Picture: Traditional leaders engaging with North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari/Supplied
By AGISANANG SCUFF
22 October 2025- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari has reaffirmed the department’s commitment to working closely with Traditional Leaders (Dikgosi) to address pressing healthcare challenges and strengthen service delivery across the province. Lehari met with dikgosi at Kings Gate in Rustenburg as part of his ongoing stakeholder engagement programme aimed at building strong partnerships to improve healthcare access and quality.
During the engagement, he apologised for the delay in convening the meeting and emphasised the importance of establishing a consistent communication channel between the department and dikgosi. He further assured the leaders that his department is ready to work hand-in-hand with them on health issues affecting their communities and committed to consulting them regularly on developments and challenges within health facilities located in their traditional areas.
“The department will prioritise mobile clinics in rural villages and hold quarterly engagements with dikgosi to monitor progress and ensure accountability,” added Lehari.
He assured dikgosi that they will have direct access to operational managers, chief directors, and hospital CEOs for swift resolution of service-related issues. Lehari also announced that Mmabonyana Lerumo, Director for Special Programmes, will serve as a direct liaison between the department and traditional leaders to ensure quick responses to operational matters.
Meanwhile, Traditional Leaders welcomed Lehari’s open-door approach and raised several issues requiring urgent attention. Kgosi Montshioa encouraged the department to fast-track the finalisation of the North West School of Medicine, which he said is crucial for building capacity and producing home-grown healthcare professionals.
“We call for improved functionality of hospital boards and clinic committees. In the past, poor communication and irregular meetings had undermined their effectiveness,” said Montshioa.
The Chief of Batlhaping BaGa-Maidi Tribal Authority, Kgosi Nyoko Motlhabane, raised concerns about the lack of timeous communication between the department and traditional leaders regarding health-related activities in their villages. Motlhabane stressed that dikgosi should be notified well in advance to allow them to mobilise their communities effectively, instead of being informed at the same time as residents.
The Guardian 