Global Entrepreneurship Day

In the North West Province (South Africa), rural economies hold untapped potential in agriculture, tourism, creative industries, and local manufacturing. Yet, small enterprises in these areas often face barriers to exposure, mentorship, and markets. Chapter 6 of South Africa’s National Development Plan – Vision 2030 calls for greater participation of rural communities in the country’s economic, social, and political life. Vision 2023 further assert that “rural economies will be supported by agriculture, and where possible by mining.....”
Bakwena Ba Mogopa, a rural mining community rich in land and mineral resources, embodies this potential. However, much of its land remains underutilized. For the community to combat unemployment and drive sustainable rural development, a strategic focus on land utilisation, enterprise development, and local investment is essential.
This pilot celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week in Bethanie Village on 19 November 2025 under the theme “Together We Build: Rethinking, Reorganising & Reimagining Rural Economy”, aims to localize the global movement by bridging entrepreneurship promotion, youth empowerment, and local economic activation within a rural setting.
The project aims to:
• Celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week in a rural context as a platform for learning, networking, and enterprise activation.
• Strengthen the local entrepreneurial ecosystem through NWDC’s development and investment support.
• Expose rural entrepreneurs to market opportunities, mentorship, and funding channels.
• Document outcomes to inform replication in other rural districts across the province.