Maribe are o tlile go dirisana sentle le baagi  


Setshwantsho: Meiyara o montsha wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

20 Mopitlwe 2026- Meiyara o montsha wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Itumeleng Maribe are ene le kabinete ya gagwe, ba tlile go tla ka toga-maano e tsha mabapi le go tokafatsa thebolo ya ditirelo mono Taung. Maribe are ba amogetse dipegelo tse di farologaneng mabapi le tlhokego ya metsi, ditsela tse di sa tsamaegeng ga mmogo le mafaratlhatlha a onetseng.

Maribe are le fa tekanyetso-kabo ya masepala e sa lekana go ka dira dilo tsotlhe ka nako e le nngwe, ba tlile go leka ka bojotlhe gore baagi ba amogela thebolo ya ditirelo e e namatshang.

“Re tlile go dirisana le mafapha a farologaneng a puso ga mmogo le ditlamo tsa poraebete. Ga jaana, re mo di puisanong le setlamo se se rebolang metsi sa Vaalharts ga mmogo le masepala wa sedika wa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati mabapi le go tla ka tharabololo mo tlhokegong ya metsi.  

“Jaaka keteledipele, re itemogetse gore setlamo sa Vaalharts, se na le di diriswa tsa dilori tse di kgonang go aga ditsela, mme re tlile go nna le tumalano le bone gore re dirisane mabapi le go aga ditsela tse di mogare ga metse ya rona ya Taung.

“Ntlha enngwe e kwa setlhoeng ke go ngodiega ga go agiwa ga matlo a di RDP. Ka lesego, re nnile le kopano le mokhuduthamaga wa Lefapha la Dipuso Selegae le Matlo, Oageng Molapisi mo bekeng e e fetileng mabapi le go netefatsa fa diporojeke tsa kago ya matlo tse kgale di puagantswe di tswelediwa,” Maribe wa tlhalosa.

Maribe are ba tlile go netefatsa fa letsema la Thuntsa Lerole le lone le tlisa pharologanyo go baagi. Gape Maribe are ba itemogetse kgwetlho mabapi le kgaogo e tseneletseng ya motlakase, mme ba tlile go kopana le setlamo sa Eskom, go netefatsa fa go nna le tlhaeletsano magareng ga bone le baagi.  

“Baagi ba tlhagisa dintlha tse di tsepameng mabapi le ditlhokego tsa bone. Sekai, bontsi jwa basha ba rona ga ba dire, mme re tlile go netefatsa gore re ba neela bokgoni (skills) go ka dira ditiro tse difarologaneng gore ba kgone go itshidisa.

“Re tlile go kopana le meepo e farologaneng gore ba re thuse go neelana ka bokgoni jo go basha ba rona. O tla gopola gore re setse fela ka dikgwedi di le supa pele ga re tsena mo ditlhopong tsa dipuso selegae,” Maribe wa tlhalosa.

Maribe are fela ba na le tshepo ya gore ba tla kgona go fetola seemo ka nako e khutshwane. Maribe o ikuela go baagi go ka dirisana le balekgotlha ba bone kwa dikgorwaneng tsa bone maitlhomo ele go netefatsa fa dingongora tsa bone di fitlhelela masepala.

“Mongwe le mongwe o a ikutlwang ekare dingongorego tsa gagwe ga di tsewe tsie, a ka goroga kwa dikantorong tsa rona tsa masepala go tla go bona thuso,” Maribe wa tlhalosa.

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Why SA needs fewer, stronger municipalities


By BAKANG MOKOTO

20 March 2026- The Chief Director of NWU Business School, Prof Joseph Sekhampu said the South African municipal landscape is not collapsing in a single moment of crisis. Sekhampu said it is eroding in slow motion.

He further said hundreds of local councils operate as if the constitution demanded their existence, but not their viability. Sekhampu added that they table unfunded budgets, default on debt, and preside over the decay of water and electricity networks, and survive largely on fiscal transfusions from the centre.

“The Auditor General’s warnings that only a small fraction of municipalities remain functionally stable no longer sound like outliers, they describe the system.

“In his address to Parliament, the Deputy President struck a familiar tone, emphasising that the government is working to stabilise service delivery, particularly water, through improved coordination and stronger municipal capacity,” he said.

Sekhampu said it is a measured and reasonable response. He said yet, it also reflects a deeper assumption that the system itself remains sound and that the crisis lies primarily in how it is managed.

