Lekwene’s department says these entities form a critical part of driving the Northern Cape’s economy. This MEC in Premier Zamani Saul’s newly appointed Executive Council will visit the Northern Cape’s Liquor and Gambling Board, as well as the Consumer Protector, amongst others, today.

Economically, the Northern Cape is not the worst performing province in Central South Africa.

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) recently revealed that the Northern Cape’s economy grew at 2,8% in 2017, the highest growth rate out of all the provinces in the country, thanks to mining. The province, however, contributed the least towards South Africa’s overall economic growth the same year, contributing a paltry 2% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

In her February 2019 State of the Province Address (SOPA), the then Northern Cape Premier, Sylvia Lucas, stressed the significance of mining to economic growth, further expressing concern that not all people in the province are benefiting from mining-related activities. “I am saddened to say our people still battle with bread and butter issues. Our people are impoverished and their dignity is considerably diminished… the consequence of this legacy is that we still do not benefit from our mineral resources,” said Lucas at the time.

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