Picture: North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua and other delegates/Supplied
By STAFF REPORTER
12 February 2026- The North West Department of Public Works and Roads wishes to inform the residents of Tshunyane village and surrounding areas that the department has committed to the upgrading of Road D433, situated south of the N18 and approximately 26km from Mahikeng CBD. The department said this commitment follows a constructive engagement between the North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua and the Chief of Nadibe-A-Kubu, Kgosi Mosekaphofu Lekoma, where community concerns regarding the condition of the road were discussed.
Mokua said D433 road with a total length of 34.5km, is earmarked for upgrading from gravel to surfaced standard. She further said due to the limited budget available in the current financial year, the department will commence with the upgrading of an initial 5km stretch during the upcoming financial year.
“In the interim, to improve trafficability, the department will continue with routine maintenance which includes regravelling and reblading. We would like to express appreciation to the community for their continued patience and constructive engagement.
“We wish to thank the community of Tshunyane for their patience and for engaging the department through proper channels. We remain committed to improving rural road infrastructure and ensuring that our people have safer and more reliable access roads,” added Mokua.
She said they will continue to prioritise the remaining sections as resources become available. Mokua said the department will continue to work closely with the traditional authority and community stakeholders as the project progresses.
“We will communicate further developments in due course,” she said.
12 February 2026- The ANC said today the Republic of South Africa president, President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) at a defining moment in the life of the democracy. The party said this address is grounded in the core principles of participatory democracy, the expressed will of the people and a people-centred, people-driven model of governance and development.
The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu said it is both a reflection and a commitment, a report to the nation and a vision for the future. Bhengu said as they mark 32 years of democratic governance, this State of the Nation Address reflects on the achievements of recent years, confronts the hurdles that continue to impede socio-economic transformation and charts a clear path forward.
“It builds on the programme articulated in the January 8 Statement, the outcomes of ANC and Cabinet makgotlas and consultations with a broad cross-section of South African society. South Africa enters this address on a trajectory of recovery and renewal.
“State-owned enterprises have shown measurable improvement, with Eskom stabilising operations and South African Airways recording profitability. Rail infrastructure is undergoing revitalisation,” she said.
Bhengu further said South Africa has been removed from the Financial Action Task Force grey list, restoring confidence in the financial system. She added that, the implementation of the National Minimum Wage continues to protect vulnerable workers, while reforms within SASSA and NSFAS are strengthening the integrity and efficiency of social support systems.
“Through the 10-Point Economic Action Plan, government has accelerated industrialisation, diversified trade partnerships, strengthened revenue collection, and stabilised the fiscus to ensure sustainable infrastructure investment and responsible management of competing national priorities.
“Tourism has rebounded strongly, with 10.48 million recorded arrivals, reinforcing South Africa’s standing as a world-class destination. Economic indicators signal cautious optimism,” she said.
Bhengu said strengthening of the rand to R15.80 against the US dollar provides hope for interest rate relief. She said inflation remains moderated, with CPI at 3.6% in December 2025, among the lowest levels recorded in over two decades, positioning the country for further economic stabilisation and growth.
“In last year’s SONA, land reform was prioritised in line with our historic commitment to redress. The passage of the Expropriation Act marked significant progress in this regard. The establishment of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry reaffirmed our determination to confront corruption and crimedecisively. Gender-Based Violence and Femicide was declared a national crisis, demanding collective societal action.
“The introduction of lenacapavir, to be rolled out in April as a groundbreaking HIV prevention injection, underscores our commitment to safeguarding public health. Yet we are mindful of the challenges that persist,” said Bhengu.
She said the water crisis affecting communities requires urgent infrastructure investment to restore dignity and ensure reliable service delivery. Bhengu said stablisation and strengthening local government remain an urgent priority, as reaffirmed during their 114th anniversary commemoration in Moruleng.
“Decisive action is required to contain foot-and-mouth disease in the agricultural sector, a key pillar of economic activity and job creation. The fight against poverty, unemployment, crime, GBVF, and porous borders continues with renewed urgency.
“The State of the Nation Address outlines practical interventions to advance our developmental agenda and deepen inclusive growth. Globally, this address takes place amid shifting geopolitical and economic dynamics, renewed multilateralism, evolving trade arrangements including AGOA, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, CAEP. frameworks, and global trade tensions,” she said.
