By BAKANG MOKOTO
1 September 2026 – The North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), through the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, is intensifying efforts to address persistent water challenges in Mahikeng and surrounding communities through the Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated Service Delivery Programme. As part of the Thuntsha Lerole programme, the government visited a newly completed water supply project serving communities around Signal Hill, including Lonely Park, Molelwane and Sonderwater, as part of ongoing interventions to improve access to reliable and sustainable basic water services.
The department said the project, funded through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), is being implemented across Wards 28, 29 and 32 of Mahikeng Local Municipality and is expected to benefit thousands of residents in these communities. It said Wards 28 and 29 alone, have a combined population of approximately 21 115 residents, with 11 273 people in Ward 28 and 9, 842 in Ward 29.
The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Oageng Molapisi said his department has allocated more than R181 million in MIG funding to the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality to support critical municipal infrastructure development and address water service and other service delivery
backlogs. Molapisi said the water project, valued at more than R118 million, was presented during the programme in the presence of Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele, the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, executive mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Khumalo Molefe and North West MEC for Public Works, Elizabeth Mokua amongst others.
“The road was implemented at a cost of approximately R2.2 million. The completion of the project has been welcomed by the community and commends the government for the smooth and speedy implementation of the project, which was completed within the planned timeframe and has benefited local residents through employment opportunities,” he said.
Gungubele acknowledged that many communities across the country continue to experience challenges such as water interruptions, sewage spillages, deteriorating wastewater treatment systems and high levels of water losses.
“The message we bring to this household that has benefitted from this project is clear. Government is intervening decisively, projects are being accelerated and partnerships are being strengthened to ensure that communities receive reliable water and sanitation services.
“Another key project visited during the Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated Service Delivery Programme was the 3.2km brick-paved road in Ward 29 in Lonely Park, which has been completed and is ready for use by residents,” he said.
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