Swedish Delegation Embarks on Benchmarking Visit to JB Marks Municipality

JB Marks Local Municipality, in collaboration with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and the North-West University (NWU), is hosting an international delegation from Sweden as part of a week-long benchmarking and knowledge-exchange visit. The programme has been designed to highlight local strengths, showcase community-driven development, and deepen international partnerships focused on sustainable growth.

Image: JB Marks

Showcasing Local Innovation and Community Strength

Throughout the week, the Swedish delegation will be introduced to a wide range of community projects, social initiatives, and development programmes across Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp. These visits aim to demonstrate the resilience and effectiveness of local organisations, non-profit initiatives, youth-led innovations, and municipal-community partnerships.

Engagements will include meetings with municipal leadership, site visits to community development projects, and interactions with local schools. The delegation will also observe youth empowerment efforts and programmes supporting education, entrepreneurship, and social wellbeing.

Academic Collaboration at North-West University

A significant component of the visit includes academic sessions hosted by the North-West University. These sessions are expected to facilitate discussions on innovation, governance, research collaboration, and the Living Laboratory initiative, a multi-stakeholder platform that bridges the gap between academia, government, and community development.

The Living Laboratory model allows for practical problem-solving and shared learning, and the visit offers an opportunity to present ongoing research, pilot projects, and long-term development strategies.

Business Indaba Dinner: Strengthening Partnerships

One of the key highlights of the programme is the Business Indaba Dinner, a collaborative engagement that brings together representatives from government, academia, the private sector, and civil society. The dinner aims to strengthen institutional partnerships, encourage cross-sector collaboration, and create opportunities for investment and innovation that benefit local communities.

This gathering reinforces the shared commitment to building sustainable networks that support job creation, youth development, and community upliftment.

A Step Toward Global Collaboration

The hosting of the Swedish delegation marks an important milestone in JB Marks Municipality’s efforts to expand international cooperation and promote global visibility for local organisations. By opening their doors to international partners, local stakeholders aim to boost capacity building, promote collaborative learning, and create pathways for long-term development partnerships.

The visit is expected to leave a lasting positive impact on the municipality, further strengthening community projects and broadening opportunities for local institutions to participate on the global stage.

#TheGoToGuy #InternationalPartnerships #CommunityDevelopment #JbMarksMunicipality #GlobalCollaboration

🌍🤝🏫✨