Bhengu said South Africa remains committed to progressive internationalism, inclusive multilateralism and strengthening bilateral relations with key partners including the European Union, China, the United States, Russia, and the African continent. She said the successful hosting of the G20 Summit positioned South Africa as a credible and influential global voice.
“At the same time, we remain vigilant against domestic forces that resist transformation and seek to undermine the vision of a united, non-racial, and equitable society championed by Tata Nelson Mandela, whose release from prison we commemorated just days ago.
“The President’s responsibilities demand careful balancing of competing needs, investing in infrastructure, expanding the social wage, strengthening local government, and accelerating economic transformation,” said Bhengu.
She said today’s State of the Nation Address reaffirms their collective determination to build a capable state, grow the economy, create jobs, empower SMMEs, develop skills, and invest in the youth. Bhengu said they call upon all South Africans to join hands in this national effort, to harness their creativity, resilience and shared purpose in shaping a future defined by dignity, opportunity, and inclusive prosperity for all.
12 February 2026- The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane said is advancing its investment attraction programme at the 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba, where a series of bilateral engagements yielded tangible outcomes and culminated in the several strategic investment opportunities towards industrialization. Lenkopane said the province’s participation reflects a deliberate effort to chart a new path for investment that places communities at the centre of economic activity and ensures that local beneficiaries play an active and meaningful role in the provincial economy.
During the Indaba, Lenkopane and Head of Department (HOD), Relebohile Mofokane has
been engaging industry leaders, investors and partners across the exhibition floor, usingevery interaction to profile the North West as a competitive and investment ready province. Lenkopane’s walkabout through the exhibition hall created opportunities for continuous dialogue with mining companies, technology innovators, financiers, and other role players, while also
showcasing the depth of investment opportunities at the North West exhibition stall.
“These engagements highlighted district level strengths and emphasised the province’s
readiness to welcome transformative investment. We also held several strategic meetings with investors and partners.
“Day one included fruitful engagements with Glencore Empire Investment Bank, Shaanxi Non-Ferrous Metals Group, Valterra Platinum, Sibanye-Stillwater and Limpopo Provincial Government. Day two consisted of bilateral’s with Glencore, Free State Provincial Givernemnt and many others which are actively working with the department to advance economic interests,” she said.
Lenkopane further said the sessions
explored investment prospects in mineral beneficiation, manufacturing, renewable energy,
agro-processing, and community development initiatives. She added that through these engagements, she reinforced that the North West is land ready, infrastructure ready, SEZ ready and Special
Purpose Vehicle (SPV) ready, with a portfolio of opportunities geared toward job creation,economic diversification, and inclusive local growth.
“A notable feature of the first day was a high-level bilateral meeting with Glencore CEO,
Jappie Fullard. During this bilateral and others, parties reaffirmed their commitment tostrengthening collaboration, expanding the province’s investment pipeline, and advancing the development of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
“The discussions underscored a shared vision to promote local industrial participation and ensure that mining related investments and
post mining economic plans and environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria bring
direct benefits to communities across the province,” said Lenkopane.
She emphasised the significance of the province’s mission at the Indaba, noting that DEDECT is actively reshaping the investment landscape to open new opportunities for local stakeholders. Lenkopane highlighted that this platform creates unmatched opportunities for the province to foster strategic investment partnerships, drive local market expansion, beneficiation, explore post mining opportunities and secure long-term sustainable growth within the province.
“With over 1,400 mining companies, 1,300 investors, and more than 300 exhibitors, this is the
premier platform where deals are made and where both power and capital converge, creating
unmatched opportunities for strategic partnerships, market expansion, and long-term
sustainable growth.
“We further highlighted that the province is committed to building partnerships that drive
sustainable development and broaden economic participation,” she said.
Lenkopane said through deliberate investment, facilitation, the department is laying the groundwork for communities, cooperatives, SMMEs,
and local suppliers to participate more fully in the province’s economic value chains.
