Premier Lazarus Mokgosi envisions a bright future for the North West Province, focusing on creating jobs, growing the economy, and building a fair, honest government. He wants to bring people together—young and old, public and private sectors—to build new roads, schools, and smart cities that help everyone thrive. With big investments in mining, youth training, and social programs, Mokgosi aims to turn challenges like unemployment into real chances for success. His leadership shines with hope, aiming to build a province where everyone has a chance to grow and live well.
Premier Lazarus Mokgosi’s vision focuses on inclusive economic growth, job creation, and building a capable, ethical state. Key priorities include public-private partnerships, youth empowerment, infrastructure development, social inclusion, and strong governance to create sustainable opportunities and transformative leadership in the North West.
As the North West Provincial Legislature gathers under the winter sun in Mahikeng, a sense of anticipation fills the chamber. Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi stands at the podium, not simply to relay budget figures, but to chart a course for the province’s future—a future woven from the threads of both urgent necessity and historical momentum. Mokgosi’s narrative bridges the legacy of South Africa’s democratic journey with the pressing challenges that continue to confront its citizens.
The Premier speaks candidly about the daunting obstacles his administration faces. He warns that unemployment, particularly among the youth, does not merely present a technical or economic dilemma; it strikes at the heart of democratic legitimacy. Young people, who form the backbone of future progress, too often see their dreams deferred or denied. Mokgosi’s address invokes the spirit of Nelson Mandela, reminding all that the youth are the true inheritors of the nation’s promise. Yet, he grounds his vision in tangible stories: young residents of Mahikeng, such as Mahalepa Tshwarelo, who dedicate themselves to cleaning their neighborhoods, stand as symbols of communal hope and self-driven renewal.
This interplay of narrative and analysis shapes the heart of Mokgosi’s approach. He sets forth three central priorities for the 2025/26 budget: fostering inclusive economic growth and job creation, addressing poverty, and constructing a capable, ethical, and developmental state. These themes, familiar to anyone versed in the history of post-apartheid policy, now demand innovative responses in the face of entrenched economic stagnation. With over half of the populace economically inactive and the youth bearing the brunt, the need for action has never been more acute.
Premier Mokgosi recognizes that government alone cannot shoulder the burden of economic transformation. Public sector employment accounts for just 6% of provincial jobs, highlighting the vital role of private investment and collaboration. To jumpstart development, the province has established a R100 million Development Fund, actively seeking private sector co-investment. If matched by external partners, this fund could dramatically expand employment opportunities and accelerate infrastructure upgrades. This model of partnership carries echoes of the collaborative spirit that characterized South Africa’s Reconstruction and Development Programme, but is now recalibrated for a world shaped by globalization and technological change.
A striking example of this new strategy can be seen in the reactivation of the Bojanala Special Economic Zone. Working alongside national agencies and local municipalities, the province aims to generate 19,000 direct jobs through this initiative. These are not abstract targets; the province boasts firm commitments from investors like Harmony Gold, which has committed R1.5 billion to diversify operations in Stilfontein. This investment secures thousands of existing jobs and introduces renewable energy into the mining sector, reflecting a broader vision of sustainable, forward-looking industrial growth.
Mining, historically the economic anchor of the North West, now finds itself at a crossroads. Mokgosi’s administration promotes a new Social Labour Plan Framework that pushes mining companies to work more closely with government and communities. The focus is on coordinated infrastructure development, skills training, and the nurturing of small and medium enterprises. This approach draws inspiration from international models of social responsibility but remains deeply attuned to the realities and aspirations unique to South Africa.
The province also leverages international connections to stimulate local growth. Hosting G20 working group meetings and forging a memorandum of understanding with Russia’s St. Petersburg region highlight a commitment to global engagement. These events not only draw visitors and revenue to the province but also bring fresh ideas that will shape upcoming economic and innovation summits. The recently approved Provincial Growth & Development Strategy integrates these global influences into a local blueprint, with the Premier’s Economic & Investment Advisory Council guiding its implementation.
Mokgosi’s vision for the province extends far beyond economic reform. Institutional renewal takes center stage, with a comprehensive review and revitalization of state-owned entities. The administration focuses on merit-based recruitment, clarifying mandates, and ensuring that provincial agencies better serve development priorities. Ambitious urbanization projects like the Lanseria Smart City (in partnership with Gauteng) and the Mekgareng Smart City exemplify a commitment to sustainable, technology-driven growth rooted in the North West’s own context.
Infrastructure investment stands as another pillar of the Premier’s agenda. Projects ranging from water supply upgrades in Stella and Mazista, to major roadworks in Mahikeng and Kgetleng Rivier, collectively channel more than R100 million into closing service delivery gaps and spurring economic growth. Collaboration with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, within the District Development Model, brings greater integration and efficiency to these efforts. New digital platforms, such as the Thuntsha Lerole Portal, empower communities to report service issues directly, ensuring swift government response.
