Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
20 May 2026 – The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi has convened all Independent Schools across the province at Laerskool Silwerrand in Rustenburg as part of ongoing interventions to assist the department to achieve a target of 95% in the 2026 academic year on 19 May 2026. The interactive engagement by Motsumi focused on the assessment of current functioning academic support programmes and strategies directed at boosting Grade 12 outcomes.
Motsumi said the session also afforded an opportunity to analyse the process of registering Independent Schools as examination centres, while assessing current hurdles and implementing non-negotiables within the schooling areas. She further said the management of Independent Schools have warmly welcomed and applauded her for creating interactive sessions as it creates a platform for information sharing, collaboration and collective accountability, mostly in improving the outcomes of learners.
“I highlighted the significance of tightening cooperation between independent schools and the provincial department. The province is more determined to attain a top position through a well-coordinated partnership and interventions.
“This interactive session indicates our collective responsibility and commitment towards improving learner performance and guaranteeing that all schools contribute purposefully towards the province’s academic goal,” she said.
Motsumi added that the platform for interaction session further afforded school managements an opportunity to engage with the management of the department directly on matters affecting their schools and all stakeholders in the meeting agreed on unity and collaboration in striving for improved Grade 12 results in the North West.
20 May 2026 – The acting Police National Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has directed the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Ryno Naidoo to ensure maximum resources are deployed to hunt down the killers of vocal Mahikeng-born crime activist and traditional healer, Thato Molosankwe. According to the police, Molosankwe was shot and killed after he was attacked at his home in Lomanyaneng village, near Mahikeng in the early hours of this morning.
Dimapane said he sustained multiple gunshot wounds. She further condemned the brutal murder and assured the community that no stone will be left unturned until those responsible are found and brought to book.
“Molosankwe has been described by local police as a community-minded individual, who played an important role in assisting police efforts aimed at strengthening relations between the SAPS and communities. The Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit has taken over investigations into the matter.
“The police are appealing to anyone with information that may assist investigations to contact the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or provide anonymous tip-offs via the MySAPS App,” she said.
Picture: Social activist, Thato Molosankwe/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE 20 May 2026- Mahikeng-based social activist, Thato Molosankwe allegedly shot dead at his home in Lomanyaneng village, near Mahikeng. It is alleged that Molosankwe was accosted by unknown individuals in the early hours of Wednesday, who shot him.
Details surrounding Molosankwe’s murder are still sketchy as the police are still at the crime scene.
The North West police spokesperson, Captain Majang Skalkie said: “The police confirmed the incident. The crime scene is still active will issue a media statement as soon as they are done.” taungdailynews@gmail.com
20 May 2026 – The North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi will lead the Executive Council of the provincial government in paying homage to the family of former North West Premier, the late Kaobitsa Bushy Maape. Maape passed away on 16 May 2026, in Johannesburg after a short illness.
Mokgosi said the entourage will compromise the political troika of both Naledi and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Municipalities, Heads of Departments as well as the Executive of the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders. He said they will visit Maape’s family on Wednesday at 12pm in Vryburg.
The South African National Civic Association (SANCO) in the North West described Maape as a torch bearer, a transformation agent, a development activist and a visionary leader who sought to impact communities.
SANCO Provincial Interim Committee Convenor, Paul Sebegoe said that Maape will be remembered as a unifier, human rights advocate and a social justice activist whose passion was to serve and make a difference. Sebegoe conveyed condolences to the Maape family, comrades, business associates, friends as well as his members of his Provincial Executive Council, the African National Congress (ANC), ANC Veterans League, MK liberation Struggle Military Veterans Association, the Mass Democratic Movement, various constituencies and broader communities he had served across the province.
“Comrade Bushy has left an indelible mark in the sand of time as a forthright, assertive but humble leader whose tenure as Premier was defined by progress as well as remarkable milestones that include improved audit outcomes and rollout of the accelerated service delivery outreach programme aimed at responding to the plights of our communities.
“He had appreciated the enormity of the inherited infrastructure backlog, hence he pursued partnership with businesses such as Noordwes Koorperasie (NWK) to unlock the province’s economic potential,” he said.
Sebegoe further said Maape was goal driven hence he presided over the implementation of post Section 100 intervention action plans like a hawk hence he managed to stabilize governance. He added that as someone with experience as a businessman, he saw opportunities where others saw hurdles, hope where others saw hopelessness.