“As the Mining Indaba continues, the North West delegation remains focused on attracting investment, expanding opportunities, promoting local beneficiation and positioning the province as a destination where every investment opportunity translates into real, measurable
12 February 2026- The Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management in the North West Provincial Legislature, chaired by Freddy Sonakile, has concluded its two-day engagements on matters relating to North West Transport Investment (NTI). Sonakile said the engagements focused on service providers who are signatories to the NTI Escrow Account, namely TansNat, Ziggy, and Triponza.
He further said these service providers appeared before the Committee to account for their role in the establishment and operation of the escrow account. Sonakile added that the Committee also received briefings from Mduduzi Sithole, a transport business owner from KwaZulu-Natal who made formal representations to the Committee, as well as Grace Sadiki, former Chief Executive Officer of NTI.
“All presenters shared information regarding their involvement with the entity and responded to issues and allegations previously raised.
“During the engagements, the three representatives provided detailed accounts outlining the sequence of events that led to the current situation at NTI,” he said.
Sonakile said following these presentations, the Committee resolved to request additional information to clarify outstanding matters. He said a final engagement session will be scheduled once this information has been received.
“In the interim, the Committee’s legal team has been instructed to begin compiling an interim report to guide further deliberations.
“The Committee also received an update on the payment of employee salaries and will continue to monitor developments in this regard,” said Sonakile.
He said furthermore, the Department of Labour briefed the Committee on the outcomes of its investigation, while the Hawks provided an update on the status of cases opened relating to NTI. Sonakile said in order to ensure a comprehensive and fair process, the Committee will convene an additional session to engage other stakeholders who have played a key role in the operations and future of the entity.
“As the Committee does not exercise direct oversight over the Gauteng Department, it will formally request the assistance of its Gauteng counterpart to ensure that the relevant authorities provide outstanding information and engage on subsidy and related matters.
“The Portfolio Committee remains committed to exercising rigorous oversight and ensuring accountability, transparency, and stability at NTI, in the interest of workers, service providers, and the broader public,” he said.
Setshwantsho: Terekere e amegile mo kotsing ya sejanaga
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
12 Tlhakole 2026- Sepodisi mono Taung se ikuelela go ba kgweetsi go kgweetsa ka kelo-tlhoko mo di tseleng tse di farologaneng. Se, se tla morago ga gore terekere e thulane le sejanaga sa poraevete kwa makopanelong a ditsela gaufi le seteishene sa sepodisi ka Labotlhano bosigo.
Go begwa fa sejanaga sa poraevete se se neng se tswa kwa ntlheng ya Mmabana Taung, se sa ema fa se ne se fitlha kwa makopanelong a ditsela, mme seo se ile sa dira gore mokgweetsi wa terekere a latlhegelwe ke taolo.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are ga gona ope o boneng dikgobalo mo kotsing e.
“Kgetsi e ile ya bulwa, fela ke pego ya kotsi gonne ga gona ope o boneng dikgobalo. Sejanaga ga mmogo le terekere ke tsone tse di itemogetseng ditshenyegelo,” van Rooyen.
Picture: North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng
By OBAKENG MAJE
11 February 2026- The defiant North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said given all the challenges of scholar transport, he is looking at legal provisions that will allow his department to cancel the contract and restart it where due diligence will be done to ensure operators are compliant. Morweng who briefed the media at North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management Offices in Mahikeng today, said they will call the media to announce that eventuality soon as they have completed all internal processes to terminate the current scholar transport contract.
Morweng’s media briefing comes after the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) launched an investigative inquiry regarding systemic scholar transport challenges at the North West Community Safety and Transport Management.
“In February 2025, the department received an invitation from the SAHRC to participate in their enquiry on the challenges facing scholar transport in the province. We engaged the Commission and gave reports required as well as answering all questions both verbal and written.
“On 19 January 2026, the Commission released a report which highlighted findings and remedial action directives. Let me start by first noting the report and commit that the department will abide by the findings and comply with all directives of the SAHRC,” he said.
Morweng further said he however hastened to indicate that some of the findings as highlighted in the report have already been identified by the department and corrective measures were being implemented even before the SAHRC began with the hearings. He added that the corrective measures they are referring to are taken immediately, especially where the safety of the learner is at risk.
