North West to lean on mining, agriculture and tourism to improve economy, drive job creation – Maape

WENDY MOTHATA|

NORTH West Premier Bushy Maape has described the high levels of unemployment in his province as a ‘ticking time-bomb’ which requires different social partners to work together in finding lasting solutions.

Maape delivered his first State-Of-the-Province-Address (SOPA) in the provincial legislature in the capital Mafikeng on Friday morning.

He said the local economy has taken a hammering due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our economy has taken a battering due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, Provincial GDP contracted by 7,6% in 2020, “ said Maape.

The unemployment rate in the North West currently stands at 35,7%, with youth unemployment at 63%.

Maape said the province recognises that it is a shared task to grow the economy and to create jobs.

Economic recovery is projected to be about 6% of GDP in 2021 and 1,9% in 2022.

“One of the challenges we are facing, however, is