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NORTH WEST SOPA 2025
“Ours is a skewed past centred on exploitation, exclusion and oppression but we remain hopeful about the future prospects of our province, and we are unflinching on our commitment to create a better life of all, irrespective of race, class, gender or creed.” – Premier Mokgosi
The North West Province, known to locals as Bokone Bophirima, intends to use its mineral wealth, most notably gold and platinum, to attract investment; empower its local communities to produce their own food; and revitalise its popular tourist sites to attract local and international visitors to the province.
Aside from this, the North West Province will tackle a range of pressing matters that include dealing with its unemployment crisis, childhood nutrition, upskilling the youth, upgrading its infrastructure, land distribution, social housing and health care priorities.
These are a few of the highlights that were mentioned by Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi when he delivered his State of the Province Address (SOPA) in the North West Legislature at the end of February.
Honouring Stalwarts Pahad, Mompati and Tiro
In the opening of his address the Premier noted that his inaugural SoPA coincides with the 70 th Anniversary of the adoption of the Freedom Charter by the Congress of the People in Kliptown, Soweto and the 30 th Anniversary of our Democracy. In commemoration of these events, the Premier paid special tribute to three (3) struggle heroes:
Former Deputy Minister of International Relations Aziz Pahad (1940-2023) who was born in Schweizer-Reneke. "Pahad, an activist, diplomat and native of our beloved province dedicated his entire life in the struggle for liberation and the creation of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic state," said the Premier.
Just prior to the SoPA the province held a special event in Pahad’s honour addressed by a panel comprising of his wife Professor Angina Parekh Pahad, Vice-Chancellor of the North West University, Professor Bismarck Tyobeka, and Minister of International Relations in Botswana, Dr Phenyo Butale, who assessed his life and political impact.
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati (1925-2015) who was born in the small village of Tlapeng in Ganyesa, in the Vryburg district which is now Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality.
At the age of 27, she relocated to Johannesburg and worked as a secretary for Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo’s law firm. She worked closely with Lilina Ngoyi, Sophie De Bruyn and Helen Joseph and Getrude Shope with whom she established the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW) and organised the historic women’s march to the Union Buildings on the 9th of August in 1956.
She was one of the first women to go into exile to join Mkhonto We Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC) after which she received military training in the Soviet Union. When South Africa became a democracy, she became and MP, then an ambassador and later a mayor and now has a district municipality in the province named after her.
War veteran and hero Aaron Tiro
Mokgosi (1945-1974) who was born in Dinokana, a small village near Zeerust and who was killed in Zambia. Tiro’s remains were repatriated in December last year by the provincial government for reburial at Lekubu village near Zeerust.
Tiro died in exile in Zambia and Mokgosi thanked ordinary Zambians for hosting him and other freedom fighters in exile. “His spirit shall live forever and serve as a reminder of the sacrifices endured in the course for liberation.”
Medium Term Development Goals
Premier Mokgosi noted that the 2025 State of the Province Address is a culmination of a broader consultative process with various stakeholders to find consensus on matters of socioeconomic concern confronting the province - and that SOPA sets the tone for the implementation of the MediumTerm Development Plan (MTDP-20252030), which was recently approved by cabinet.
The MTDP is anchored on three strategic priorities:
• Driving inclusive growth and creating jobs,
• Reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living.
• Building a capable, ethical and developmental state, in line with the National Development Plan.
Mokgosi took his cue directly from President Cyril Ramaphosa, who while delivering his State of the Nation Adress (SONA) earlier in the month, emphasised the need for a working government. “We need a state that is capable and competent, underpinned by a professional public service.” Ramaphosa said, noting “South Africans want a state that treats all people with dignity, humility and respect. A state with leaders who are prepared to serve our people with complete dedication, and public servants who are ethical, skilled and properly qualified”.
Poverty and Unemployment
Mokgosi unequivocally stated that “... as a province we are concerned about the high levels of unemploy-ment and poverty confronting our communities.” He noted that the province's unemployment rate, which moved up to 52% using the broad measure, should galvanise everyone in the province to fight the scourge.
Mokgosi declared in Setswana “Mmusakgotla, re busa mo dinakong tse di thata!” which means, “Speaker, we govern in tough times” as he urged traditional, religious, community and business leaders to help government carry the yoke of improving citizens lives.
