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Premier Supra Mahumapelo has revealed that part of his rebranding, repositioning and renewal project to change the image of the province includes economic revival of the provincial capital of the North West, Mahikeng into a cleaner, vibrant and industrialised city.

Premier Mahumapelo who was accompanied by members of the new Provincial Executive Council made the disclosure at a consultative meeting with the Mahikeng business community held on Tuesday evening.

“The Saamtrek-Saamwerk philosophy underpins partnership between government and the business sector which is critical to massify and expand our economy for the province to move forward with speed and quality” Premier Mahumapelo stressed.

In committing to radicalise government for accelerated economic, social transformation and job creation, Mahumapelo invited the business sector and communities in the province to contribute their suggestions for his inaugural State of the Province Address (SOPA) to be delivered on the 27 June through email to be addressed to sopa@nwpg.gov.za or alternatively to post them on the website : www.bualesupra.nwpg.gov.za.

Access to funding, reopening of the Mafikeng International Airport, youth empowerment, the cleanliness of the Mafikeng town, the prevalence of people from outside the province benefiting from tenders awarded to the exclusion of those in the province, the recapitalisation and commercialisation of key infrastructure assets were some of the issued raised by the business community for redress by the provincial government.

Responding to allegations of corruption in awarding of tenders and supply chain processes, Premier Mahumapelo said that his administration will in line with its zero tolerance on corruption stance investigate the allegations.

MEC for Public Works and Roads, Madoda Sambata appealed to the business sector to assist his department to clean corruption and for the sector to stop corrupting government officials.

“The Department of Public Works and Roads is not about parasitic accumulation of wealth but development,” Sambata said.

Commenting on the meeting, local businessman Youssuf Dada of Dada Motors said that the meeting has ignited hope that the province is moving in the right direction.

Businesswoman Babadi Tlatsana of Kenk Suppliers and Distributors said that the interaction was positive and has laid the foundation for the business sector to contribute its skill in the rebranding, repositioning and renewal project