
Bob and game reserve to be revived, Krugersdorp mayor says in SOCA
Bob and game reserve to be revived, Krugersdorp mayor says in SOCA
In Part 4 of Mayor Lucky Sele's State of the City Address (SOCA), economic development services take centre stage as Mogale City embarks on several ambitious projects aimed at restoring key landmarks and boosting growth.
The Krugersdorp News continues to break down the mayor's address to better inform the public about his strategic plans.
• Also read: Mayor maps out housing future for Mogale
Sele described Mogale City as the West Rand's urban centre and a gateway between Gauteng and North West, adding, 'The city continues to position itself as a hub of inclusive economic growth, township industrialisation, and catalytic spatial transformation.'
Sele cited the 2024 Municipal Socio-Economic Review and Outlook (MERO), saying key GDP contributors are community services (22.9%), manufacturing (22.6%), and finance (20.9%). In response, the city is focused on job creation, enterprise support, and rural-urban economic integration.
'Through deliberate public investment and intergovernmental collaboration, the municipality is implementing the Investment Promotion and Incentives Policy to stimulate sectors like manufacturing, agro-processing, and renewable energy,' he adds.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are being leveraged to unlock investments and accelerate project delivery. Notable initiatives include the revitalisation of Bob van Reenen Sports Precinct, Coronation Park, and a proposed Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Plant.
• Also read: Bob now a jungle
Sele says the Krugersdorp Game Reserve has received Treasury approval for commercialisation, with plans underway to reopen it under a sustainable, tourism-focused model.
Also in the pipeline is a feasibility study to transform Jack Taylor Airfield into a full-fledged municipal airport.
Sele stresses Mogale City's resilience, 'Despite socio-economic constraints, we continue to leverage our localisation advantage to promote resilience, transformation, and sustainability.'
He shared that over R62m was invested in local SMMEs this financial year, benefiting 128 enterprises. The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) created 1 101 short-term jobs, mostly for youth and women.
Three operational Agri-Parks (Tarlton, Magaliesburg/ Carmel Estate and Swanneville) are fostering food security and agro-processing, with equipment support through the Mechanisation Support Programme and ongoing land lease formalisation.
Sele also highlights progress in township industrialisation:
• Chamdor Automotive Hub supports 10 SMMEs, 20 jobs, and over R350 000 in sales
• Munsieville Lepharo Hub acquired R2.7m in machinery for two SMMEs
• Swanneville Industrial Park construction is underway with a R12m allocation this year and another R12m planned for 2025/ 26, supporting automotive services
• Mining sector collaboration continues, with R2.5b pledged for development projects. Sele praises the Mogale Tailing Retreatment Mine for awarding full tertiary bursaries to two top-performing matriculants
Regarding tourism, he states that key highlights include participation in the Africa Travel Indaba and Meetings Africa, in partnership with the Gauteng Tourism Authority and the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.
• Also read: Pollution in the Cradle raises international eyebrows
'The reopening of the Sterkfontein Caves marks a significant milestone for the city, as one of the most iconic World Heritage Sites, it is not only a cornerstone of our tourism economy but also a globally recognised centre for paleoanthropological research and education.
These reopenings breathe new life into local tourism and stimulate economic activity for surrounding communities. As the City of Human Origin, Mogale City is proud to welcome the world back to Sterkfontein.'
Maropeng, the official visitor centre for the Cradle of Humankind, will celebrate its 20th anniversary in December and host the G20 Science and Innovation Working Group.
Sele acknowledges youth development setbacks since 2021 due to a lack of central co-ordination but revealed plans to appoint a Youth Development Co-ordinator by June to integrate youth agendas across departments.
Last year, a Junior Student Council was formed and recently competed in an inter-municipal debate, placing as first runner-up.
We are committed to supporting platforms that empower youth.'
Through a R13.8m CETA grant, 251 youth will benefit from skills development programmes starting in 2025/ 26, ranging from construction to entrepreneurship.
Major infrastructure achievements include approval of 370 land-use applications, 342 building plans worth R415m, and action on 470 illegal structures. Sele says the city is rolling out e-lodgement for planning applications and finalising property by-laws to address urban decay.