“He was neither a pessimist nor self-serving but a prisoner of hope, a true patriot who had dedicated his entire life to the liberation struggle and worked tirelessly for the betterment of the lives of those whose life experiences knew nothing but exclusion and deprivation.
“Maape had served with integrity and demonstrated total commitment to advance the vision of the Freedom Charter to create a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, prosperous and peaceful society,” said Sebegoe.
He said Maape leaves behind a proud legacy of selfless service as he strove to entrench good governance and financial accountability as the hallmark of his administration. Sebegoe said a befitting tribute would be to deepen transformation, ensure that the work that he started to rebuild trust in public institutions as part of the ANC’s renewal is sustained and that the bridges he built continue to work for the economic recovery, growth as well as development of the province.
“Maape had served as a Chief Director for Strategic Planning and Development Unit during the 1st Administration under then Premier Popo Molefe before venturing into consultancy through his Kgatelopele Institute that focused on municipal transformation and economic development.
“He had among others pioneered the establishment of the Ruth Mompati Foundation, led the Provincial Chapter of the ABSA Bantu Bonke Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Deal that focused on rural women entrepreneurs and young people in the province working alongside struggle veteran and businessman Tokyo Sexwale,” he said.
Meanwhile, Maape will be accorded a special provincial official funeral category one.
Picture: Somalian king inaugurated in Sandton/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
20 May 2026 – The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA) calls for swift and decisive action to address the ongoing disrespect toward the traditional institutions and the people. This comes after allegations that Somalians inaugurated their own king in Sandton.
CONTRALESA secretary in Gauteng, Prince Mongezi Tom said it is an insult to the customs, sovereignty and authority of the traditional leadership of this country and this province that foreign nationals, including Somalians, are now being crowned here on South African soil. Tom said they are not in support of this practice.
“We view it as a direct affront and a disregard for the sovereignty of our traditional structures and the dignity of our people. If this situation is not arrested by the Premier and the leadership of CONTRALESA, we risk our people taking matters into their own hands.
“We cannot allow foreign nationals to come into our country and act as it pleases them, without regard for our laws, customs, and traditional order. CONTRALESA stands ready to engage with the Premier and relevant authorities at the earliest convenience to resolve this matter and restore order in line with the will of our people,” he said.
17 May 2026 – The African National Congress (ANC) said it has learned with a deep sense of loss and sadness of the passing of the former North West Premier, freedom fighter, uMkhonto we Sizwe operative and Robben Island political prisoner, Kaobitsa “Bushy” Maape. ANC said Maape is a longstanding member of the movement, who dedicated his life to the struggle for liberation, the advancement of the people of South Africa and the empowerment of communities through education, serving the movement with discipline, humility, and unwavering commitment throughout his life.
The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu said Maape was recruited into the underground structures of the ANC during the apartheid era and became an operative within the liberation movement. Bhengu said in 1986, he was imprisoned for his political activities and incarcerated on Robben Island, where he continued pursuing education and intellectual development despite the harsh conditions of apartheid imprisonment.
“His passion for education remained a defining feature of his life as he believed deeply in the power of learning to liberate and uplift communities. Following his release, he served the people in various leadership roles, including as Chairperson of the ANC in the Kgalagadi region, senior government official in the North West, and the North West Premier from 2021 to 2024.
“The ANC dips its revolutionary banner in honour of Maape and extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, his comrades, friends and the people of the North West. Maape’s life remains a testament to a generation of cadres who sacrificed greatly for freedom, democracy, education and development in South Africa and yet are not in formal leadership structures,” she said.
Bhengu further said may Maape’s revolutionary soul rest in eternal peace.
Meanwhile, the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi said he is saddened by the passing of Maape. Mokgosi added that Maape passed away in Johannesburg on 16 May 2026, surrounded by his children and family after a short illness.
“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.
Mokgosi said while serving his term he enrolled for a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Economics, where he also completed two honours degrees in Development Studies and Economics with the University of Western Cape. He said following his release he became the Regional Chairperson of the ANC in the Bophirima Region, which at the time stretched from Kuruman to Mahikeng.
“After the country’s democratic breakthrough in 1994, he held senior administrative roles, including Chief Director for the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) and Planning in the Office of the Premier.
