North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi on Wednesday set out a broad programme of government interventions aimed at reducing unemployment, improving municipal performance and accelerating infrastructure delivery across the province.
Programme aims to link jobs to better governance and investment
Speaking at a quarterly media engagement at the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, Mokgosi described the province's challenges as both economic and governance related and said recent interventions were beginning to show measurable outcomes. He pointed to improved municipal audit results, major road projects, fresh investment opportunities, job creation initiatives and the modernisation of government systems.
“Drastic measures need to be explored to find a lasting solution to the scourge of unemployment.”
The Premier emphasised that tackling unemployment cannot be detached from restoring good governance at municipal level. He said the provincial government is prioritising steps that will make municipalities more attractive to investors and better able to deliver services that enable local economies.
Road projects highlighted as catalysts for growth
Mokgosi named several road projects he said would improve connectivity and support trade links between North West and neighbouring Gauteng. He announced the completion of the Phelindaba multi‑year road project, and highlighted the completion in May 2026 of the R300‑million Wolmaransstad–Wesselsbron Road, which he said strengthens links to the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District.
He also said the province had introduced contractors for the Dwarsberg to Pachsdraai Road project, signalling that further upgrades are underway.
| Project | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Phelindaba multi‑year road project | Completed | Part of strategic cross‑border network |
| Wolmaransstad–Wesselsbron Road | Completed (May 2026) | R300‑million; links Dr Kenneth Kaunda District |
| Dwarsberg–Pachsdraai Road | Contractors introduced | Next stage of upgrades |
Practical focus: jobs, audits and systems
Mokgosi said the province cannot continue with “business as usual” in the face of persistent joblessness. While he did not provide new unemployment figures at the briefing, he framed infrastructure spending and municipal reform as levers for job creation and for attracting private investment.
He warned that job interventions must be rooted in sound governance.
“However, these solutions must be centred on our advocacy for good governance practices that will culminate in the attraction of investments in our province and in particular, municipalities.”
The Premier pointed to improving municipal audit outcomes as evidence that oversight and financial management are starting to change in some municipalities. He also mentioned ongoing modernisation of government systems as part of the effort to make service delivery more efficient.
- Prioritise infrastructure that improves connectivity and trade with Gauteng.
- Link job‑creation measures to municipal reforms and investment promotion.
- Continue to roll out modernisation of government systems to support service delivery.
What this means for communities and workers
For communities, completed and planned road upgrades should shorten travel times, lower transport costs and improve access to markets — benefits that can support small businesses and agriculture. For labour and workers in construction and related sectors, the introduction of contractors for new road projects signals potential employment opportunities during the build phase.
However, the Premier’s remarks also underscore that infrastructure alone will not resolve deep economic problems. Labour advocates and local leaders will be watching whether project procurement and municipal governance translate into sustained work opportunities, timely payments to contractors and lasting service improvements.
Provincial officials gave a policy direction at the engagement: accelerate capital projects that offer immediate local employment while continuing audits and system upgrades to restore municipal credibility and unlock private investment.
Mokgosi’s programme maps out a familiar path: use visible infrastructure delivery to create demand for labour and to showcase improvements in municipal management that can attract further investment. The challenge now is implementation and ensuring that growth on paper converts into real jobs, reliable services and accountable local government.
Further details on project timelines, employment targets and municipal audit results were not provided at the briefing and will be crucial for civil society, labour organisations and residents monitoring progress.
