North West Business 2023-24

The 2023/24 edition of North West Business marks the 12th publication of this highly successful journal that, since its launch in 2009, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the North West Province. Renewable energy is a huge global trend, and the impact this burgeoning sector is having on the North West can be seen in the development of several new solar farms which are under construction. The North West’s strong suit in platinum group metals (PGMs) already puts the province at the forefront of the drive towards a greener and renewable economy because of the applicability of so many of those minerals and metals for the cleaner energy movement. North West Business includes news and analysis of the most important sectors. Best known for its platinum mines, grain and livestock farming and tourism, the province is making a concerted effort to bolster its manufacturing capacity through a dedicated new strategy which includes trying to attract solar panel manufacturing to the province. To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution of the print edition, the full content can also be viewed online at www.globalafricanetwork.com. Updated information on the North West is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to at www.gan.co.za, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces, our flagship South African Business title and the new addition to our list of publications, Journal of African Business, which was launched in 2020.

FOCUS Economic Inclusion

FOCUS Economic Inclusion Centre boosts SMMEs Impala Rustenburg makes a positive contribution to its communities. Impala Rustenburg is 96% owned by Implats and has operations situated on the western limb of the worldrenowned Bushveld Complex near Rustenburg. The operation comprises a multi-shaft mining complex and concentrating and smelting plants. At Impala Rustenburg, the long-term viability of our business is linked to the well-being of our local communities. Our socio-economic investments towards mine-community well-being include initiatives defined in our social and labour plans, as well as our corporate social investment projects. The mining operation contributes to communities both directly and indirectly through the jobs we create, the local workforces we upskill, the local business opportunities we generate, the infrastructure we build and the education and community health initiatives we support. To strengthen relationships with the local business community, Impala Rustenburg established an impactful, mutually beneficial and outcomesbased engagement platform with 14 mine host community business forums. Empowering SMMEs Impala Rustenburg recently invested R8.6-million into developing an Economic Inclusion Centre that serves as a small business hub for minecommunity small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). The multi-functional venue provides SMMEs with services including enterprise and supplier development, assistance with market access and funding facilitation, as well as various shared business facilities. The initiative forms part of our ongoing commitment to collaborate with stakeholders and communities to ensure the growth of mine-community SMMEs. Investing in education Impala Rustenburg has made a significant commitment to youth education through its multimillion-rand bursary programme that will see 34 Class of 2022 matriculants from the operation’s mine communities take the first step on their journey to the career of their dreams. A further 21 bursaries were awarded to students from the greater Rustenburg area and Impala Rustenburg’s labour-sending areas. This brings the total number of bursaries awarded in 2023 to 55. In 2022, the innovative mobile Career Expo showcased a wide range of career opportunities in the mining industry to 6 500 youth in grades 9 and 11. This was the second Career Expo in a two-year cycle, bringing the total number of high school learners reached to 12 200. ■ Alice Lourens, Group Head: Investor Relations and Corporate Communication Tel: 011 731 9033 E-mail: alice.lourens@implats.co.za NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2023/24 18

Creating a better future through the way we do business Skills Development Access to quality education Ensuring efficient water re-use. Educational support projects Bringing our values driven approach to everything we do. Coole Adv 19006