“With local government elections approaching, the pressure to demonstrate improvement will intensify, but the incentives to confront deeper structural questions may weaken. Yet, beneath this framing, the evidence points to a more complex reality than current policy assumptions allow.

“Our municipal map is a graveyard of political optimism. Designed for a post-1994 vision of community empowerment, it now reflects shrinking tax bases, hollowed out administrations, and territories that cannot anymore carry the institutional load placed upon them,” said Sekhampu.

He said across successive audit cycles and fiscal reviews, a consistent pattern has emerged. Sekhampu said a relatively small group of municipalities operate with some degree of stability, while a much larger share struggle under weak revenue bases, limited economic activity, and persistent governance strain.

“In many cases, particularly in areas with little underlying economic base, the issue is not administrative failure alone, but structural non-viability. The intellectual case for consolidation is clearer than our politics allows.

“After 1994, South Africa consolidated a highly fragmented system of racially defined local authorities and homeland administrations into a unified structure of municipalities, demonstrating that large-scale institutional redesign is neither unprecedented nor unthinkable,” he said.

Sekhampu said local governments only thrive when they have enough revenue, administrative depth, and authority to meet community needs. He said when these conditions collapse, decentralisation becomes a burden rather than a virtue, and South Africa sits precisely in this predicament.

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Maje roll out bulk water and sewer infrastructure projects  


Picture: The executive mayor of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Motseokae Maje/Supplied 

By STAFF REPORTER

20 March 2026- The executive mayor of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Motseokae Maje has concluded the first leg of his roll out program of officially handing over completed Bulk Water and Sewer Infrastructure Projects. Maje said the program which commenced on Tuesday at Mamusa Local Municipality, ended at Rietfontein village in the Greater Taung Local Municipality on Thursday.

He further said in all projects, the municipality has spent close to R800 million. Maje added that in Rietfontein, he officially handed over a water project to the tune of over R17 million.

“The project entailed the construction of an elevated Steel Tank, Pipe laying and the construction of standpipes. We have interacted with our people and they are happy with the services they are receiving.

“Yes, indeed after expressing their happiness, they still caution us as government to take care of some minor aspects that we need to attend to in order to make our programs very effective and efficient. We appreciate that feedback and we are committed that within seven days we will give them responses on what we are going to do with those that they have indicated to us,” he said.  

Maje said the second leg of the program is expected to be rolled out in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, some residents in Rietfontein, have expressed their happiness regarding the provision of water. They said they will be able to wash and do their laundry, as there is plenty of water in their area.

One of the residents who refused to be named said: “We are also happy with the contractor for the good work he has done by providing us with water. We are happy now that finally we have water in our area.

“In the past, we had challenges and struggled with water. Even our livestock are now able to drink water. Our parents will no longer walk long distances to go and fetch water.”

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ANC elects new leadership in Dr Kenneth Kaunda  


Picture: The newly-elected ANC Dr Kenneth Kaunda Region leadership/Facebook  

By REGINALD KANYANE

20 March 2026- The African National Congress in the North West extended its revolutionary greetings to all delegates, veterans, and members who participated in the successful convening of the 9th Regional Conference of the ANC in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda Region. The former liberation movement said the conference took place at the Madiba Banquet Hall in Potchefstroom, bringing together delegates from branches across the region in a spirit of unity, renewal and organisational discipline.

The ANC provincial secretary, Louis Diremelo said the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) commends the delegates for conducting a disciplined, robust and democratic conference that reaffirmed the historic mission of the ANC as the leader of society and the champion of the aspirations of the people. Diremelo said the conference deliberated extensively on the political, organisational and socio-economic challenges confronting their communities and reaffirmed the urgent need to strengthen the movement, rebuild organisational capacity and accelerate service delivery to the people of the Dr Kenneth Kaunda Region.

“We congratulate the entire newly-elected Regional Executive Committee (REC) leadership, as led by the underneath Top 5, entrusted with the responsibility to lead the organisation during this critical period of renewal.

“Gaba Thithiba ka Qhele was elected as the Regional Chairperson, Zanele Mphafudi as the Deputy Regional Chairperson, Pat Mthoa was elected as the Regional Secretary, Wanda Moilwa was elected as the Deputy Regional Secretary, while Disebo Motaung was elected as Regional Treasurer,” he said.

Diremelo further said the election of this leadership collective reflects the confidence of branches in leaders, who will advance unity, organisational rebuilding, and responsive governance. He added that the ANC calls on all members, irrespective of leadership outcomes, to rally behind the newly elected REC and work collectively to strengthen the organisation.

