GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO GROWING SMALL BUSINESS

Article and pictures by Mahlogonolo Makwela

07 May 2026

The Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure has reiterated the Department’s commitment to paying service providers within 30 days of receiving invoices.

Addressing the Ditsobotla Business Forum in the North West during Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s oversight visit to the area, Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala emphasised government’s commitment to ensuring that businesses do not collapse due to non-payment by government departments.

Deputy President Mashatile’s oversight visit forms part of government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of municipalities to effectively deliver basic services to communities. The visit also forms part of the implementation of the District Development Model (DDM), which seeks to improve cooperative governance through better alignment and integration of national, provincial, and local government plans.

Responding to concerns raised by the Ditsobotla Business Forum — including deteriorating roads, ongoing electricity interruptions, and water shortages — Deputy Minister Zikalala expressed empathy with community members. He noted that the same challenges affecting communities were also hampering government programmes, including the implementation of new infrastructure projects.

Deputy Minister Zikalala was part of a government delegation comprising representatives from all three spheres of government, including Deputy Ministers, MECs, mayors, DDM champions, traditional leaders, and government officials.