Spatial development includes precinct plans for Hekpoort, Tarlton, Magaliesburg, Muldersdrift, and Zeekoeihoek, with R6m allocated to Zeekoeihoek and Maanhaarand. The Lanseria Smart City Summit, set in April, goes alongside plans for a West Rand Special Economic Zone.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Citizen
10 hours ago
- The Citizen
Bob and game reserve to be revived, Krugersdorp mayor says in SOCA
Bob and game reserve to be revived, Krugersdorp mayor says in SOCA In Part 4 of Mayor Lucky Sele's State of the City Address (SOCA), economic development services take centre stage as Mogale City embarks on several ambitious projects aimed at restoring key landmarks and boosting growth. The Krugersdorp News continues to break down the mayor's address to better inform the public about his strategic plans. • Also read: Mayor maps out housing future for Mogale Sele described Mogale City as the West Rand's urban centre and a gateway between Gauteng and North West, adding, 'The city continues to position itself as a hub of inclusive economic growth, township industrialisation, and catalytic spatial transformation.' Sele cited the 2024 Municipal Socio-Economic Review and Outlook (MERO), saying key GDP contributors are community services (22.9%), manufacturing (22.6%), and finance (20.9%). In response, the city is focused on job creation, enterprise support, and rural-urban economic integration. 'Through deliberate public investment and intergovernmental collaboration, the municipality is implementing the Investment Promotion and Incentives Policy to stimulate sectors like manufacturing, agro-processing, and renewable energy,' he adds. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are being leveraged to unlock investments and accelerate project delivery. Notable initiatives include the revitalisation of Bob van Reenen Sports Precinct, Coronation Park, and a proposed Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Plant. • Also read: Bob now a jungle Sele says the Krugersdorp Game Reserve has received Treasury approval for commercialisation, with plans underway to reopen it under a sustainable, tourism-focused model. Also in the pipeline is a feasibility study to transform Jack Taylor Airfield into a full-fledged municipal airport. Sele stresses Mogale City's resilience, 'Despite socio-economic constraints, we continue to leverage our localisation advantage to promote resilience, transformation, and sustainability.' He shared that over R62m was invested in local SMMEs this financial year, benefiting 128 enterprises. The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) created 1 101 short-term jobs, mostly for youth and women. Three operational Agri-Parks (Tarlton, Magaliesburg/ Carmel Estate and Swanneville) are fostering food security and agro-processing, with equipment support through the Mechanisation Support Programme and ongoing land lease formalisation. Sele also highlights progress in township industrialisation: • Chamdor Automotive Hub supports 10 SMMEs, 20 jobs, and over R350 000 in sales • Munsieville Lepharo Hub acquired R2.7m in machinery for two SMMEs • Swanneville Industrial Park construction is underway with a R12m allocation this year and another R12m planned for 2025/ 26, supporting automotive services • Mining sector collaboration continues, with R2.5b pledged for development projects. Sele praises the Mogale Tailing Retreatment Mine for awarding full tertiary bursaries to two top-performing matriculants Regarding tourism, he states that key highlights include participation in the Africa Travel Indaba and Meetings Africa, in partnership with the Gauteng Tourism Authority and the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. • Also read: Pollution in the Cradle raises international eyebrows 'The reopening of the Sterkfontein Caves marks a significant milestone for the city, as one of the most iconic World Heritage Sites, it is not only a cornerstone of our tourism economy but also a globally recognised centre for paleoanthropological research and education. These reopenings breathe new life into local tourism and stimulate economic activity for surrounding communities. As the City of Human Origin, Mogale City is proud to welcome the world back to Sterkfontein.' Maropeng, the official visitor centre for the Cradle of Humankind, will celebrate its 20th anniversary in December and host the G20 Science and Innovation Working Group. Sele acknowledges youth development setbacks since 2021 due to a lack of central co-ordination but revealed plans to appoint a Youth Development Co-ordinator by June to integrate youth agendas across departments. Last year, a Junior Student Council was formed and recently competed in an inter-municipal debate, placing as first runner-up. We are committed to supporting platforms that empower youth.' Through a R13.8m CETA grant, 251 youth will benefit from skills development programmes starting in 2025/ 26, ranging from construction to entrepreneurship. Major infrastructure achievements include approval of 370 land-use applications, 342 building plans worth R415m, and action on 470 illegal structures. Sele says the city is rolling out e-lodgement for planning applications and finalising property by-laws to address urban decay. Spatial development includes precinct plans for Hekpoort, Tarlton, Magaliesburg, Muldersdrift, and Zeekoeihoek, with R6m allocated to Zeekoeihoek and Maanhaarand. The Lanseria Smart City Summit, set in April, goes alongside plans for a West Rand Special Economic Zone. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!


