an

increase in inward investment into the

province. As such, the Department of

Economic Development, Environment

Conservation and Tourism under the

leadership of MEC Motlalepule Rosho

has been active in promoting tourism

in the province and matching it with

international standards.

MEC Motlalepule Rosho led a North

West delegation to the FITUR

International Tourism Fair in Spain for

the promotion and marketing of the

tourism investment opportunities and

other generic sector specific invest-

ment opportunities for the Province.

Invest North West Director,Ms Sophie Molokoane -Machika and Investment

Facilitation Manager, Sarah Manone

accompanied the delegation.

MEC Rosho further invited and hosted

a Tourism Delegation from the Henan

Province in China who embarked on a

tourism trade mission to the North

West Province as part of their

attendance of the North West BRICS

Expo and International Trade &

Tourism Conference held at the

Mmabatho Convention Centre in

February 2013.

Over 96 000 Chinese tourists visited South Africa between January and September

2012. Tourist arrivals from India to South Africa between January and September

last year numbered 79 000, an 18% increase on the previous yearʼs figures. The

sharp rise in tourist numbers is a strong indicator of strengthening relations between

South Africa and the BRIC countries.

Interestingly, the value of inward investment into the South African economy from

the BRICS countries has also grown. Trade between South Africa and China grew by

32% last year while trade with India rose by 25% and with Brazil by 20%. China

totalled R188bn last year. Trade with India was recorded at R55bn, with Brazil at

R18bn and with Russia at R3.8bn.

The Cradle of Human kind: Maropeng

Hartebeespoort Dam

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Economic Development celebrates Consumer Day with justice

institutions

“Protection structures have to ensure

that the consumer voice is heard not

at the implementation stage but a at

the planning stage as most damages

occur at the initiation stages”, said

MEC, Motlalepula Rosho during the

workshop that was held at Mmabatho

Palms under the theme “Consumer

Justice now”.

“We must exercise restraint in signing

contracts before reading them as that

might have adverse consequences and

should not be discouraged from

reading voluminous documents written

in small print as these may

compromise our rights. I commit my

Department to the implementation of

the United Nations guidelines on

consumer protection,” said MEC

Rosho.

The day is celebrated worldwide on

the 15th of March of every year. This is

a concerted effort of International

Organization of Consumer Union

(IOCU) now Consumer International.

During this day Consumer

International (CI) encourage’s

authorities responsible for protection

of consumers to use the occasion to

expose the real danger caused by poor

or non-existent consumer protection

around the world. Consumer’s need to

be appraised on their rights against

poor quality products and irresponsible

lending by credit providers.

MEC Rosho enlightens the participants

about the case in which a furniture

shop obtained a judgement against the

consumer for the debt amounting to

R3 621.54. The court granted a

garnishee order for an amount of R200

on the salary of the complainant to

settle the debt. Due to

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MEC Motlalepula Rosho addressing the crowd during the Liquour Traders Consultative Lekgotla

maladministration of the garnishee

orders by some legal practitioners, the

poor consumerʼs paid this debt for a

period of nine years.

Guests who attended

the Consumer Day Celebration

With the assistance of the Consumer

Affairs Office the matter took three

and half years for the consumer to

obtain relief for unauthorised and

unlawful deductions. From the date in

which garnishee order was effected,

the consumer ended up paying a

whopping R21 000 for settlement of

judgement debt of R3 620.54.

“This is just an example on how the

rights of consumers are infringed by

different stakeholders. We therefore

urge you to work with government in

correcting the wrong doings by some

of the legal practitioners and creditors

out there. Government has observed

that the maladministration of

garnishee orders is currently affecting

performance of public servants. This

was confirmed by Minister Pravin Gordhan during the presentation of his

budget speech in February 2013 that

government need to contain the abuse

of garnishee orders”, said Rosho.

MEC highlighted the need for the employees

in her Department to be empowered on debt management especially those

that are about to go on pension so

that they may enjoy their pensions.

These will be conducted in the next

financial year and will be extended to

other Provincial Departments.

The celebration was attended by

approximately 300 representatives

from traditional leaders, councillors,

government departments, legal

practitioners, NGOʼs and community

members.

“We as North West government

commit ourselves to implement the

right to consumer education and right

to redress as contained in the

guidelines and encapsulated in various

legislation, in particular the rights

incorporated in the Consumer

Protection Act and National Credit

Act”, said Rosho.

She further said that her Department

will ensure that the Consumer Affairs

Court is up and running by end of this

year to consolidate redress

mechanisms that are in place.

