E Molewa on empowerment of North West province

1 August 2006

The Premier of North West Edna Molewa and the CEO of Development Bank of
South Africa (DBSA) Paul Baloyi acknowledge that while the North West province
is faced with enormous development challenges, positive inroads are necessary
to fast-track development to fight poverty and create employment.

“DBSA understands the magnitude and complexity of these challenges and
believes that innovative, smart partnerships must be formed to find long-term
solutions and to unlock untapped development potential,” said Paul Baloyi.

Paul Baloyi was speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) between the North West Provincial Government and the DBSA yesterday in
Mafikeng.

Premier Molewa says the signing of the memorandum came at the opportune time
while the government is deeply engaged in implementing the Provincial Growth
Strategy to grow the economy of the province. “The signing signifies and
acknowledges that this government is serious about fighting poverty and
creating employment.

“This is in line with our Growth and Development Strategy priorities and in
support of the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa
(AsgiSA),” she said.

Molewa says the DBSA partnership will assist with infrastructure development
in the province and also fast-track service delivery projects in
municipalities. “We must ensure that by 2010 all identified soccer practice
venues such as Rustenburg, Mafikeng, and other areas are developed.”

DBSA’s support is spread throughout the province and is carefully aligned to
the development needs and priorities outlined in the North West Provincial
Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS). Its support package to the province
includes both financial and non-financial products and services. In addition to
providing funding for infrastructure, DBSA offers technical assistance and
grant funding for capacity-building, knowledge management products and
services, and the mobilisation of private sector involvement in
development.

DBSA is constantly developing strategic interventions for municipalities
that lack financial and institutional capacity. Recently, DBSA has deployed
experts in Mamusa, Naledi and the Department of Local Government and Housing to
provide hands-on support in facilitating delivery services.

Enquiries:
Russel Mamabolo
Media Relations
Tel: (018) 387 3103
Cell: 082 900 6610

Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
1 August 2006