“He was later recalled from retirement to help stabilise the government following years of administrative stagnation which culminated in the invocation of Section 100. During his short stint as Premier and through his meticulous and administrative prowess, he ensured that cabinet uplifted Section 100 in the province,” said Mokgosi.
He said as a strong proponent for education, as well as the empowerment of young people, he relaunched the Provincial Bursary Scheme which to date has funded thousands of underprivileged learners from disadvantaged and distressed backgrounds. Mokgosi said Maape is credited for conceptualising the Province’s Accelerated Service Delivery Plan dubbed Thuntsha Lerole, an initiative aimed at ensuring the efficacy of municipalities in expediting provision of services to residents.
“Maape also resuscitated the province’s Growth and Development Strategy which serves as a blueprint to guide the province’s developmental trajectory as it relates to job creation, fighting poverty and tackling high costs of living.
“The former Premier was a true servant of the people. He was a committed compatriot who dedicated his entire life to the struggle for a democratic and prosperous country. He epitomised selflessness and servitude in the execution of our liberation course,” he said.
Mokgosi said Maape exemplified true ethical leadership. He said Maape was committed to serving his people and turning the tide against many years of colonial-apartheid rule which disenfranchised and marginalised the people.
“He was ethical, incorruptible and was relentless in his advocacy for good governance practices, which put people first,” concluded Mokgosi.
16 May 2026 – Mokgatlho wa basha wa lekoko la ANC mono Bokone Bophirima wa re o amogela pegelo e e ntshitsweng ke mokgatlha wa ANCYL wa bosetshaba mabapi le matshwenyego a farafereng naga ya Afrika Borwa. Mokgatlho wa basha wa lekoko la ANC mono porofenseng, wa re o itlamile go sireletsa kgololosego ya lekoko la ANC, mme ba kgala ka bogale maiteko otlhe a dirisang molao go ka iponela dintlha tsa sepolotiki.
Mokwaledi wa ANCYL mono Bokone Bophirima, Brian Huma are jaaka mokgtlho wa basha, ba ema kgatlhanong le maiteko mangwe le mangwe a tla diriwang go kgoreletsa tsamaiso le botsitsi mo nageng ka mokgwa wa tiriso ya bobegadikgang le sepolotiki. Huma are ga jaana, bontsi jwa basha mo porofenseng, ba lebane le botlhoka-tiro jo bo tseneletseng.
“Diketekete tsa basha mo porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima ga ba dire le fa ba na le dithutego tse di maleba. Re ema nokeng puo ya bosetshaba ya gore go nne le tsibogo. Re dumalana le puo ya gore a go nne le tumalano le seelo sa go thapa basha mo pusong le kwa ditheong tsa poraevete (Urgent interventions, including the gazetted Youth Employment Sector Code and measurable employment targets from both government and the private sector).
“Ditheo tse di dirang mo porofenseng di tshwanelwa ke go bontsha matshwenyego, mme di dire ka bojotlhe gore di tsenye letsogo mo go tlholeleng basha ditiro. Re akgola tsitsinyo ya gore letsatsi la Laboraro e nne la thebolo ya ditirelo (Service Delivery Wednesdays). Porogerama e, e solofetswe go ka thankgololwa ka kgwedi ya Phukwi mono ngwaga,” Huma wa tlhalosa.
Huma are thebolo e bokoa ya ditirelo jaaka tlhokego ya metsi, kgaogo ya motlakase e e sa rulaganngwa, ga mmogo le matlakala a sa tseweng, di tsweletse go iphetola nta ya tlhogo go baagi ba rona. Huma are jaaka ANCYL, ba tlile go tswelela le go lekola gore a di meiyara, balekgotlha ga mmogo le batsamaisi ba dimasepala ba dira tiro sentle le go ba rwesa maikarabelo.
“Jaaka ANCYL mo Bokone Bophirima, re tshwenyegile thata mabapi le go tlhorontshiwa ga batswakwa ba ba seng mo molong ba ba thapiwang le go duelwa madi a kwa tlase. Seo, se diragala thata kwa makaleng a tshwana le tsa dikago (construction), kgwebo le temo. Seo, se etegetsa botlhoka-tiro mo porofenseng.
“Ka jalo, re ikuela go Lefapha la Bodiri le Khiro go ka netefatsa fa go dirwa dilo tse di maleba mo porofenseng. Re ikuela go maloko a rona a ANCYL, mekgatlho e farologaneng ya basha ga mmogo le baagi ka kakaretso go ka tla ka makwalo-ipolelo (Curriculum Vitae) ka letsatsi la basha la di 16 Seetibosigo le go a neela puso,” Huma wa tlhalosa.
