Following its groundbreaking partnership with New Africa Development (NAD) to construct a R400m mall in Moruleng, a densely populated rural area on the north-eastern border of the Pilanesberg in the North West Province, the Bakgatla Ba Kgafela Traditional Administration (BBKTA) hosted an Entrepreneur Day in the Moruleng CBD.
Led by Kgosi M.J. Pilane and partners’, BBKTA administers the Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela (BBK) community, which consists of approximately 350 000 people residing in 32 villages.
Elaborating on the purpose of the day, Kgosi Pilane, who is Chief of the Bakgatla Ba Kgafela tribe, explains that developing, nurturing and sustaining a culture of entrepreneurship in the community is critical to the socio-economic development of both Moruleng and the province at large, and that to this end, BBKTA has invited aspiring entrepreneurs from the community in order to inform them of the opportunities available within the Moruleng CBD, the concept behind the establishment of the Moruleng Shopping Mall, and the numerous franchising opportunities available at the mall, which is on track to open in October 2013.
“The aim is also to inform all interested Bakgatla about the Master Plan, which implements and unlocks the potential of land.”“The intention is to grow business opportunities and employment, and also to explain how the extension of these projects is designed to improve local standards of living and attract investment, skilled workers and tourists,” he continues.
With various financial institutions present, as well as BBKSIC, a business development and management services company wholly owned by BBKTA there to support and facilitate leads that will arise out of the day, the day’s programme is designed to maximize opportunities for attendees while simultaneously providing numerous networking opportunities
With CEO of BBKTA CEO, Dr. Molope, the MC for the day, speakers include Kgosi Pilane, who will deliver the keynote address, Mr. Isaac Lelaka of the National Empowerment Fund (NEF),regional Manager of Nedbank Northwest, and former member of parliament and South African ambassador, Mrs. Rakgadi Ntshadi Tsheole, who will offer a vote of thanks. Together the speakers will address attendees on everything from available finance opportunities to available floor space and available franchises.
Approximately 1 500 jobs have already been created since the start of the Moruleng Shopping Mall project, while considerable additional employment will be offered by the 18 national retailer tenants, all of whom are encouraged to recruit from within the local communities when the mall opens.
“As one of the most prominent players in the economy of North West Province, our vision is to develop a thriving, sustainable and socio-economically viable nation,” Kgosi Pilane explains. “We firmly believe that entrepreneurship plays an absolutely vital part in job creation and skills development, and therefore in significantly boosting the local economy, which in turn will play a significant role in uplifting and empowering the community of Moruleng and ensure a prosperous and sustainable future.”
Moruleng is South Africa’s first post-apartheid city, and is fast becoming a hub for commercial, tourism, and real estate investment.