“For instance, there was a tragic incident in July 2024 at Khunotswane village, outside Zeerust, where a learner from Motsaalore Secondary School unfortunately passed on. In this incident, it is alleged that several learners jumped out of a moving bus as the driver was driving recklessly.
“The operator whose bus was roadworthy was terminated immediately and the new operator was appointed. Another incident where a learner lost life involving a subsidised scholar transport occurred in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District bringing the number to two in the last two years,” said Morweng.
He said the scholar transport contract began in January 2024 with 449 operators. Morweng said over the period of exactly two years, they have terminated 90 operators for a variety of Service Level Agreement (SLA) contraventions.
“These contraventions include inconsistent service, abandoning the route, unroadworthy vehicles or any recklessness that may harm or put learner safety at risk. So far, we have terminated 31 operators in Bojanala, 23 in Ngaka Modiri Molema, 22 in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and 14 in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District.
“We have as at August 2024, began a process of appointing a panel of operators as part of our troubleshooting measures. The panel has since been appointed in April 2025 and comprises 44 operators,” he said.
Morweng said these are operators who are already in the system and can be called at a short notice to transport learners in case an operator abandons the route or for whatever reason that may lead to learners not being transported. He said there are several causes that exacerbate the scholar transport challenges.
“These include new unplanned informal settlements creating a new need to transport learners who previously would not have needed transportation. The other challenge which is a causal factor to the one above is the budget shortfall.
“This results in depletion of the budget leading to starting a new financial year with accruals of the previous year. We have put measures in place such as establishing a War Room chaired by the HOD and comprising members from our department and the Department of Education,” said Morweng.
He said they meet regularly and are able to identify challenges and attend to them immediately. Morweng said they also have established a monitoring team to ensure that operators are in compliance with the prescripts of the SLA.
“To ensure that buses are roadworthy, we inspect the buses after every six months to ensure they are not putting learners’ safety at risk. Our traffic officers are also monitoring the buses and impounding them if need be, that is if they are not in compliance with both the National Land Transport Act and Road Traffic Act.
“We have engaged the Provincial Treasury to increase the scholar transport budget which currently stands at R 460 million. To ensure the service of scholar transport routes, we need at least R610 million to avoid beginning a new financial crisis with accumulations,” he said.
Morweng said their regular engagements with the Department of Education also helps with forward planning in the case of rationalised schools.
10 February 2026- The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Joy Maimela has welcomed the decision to expel learners from Milnerton High School in the Western Cape, following a disciplinary process related to serious misconduct. Maimela said the committee supports decisive action on the part of schools and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to uphold discipline, protect learners and staff and ensure that schools remain safe spaces for teaching and learning.
“While every learner has the right to education, this right must be exercised in a manner that respects the rights and safety of others. Serious misconduct cannot be tolerated, and appropriate disciplinary measures are necessary to maintain order and protect the school community.
“Video footage of the bullying, which has sparked national outrage, depicts the learner being physically and verbally attacked by a group of boys while others stand by – some of them cheering on the perpetrators,” she said.
Maimela further said the incident reportedly occurred on 16 October 2025, shortly after classes ended, and allegedly involved members of the school’s first-team rugby squad. She also urged schools across the country to strengthen discipline frameworks, codes of conduct and preventative programmes to address misconduct early and to promote a culture of respect and accountability among learners.
“We want to emphasise the importance of preventative programmes, including awareness campaigns, peer mediation, counselling services and values-based education initiatives, to address misconduct at an early stage.
“Fostering a culture of respect, accountability and responsible behaviour among learners is critical to creating safe and conducive learning environments that support teaching, learning and the holistic development of every child,” added Maimela.
She said the Portfolio Committee will continue to exercise oversight to monitor and ensure that disciplinary processes are fair, consistent and aligned with national policy, while prioritising the safety and well-being of all learners and educators.
10 February2026- The police in Taung request community assistance in locating Obakeng Motebe (70). The police said Motebe was last seen on 30 January 2026 at 5pm inside his residence at Tlapeng village.
The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said a search commenced around the area without any positive results. Van Rooyen said Motebe does not have a left eye and no clothing description was available.
“The police request anyone who may have any information regarding the whereabouts of Motebe to contact the investigating officer Warrant Officer Tshipo on 0824692284,” she said.