“The 9th Regional Conference Declaration is firmly grounded in the strategic direction of the movement as articulated by the conference delegates, guided by a plethora of frameworks. The conference resolved to prioritise the strategic tasks as organisational renewal and unity.

“This includes rebuilding strong, functional branches, enforcing organisational discipline, and deepening political education to ensure the ANC remains a mass-based and militant movement of the people,” said Diremelo.

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‘Traditional leaders central pillar of governance’


Picture: North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders/Facebook

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

19 March 2026- The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi said this year marks the 30th anniversary since the adoption of the democratic constitution and this serves as a reminder of the many battles waged by traditional leaders in the fight against Colonial-Apartheid rule. Mokgosi, who delivered the keynote address during the official opening of the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders for the year 2026, said this includes the fight against land dispossession, the plundering of the natural resources and the exploitation of the people.

He further said their bravery laid a firm foundation in invigorating a spirit of patriotism, which culminated in the country’s democratic breakthrough with the adoption of a new Constitution in 1996 centered on promoting and preservation of the rights, customs and ethos of traditional leadership. Mokgosi added that as they mark 30 years of this important milestone, they do so cognizant of the important role played by Kgosi Besele of Barolong, Kgosi Galeshewe of Batlhaping, Kgosi Lentswe of Bakgatla, Kgosi Sechele of Bakwena and many others whose contribution continue to encourage many of them to forge ahead with their National Democratic Project.

“As President Cyril Ramaphosa remarked during the opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders “the institution of traditional leadership, forms sturdy roots that hold the tree of our nation up.

“Traditional leadership is the institution that anchors us in history. It nourishes our identity. It stabilizes us when storms rage. We meet here today following the presentation of the State of the Province Address (SOPA), as well as the Budget Speech,” he said.

Mokgosi said these two policy statements have prioritized challenges affecting their rural and traditional communities under the jurisdiction of Dikgosi. He said these issues include, but are not limited to road infrastructure, water provision, housing, refurbishment of schools and agricultural development.

“Therefore, the adequate provision of services in our communities will make the role played by our traditional leaders in fostering development seamless. It is a fact that our traditional leaders remain enablers of our socio-economic trajectory particularly as custodians of our land.

“As the provincial government, we reaffirm our support in recognition of traditional leadership as a central pillar of governance, land stewardship, and socio-economic development,” said Mokgosi.

He said they are deliberately repositioning traditional institutions from being peripheral stakeholders to becoming primary partners in economic transformation, investment facilitation and

sustainable development. Mokgosi said at the center of this approach is a programme of institutional reform and economic

realignment, led by the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), which seeks to correct historical imbalances and unlock the economic potential of land under traditional leadership.

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Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le banna ba le bane ba kwa Manthe e buseditswe morago


Setshwantsho: Kotapini Maphasane, Charles Sakiele le Mompati Mocumi/Facebook

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

19 Mopitlwe 2026- Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le banna ba le bane ba kwa motseng wa Manthe, gaufi le Taung, e buseditswe morago go fitlha 23 Mopitlwe 2026, ke kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung. Se, ke go neela balatofadiwa tshono ya go dira kopo ya semmuso ya beile.

Balatofadiwa eleng, Kotapini Maphasane, Charles Sakiele, Mashome Katong ga mmogo le Mompati Mocumi, ba ne ba tshwarwa le go latofadiwa ka go bolaya monna wa kwa motseng wa Mothanthanyaneng, gone mono Taung, eleng Robert Rapelang Molale, morago ga go mo latofatsa ka bogodu jwa leruo.  

Go begwa fa Molale a ile a teketiwa le go tsenngwa mo metsing kwa molapong. Go begwa fa Molale a ile a tlhokafala morago ga moo.

Tiragalo e, ke ya ngwaga o o fetileng. Balatofadiwa ba tshwerwe mo letsatsing la maabane ke lephata la matseka la sepodisi kwa motseng wa Manthe.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, mokaptein Majang Skalkie are babelaelwa ba, ba lebagane le kgetsi ya polao.

Kgabagare, go begwa fa go sentse go tlile go tshwarwa babelaelwa ba bangwe gape mabapi le tiragalo e.