Education and youth development form a golden thread throughout the budget. The province has signed a five-year partnership with North West University, supporting flagship programs in mining engineering, medicine, and veterinary science. The Youth Empowerment Fund (R15 million) and the VT Sifora Bursary Fund (R30 million) stand alongside extensive artisan training and labor activation programs, targeting thousands of young people. Real-world examples—like the Manthe village dry bean project, which engages 2,000 youth and projects an annual turnover exceeding R57 million—underscore the tangible impact of these initiatives.
Inclusivity shapes both policy and practice. The Office of the Premier leads outreach efforts to support companies owned by persons with disabilities, while military veterans benefit from a new provincial support strategy. Gender representation continues to improve, with women now comprising 67% of provincial staff and new recruitment drives committed to achieving over 50% female representation at senior management levels. The province’s leading role in the National 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, and a procurement pipeline directing R1.8 billion to black women-owned businesses, further reinforce a commitment to social justice and transformational change.
Public health, digital modernization, and anti-corruption form the final pillars of Mokgosi’s agenda. The province continues to lead national efforts in the fight against HIV, STIs, and TB, with targeted campaigns to close treatment gaps. The Government Information Technology Officer oversees significant investment in digital infrastructure, connecting libraries, clinics, and rural offices—a bold step to bridge the divide between urban and rural access, reminiscent of postwar infrastructure drives in Europe.
To ensure governance remains professional, ethical, and effective, Mokgosi introduces performance agreements for Executive Council members, security screening for senior appointments, and a coordinated skills drive through the National School of Government. The newly established Anti-Corruption Forum, with imminent recruitment of forensic experts, and the Provincial Skills Development Forum, aligned with national strategies, further strengthen the administration’s commitment to clean, capable government.
Financial management remains a point of pride. For the fifth year running, the Office of the Premier has earned an unqualified audit, achieving 99% budget expenditure with no unauthorized spending—no small feat in the often turbulent landscape of South African provincial governance. In weaving together rigorous oversight, analytical clarity, and stories of ordinary citizens, the 2025/26 budget stands as a living testament to the promise and resilience of the North West.
At its heart, this budget is more than a ledger of numbers. It is a narrative of government as both steward and catalyst, poised between the lessons of history and the urgency of contemporary needs. Mokgosi’s vision, inspired by the conviction that the future truly belongs to the youth, signals a province determined not only to confront its challenges but to build a legacy of inclusive growth, shared opportunity, and ethical leadership.
Premier Lazarus Mokgosi envisions a future centered on inclusive economic growth, job creation, and building a capable, ethical government. His focus is on uniting youth and all sectors to develop infrastructure like roads, schools, and smart cities, while fostering investment in mining, youth training, and social programs to transform unemployment and poverty into opportunities for success and well-being.
Mokgosi highlights youth unemployment as a critical challenge that threatens democratic legitimacy and social stability. His approach includes creating jobs through public-private partnerships, investing in skills development programs, and supporting youth-led community initiatives. For example, projects like the Manthe village dry bean project engage thousands of young people in economic activities, projecting significant turnover and sustainable livelihoods.
The Premier recognizes that government alone cannot drive economic transformation. To accelerate growth, the North West has created a R100 million Development Fund to attract private investment. Collaborations with companies like Harmony Gold and reactivation of the Bojanala Special Economic Zone aim to generate thousands of jobs, diversify the mining sector with renewable energy, and promote sustainable industrial growth. This partnership model is key to unlocking new opportunities for the province.
Key infrastructure projects include improvements in water supply (Stella, Mazista), major roadworks (Mahikeng, Kgetleng Rivier), and smart city initiatives like Lanseria and Mekgareng. The budget also supports institutional renewal, digital platforms to improve service delivery, and expanded educational partnerships with North West University. Social inclusion is emphasized through programs for persons with disabilities, military veterans, and gender equity initiatives, including procurement directed toward black women-owned businesses.
The administration has introduced performance agreements for Executive Council members, security screening for senior appointments, and established an Anti-Corruption Forum with forensic experts. It maintains rigorous financial controls evidenced by five consecutive years of unqualified audits and near-perfect budget spending discipline. Digital modernization and skills development initiatives further enhance transparency, professionalism, and service delivery.
Premier Mokgosi actively pursues international engagement, hosting G20 working group meetings and signing memorandums with regions like Russia’s St. Petersburg. These efforts bring global expertise, investment, and innovation to the province, feeding into the Provincial Growth & Development Strategy. Such partnerships help position the North West as a competitive player in the global economy while driving local socioeconomic progress.
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