Picture: All Blacks players during a rugby game/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
10 February 2026- The 2026 All Blacks tour could deliver a major economic boost – not just rugby glory – if South Africa capitalises on sport tourism properly. Sport tourism already generates billions for South Africa, yet remains one of the country’s most underused economic opportunities.
According to Prof Esmarie Myburgh from the research unit Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES) at the North West University (NWU) said major sporting events don’t just fill stadiums, they fill hotels, restaurants and local economies across the country. Myburgh said better infrastructure, coordinated support and strategic planning could turn sport tourism into a powerful driver of inclusive economic growth.
“When the final whistle blows on The Greatest Rivalry Tour, the real winner could be South Africa’s tourism sector, if it plays its cards right.
“It’s been 30 years since the New Zealand All Blacks last toured South Africa for a traditional rugby test series, but 2026 will see the old foes meet for three tests in the Republic and one abroad. For rugby fans at home and in the Land of the Long White Cloud, The Greatest Rivalry Tour – which includes provincial matches between the All Blacks and the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions – is the stuff dreams are made of,” she said.
Myburgh further said they are not alone. She added that the formal and informal South African tourism sectors are starry-eyed at the potential revenue The Greatest Rivalry Tour can add to their pockets.
“Sport tourism is big business. However, South Africa historically underutilises sport tourism, and this tour is a strategic opportunity to right that wrong.
“The United Nations World Tourism Organisation highlights that sport tourism is expected to grow by an estimated 17.5% between 2023 and 2030, and already accounts for approximately 10% of global expenditure. He added that sports tourism can address several challenges in South Africa’s leisure tourism sector, particularly by reducing seasonality and spreading tourism benefits more evenly.
“Unlike traditional leisure tourism, which is often concentrated in peak periods and major destinations, sport events can take place throughout the year and often in smaller towns, creating valuable economic activity”, said Myburgh.
She said according to a report by South African Tourism titled Sport Tourism Insights, South Africa hosted 878 local and 122 international sporting events across all codes, attracting 12.34 million attendees and generating over R8.11 billion in spending, illustrating the scale of this opportunity. Myburgh said school sport events also create a notable tourism footprint by attracting local travel and raising awareness of destinations and attractions across the country.
“Internationally, sport tourism is a strong driver of destination branding. High-profile events linked to world-class teams like the Springboks receive global media coverage that positions South Africa as a capable and attractive host destination, often reaching new markets.
“We note that sport tourism does not only generate one-off visits, and that sport tourists who attend or participate in events are often motivated to return to South Africa for leisure travel with family or friends,” said Myburgh.
She said the tourism therefore often acts as a gateway that broadens the tourism economy beyond the initial event visit. Myburgh said from an economic perspective, sport tourism generates spending across accommodation, transport, food, retail and attractions.
“Major events have strong direct impacts, but even smaller events can stimulate local economies while supporting jobs and small businesses.
“The social role of sport tourism should also not be underestimated. It brings people together across cultural and social divides, fosters national pride and contributes to social cohesion in ways few other tourism products can,” she said.
Myburgh said advantage is that many sport tourism events make use of existing infrastructure and tourism facilities, although here South Africa needs to polish its shoes.
“However, many facilities have not been adequately maintained, which limits their appeal. Existing infrastructure, including World Cup stadiums, should be better utilised to support a stronger and more sustainable sport tourism offering.
“Despite these benefits, challenges remain. Not all sports codes have brands as strong as rugby, and economic impacts are highly dependent on team performance and support,” she said.
Myburgh said government support also remains uneven, with a strong focus on large-scale events and well-established provinces, leaving other regions behind. She said infrastructure, safety, grassroots sport development and inconsistent economic impact measurement further constrain growth.
“Overall, sport tourism remains one of South Africa’s most promising yet underutilised tourism opportunities. With improved infrastructure, balanced support and stronger collaboration, it has significant potential to drive inclusive economic growth, nation-building and long-term destination competitiveness,” said Myburgh.
10 February 2026- Despite facing several obstacles farming on communal land, a 36-year-old producer of Lichtenburg, was announced Grain SA’s New Era Commercial Farmer of 2025 in October.
Botlhale Jacob Tshabalala is being described by his mentors as eager to learn and with a strong will to succeed. It is precisely these qualities that have seen him go from strength to strength since taking up farming in 2013.
