Picture: The Convenor of the MRM Provincial Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
26 May 2026 – The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West on Monday appealed for Ubuntu and peaceful co-existence within communities. The civil society led organisation promoting the Charter of Positive Values in its Africa Day message called for rejection of Afrophobia and disunity among Africans.
The Convenor of the MRM Provincial Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said they must reclaim the unity of pre-colonial African societies, which was deliberately eroded and distorted by colonialism. Kgwele said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) offers greater opportunity for economic cooperation, shared growth and development.
He further said the Pan Africanism which was pursued by the founding fathers of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the forerunner to the African Union (AU) represents the future that Africa wants as outlined in Agenda 2063, its blueprint to achieve inclusive and sustainable development, economic integration, good governance and peace. Kgwele added that while Africans have redefined their development agenda taking into account the mineral endowment that the continent is blessed with, what largely remains is to stem the tide of regional conflicts as well as proxy wars that are perpetuating divisions for continued economic domination by western interests and mineral extraction.
“The proliferation of guns which have cost countless valuable lives is a serious indictment on Africa’s ability to end violent conflicts which account for high influx of asylum seekers. Our communities must distance themselves from divisive agendas, embrace respect for the rule of law as well as legitimate legal processes to rid the country of undocumented foreign nationals to safeguard our sovereignty.
“The way this complex matter is dealt with must reflect our humanity,” he concluded.
Picture: Former North West Premier, the late Bushy Maape/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
26 May 2026 – The Deputy President Paul Mashatile has described former Robben Island prisoner, the late Bushy Maape as a freedom fighter who sacrificed his life for liberation. Mashatile delivered a eulogy during Maape’s funeral in Vryburg on Saturday.
He further said Maape bore the scars of apartheid’s cruelty, scars that told the story of pain and injustice. Mashatile added that he gave his youth to the struggle so that future generations might walk in freedom.
“Today, beneath the skies of Vryburg and in the presence of a grieving nation, we gather at Huhudi Stadium to honour a revolutionary, a freedom fighter, a servant of the people, and a loyal son of the African soil. We unite in sorrow to bid farewell to Kaobitsa Abel “Bushy” Maape, a leader, Robben Island prisoner, loyal ANC cadre, and son of the soil.
“During the oppressive apartheid era, he played multiple roles. During the day, he was a dedicated teacher and humble principal in a rural community, shaping young minds. As night fell, he transformed into an underground activist, a “guerrilla of consciousness”, who operated stealthily,” he said.
Mashatile said Maape was part of leaders responsible for recruiting others under perilous conditions and contributed to the formation of the notable Kgalagadi Politico-Military Machinery. He said Maape played a crucial role in establishing the General and Allied Workers’ Union (GAWU), organising exploited farm and general workers.
“He contributed to the United Democratic Front (UDF), mobilising and agitating during the ANC’s ban. For this activism, the apartheid regime imprisoned him on Robben Island, believing isolation could extinguish the spirit of liberation.
“Yet history teaches us that Robben Island did not destroy revolutionaries, it became a school of political consciousness, discipline, courage, and leadership. It was at Robben Island that some of the greatest sons of our nation emerged even stronger. I speak of leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Ahmed Kathrada, Raymond Mhlaba, and many others, who sacrificed their freedom so that future generations could live in a democratic, just, united, and free South Africa,” said Mashatile.
The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi said Maape had an illustrious life marked by remarkable achievements and widespread admiration as a freedom fighter, politician and public servant. Following the 1976 Student Uprisings, Maape skipped the country, where he received political and military training by the ANC.
“He was later infiltrated back into the country where he formed and commanded the Kgalagadi Underground machinery which operated in Mahikeng, Vryburg, Taung, Kuruman and Kimberly. His strong convictions in the struggle against apartheid and its draconian laws led to his incarceration on Robben Island in the 1980s,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM)in the North West said it will always treasure the contribution of Maape, who is one of the 16 June 1976 generation of firebrands that sparked youth resistance to Bantu Education and apartheid oppression laid to rest in Vryburg on Saturday.
