The North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) says it has recorded significant performance improvements across its operations and associated entities, even as the province faces mounting concerns over job losses in the mining sector.
Speaking during a special YOUFM Newshour broadcast at the Mahikeng Archives building, MEC Bitsa Lenkopane said the department and its entities — the North West Development Corporation (NWDC), North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWP&TB), and North West Gambling Board (NWGB) — have demonstrated steady progress in governance and service delivery.
“We have seen remarkable improvement, including clean audits recorded by some entities such as the North West Gambling Board,” Lenkopane said.
She added that plans are underway to attract investment and tackle the province’s “triple challenges” of unemployment, poverty, and inequality, through targeted economic activation and tourism initiatives.
However, Lenkopane acknowledged that the department is battling potential job losses in the mining sector, following Glencore’s recent announcement that it intends to shut down parts of its Ferrochrome operations due to soaring electricity tariffs.
The company has confirmed plans to close smelters at Boshoek, Wonderkop, and Lion facilities, along with other affected sites including Samancor’s Ferrometals, Middelburg Ferrochrome, Tubatse Ferrochrome, Tubatse Alloys, Dikwena, and TC Smelters — potentially leaving thousands of jobs at risk.
Lenkopane said the department remains in engagement with national government and affected stakeholders, expressing hope that ongoing talks will yield solutions to preserve employment.
“Although Glencore Ferrochrome has commenced with section 189 retrenchment processes at the CCMA, we are still hopeful that our engagements with government will continue,” she said.
The MEC emphasised that improving financial management and accountability across all provincial entities is a critical step in rebuilding investor confidence and creating a stable environment for sustainable economic growth.