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Ditopo di le pedi di bonwe kwa ntlung nngwe kwa Tlhakgameng, mme se sengwe se kgaotswe tlhogo


Setshwantsho: Ditopo di le pedi di bonwe kwa Tlakgameng/Facebook

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

19 Mopitlwe 2026- Go bonwe ditopo di le pedi tse di neng di setse di senyegile kwa ntlung nngwe kwa motseng wa Tlakgameng, gaufi le Ganyesa mo mosong wa gompieno. Go begwa fa ditopo tse, ele sa ngaka ya setso le monnawe.  

Go begwa fa setopo sa ngaka e ya setso, se fitlhetswe se kgaotswe tlhogo, mme baswi ka bobedi ba ne ba na le dintho tsa go kgemethiwa. Dipego di shupa fa baswi e le baagi ba kwa nageng ya Lesotho ka bobedi.

*Gobegwa fa sepodisi se setse se kwa lefelong la tiragalo, mme dintlha ka botlalo di tla latela.

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A man jailed for sexually violating a corpse


Picture: A corpse at the mortuary/Generic

By BAKANG MOKOTO

19 March 2026- A man (42) from Hopetown was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, additional ten years for assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), and a further ten years for the sexual violation of a corpse. All sentences will run concurrently.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said the accused, Salmom Kammies, was found guilty on charges of assault, rape, and murder and subsequently sentenced in the Kimberley High Court. Shemane said it was established during the trial that on 3 May 2024, the accused handed himself over to the police, alleging that he had acted in self-defence following an argument with his girlfriend.

“The police responded to the scene, where they discovered the lifeless body of the victim, Liezel Louw (29), in a bedroom. The body was found naked, with multiple bruises and stab wounds.

“The accused was arrested and remained in custody after bail was successfully opposed until the finalisation of the case,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Pixley Ka Seme District Police Commissioner, Major General Nomana Mtukushe, commended the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Phillip Kleynhans, for his meticulous investigation and dedication in ensuring that justice is served. Mtukushe further reassured the public that the police will not tolerate the abuse, rape, and killing of vulnerable individuals.

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Nine suspects nabbed for illicit mining


Picture: Nine suspects nabbed in connection of illicit mining/Supplied

By STAFF REPORTER

19 March 2026 – In response to illegal mining activities around the Frances Baard District, the members conducting Operation Vala Umgodi duties acted on a tip-off regarding people who were allegedly actively involved in illegal mining at a specific mining area. The police conducted a search at the identified premises and discovered individuals inside the mining area in possession of suspected diamond bearing gravel.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said this led to the arrest of nine suspects, including two females and seven males between the ages of 40 and 70, for trespassing and illicit mining on 18 March 2026, at the Sol Plaatje private property in the Florianville mining area. Shemane said mining implements believed to be used in the commission of illegal mining activities were confiscated by the police.

“The Frances Baard District illicit mining operations will continue unabated in the district,” he said.

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Molapisi warns against poor performing developers


Picture: The North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

19 March 2026- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi delivered a stern warning against poor performing developers during a community meeting, where he officially introduced the three developers tasked with constructing 1075 Breaking New Ground (BNG) units in Ikageng Extension 13.

Molapisi said the project, which is valued at over R230 million and set to break ground in April 2026, promises to be a game-changer for the community, eradicating informal settlements by replacing them with secure, decent homes by December 2027.

He further said the three appointed contractors were introduced to the community. During the meeting, Molapisi announced that the department will closely monitor their performance throughout the duration of the project.

“The department will not hesitate to terminate their contracts should they fail to meet the agreed completion timelines. We advise them to enlist additional capacity where necessary to ensure that the project is completed on schedule.

“We also indicated that the department has experienced challenges in the past with contractors who abandon projects or deliver poor-quality work. In order to address this challenge, the department has resolved to implement a strict milestone-based payment system, where contractors are paid according to the work they have completed,” he added.

Molapisi said if they fail to deliver, the department will be left with no option, but to terminate the contract and appoint a new contractor to complete the job. He also urged community members to cooperate with the contractors and ward councillors to prevent any disruptions which could delay the project.

“We have appointed three developers, two of whom are women and one man. This forms part of our deliberate effort to meet the 40% target for women-owned companies in government projects.

“By appointing women developers, we not only achieve the target but we also contribute towards the empowerment of women in the construction sector,’’ said Molapisi.

He emphasised that residents of Ikageng must be prioritised for local job opportunities throughout the duration of the project. Molapisi reaffirmed the department’s commitment to prioritise vulnerable groups, including women, older persons, child-headed households, and persons with disabilities, when allocating houses to beneficiaries.

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