Picture: The roof of North West Department of Health Office collapsed
By OBAKENG MAJE
11 October 2025- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari has confirmed that a section of the roof at the Health Office Park, which serves as the Department’s Provincial Head Office, has collapsed. Lehari said the department’s affected area accommodates the Financial Management, Salaries and Accounting Directorates.
He further said following the incident, immediate steps have been taken to safeguard employees and secure the building. Lehari added that the Department of Labour has been officially notified and will conduct an on-site inspection on Monday to assess compliance with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards and determine the structural integrity of the building.
“Access to the building will remain restricted in the interim as a precautionary measure until safety has been verified and guaranteed. The Infrastructure Development and Technical Services (IDTS) unit, in collaboration with the OHS Committee, had previously presented an engineer’s report indicating that the building was safe for occupation.
“However, a subsequent assessment conducted last Thursday identified the ceiling as a potential risk and recommended that employees in the affected area be moved while a service provider was being sourced to address the matter urgently,” he said.
Lehari has assured employees and the public that the department is prioritising their safety above all else. He said safety and wellbeing of their employees remain their top priority.
“We are treating this incident with the urgency it deserves and will ensure that no staff member is placed at risk. We are working closely with relevant authorities to resolve this matter speedily and safely,” said Lehari.
Meanwhile, Superintendent General, Obakeng Mongale, reiterated the department’s commitment to transparency and swift action. Mongale said they have activated all necessary internal and external processes to assess the full extent of the damage and to implement corrective measures.
“We assure staff that interim working arrangements are being made to minimise disruption to critical services while ensuring everyone’s safety.
“The department will continue to communicate updates as more information becomes available following the Department of Labour’s assessment and the engineers’ further inspections,” said Mongale.
Picture: The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane and Head of Department (HoD), Relebohile Mofokane/Supplied
By AGISANANG SCUFF 11 October 2025- The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane and Head of Department (HoD), Relebohile Mofokane, have concluded a two-day Strategic Planning Session aimed at refining the departmental 2026/27 Annual Performance Plan (APP) and Operational Plan (AOP). Lenkopane said the session held from 8–9 October 2025 at the Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mahikeng, was attended by senior management, Heads of Entities, and strategic partners.
She further said it served as a platform to ensure that departmental priorities are aligned with the 7th Administration’s vision of inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state. Lenkopane added that there should be urgency in implementing impactful programmes that stimulate local economies, attract investment and create sustainable employment opportunities.
“This department contributes exceedingly to the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS), which is the cornerstone of economic transformation in our province. We must collectively drive investment, tackle poverty, and reduce unemployment; the people of this province depend on our success.
“Departmental strategic plans must be bold and solution-driven. Our province has immense mineral wealth, yet it continues to face high unemployment. We must change this narrative by packaging our investment pillars to attract meaningful economic growth and ensure that no one is left behind,” she said.
Lenkopane said for the 2025/26 financial year, DEDECT and its public entities, the North West Development Corporation (NWDC), North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWP&TB), and North West Gambling Board (NWGB), will strengthen partnerships with the private sector to stimulate job creation, promote compliance, and advance inclusive economic development across the province. She said the session aimed to consolidate departmental strategies and ensure alignment with key policy frameworks, including the PGDS, Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP), Departmental Budget Speech, Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), and other special project plans.
“We urge departmental leaders, programme managers, and entity CEOs to use the session as a platform for robust engagement and evidence-based planning. Our strategies must directly address the challenges faced by our businesses, particularly in the energy and mining sectors.
“High electricity costs are crippling industries and leading to retrenchments. As the engine of economic development, DEDECT must champion investment in alternative energy solutions to stabilise and revitalise the provincial economy,” said Lenkopane.
She said to strengthen investment readiness, she has directed that feasibility studies by various entities be finalised and presented to ensure that investor targeting is precise and aligned with district-specific economic priorities. Lenkopane said highlighting logistics as a key enabler of growth, she has instructed the department to enhance coordination in the transport sector, including revitalising the province’s airports and improving airline connectivity to stimulate trade, tourism, and investment.
“We also announced plans for beneficiation initiatives in the chrome and platinum sectors, in partnership with the Limpopo Province, to advance industrialisation and value addition. Outcomes of this collaboration will be presented to the Premier and the President in due course.
“The effective management of mega projects remains critical. Coordination, monitoring, and timely implementation are essential to ensure these projects deliver tangible results in job creation and economic growth. As part of ongoing efforts to attract investment, we also announced that the department will host its own Investment Conference and Jobs Summit by the end of November 2025,” she said.