Setshwantsho: Baagi ba boloditse ditshupetso/Facebook
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
26 Motsheganong 2026 – Baagi ba motse wa Madipelesa, gaufi le Taung, ba ne ba boloditse di tshupetso ka Mosupulogo mabapi le kago ya tsela. Baagi ba, ba latofatsa Lefapha la Ditiro tsa Setshaba le Ditsela mono Bokone Bophirima ka go ba tshepisa go ba agela tsela e magareng ga Rietfontein le motse wa bone, fela go fitlha ga jaana ga go nko e tswa lemina.
Baagi bangwe ba bonwe mo setshwantshong sa motsikinyego ba epa tsela e golaganyang motse wa Shaleng le Madipelesa ka bogare ka motsi wa ditshupetso. Baagi ba, gape ba tshosetsa ka go sa ye go tsaya karolo mo di voutung tse di tlang tsa di puso selegae fa ba sa agelwe tsela.
Motlatsa-modulasetilo wa komiti ya baagi kwa motseng wa Madipelesa, Mpotshang Morris are ba lobaka ba beile letsogo mo phatlheng mabapi le kago ya tsela, fela go bontsha fa moleta ngwedi e le moleta lefifi.
“Ha e sale re kopa go agelwa tsela ka ngwaga wa 2017. Lefapha la Ditiro le Ditsela mono Bokone Bophirima, le ne le re tshepisitse gore re tlile go agelwa tsela ka 24 Seetebosigo 2025. Ba ne ba tshepisitse gore ba tlile go tla le mogakolodi (consultant) morago ga dikgwedi di le tharo, fela seo ga sa direla.
“Lefapha le ile la re tlhalosetsa fa tsela e, e tshwanelwa ke go tlhabololwa pele ka mokgwa wa go karapiwa le go tshelwa mmu (re-gravelling). Jaanong, re il era dumela jaaka baagi. Fela, lefapha ga ise le tle go dira jalo le go fitlha ga jaana,” Morris wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, sebueledi sa nakwana sa Lefapha la Dithoto le Ditsela mono Bokone Bophirima, Bayanda Zenzile are: “Lefapha le a itse ka matshwenyego a baagi ba Madipelesa mabapi le tsela. Fela kago ya tsela ka mokgwa wa sekontere magareng ga Madipelesa le Shaleng, e sentse e le karolo ya di thulaganyo tsa rona. Re tla dira seo morago ga go thapa mogakolodi, mme ga re itse gore seo se tla diragala leng.
“Fela ga jaana, re tlile go tlhabolola tsela eo ka mokgwa wa go e tshela mmu le go e karapa (re-gravelling) gore e ke e kgone go tsamaega. Lefapha le betse thoko madi a phopholediwang go R20 million go ka thankgolola porojeke eo.”
Zenzile are porojeke e, e tlile go tsaya dikgwedi di le thataro.
Fela Morris are madi ao a manyinyane go ka baakanya tsela ya Shaleng, Madipelesa ga mmogo le Rietfontein.
Picture: A prominent businessman, Dr Danny Tong/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
26 May 2026 – To become a successful entrepreneur, one needs a relentless vision to solve real-world problems with the resilience to pivot when things go wrong. One should also be action-oriented risk-takers who continuously learn, build strong teams, and execute ruthlessly rather than just theorising.
To curate these skills, requires both real-world practice and continuous education, and a South African business leader, investor and infrastructure entrepreneur, Dr Danny Tong who is best known as the founder and chairman of InvesTong Group has mastered it all. Tong runs one of the country’s fastest-growing black-owned investment holding groups.
Over more than two decades, he has built a diversified business empire with interests in infrastructure development, construction, property, mining, facilities management, energy, and strategic operating businesses. Beyond business, Tong is recognised for his commitment to economic transformation, youth empowerment, employment creation and building sustainable African institutions that create long-term impact rather than short-term success.
“I was born and raised in Molelema village, near Taung in the North West province. Coming from a rural background shaped my outlook on life and business. It taught me resilience, discipline and the importance of creating opportunities, where very few exist.
“Those early experiences became the foundation of my entrepreneurial journey. My journey into business started from necessity and ambition. I understood very early that entrepreneurship could become a vehicle not only for personal growth, but for changing communities and creating economic participation for others,” he said.
Tong further said he wanted to build institutions that could create jobs, develop people and contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s growth. He added that over time, that vision evolved from survival entrepreneurship into building structured businesses focused on sustainability, governance and long-term impact.