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Diane Treblanche:Chairperson of National Consumer Tribunal making a presentation

during the Consumer Day Celebration

Provincial Economic Overview

Reweighting and Rebasing of CPI

CPI Changes (CPI –

Consumer Price Index)

The year 2013 saw an introduction of a new CPI weight* derived primarily from

Stats SAʼs household expenditure survey. The weights have also been revised to

reflect the most recent consumer buying patterns - what made up an average basket

a few years ago is not necessarily reflective on what consumers have spent on in

recent times. Thus, the periodic introduction of new weights reflects on these

changes, and all indices will be rebased so that December 2012 equals 100. All new

product indices will be started at 100 in December 2012. This is a departure from

previous practice where the average of the index for a year was set equal to 100.

This method satisfies the following criteria:

The historical, published rates of change in the CPI are retained;

There is a base period in which all indices equal 100 (in this case December

2012);

All monthly changes in the CPI from January 2013 are a true reflection of

underlying

price movements; and

All indices are calculated in the normal fashion and additivity through all

aggregation levels is ensured.

The CPI stood at 5.4% y/y in January 2013.

Employment South Africa observed the highest levels of employment in Q3 & Q4 of 2012 since Q2

of 2009, the latest employment figure for South Africa stood at 13,5 million for

Q4:2012.

Year on Year change in employment: Q1:2008 to Q4:2012

Source: Stats SA QLFS Q4:2012

13

The North West Province was one of the three provinces that experienced the

highest increase in employment figures in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2012, with

47 000 gains in employment or a 6.7% year-on-year change. This could be

attributed to the Mining sector, the anchor of the North West Economy, being one of

the biggest employers, alongside Manufacturing and Construction in the particular

period.

Source: StatsSA QLFS Q4, 2012

Economic Outlook

The National economy is expected to grow at 2,7% in 2013 (a lower rate than had

been projected in 2012) and GDP is expected to reach a 3.8% growth rate by 2015.

Whilst inflation has been moderate, it rose by 5,7% in 2012 and is projected to

increase by an average of 5.5% in the year ahead.

*The CPI weighting is a term used to indicate the ratios of the cost of typical

consumer goods contributing to the basket representing monthly household

expenditure. This is part of a formula used to calculate monthly consumer price

inflation. The baseline prices are those of goods as they were in December 2012.

Courtesy: Invest North West

Authors: Hantie Hoogkamer & Rego Ramong, Invest North West

A table of Employment by Province

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MEC hands over Equipment to SMME Women through out the

North West Province

Establishing an enterprise and turning

it into a sustainable business for a

woman is not a walk in the park. It

takes determination, patience, hard

work, focus and courage to go out

there to seek for help because good

things do not come to those who wait

but to those who make an effort of

seeing to it that they achieve what

they would like. Following through the

solidity of the power of hope is also

essential attribute required in the

journey to success.

The MEC for the Department of

Economic Development, Environment,

Conservation and Tourism, Mme

Motlalepula Rosho recently handed

over equipment to 18 women

cooperative projects across all four

districts of the North West Province.

The initiative came as a result of

challenges raised by small businesses

through their interaction at the

Departmentsʼ women month

campaigns, which took place last year.

The handing over was done in

partnership with all affected

municipalities.

‟We have observed that small business

plays an important role in growing the

economy

of the North West.

Government, with assistance of the

private sector, have to create a

conducive environment for small

businesses to operate effectively. By

doing this they will be in position to create jobs, especially among the

youth,” said MEC Rosho.

The challenges that are faced by most

small businesses are centred on access

to finance, obtaining favourable

markets and resources. Of all the

businesses which had attended the

campaign, a handful of projects that

have the potential to grow were

identified, and a needs analysis was

conducted thereof. As a start, 18

cooperatives were chosen and assisted

with equipment based on their

foremost needs. The costs for the

equipment purchased, amounted to a

substantial R700 000. The equipment

includes stitch industrial machines;

embroidery machines and over

lockers; bakery and catering

equipment; chemical manufacturing

machines and cold storage room.

MEC Rosho explained that her

department will lobby big businesses,

especially mining companies, to

procure the products offered by these

cooperatives. “By this we are

preparing them to produce quality

products and the quantity thereof,

which might then be exported to

countries like China, as they have

shown interest in doing business with

the North West Province,” said Mme

Rosho.

She further emphasised that the

Provincial government, as part of its

plan to link local businesses with their

counterparts in the BRIC countries,

15

should concentrate on areas around

agro-processing and manufacturing.

The Department would like to take

along some products ready for

exporting, during their second visit to

China later in the year.

“All these initiatives are done in

partnership with municipalities with

the common goal of improving the

lives of the people of the North West.

We will further link these projects with

relevant institutions in support of

women programmes, from both the

public and private sector, and lobby

them to procure their products,” said

MEC Rosho.

MEC Rosho urged the cooperatives to

take care of the equipment and

transfer skills to young people. She

further informed members of the

cooperatives that she will be

conducting unannounced visits during

the course of the year, to check on the

progress of these projects. The

Department is extremely enthusiastic

about these projects and will further

monitor and evaluate them, and

intervene, when a need arises.

