Horses are bred for
Horses are bred for showjumpingin the North West.chosen location for stud farms. Two prominent studsare near Broederstroom (Capital Stud) and nearSchweizer Reneke (Lorelock Warmblood Stud). TheTierra Pequena Training Centre in Potchefstroomproduces dressage horses professionally.A new development in the world of horses waslaunched in 2025 by the North West GamblingBoard (NWGB), an entity under the Department ofEconomic Development, Environment, Conservationand Tourism (DEDECT). Traditional horse racing wasrevived at the “Lobelo La Dipitsi” event held at aracetrack in Vryburg, in the Naledi Local Municipality.The NWGB partnered with Mompati Horse Racefor Change, an entity that organises traditionalhorse-racing events. The organisers aim to rotatethe “Lobelo La Dipitsi” event annually to differentparts of the province, ensuring that variedcommunities benefit from its economic and socialimpact. The NWGB has stated that it is a provincialevent designed to stimulate local tourism andsupport SMMEs across the North West Province.Better known as the centre of a cattle-farmingdistrict, with Bonsmara cattle predominating,Vryburg also hosts a large annual agriculturalshow and has links to a pioneering veterinarian,Sir Arnold Theiler. The Theiler Agricultural Museumand Cattle Research Centre is on the farmArmoedsvlakte, a short distance west of the town.Geography and economyThe North West is bordered on the west by theRepublic of Botswana and on the east by Gauteng,the engine of the South African economy.The North West Province makes up 6.8% of thepopulation of South Africa (3.6-million), 8.7% of theland mass (105 076km²) and accounts for 5.8% ofeconomic output in terms of gross value added.The Vaal River runs along the province’s southeasternborder with the Free State, and the provincealso shares borders with the Northern Cape tothe south and Limpopo in the north. The mineralreserves in the province are enormous. Platinumgroup metals (PGMs) predominate but there aresignificant deposits of gold, uranium, diamonds,copper, vanadium, fluorspar and nickel. Stone andlimestone are also found in large quantities.Mining beneficiation takes place at many places,with Rustenburg being particularly strong in thissector. The economy of the town is closely linkedto the fortunes of platinum mining, with thesector contributing about 70% of the city’s grossgeographic product.Automotive components firms are clusteredin Brits, which in turn is close to the automotivemanufacturing hub of Rosslyn (Pretoria) inGauteng. Towns like Klerksdorp (agro-processingand engineering) and Potchefstroom (food andbeverages) also have manufacturing capacity.The North West is a major producer of maizeand sunflower seeds and many other agriculturalproducts. About 20% of South Africa’s maize comesfrom the province, as does 15% of its wheat.The dry western part of the province is hometo beef cattle, game ranching and hunting. Thenormally well-watered eastern and north-easternregions carry varied crops, many of which are soldin Johannesburg and Pretoria. The agricultural sectoralso generates largescale storage and logisticsoperations, particularly in Klerksdorp, Vryburg andBrits, together with a number of agro-processingplants. Senwes is one of the biggest with extensivesilo infrastructure while Suidwes has 17 retail outletsand MGK makes full-fat soy at its manufacturingplant. Lichtenburg-based NWK makes liquid fertiliserand animal feed, processes sunflower seeds andruns 37 silos and three grain mills.The province’s three Technical and VocationalEducation and Training (TVET) colleges andthe well-respected North-West University allhave several campuses catering to a wide rangeof educational disciplines. The university hasa strong reputation as a research institution.NWU’s support of innovation has seen morethan one successful enterprise spun off by itsTechnology Transfer and Innovation Support unit.One of these stories is covered in detail in theManufacturing Overview. ■NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2025/266PHOTO: Daniel Schuh on Unsplash
The SAIEE calls on EngineeringPractitioners in the North WestXXXFormed in 1909, the South African Institute of Electrical Engineering (SAIEE) has a long-standingtradition of supporting and promoting excellence in electrical engineering. As we continue to growand expand our reach, we call on all North West engineering practitioners to join us and establisha centre/branch in your region, with head office support.Becoming a SAIEE member gives you access to a wide range of benefits and opportunities tofurther your career and professional development. Our 9 Centres nationwide provide a platformfor members to network with industry experts, participate in monthly lectures, and accesscareer development tools to enhance their skills and knowledge.One key advantage of being a SAIEE member is the opportunity to participate inCPD-accredited site visits, which can provide valuable insights and practicalknowledge to help you stay ahead in the rapidly evolving field ofelectrical engineering. Additionally, our Centres are vital in promotingengineering studies to school leavers, mentoring students throughour student chapters, and offering access to the industry’s mostessential technical information in English.By joining forces and building a strong community of engineeringpractitioners in the North West province, we can make a realimpact and drive positive change in our industry. We inviteyou to join the SAIEE family and help us shape the future ofelectrical engineering in South Africa. Join us today and bea part of something great!For more information, email minx@saiee.org.zajoin us today!MembershipCorporate ForumsCPD Training AcademySkills Development9 Centres nationwideDedicated to Electrical Engineering since 1909www.saiee.org.za7 NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2025/26T: 011 487 3003 | SAIEE House 18a Gill Street Observatory JHB