Through strategic partnerships, targeted investments, and bold leadership, North West is turning its potential into progress - building a resilient, inclusive, and thriving province for all.
Agri Hubs for Food Security
The Premier announced that part of poverty alleviation among rural communities will include working with the North West House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders under the stewardship of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) to form Agri-hubs in collaboration with the North West University (NWU) and Agriculture Research Council (ARC), among other institutions.
“This objective is primarily aimed at driving agricultural development to empower emerging commercial farmers while contributing to sustainable economic growth to address high poverty levels in rural communities in district municipalities such as Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Ngaka Modiri Molema.” the Premier announced.
The North West is the province that pioneered the Nutritional Scheme for schools. For the next financial year, more than R690 million will be allocated to feed more than 750 000 learners in more than 1 300 schools. This will be accompanied by an improvement in the monthly stipend paid to food handlers to R2 190.
Farming and Land Redistribution Gathers Pace
• The Premier also announced that through the ILIMA programme and the Presidential Employment Stimulus the province is supporting 5000 subsistence farmers to enhance food security and R60 million has been set aside for the successful implementation of these programmes.
• An additional R85 million rands of conditional grants will support farming communities in increasing food production across the province.
• Following the successful revival of the Taung irrigation scheme, the province will also revitalise the Disaneng, Molatedi, Hartebees and Mooibank Irrigation Schemes. An Irrigation Symposium was held in early March to finalise the project.
• The government is working with Vaalharts Water Users Association,
the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality to increase the water supply to households in the areas such as Taung, Pudimoe and Huhudi.
• The Premier noted that 6000 hectares of land have been restored to communities and rightful owners, with R4,5 billion spent on land acquisition and over R430 million paid as development and resettlement grants.
• One of the key beneficiaries is Bo-Moshe Communal Property Association, where over 670 hectares of land valued at more than R380 million was restored to the community which produces berries for export to international markets. This restoration has culminated in the investment of more than R40 million and has created close to 5000 seasonal jobs and 34 permanent jobs for locals.
Road Infrastructure Developed through PPPs
One of government’s top strategic priorities is to develop infrastructure to enhance economic efficiency, lower the cost of doing business and improve the quality of lives. One of the ways to achieve this is through collaboration with the private sector, a partnership which Mokgotsi took time to acknowledge.
Mokgosi says the province has so far garnered R9 billion investments from Harmony Gold and China Africa Precious Metals in the City of Matlosana. “These investments have collectively created and preserved 10 000 jobs,” he announced.
The Premier said in the current financial year, R429 million was spent on rural and small towns to link rural and farming communities with the province’s economic hubs.
To complement this spending, Impala Bafokeng Resources has funded the rehabilitation of roads at Mafenya, Chaneng and Robega villages at a cost of R39 million.
“The recent investment of R160 million by the Anglo American Amandabult Complex gives credence to our ongoing efforts to foster relations with the private sector to address road infrastructure backlogs in the province.” said Mokgotsi, noting that the company has further pledged to fund a road linking Limpopo and the North West through Ramokokastad at an estimated cost of R120 million.
“All these initiatives amount to more than R300 million worth of investment in road infrastructure,” the Premier told the people of the North West and his vast array of guests.
The Premier further highlighted that the North West Province is in the process of building the Mekgareng Smart City in a collaborative development with Gauteng and coordinated by the national Department of Human Settlements (DHS), and is set to create 20 000 jobs for the people of the Madibeng Local Municipality. The project is estimated to attract investments of between R10 billion and R25 billion.
Development Fund
The province has also dedicated R24 million to establish a Development Fund to accelerate development initiatives across the province, with a special focus on stimulating economic growth and creating sustainable job opportunities.
Economic and Investment Advisory Council
The Premier used the occasion to highlight the work of the Economic and Investment Advisory Council. “The Council is responsible for assisting the province to drive its industrialisation programme, attract inward investments and see to the full implementation of the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS).”
The province aims to establish a Regional Research, Innovation and Development Office, which will be in, and coordinated by, the Office of the Premier.
