Spera will, over the course of his visit, engage with a provincial delegation led by the province’s MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Kenetswe Mosenogi, on possible economic opportunities between the parties. He will also engage the management of the embattled North West Development Corporation, as well as the Integrated Economic Development Services from midday onwards. The North West Development Corporation recently came under scrutiny over its financials. 

In December 2021, the Auditor General of South Africa, Tsakani Maluleke, in her report on audit outcomes of both provincial and national departments, revealed that the North West Development Corporation was amongst twelve public entities that received disclaimed opinions in the 2020/21 financial year. Now disclaimed opinions are deemed the worst that an auditee can get.

The provincial entity was named alongside the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, the National Skills Fund, four technical and vocational education and training colleges, and the Free State Development Corporations (FDC) in that regard. All 12 public entities had also received disclaimed opinions in 2019-20.

Moving away from matters of the provincial economy, Spera will on his second day in the provincial capital engage the leadership of the local municipality as well as traditional leaders in the area. The US Consul General concludes his visit in Koster where he will be visiting a non-profit organisation of interest there.

OFM News