NW Premier Mokgosi Wants Municipalities to Drive Jobs and Growth

Mokgosi linked the province’s economic ambitions to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for 2026 to focus on fixing municipalities and transforming the economy.

North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi has called on municipalities to become active drivers of business growth and employment, saying local governments must do more than provide basic services if the province is to tackle unemployment and attract investment.

Speaking at the Bojanala-Platinum District Economic Development Symposium in Rustenburg on Thursday, Mokgosi said municipalities should position themselves as centres of enterprise development that help create opportunities for local communities. The gathering brought together representatives from government, business, labour, civil society and traditional leadership structures to discuss ways of strengthening economic growth across the district.

Strong municipalities seen as key to economic recovery

Mokgosi linked the province's economic ambitions to President Cyril Ramaphosa's call for 2026 to focus on fixing municipalities and transforming the economy. He argued that effective local governments are essential for creating an environment where businesses can thrive and jobs can be created.

According to the Premier, municipalities have a constitutional responsibility to promote social and economic development. He said local authorities should use their planning processes to align community priorities with broader national development goals.

Residents across the province continue to identify better services, economic growth and employment opportunities as their most pressing concerns. Mokgosi believes municipalities can play a major role in addressing those challenges by improving governance, attracting investors and supporting local enterprises. He also stressed that cooperation between government, businesses, labour organisations and communities will be necessary to achieve long-term economic progress.

Special Economic Zone expected to attract billions in investment

A major focus of the province's growth strategy is the planned Bojanala Special Economic Zone in Mogwase. The project is expected to support industries such as mineral beneficiation, manufacturing, agro-processing and renewable energy. The development is projected to attract around R8 billion in investment while creating more than 2,500 jobs. Mokgosi said projects of this scale must deliver meaningful benefits to surrounding communities through employment, business opportunities and improved infrastructure.

Despite North West's rich mineral resources, many communities continue to struggle with poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment. The Premier said more effort is needed to ensure residents benefit from the province's natural wealth through industrial development and value-added production.

He also encouraged businesses, particularly mining companies, to support municipal development through the Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated Service Delivery Programme. The initiative focuses on improving essential services such as water supply, sanitation, road maintenance, refuse collection and street lighting.

Mokgosi said economic growth cannot be separated from service delivery, noting that reliable infrastructure remains one of the most important foundations for investment, business expansion and job creation.