Are ba tlhoka di karabo mabapi le botlhoka-tiro jo bo jeleng setsi mo nageng. Huma are motsotso o, o tshwanelwa ke go rotloetsa basha le go ba gopotsa go lwela ikonomi e botokwa le matlafatso.
“Jaaka ANCYL, re ikana go tswelela go sireletsa kgologosego le moruo wa naga ya rona,” Huma wa tlhalosa.
15 May 2026 – A man (40) was arrested for possession of drugs in Kuilsville, Danielskuil on 13 May 2026. The members from the Crime Prevention Unit received a tip-off regarding a premises, where drugs were allegedly being sold.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said the information was immediately operationalised, resulting in the execution of a search warrant and the thorough search of the premises. Shemane said the police confiscated drugs with an estimated value of R16 000 and subsequent arrest of the suspect for dealing in drugs.
Meanwhile, the ZF Mgcawu District Police Commissioner, Major General Monica Sebili, commended the police who responded to the information received and thanked community members who provided the information. Sebili said the police will continue to work in collaboration with communities in the fight against drug-related crimes.
15 May 2026 – The police said the month of May marks child protection, and a call to all communities to uphold the law and protect children. The police said parents and caregivers have the responsibility to ensure that their children are safe at all times.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the safety precautions are to be administered to prevent abuse, protect children and keep them safe. Ehlers said parents and caregivers must know the whereabouts of children at all times and what they are doing.
“Always ensure that children are under the supervision of a trustworthy adult. Immediately report to the police when a child is missing – there is no waiting period. Teach children to know their home address and parent’s contact details.
“If at all possible, children should walk or play in groups with other children. Teach children not to accept gifts/treats from strangers. Listen to your children and pay attention to changes in their behaviour,” she said.
Ehlers further said parents should teach children to never get into a car with someone they do not know. She added that parents should report child abuse, neglect and exploitation.
“Every report could mean the difference between continued abuse and a child’s safety. Suspicious activities and crimes against children can be reported to Childline at 116, the SAPS Crime Stop Number 08600 10111 or alternatively via the MySAPS App.
“All information will be treated as confidential,” said Ehlers.
15 May 2026 – The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) said it unequivocally rejects the reckless and unilateral attempts by the Minister of Correctional Services, Pieter Groenewald, to reintroduce rank insignia and advance the backdoor militarisation of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) without proper consultation with organised labour. POPCRU said this dangerous regression represents not only an attack on the democratic transformation of correctional services, but also a direct violation of established collective bargaining agreements and labour relations prescripts governing the public service.
POPCRU spokesperson, Richard Mamabolo said they place it on record that at no stage was the union consulted through recognised collective bargaining structures, despite the clear obligations imposed on the employer through signed agreements and labour legislation. Mamabolo said POPCRU further reminds the employer and the Ministry that, in terms of Section 16 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA), organised labour is entitled to all relevant information necessary to facilitate meaningful engagement and effective collective bargaining on matters affecting employees.
“The unilateral pronouncements regarding the reintroduction of rank insignia within DCS therefore constitute a direct affront not only to existing collective agreements, but also to the spirit and prescripts of the Labour Relations Act itself.
“Meaningful engagement cannot occur in the absence of full disclosure, proper consultation processes, and adequate opportunity for labour to engage its membership structures. POPCRU maintains that this matter must immediately be referred back to the Departmental Bargaining Chamber for proper engagement with recognised labour representatives,” he said.
Mamabolo further said any attempt to bypass collective bargaining institutions and impose decisions through administrative directives or media announcements will only deepen tensions within the department and further undermine labour relations stability. He added that labour must be afforded sufficient opportunity to consult with its members across all levels of the department before any policy position of this magnitude is considered for implementation.
“Workers cannot simply be confronted with predetermined outcomes on matters that fundamentally affect workplace identity, organisational structure, career pathing, conditions of service, and the future character of correctional services in a democratic South Africa.
“Furthermore, POPCRU wishes to place on record that the issue of insignia cannot be divorced from the broader structural challenges confronting the department, particularly the current salary structure within DCS, which remains in serious disarray and requires urgent and comprehensive overhaul,” said Mamabolo.