The Premier announced a partnership with the South African Defence Force (SANDF) and Phila Jordan Academy (Pty) Ltd to provide training opportunities to 3000 beneficiaries, in artisanal and tooling programmes, through the South African National Service Institute (SANSI) Pilot Programme, which is a SANDFled National Youth Service (NYS) programme.
Once they have completed their training, this cohort of young people will be responsible for the refurbishment of government buildings, and will be provided with incubation, mentorship, and market access support to youth entrepreneurs. The province currently has in place programmes that benefit 13 200 young people and youth owned enterprises in skills training and work placement opportunities.
Help for Medical Professionals
The province has allocated R10 million to the VT Sifora Provincial Bursary Scheme and responded to the country’s challenge of unemployed medical professionals by awarding 31 young people the Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro scholarship to study medicine in Cuba. The province absorbed 157 young professionals who completed community service and 127 professionals will be offered full-time employment and sessional posts until funded vacant posts arise.
150 000 Job Opportunities over the Next Five Years
Mokgosi says Bokoni Bophirima has an ambition to create 150 000 job opportunities over the next five years through programmes such as the Expanded Public Works (EPWP), Community Health Workers (CHW),
Community Works (CW) and Labour Activation Programmes (LAP), the latter run by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). These will be aimed mainly at women, the youth and people with disabilities.
The EPWP alone currently benefits 9 000 people, two thirds of which, or 6 000, are young people.
Education Success
The North West province has invested R1,4 billion in education infrastructure to support learning and teaching. “This has enabled the North West to be one of the best performing provinces in the country, obtaining fourth position with a pass rate of 87 percent in the 2024 National Senior Certificate examinations,” the Premier said. The construction of about 7 schools has supported several jobs in their localities, while the construction of over twenty schools in the next five years will create an additional fifteen thousand jobs.
The Premier singled out for specific mention Hoerskool Swartruggens who voluntarily indicated their readiness, in line with the BELA Act, to admit learners who are not first language Afrikaans-speaking.
Housing for People’s Dignity
The province has assisted 84-year-old Lydia Mere become a homeowner for the first time. “Ms. Mere’s story sums up our ongoing efforts to provide shelter and dignity for all our people.” said the Premier. The province is also providing a new house for sixteen members of the Modise family, who lived in a two roomed shack in Ramatlabana.
In a visit to the area, the government had made a pledge to the local chief Kgosi Gobusamang Shole to build 84 houses for residents in need. The Premier used the SoPA to update that the promise is being kept, with the first phase of half the houses under construction.
The Premier said in the 2025/2026 financial year, the government aims to build 3 550 houses and remove asbestos roofing. The government also aims to deliver 500 units in mining towns at a cost of R90 million.
Water for Communities
Water provision remains critical for general hygiene and sanitation for households but also for helping sustain industry and agriculture in municipalities.
Mokgosi announced that the province is spending R101 million for the construction of a sewer pipe in Mahikeng following community complaints that government received. “Various water and sanitation projects are at different stages of construction and completion in Moretele, Moses Kotane, Ramotshere Moiloa, Mamusa, and Naledi Local Municipalities with a total budget of R450 million”
The province’s first citizen also announced that similar projects are underway in Bodibe, Ramosadi, Signal Hill and Lobatla, among others, while R65 million will be spent on finishing incomplete water projects in Ntsweletsoku, Dithakong and Deelpan. Construction of phase two of the Pilanesberg Water Augmentation project is underway and will alleviate provision of water challenges in Ramotshere Moiloa.
Bus Services Challenges
The province is grappling with the challenge of providing passenger bus services to citizens as a state entity, North West Transport Investments is under business rescue, and while bus services have been restored in Dr Ruth Mompati District Municipality, it has collapsed in other areas.
NW at Mining Indaba
The Premier announced that the province will showcase its mining potential at a premiere event, The Investing in African Mining Indaba, now hosted for over 30 years in Cape Town. “Part of promoting investments in mining, which is one of the key economic drivers in the North West, will be to lead a delegation to the Mining Indaba next year to promote the province to access the full cycle of the mining value chain.” the Premier said. The province also aims to resuscitate the Provincial Mining Investment Summit in close collaboration with the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources.