Qualified, but jobless
He was born in Itsoseng and the family relocated to Lichtenburg when he was nine years old. Botlhale obtained matric at Hoërskool Lichtenburg in 2009 and completed a course in fitting and turning after which he applied for apprenticeships at several mines in the area.
His numerous attempts were to no avail. By this time his father, David, had been leasing communal land at Driehoek near Lichtenburg where he produced maize and farmed with Brahman cattle.
Unemployed, his father invited Botlhale to join him on the farm. ‘He bought me production inputs for 15 ha in a year that was severely dry. I didn’t even break even on that land,’ Botlhale recalls. However, he did not let that deter him.
His father had a business in town where Botlhale worked for a salary, which he used the following year to buy his own inputs and try his hand at farming again.
He explains his motivation to persevere: ‘I don’t know how to explain it, but I enjoy farming. I don’t want to work for anyone else, but myself. I want to grow my own legacy for my children. It is difficult, but I’m determined to farm and I don’t want to do anything else.’
Asking for help
Armed with the limited farming knowledge he had acquired from his father, Botlhale then decided to reach out to other producers who could mentor him.
He approached Heinrich Krüger, former chairman of NWK’s board of directors. ‘I went to school with his son, Hansie, and decided to ask him for advice. He didn’t hesitate to share his knowledge. ‘One year he even donated a boom sprayer to me for free as he saw I had been struggling with weed control. Another person who helped me is Marco van Rensburg. All of these guys were very open and helped me a lot.’
In 2016 he became a member of Itsoseng’s study group of which Du Toit van der Westhuizen (Grain SA’s regional development manager of the Phahama Grain Phakama office in North West) was the study leader. Botlhale became a member of Grain SA in 2018.
He also credits David Whitfield, a mentor at Nedbank, for advising him on his Brahman herd.
By 2020 Botlhale wanted to expand and approached NWK for a production loan. ‘I lacked certain documents, but NWK explained its requirements. I returned the following year with all the relevant information and I was granted the loan.’
Once a client of NWK, Botlhale also became a member of the company’s Developing Farmer Project, under the mentorship of the former manager of the project, Leonard Thaphathi. ‘That guy! He believed in me from the start. He has played a big part in my success. I still miss his presence, but I’m fortunate to now get the same support from Klaston (Sefiti) at NWK.’
He also credits Lourie Rootman (area representative of Midchem) for advising him on the optimal use of chemical inputs.
When accepting his award as the Grain SA/Absa/John Deere Financial New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year, on 2 October at Nampo Park near Bothaville, Botlhale thanked NWK as his financier.
He speaks with great gratitude, not only about the individuals who have mentored him throughout his journey, but also institutions like Grain SA, Absa, Nedbank as well as Kgodiso Development Fund which have assisted him.
Botlhale Jacob Tshabalala, the 2025 Grain SA/Absa/John Deere Financial New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year at
Grain SA’s Farmer of the Year function in 2025.
Photo: Grain SA
The difficulties of farming on communal land
Botlhale dreams of being a successful Brahman stud breeder. ‘I have a fully fledged commercial Brahman herd and want to join the (Brahman SA) Society to become a stud breeder.
‘My father had been farming with Brahman cattle for years, and I fell in love with them. I saw red Brahmans at the farm of Chris Badenhorst – a farmer whom we usually buy our bulls from – and suggested to my father that we switch from the white Brahman to the red one, which I find more beautiful.’
However, this dream is unlikely to come true as long as Botlhale farms on communal land. ‘There is no fencing, so animal invasion from other herds is a big issue. I also cannot keep my bulls separate to let them rest or apply selection criteria as I’d like,’ he explains.
In 2014, 26 of his cows, of which many were pregnant, were stolen and never recovered. “Crop theft is another issue, and the crops also get damaged from animals walking freely there. I must hire individuals to guard my maize at an additional expense.’
Botlhale cannot plant on the communal land before the other farmers do, as it would increase the chances of animal invasion and crop theft. ‘Even if I prepare my lands on time, I have to wait for my neighbours so that we can plant around the same time. Therefore, I’m often delayed in my operations.’