“Through InvesTong Group, we have built businesses across multiple sectors including infrastructure development, construction, property, mining, energy, facilities management, and strategic investments.
“One of our flagship companies is BoTong Civils, which delivers infrastructure projects across roads, transport infrastructure, water and sanitation, telecommunications, public facilities, and energy infrastructure,” said Tong.
He said their vision is to continue growing into a multi-sector African industrial group with interests across infrastructure, agriculture, mining, insurance, and technology. Tong said even though they have embarked on various projects, they had their fair share in business.
“One of our greatest successes has been transforming a modest entrepreneurial venture into a nationally expanding investment group with an order book exceeding R3 billion and a workforce of more than 1 100 employees operating across the SADC region.
“We are also proud of evolving from being sub-contractors into principal contractors on major infrastructure projects. That transition represented a major milestone for us as a black-owned business operating in highly competitive industries. Of course, the journey has not been without challenges,” he said.
Tong said scaling businesses in South Africa comes with funding pressures, economic uncertainty, operational complexity and infrastructure challenges. He said, however, he believes adversity develops leadership.
“Every challenge strengthened our governance, discipline and long-term strategic thinking. Receiving my honorary doctorate was a deeply meaningful moment because it symbolised growth, recognition of my contribution towards entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, discipline, and continuous learning. Education has always been important to me, despite coming from a business background rooted in practical experience.
“I currently hold an MBA from the African Leadership University School of Business, I am still completing a PhD focused on brand positioning. For me, the doctorate is not simply about recognition, it represents responsibility,” said Tong.
He said it reminds him that, as African business leaders, they must combine practical business leadership with knowledge, research and institutional thinking. Tong said education is critical because it expands one’s thinking, improves decision-making and strengthens leadership capability.
“In modern business, knowledge and strategic thinking are just as important as hard work. As a businessman, education helped me move from survival entrepreneurship into building structured institutions focused on governance, scalability and sustainability. I strongly believe that Africa’s future depends on educated entrepreneurs who can compete globally while still creating local impact.
“Across the various operations within InvesTong Group, we currently have a workforce of more than 1 100 employees.
However, beyond direct employment, we are equally passionate about mentorship, enterprise development, and creating opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs and communities through our projects and foundation initiatives,” he said.
Also, Tong conducts mentorship initiatives and that has eventually drawn the attention of former Arsenal FC captain Granit Xhaka. He said he is humbled to see Xhaka acknowledging the work they are doing.
“It highlights the importance of investing in Africa’s youth and future leaders. So, through the InvesTong Foundation and our broader mentorship initiatives, we focus heavily on youth empowerment, entrepreneurship support, scholarships, female empowerment and township economic activation. South Africa’s unemployment crisis requires practical intervention, not only conversations.
“We believe business should become a tool for transformation by creating real opportunities, mentorship, and pathways into economic participation for young people. The vision of listing one of our businesses on the JSE remains very much alive and forms part of our medium-term strategic direction,” said Tong.
According to him, they have already taken important steps towards institutional readiness through governance strengthening, capital market participation, and scaling operations. Tong said the Group has also participated in the JSE JPP Live platform as part of broader growth capital initiatives.
“For us, a future listing is not simply about prestige, it is about building a sustainable African institution capable of competing globally while creating generational economic impact. Coming from a rural background definitely meant starting with fewer advantages.
“Access to networks, capital, and opportunities is often limited in rural communities. But I never allowed my background to define my future. Competing globally requires consistency, professionalism, governance, credibility and long-term thinking. Over the years, we focused on building sustainable structures and proving that African businesses can operate at world-class standards,” he said.
Tong believes that some of the world’s greatest ideas and leaders can emerge from rural Africa when given the right opportunities and mindset. He urges aspiring entrepreneurs to remain disciplined, patient and consistent.
“Entrepreneurship is not about overnight success, it is about building something sustainable over time. Secondly, focus on building institutions rather than chasing quick profits. Strong governance, credibility, and reputation are extremely important.
“Lastly, never allow your background or circumstances to limit your vision. With the right mindset, education, resilience and work ethic, it is possible to build businesses that create impact not only in South Africa, but globally,” concluded Tong.
The Guardian 