Crime and a Grim End to Illegal Mining
The Premier applauded the efforts of the South African Police Services (SAPS) who are helping government fight crimes such as illegal mining, stock theft and gangsterism. The North West is the site of the Stilfontein mine, where a tense standoff between police, community, businesses and illegal miners ensued in the latter half of last year and resulted in the retrieval of 75 bodies.
Clean Audits
Mokgosi announced that the province achieved two clean audits at Provincial Treasury and the Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, seven unqualified audit outcomes and one qualified audit opinion with less material findings at the Department of Education. “This marks a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance accountability and transparency.”
Local Government Turn Around
Mokgosi told the gathering that the implementation of the Local Government Turnaround Strategy and Financial Recovery Plan with the support of National Treasury has also shown improvement in the audit outcomes of some municipalities.
“These include provision of services through the roll-out of the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme through Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded,” Mokgosi said. The North West province, which currently receives 7% of the Equitable Share from the fiscus is lobbying for a bigger slice.
Revitalising Parks for Tourism
The provincial government is in the process of revitalising the North West Parks and Tourism Board. Mokgosi said the aim is to reposition the entity to allow it to derive adequate revenue to sustain itself and the State Protected Areas and biodiversity network.
Traditional Leadership Disputes to be Resolved
Mokgosi announced a pending outcome of investigations into several traditional leadership disputes and to make funding available to establish a Commission of Inquiry to probe the Barolong boo Ratlou boo Moshoette traditional leadership dispute as directed by the Mahikeng High Court.
The North West House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders is being consulted to develop a new traditional leadership policy to guide coronation, burials and general operations.
New Health Facilities, Groundbreaking Procedures
A total of 3 new clinics have been built while 11 were revamped, as well as a bulk pharmacy in Ventersdorp and the Phokeng Forensic Mortuary. All these facilities are set to be open this year. In addition, R76 million has been spent on patient transport and ambulances.
• The Premier also announced that the province received an allocation through the National Health Insurance (NHI) grant that was used to expand Health Care Services Benefits.
• Mokgosi used the auspicious occasion to congratulate the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital Complex for successfully performing the first ever off pump cardiac bypass surgery for two patients, supported by the team from India and Johannesburg’s
Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital. “Our gratitude also goes to the Job Shimankane Tabane Hospital for a successful cancer operation, for tumour evacuation removal in conjunction with the private facilities.”
The Premier said this demonstrates the capacity for adequate provision of quality primary and tertiary health care services in North West Health facilities for the benefit of the poor and economically disenfranchised.
Through strategic partnerships, targeted investments, and bold leadership, North West is turning its potential into progress - building a resilient, inclusive, and thriving province for all.
Continued Relief and Support for the Poor
Through the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) programme, the provincial government provides almost 11 000 people with food parcels, while over 6 700 receive dignity packs. “They include needy families, child-headed households, people with disabilities, the homeless as well as people affected by disasters,” the Premier highlighted. The province is about to open the fourth shelter for victims of Gender Based Violence in Potchefstroom and is currently assisting 26 illegal, undocumented, unaccompanied minors who are linked to the Zama Zamas in Stilfontein and looking to unite them with their families.
Cultural Villages to Remain Vibrant Centres
The Premier announced the completion of refurbishments at the Moshana Cultural Village, with Matloding and Kudunkgwane Cultural Villages also set to follow next month, while the Tseoge and Sione Cultural villages will be prioritised for the 2025/2026 financial year. In addition, R4 million has been set aside for the refurbish of the Mahikeng office of the Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation.
Charting a Future of Growth and Resilience…
Premier Mokgosi was clear that economic growth, infrastructure investment, and social development must converge to create tangible improvements in the lives of its people and that the province’s roadmap for the next few years reflects bold action, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to inclusive progress, ensuring that no community is left behind.
The North West trajectory is clear: a province that is not only rich in resources but also in opportunities - one that empowers its people, strengthens its institutions, and unlocks its full economic potential. By focusing on job creation, education, agriculture, and sustainable infrastructure, North West is positioning itself as a leader in regional development. As the province moves forward, the call to action is for all stakeholders - government, business, and civil society - to work together in shaping a future that is prosperous, resilient, and inclusive.