Lenkopane said this will assist in focusing on sector-specific opportunities and building on existing international market engagements. She said this initiative will build upon existing international market profiling, particularly where demand for products such as citrus fruit has already been identified.
“We urge delegates to ensure that the APP for 2025/26 reflects practical, measurable strategies that align with the 7th Administration’s priorities, driving inclusive economic growth, promoting industrial development, and creating sustainable jobs. The collaboration across all programmes, entities, and stakeholders will be essential to ensure the successful implementation of these strategic interventions.
“We need to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the 2026/27 plans are actionable, measurable, and transformative, our people depend on us to position the North West as a competitive hub for economic growth and sustainable development,” said Lenkopane.
She said the strategic planning session was attended by DEDECT’s key partners, including the Provincial Treasury (Internal Audit), Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), National Department of Tourism (NDT), Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA), Office of the Premier, and Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).
Lenkopane said additional strategic partners in attendance include the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEFA), universities such as North-West University (NWU), Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), and the University of South Africa (UNISA), the Young African Entrepreneurs Institute (YAEI), the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), and representatives from District Municipalities’ Local Economic Development (LED) units all contributing valuable insights to the session.
11 October 2025- Magalies Water said it has noted with concern a hoax email, bearing the face of its General Manager – Water Services, Dr Vhahangwele Akinwekomi and the name of the entity’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Matshidiso Tabane.
The WATER UTILITY SPOKESPERSON, David Magae said the email puts into question the manner in which Magalies Water conducts business, including by way of accepting unsolicited goods and services, without taking into account the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). Magae said Magalies Water fully complies with all statutes and regulations governing public procurement of goods and services.
“Consequently, we will not enter into any agreement with any supplier of goods and services without following its prescribed Supply Chain Management (SCM) policy read together with the National Treasury regulations.
“The public is encouraged to apply caution to all electronic communication received using the name of Magalies Water, particularly from third parties relating to procurement of goods and services and are also encouraged to authenticate this information by directly contacting the entity when in doubt,” he said.
Picture: Picture: North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi
By OBAKENG MAJE
11 October 2025- The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in North West said it welcomes the newly-established Ad Hoc Committee by the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL). The North West Provincial Legislature’s Joint Portfolio Committees on the Premier and Finance and the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs have established an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate allegations of improper conduct made against the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi by the Naledi Local Municipality mayor, Clifton Groep.
EFF Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Justice Dabampe said these allegations were made during the oversight visit by the National Parliament’s Joint Portfolio Committees to municipalities in the North West Province on 1-3 September 2025 held at the North West Provincial Legislature’s Auditorium.
“As the EFF, we fully support the recently established Ad Hoc Committee of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), which is looking into the allegations levelled against the Mokgosi.
“Groep raised serious allegations against Mokgosi. We fully believe that this committee will come up with clear findings towards what happened and test these allegations. We also hope that the committee will get credible witnesses as many as possible and come up with clear recommendations without casting any aspersions on the affected parties,” he said.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Caucus Leader in the North West Provincial Legislature, Freddy Sonakile shared the same sentiments. Sonakile said they welcome the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee by the North West Provincial Legislature.
“Following the visit by the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) of the National Assembly, chaired by Zweli Mkhize, last month, the Mayor alleged that the Premier and three ANC members visited Thabo Appolus, a former employee of Naledi Local Municipality, on his farm and allegedly instructed him to alter a report concerning the appointment of the Municipal Manager, Modisanyane Segapo.
“In response, the National Assembly Committee resolved that the Legislature must conduct its own process, while the National Assembly proceeds with its own. Consequently, the North West Provincial Legislature mandated the Joint Committee on the Office of the Premier and Finance, together with the Portfolio Committee on CoGTA, to deliberate on the matter and propose a way forward,” he said.
Sonakile further said the Joint Committee subsequently recommended the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee, which the House has now adopted. He added that the Ad Hoc Committee is expected to investigate the matter and report to the House by 31 November 2025.
“The DA welcomes this resolution as a sign of maturity and accountability, consistent with the rule of law and democratic principles. It is crucial that such serious allegations are investigated with transparency rather than being swept under the carpet.
“We further urge that ANC internal politics should not be allowed to influence the work of the committee. The people of the North West deserve an unbiased, fair and independent process that upholds the integrity of our democratic institutions,” said Sonakile.
