29 August 2025- Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named the team that will play two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria next month. The South African senior men’s team will face Lesotho away from home at the Free State Stadium on 5 September 2025 and then host Nigeria at the same venue on 9 September 2025.
Broos said his players do not need to be motivated when they play the two games.
“You know when you can go to the World Cup, is there a better motivation than that? Maybe if we go to the World Cup it will be the first and maybe the last time for all those players.
“Qualifying for the World Cup is extremely, extremely difficult, certainly here in Africa,” he said.
Broos further said they have to fight for every game. He added that they won 5-0 against Congo in 2024, and nobody thought that it would be such a result.
“However, I don’t think that it will be an easy game next Friday against Lesotho. The team will go into camp in Johannesburg on 1 September 2025.
“Tickets to the match are available at Ticketpro and other participating outlets,” said Broos.
29 August 2025- The Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, who delivered a keynote address at the official launch of the JET Skills Desk and National JET Skills Advisory Forum, said these are two pillars of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Skills Portfolio. Mashatile said they cannot talk of a Just Energy Transition without talking about women and other vulnerable groups and the impact that a Business-as-Usual approach to climate change has on their lives and livelihoods.
He further said as such, the launch of these structures is critical to their broader developmental objectives and commitment to building a prosperous and equal society. Mashatile added that they will leave no one behind.
“These structures are part of a vital transition towards a low-carbon, inclusive, and equitable energy future. They will provide the leadership and coordination necessary to advance a cohesive and demand-driven skills development agenda.
“They will also tackle the green skills gap hindering the equitable energy transition and affecting our economic development and competitiveness,” he said.
Mashatile said the skills mismatch gap prevents organisations from locating suitable individuals, resulting in sluggish production, delayed innovation, and diminished competitiveness. He said this launch is going into effect because they collectively recognise the need for a holistic strategy that includes education reform and an increase in skilled labour, to guarantee that all South Africans, particularly those living in coal-dependent and disadvantaged areas, can participate in the green economy.
“We want the communities in these areas to understand and be aware of the skills needed for employment as a result of the green transition, as well as the sectors in which they will be created, the skill level required, and who is most suited to offer them.
“This highlights the importance of transforming the skills base to facilitate a just and inclusive transition to green energy by establishing strong industry collaborations for practical training and rapidly improving university and TVET curricula,” said Mashatile.
He said in the context of South Africa, a country grappling with the challenge of transitioning to a sustainable energy future, the importance of skills development cannot be overstated. Mashatile said the concept of Just Energy Transition emphasises the need to move towards cleaner energy sources, while ensuring a fair and equitable transition for all stakeholders, particularly those from communities reliant on traditional energy sources.
“South Africa’s transition to renewable energy requires individuals and organisations to acquire new skills in renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency practices, and sustainability principles and a profound understanding of the social and economic implications of the transition.
“Our government is focusing on a green energy transition to improve energy security and combat climate change by creating new economic opportunities, reducing poverty, and improving public health outcomes,” said Mashatile.
He said through the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP), he said they aim to build new, sustainable energy sources, develop sectors like green hydrogen and electric vehicles and enhance energy security through a massive rollout of clean energy infrastructure. Mashatile said in all these areas, the government recognizes the need to proactively build skills to ensure the transition is just and creates employment opportunities, making skill development a core element of JET-IP rather than an afterthought.
“Suffice to say, at the heart of South Africa’s energy transition is South Africa and her people. It is about restoring dignity through decent work and creating opportunities, ensuring that no one is left behind.
“Whether we are talking about upgrading grid infrastructure or expanding green manufacturing, nothing moves without the people,” he said.
29 August 2025- A truck driver (36) was arrested for transporting illicit cigarettes worth R4 million. The suspect was arrested at the Ventersdorp Weighbridge.
The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said a white truck traveling from Pretoria to Kuruman in Northern Cape was stopped on N14 as part of the normal operation by officers. Morweng said upon inspection of the vehicle and requiring information on the loaded cargo, the law enforcement officer discovered that the truck was loaded with 350 boxes of what turned out to be illicit cigarettes, worth street value of just above R4 500 000.
“The cigarettes are allegedly manufactured in neighbouring Mozambique and distributed by a company based in Lenasia in south of Johannesburg.
“The driver was immediately arrested and taken to the Ventersdorp Police Station for processing. We want to applaud the law enforcement officers for being vigilant and stamping authority,” he said.
Morweng further said the law enforcement officers have done a good job. He added that is an indication that they are intolerant of any deviancy in the province.
“These illicit cigarettes are killing our economy and are dangerous to the people. This is the third time that a cargo of illicit cigarettes was seized in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District on N14 and N12 in the last three weeks.
“We call on law enforcement to ensure that loaded vehicles passing through all major roads in the province are being thoroughly checked. If this trend persists, then we will have to increase the presence of law enforcement on these roads and maybe even increase regularity of joint operations,” said Morweng.