He says he has applied twice to lease state-owned land, but without success. ‘I don’t know why my applications have been denied, since the department (North West Department of Land Reform and Rural Development) never gives feedback.’
He is now buying as many NWK shares as he can with the hopes of presenting it as collateral for a loan to buy his own farm one day.
Botlhale added that North West’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development had donated seed and diesel for the new planting season to him and fellow communal farmers. However, the diesel was apparently mixed with paraffin and unsuitable for use.
Frank Lesenyego, spokesman for North West’s Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, on enquiry confirmed that Botlhale had applied for two farms in 2019 and 2020, and added that there is simply not enough land available for all applicants with the desire to farm.
‘Due to the high volume of applications for land allocation the department receives, it is not always possible to revert to each applicant who had applied. We can confirm that the demand for land allocation far surpasses the need for land for agricultural purposes. The department continues to acquire land on an annual basis and the applicant should look for advertised farms on the departmental website for future consideration.’
NWK Arena also enquired about the alleged substandard fuel that had been given to communal farmers. Another spokesperson for the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Emelda Setlhako, said that these allegations were under internal investigation.
Louis Olivier (Senwes Lichtenburg John Deere) handed over the keys of a brand-new John Deere 5075E to Bothlale. On the left is Sibusiso Mabuza, CEO of Phahama Grain Phakama.
‘Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get’
As with many other farms in the area, Botlhale was subjected to a severe drought in 2023. ‘In 2024, I consequently planted only 185 ha of sunflower and adjusted my planting dates according to the different fields and their potential.
‘I’ve never had such a perfect emergence of sunflower! The stand was as high as 45 000 and I increased fertiliser to 150 kg/ha.’ Alas, the heavy rains later in the season resulted in much lower yields than Botlhale had anticipated. ‘I was supposed to average 2 t/ha and above, but on most fields I harvested as little as 600 kg/ha. It was devastating!’
By early November 2025, Driehoek had received good rains and Botlhale was optimistic that the upcoming season would be a good one. ‘I am aiming to plant 150 ha of maize and 50 ha sunflower.’ He usually plants small white beans too, but was reluctant to do so in a wet year when it would be more susceptible to rust.
‘Farmers can’t complain. We must adapt, have resilience as well as faith and pray.’
Take baby steps to expand
Although Botlhale is eager to acquire his own land and expand his farming operation, he believes in doing it in small increments. ‘NWK’s Developing Farmer Project taught me the ‘low hectare, high yield’ method, whereby you only work what you can manage.
‘If you stay within your capacity, you can better work your lands on time, manage them better and consequently obtain a better yield. Especially with today’s more unpredictable weather conditions, it’s important to expand in smaller increments such as 45 ha, rather than 100 ha.’
Botlhale has acquired his own tractors and implements throughout the years and leases them to farmers in need.
He received a brand-new John Deere 5075E as part of his prize. ‘I am very thankful towards John Deere SA. They have paved the way for me with this donation.’
Fellow contestants and family members celebrate with the winner at Grain SA’s Day of Celebration on 2 October 2025.
Photo: Grain SA
Support is crucial for success
Du Toit describes Botlhale as a loyal member of Grain SA who grabs every opportunity to gather information and learn more. ‘He loves agriculture and is actively involved in his own farming operation and daily tasks on the farm. There are numerous challenges when farming commercially on communal land. He is someone who should have his own land.’
Heinrich added: ‘Jacob is someone with a will to succeed and this is exactly what he’ll do! It is encouraging if someone approaches you for advice and he achieves success by using it.’
Apart from his mentors, Botlhale says his father has played an important role in his success. ‘I have to single out my brother, Thapelo. He works at Afrimat, but whenever he is on leave and supposed to rest, he lends a helping hand on the farm.’
Botlhale also paid tribute to his late mother, Melitah. ‘She was actually disappointed when she learned I wanted to farm fulltime, as she wanted me to rather have a professional job. I think she was scared by farming’s difficulty and the unpredictable weather. However, once I explained to her why I wanted to farm, she gave me her full support and blessings.’
Botlhale is immensely grateful for the unwavering support of his wife, Lerato. They have a son, Samkelo (11) and a seven-month old baby, Yamihle.
The Guardian 