View on the Co-operatives

Dr Ruth Mompati District

Classic Nails and Beauty

This extraordinary enterprise has its

humble beginnings in Taung where

two business women had a vision of

bringing the beauty industry to the

people.

Mmabatho Obotseng and Jeanette

Bantaotse, started off the business

Classic nails and Beauty, on a small

note in 2011 when they experienced

much difficulty in obtaining equipment

and the business premises.

MEC Motlalepula Rosho and members of the Classic Nails and Beauty Co -operative

16

Samphete Pottery

Samphete pottery is a co-operative

consisting of 10 members of which five

are women and five are men, all of

which are people with disablities. All

members were trained in this industry

with the help of the Department of

Education and DPSA (Disabled People

South Africa).

The Department ofEconomic Development, Environment,

Hon. MEC, Mme Rosho has been able

to donate items used in the production

of their products. The department

donated an oven for the quick drying

process of clay and many other

chemicals and compounds used to

produce the products.

members of Samphete Pottery co-operative and MEC Rosho

Dr Kenneth Kaunda District

Eluthandwene Primary Manufacturing Co-operative

This Stilfontein based co-operative

started out in 2008 by eight members

who have a yearning to supply all

school uniforms and other garments

for people within the Kenneth Kaunda

District and perhaps even further.

Selina Brown and Rutta Molojwa are

two of the eight members who

represented the business at the MECʼs

equipment handouts.

Eluthandwene Primary Manufacturing Co-operative

members showing their products

17

Conservation and Tourism through the

Mochochonono Co-operative

Mochochonono is a material, garment

and jewellery producer with its main

focus on formal and bridal wear. “We

do dresses for many occasions,

including weddings and matric

farewells”, mentioned Kedibone. The

co-operative currently has a small

client base and aims to increase that

when they receive the equipment from

the MEC. The business will receive a

new embroidery machine as well as

two new sewing machines and two

new over lockers.

MEC Rosho and Mochochonono Co-operative

members showing their equipment

Bojanala District

Vescmi Agro processing Co-operative

Vescmi Agro Processing is a producer

of meat products and is situated within

the Bojanala district, or more

specifically, within Mamerotse Village

near Rustenburg. The co-op started its

operation in 2010, with the intention of

making biltong and drywors which

would ultimately be sold by hotels and

resorts within the province. Sophy

Sentsho, under the mentorship of

Constance Modingwana, is one of the

members of the co-operative which

wants to lead the way in terms of

meat production and processing.

The MEC, trough the department, has

donated a cold room and an industrial

cutting saw to this woman run

enterprise. “We are very honoured to

have been given this equipment, we

will now be able to store our products

and maybe even produce much more,

we cannot thank the MEC enough for

what she has done”, explained Ms Sentsho

MEC Rosho congratulating members of Vescmi Agro processing Co- operative

18

Bontle Image Academy CC

Bongiwe Yaphi, owner of Bontle Image Academy CC, is one of the women in the

North West Province who believe that equally to men, women have what it takes to

become successful entrepreneurs. Yaphi is a hair dresser by profession and

accredited assessor for skills development training in the hair industry.

MEC Rosho and BongiweYaphi, owner of Bontle Image Academy CC

Reabetswe Clothing Co-operative

After a long struggle and striving to become a sustainable enterprise, Reabetswe

Clothing Cooperative has now gained momentum and is positive that their enterprise

will grow. This is after the MEC for the Department of Economic Development,

Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) Mme Motlalepula Rosho

empowered them by donating much needed equipment for their cooperative.

Reabetswe Clothing Cooperative

members with MEC Rosho

19

Ngaka Modiri Molema District

20

DEDECT Celebrates World Wetlands Day

Mothopestad Village, near Koster, had

the honour of hosting the celebration of

World Wetlands Day in the North West

Province. The purpose of the event,

hosted by the Department of Economic

Development, Environment, Conservation

and Tourism, was to educate and create

awareness on the importance of wetlands

to the environment.

World Wetlands Day is celebrated

internationally each year on 02nd

February. Wetlands are warehouses of

biodiversity, they support plants and

animals that are specifically adapted to

wet regions and are not able to survive

anywhere else. The international theme

for Wetlands Day 2013 is “Wetlands and

Water management.”

Wetlands also supply water for domestic

animals in the area such as cattle, goats

and sheep, hence making it a vital part of

the environment which needs to be

conserved. It is on this premise that the

Department decided to build gabions at

the wetlands sites which serve as water

storage facilities for livestock.

Speaking on behalf of MEC Rosho,

Member of the Municipal Council (MMC)

for Local Economic Development (LED) in

the Bojanala District Municipality, Mme

Velemina Molekwa pleads with members

of the community to preserve water.

“Shotage of water is one of the biggest

challenges in the country hence we

should conserve and take care of water

as it is a basic source of life, and as

such as should not only be governments

responsibility but everyone’s responsibility,”

said Mme Molekwa.

Working for Wetlands team on a gabion