28 August 2025- South Africa has this week joined the rest of the African continent in observing African Traditional Medicine Day to raise awareness about the significant role the traditional medicine plays in improving the health and well-being of people across the continent and beyond.
It is estimated that over 80% of people globally, especially in developing regions use traditional medicine for their primary healthcare needs.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla will on Friday lead the 2025 African Traditional Medicine Day national commemorative event at Moruleng Stadium, in Moruleng village, outside Rustenburg. Phaahla will be accompanied by North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari, local government and traditional leaders amongst others.
“The event will be observed under the theme: Strengthen the evidence base for traditional medicine. In May 2025, the 78th World Health Assembly endorsed the new World Health Organization Global Traditional Medicine strategy 2025-2034 to promote universal access to safe, effective, and people-centered traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine.
“This underscores the deep- rooted cultural significance and accessibility of traditional practices, including herbal medicine and other indigenous therapies in the communities,” he said.
Phaahla further said thus, the commemoration of African Traditional Medicine Day serves as a clarion call to action for governments to strengthen collaboration between science, technology and innovation institutions; traditional health practitioners and the private sector to accelerate research and development, and local manufacturing of traditional medicine-based therapeutics for the health and well-being of Africa’s people.
He added that African Traditional Medicine Day is observed annually on the continent on 31 August to honour the integral role of traditional medicine in the health and welfare of generations of people on the continent.
28 August 2025- The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi has expressed optimism in the upcoming visit of President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cabinet in the province due to be undertaken on 12 September in Rustenburg. Mokgosi said the visit stems from the National Government Programme of Action of 2025, to foster and strengthen Inter-Government Relations to see to the full implementation of the priorities of the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP-2024-2029).
“As part of addressing challenges of unemployment and poverty, the province recently adopted the Growth and Development Strategy. It is centered on repositioning the provincial economy through its main economic drivers which are mining, agriculture and tourism.
“This includes prioritizing the full functioning of the Bojanala Special Economic Zone. The SEZ which has so far garnered investments commitments of over two hundred billion rand will create close to twenty thousand jobs once granted an operational license,” he said.
Mokgosi further said the SEZ once operational will go a long way in assisting the province address the scourge of unemployment and poverty afflicting our communities. He added that they have met several mining companies since the start of this year and have expressed interest in seeing to it that the SEZ succeeds and achieves its intended objectives.
“In relation to the state of local governance, the province recently launched the fifth phase of the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme-Thuntsha Lerole to assist municipalities address various service delivery challenges impacting their administrative and developmental trajectory.
“Local government is critical towards addressing challenges bedeviling our developmental trajectory. Therefore without proper infrastructure we will not be able to address these challenges hence the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme initiative,” said Mokgosi.
He said they will use this engagement to highlight areas which require support and collaboration from the national government to unlock growth and development initiatives in the province.
28 August 2025- On Friday, the North West Provincial Legislature will host the Women’s Sectoral Parliament under the theme: “Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights for an Equal Future”, at Legislature Auditorium in Mahikeng at 10am.
The North West Provincial Legislature’s objective of the sectoral parliament is to bring together policymakers, civil society, legal experts, community leaders, and young women in a multi-sectoral dialogue aimed at addressing teenage pregnancy, sexual reproductive rights, gender-based violence, and the legal and financial dimensions of the Marriage Bill Amendment in a holistic and impactful way.
The event also aims to create a provincial platform for women to discuss challenges and propose actionable solutions on teenage pregnancy, GBV, and marriage law reforms and promote legal literacy on the Marriage Bill Amendment, ensuring women understand the rights, responsibilities, and financial implications of marriage contracts.
“It further aims to amplify women’s voices by integrating personal testimonies, grassroots activism, and policy perspectives and strengthen advocacy for legislative reforms and programmatic interventions that protect and promote accessibility for sexual reproductive health for women and girls. It also intends to promote collaboration between women parliamentarians, civil society, and government departments for sustained change.
“Topics such as breaking the cycle of teenage pregnancy in the province, family planning and contraceptive access and integrating GBV into economic opportunities through government programmes, including types of marriage contracts, are expected to be discussed during the event.”
Meanwhile, about 200 women from the four districts of the North West Province including representatives from the Office of the Premier, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Department of Correctional Services, South African Human Rights Commission, South African Police Services will attend the event.
Picture: The North West MEC Sussana Dantjie and acting Executive Mayor Abisai Seleka visit service delivery stalls at Syferbult informal settlement/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
28 August 2025- The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie said scores of residents from Syferbult and surrounding farms heaved a sigh of relief after the province authorities conducted a day-long community outreach in their area. Dantjie said the community outreach, comprising government departments, their entities, and the banking sector, is meant to bring government services directly to residents, especially in vulnerable or remote areas.