The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Mayor maps out housing future for Mogale
In Part Three of unpacking Mayor Lucky Sele's 2025 State of the City Address (SOCA) breakdown, the focus is on a comprehensive housing strategy aimed at transforming Mogale City. Key initiatives include the auctioning of land to fund development, dedicated housing for military veterans, critical upgrades to sanitation infrastructure, and a zero-tolerance approach to illegal land grabs. The Krugersdorp News will provide a detailed breakdown of the key points discussed during the SOCA to help the public better understand the mayor's message and plans. • Also read: Mayor's bold steps to fix city's infrastructure Sele said Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM), in partnership with the provincial government and private investors, had turned the sod for Phase One of the Leratong Nodal Development. The first phase includes a regional shopping mall, which will revitalise the local economy and create employment opportunities. 'Five thousand new houses, including RDP units for the most vulnerable, are planned in this initial phase, supported by an already completed 25-megalitre reservoir, costing R34m, ensuring water security for the development. The entire project will deliver 15 000 homes, a regional transport hub, and a government precinct, reimagining how communities live, work, and access services,' he stated. He explained that in the Dr Sefularo Housing Development, R20m was invested in water and sewer systems, including a sewer package plant and an elevated water tower. 'On top of this, R15m went towards building 70 of the planned 190 houses. Construction is visibly progressing, with all 70 houses at wall plate level, and roofs are now being installed. The remaining 120 houses will be completed in the new financial year, fully serviced with electricity, plumbing, and internal finishes,' he added. 'Similarly, in Dr Motlana, we allocated R15m for infrastructure and R19m for the first 70 of 253 houses. Despite encouraging progress, with 41 houses at wall plate level, the project suffered delays due to external interference driven by narrow business interests. This interference not only costs us time, but also valuable public resources. However, we are moving forward. Stronger community engagement and tighter stakeholder management will ensure smoother rollouts in future phases.' He said the Brickvale development is one of their most ambitious projects, as it will eventually deliver 6 000 RDP houses and 480 Military Veterans' units. Almost 800 homes have been completed and handed over. Bulk water, sewer, and stormwater systems are nearing completion, at 98% and 66%, respectively, with the Tarlton 12-megalitre reservoir almost ready and repairs to a vandalised pump station progressing.' Sele continued that they have also made strides in property optimisation and land management. 'The first phase of the Property Auction Initiative successfully auctioned 134 properties, with transfers underway. Phase Two will focus on churches, while Phase Three invites investment proposals, ensuring unused municipal assets generate income, economic activity, and community upliftment.' • Also read: Three-month-long housing programme commences 'In our informal settlements, the dignity of our residents remains a top priority. With support from the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, we piloted alternative sanitation and energy solutions in Soul City, Nooitgedacht, and Heuningklip. Over 2 310 Enviro-loo facilities and solar-powered microgrids are being installed, with many already completed. In the coming year, we will begin the formalisation of at least three informal settlements, bringing them into the fold of structured municipal development,' Sele asserted. Sele emphasised that illegal land occupation will not be tolerated, as they are implementing a firm anti-land invasion strategy. We are updating the Informal Settlements By-Law, Housing Sector Plan, and Land Disposal Policy to close gaps, safeguard progress, and ensure our land serves the people, not opportunistic organisations,' he concluded. In the fourth part of the series, the Krugersdorp News will explain how the mayor addressed economic development services. Have your say by sending an email to heinrichg@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- TimesLIVE
US targets three Mexican financial institutions under fentanyl sanctions
The FinCEN sanctions do not block property or cut off all global dollar-based activities of the Mexican firms as other Treasury sanctions would, but they do prohibit US transactions with their locations in Mexico, a US Treasury official told reporters. The action will have a similar effect of cutting the institutions out of the US financial system, the official added. The Treasury said that commercial banks CIBanco and Intercam have assets of more than $7bn (R123.59bn) and $4bn (R70.62bn) respectively, making them relatively small by global banking standards. But the action against Vector, a brokerage firm that manages nearly $11bn [R194.21bn] in assets and is one of the top 10 securities brokers in Mexico, 'underscores the significance of our actions', deputy US Treasury secretary Michael Faulkender told reporters. 'This is a bold move. Being cut off from the US financial system is a death blow. It's enormously impactful,' said Vanda Felbab-Brown, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a specialist on organised crime. 'These are hardly the biggest banks in Mexico, but they are not small entities. These are medium-level banks,' she said, adding that while significant it was unlikely to 'make any kind of dent in the financial flows of Mexican criminal groups'. LAUNDERING MILLIONS The Treasury said all three institutions 'have collectively played a long-standing and vital role in laundering millions of dollars on behalf of Mexico-based cartels and facilitating payments for the procurement of precursor chemicals needed to produce fentanyl'. 'Vector categorically rejects any accusation that compromises its institutional integrity,' Vector said in a statement. It reiterated its full willingness to collaborate with Mexican and US authorities to clarify the situation. Intercam said: 'We categorically deny any connection between this institution and any illicit practice.' 'CIBanco has no involvement in illegal activities,' the bank said in a statement, adding it complies with all regulations set by the relevant authorities. Luis Manuel Perez de Acha, a tax lawyer and money laundering expert in Mexico City, said the accusations were a 'bombshell'. 'The entire financial system passes through the US, so they are practically left without operations,' he said.