He said the North West municipalities continue to rank among the worst-performing in the country and this process presents an opportunity to uncover whether there is underlying political interference that affects governance, appointments, and service delivery at the local level. Somnakile said the DA’s representative on the Ad Hoc Committee is Chris Steyl, who will be the party spokesperson on the matter and monitor that the process is fair, transparent and free from political manipulation, in the best interests of accountability and good governance.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Committee, Nathan Oliphant said following consultations with Leaders of Represented Parties, in accordance with Rule 187 of the Standing Rules of the Legislature, the following Members of the Legislature have been appointed to serve on the Ad Hoc Committee, as per the resolution of the House sitting on 16 September 2025.
“Nathan Oliphant (ANC) – Chairperson, Tebogo Modise (ANC), Paul Sebegoe (ANC), Kgalalelo Makgokgowa (ANC), Ofentse Moema (EFF), Chris Steyl (DA) and Lerato Tsholo (MKP) – representing all minority parties in the Legislature, including the Freedom Front Plus, Action SA, and uMkhonto weSizwe Party.
“The Committee has officially commenced its work and has appointed an evidence leader, Advocate Pule Seleka SC, who met with Committee members on 10 October 2025. The public will be kept informed of all developments,” said Oliphant.
He said: “As of 13 October, the evidence leader will begin meeting with witnesses in preparation for the Committee’s work. The Committee aims to complete its work by the end of November 2025. However, depending on administrative challenges, there may be a need to request an extension until January 2026.”
Picture: Bafana Bafana against Zimbabwe during WC qualifier match/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
11 October 2025- Bafana Bafana were held to a goalless draw by defiant Zimbabwe in a tense 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday night. Coach Hugo Broos’ charges threw everything they had at the Zimbabweans, but luck was not on their side as the ball was cleared off the line and then the goalposts kept it out of the back of the net on two occasions.
While the outcome was a huge disappointment, Broos insisted that his charges will pick themselves up and resume the fight in the coming days as there is still so much to play for in qualifying Group C. The South Africans, who remain second on the standings and two points behind leaders Benin, host Rwanda in their final match of the group in Mbombela on Tuesday.
Broos’ charges need to beat Rwanda and then hope that the Nigerians beat Benin at home on the same day.
“It will be very important to see what happens in the game between Nigeria and Benin. We will see what the result will be there. But on the other side, we do not really have to look. If we win the game (against Rwanda) we will then see what happens.
“That is the most important thing. It will not be easy, certainly not. But as long as it’s possible, you have to believe. I think we will be a little bit down for one or two days. But, I will do everything to once again have a team that believes on Tuesday, one that will try to win the game with as many goals as possible because (the group) may be decided on goal difference,” he said.
Meanwhile, the two sides finished with 10 men after Zimbabwe’s Knowledge Musona was sent off in the 62nd minute. Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi then followed suit on the stroke of full time.
Picture: North West Department of Education delegates/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
11 October 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said the province walked away again this year with top positions during the National Teaching Awards Gala event held at Birchwood Hotel in Kempton Park on 9 October 2025. Motsumi said it has sent a delegation of 15 finalists to compete at the national level and the province brought home seven awards.
She further said Reverend Dr David Tlhowe from Tlhabane West Primary School in Bojanala District obtained first position in Primary School Leadership. Motsumi added that, Tshepiso Seshoane from Thuto Neo Primary School in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District obtained first position in Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (GET).
“Bongumusa Mabuza from Reabona Secondary School in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda obtained second position in Excellence in Teaching Natural Sciences. Tlhalefang Zwane from Bolokang Secondary School in Ngaka Modiri Molema District obtained second position in Excellence in Teaching.
“Magaretta Bornman from Laerskool Sannieshof in Ngaka Modiri Molema District obtained position three Excellence in Primary School Teaching. Ronewa Tshikhudu from Noka ya Lorato Primary School in Bojanala District obtained position three in Excellence in Technology Enhanced Teaching,” she said.
Motsumi said Koketso Motaung from Tebogo Special School in Bojanala District obtained position three in Excellence in Special Needs Teaching. She emphasized that the North West is consistent in dominating at the national level.
“On behalf of the entire department, I would like to congratulate Team North West and we are proud of all our candidates. As a province we have now been consistent in dominating at the national level. In two successive years we have been obtaining the top positions consistently.
“This achievement shows that the department is in the correct direction. As we are preparing ourselves for the final examinations, our learners will be inspired to even work hard in the examinations,” said Motsumi.
She said they have taken seven awards in their bag and they are very proud of the province. Motsumi said the province is the overall winner with most trophies compared to other provinces.
The Guardian 