She further said it aims to foster dialogue between officials and community members to address local needs and to facilitate access to essential resources such as social grants, healthcare, economic opportunities and essential goods. Dantjie added this, including school uniforms and social relief of distress in the form of food parcels.
“The flagship programme dubbed Re thuse re go thuse reduces the cost and effort for residents to access support, empowers communities through information dissemination, and demonstrates a commitment to person-centred service delivery.
“Re thuse re go thuse community outreach programme as a service delivery machinery aimed at restoring dignity by bringing services to the doorsteps of communities,” she said.
Dantjie said they have mobilised a wide range of government departments and partners to deliver on-site services, including social grant applications, assistance with birth and identity documents, health screenings, social casework and referrals, and more.
She said they hope to bring the same outreach programme to this area again, so that many people from the surrounding farms can access services.
“I vow to return to the area with a similar outreach programme. This high-impact outreach, held in partnership with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), is designed to bring vital government and social services directly to the community, with a special focus on residents in rural, remote, and underserved areas,” said Dantjie.
Expressing her profound thanks to the authorities, one of the residents, Mirriam Mthimkhulu, who is also the chairperson of the local primary school, said the visit by Dantjie and her entourage had paid dividends. This followed the handover of school uniforms to 58 learners by Dantjie and SASSA as part of the outreach programme.
Meanwhile, situated near Magaliesburg, Syferbult is among the most vulnerable communities in the North West, grappling with entrenched social challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and lack of proper documentation for children and adults alike. The Re thuse re go thuse community outreach programme will reach other parts of the province in the current financial year to unlock service delivery bottlenecks and improve the lives of people.
28 Phatwe 2025- Kgetsi tse pedi tsa go shupa ka sethunya kgatlhanong le monna wa kwa motseng wa Maphoitsile, gaufi le Taung, eleng Thato Gaobuse, mme a itsege thata ka leina la Kaalpens, e buseditswe morago go fitlha kgwedi ya Lwetse a tlhola matsatsi a le 4.
Kaalpens o ile a tshwarwa ka Labobedi mabapi le ditatofatso tsa go shupa ka sethunya. Go begwa fa monna o, e le kgale a batliwa ke sepodisi.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, o ganne go neelana ka ditlha tse di feletseng gore ditatofatso kgatlhanong le Kaalpens ke tsefe le gore di diragetse kae. Van Rooyen are tshedimosetso eo, e tla ama dipatlisiso tsa sepodisi.
Kgabagare, Kaalpens o tla nama a letile kwa ntlolefitshwana go fitlhelela a boela kwa kgotlhatshekelo.
28 Phatwe 2025- Kgetsi ya go shupa ka sethunya kgatlhanong le monna wa motswakwa, Raji Mohamed Ibro (43) yo e leng moagi wa naga ya kwa Ethiopia, ebile a na le lebenkele kwa motseng wa Longaneng, gaufi le Taung, e o buseditswe morago ke kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung go fitlha Lwetse a tlhola matsatsi a le 4.
Ibro one a tshwarwa le go latofadiwa ka go shupa ka sethunya le go thuntsha. Go begwa fa Ibro a ile a tshosetsa moagi wa kwa Longaneng, Sello Stephen Kokamo (43) ka sethunya le go thuntsa mo moyeng.
Go begwa fa go ile ga tsoga kgakgauthano ya mafoko magareng ga banna ba babedi ba. Ibro o tla nama a letile kwa ntlolefitshwana go fitlhelela a boela kwa kgotlhatshekelo go dira kopo ya beile.
Setshwantsho- Monna o latofadiwa ka go bolaya mosadimogolo ka garawe
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
28 Phatwe 2025- Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le monna wa dingwaga di le 33 wa kwa motseng wa Magogong, gaufi le Taung, e buseditswe morago go fitlha 29 Lwetse 2025. Molatofadiwa, Kagiso Starzen Thipe, o tlhotse a rototse matlho fa pele ga magistrata kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno mabapi le ditatofatso tsa go bolaya mosadimogolo, Masechaba James (71).
Go begwa fa Thipe a ile a kgemetha le go bolaya James ka garawe ka Labobedi morago ga tlhatlharuane magareng ga bobedi jo.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are go begwa fa Thipe a ne a tlhagola fa moswi a ne a mo kopa gore a se epe mosima mo thoko ga legae la gagwe. Van Rooyen are go begwa fa go ile ga tsoga kgakgauthano ya mafoko magareng ga bobedi jo, mme Thipe a teketa moswi ka garawe go fitlha a tlhokafala.
“Mmelaelwa o ile a tshwarwa, mme o tlhageletse ka boripana kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno. Ene o lebagane le kgetsi ya polao,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, Thipe o tla nama a letile kwa ntlolefitshwana go fitlhelela a boela kgotlhatshekelo.
The Guardian 