Tag Archives: Bentley Vass

Beneficiaries receive RDP houses in Concordia

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Picture: Northern Cape MEC Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

18 December 2025- As part of the Northern Cape’s 1 Billion Rand Housing Project launched in January 2024, the Northern Cape MEC Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, handed over 10 of 29 houses to some of the beneficiaries of the Concordia 29 Housing Project, in the Nama-Khoi Local Municipality, in the Namakwa District. Vass was accompanied by the Executive Mayor of the Namakwa District, Mervin Cloete, and other local councillors from the District.

He further said these houses form part of the province’s broader commitment to accelerate housing delivery and improve the living conditions of communities across the Northern Cape by providing quality, dignified, and sustainable human settlements. Vass added that they are making rapid progress despite a slow start at the initial stages of this project.

“We are intolerant of non-performing contractors, as demonstrated by the recent termination of six contractors in four districts. In the past five weeks, we have delivered a total of 100 houses to beneficiaries as we continue to speed up progress. In the next two months, we anticipate delivering 310 more houses, and for the first phase of this project to be concluded by November 2026.

“We also planted trees at the houses of the beneficiaries as part of the greening and beautification of the project sites. The department ensures that completed houses are handed over immediately to prevent vandalism and enable families to occupy their homes without delay,” he said.

Several of the other beneficiaries expressed joy and gratitude upon receiving their keys, acknowledging how these new homes would change their lives and the lives of their families.

Meanwhile, one of the happy beneficiaries, Lezaan Witbooi said: “I am over the moon that I finally received the keys to my own house from our government and that this comes just a few days before Christmas. My four dependants and I are now having a proper house that we can call home, and that provides us with security and comfort.’’

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Vass handover houses to beneficiaries of Dalton 100 housing project

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Picture: Northern Cape MEC for COGHSTA, Bentley Vass handing over houses/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE  

25 November 2025- As part of the Northern Cape 1 Billion Rand Housing Project for the Northern Cape, the Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, handed over a total of 10 houses to some of the beneficiaries of the Dalton 100 Housing Project in Douglas. Vass was accompanied by the mayor of Siyancuma Municipality, Patrick McKlein and the municipal speaker, Johannes George.

“Today, we are here in Dalton, Douglas, to hand over ten houses to beneficiaries from this project in Siyancuma Municipality. We are happy with the quality of the houses and that we can deliver on the commitment of the government to house the nation.

“We continue to call on all our contractors across the province, to speed up the pace of building these houses, so that more beneficiaries can receive keys to their houses for security and comfort,” he said.

Vass further said the construction work is continuing on the Dalton 100 Housing Projects and many others across the province, as part of the 1 Billion Rand Housing Project.

One of the beneficiaries, Sanna Letele (81) received the keys to her house. Letele said she is happy because her family including her children and three grandchildren have a proper roof over their heads.

“We will be moving out of this shack. I cannot thank the government enough for restoring my dignity,” she said.

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Beneficiaries in Pampierstad receive title deeds

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Picture: Residents in Sakhile, near Pampierstad/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

20 October 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, accompanied by the Phokwane Local Municipality mayor, Willem Harmse, hosted the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, and the Frances Baard District and other local municipalities leaders at a successful Title Deeds Fridays programme held in Sakhile, near Pampierstad.

Addressing the community that was largely composed of more than 500 beneficiaries, Simelane said: “We are happy to be here today, as part of our Title Deeds Restoration Programme, because this government is committed to restoring the dignity of our people and to ensure security of tenure.

“This is why the government has re-launched the Title Deeds Fridays, to rapidly deliver deeds to the rightful beneficiaries.”

Vass said the Northern Cape Provincial Government has appointed conveyancers for all the 26 local municipalities in the province to assist the government to address the title deeds backlog and that progress is made daily to ensure that title deeds are registered and delivered to the owners. He further said the event was also attended by the representatives from the Batlhaping Ba Mothibi, under the traditional leadership of Kgosi Ponatshego Mothibi.

“Municipalities are encouraged to ensure that all title deeds in their possession are delivered to beneficiaries,” said Vass.

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Title Deeds Fridays Campaign hits Pampierstad

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By OBAKENG MAJE

15 October 2025- The Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane together with the Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli and the Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, will on Friday, hand over title deeds to the rightful owners in Pampierstad in Northern Cape. The department said this will be a significant step on its ongoing commitment to eliminate the national title deeds’ backlog.

Vass spokesperson, Tebogo Monyo said in August 2025, the Minister and the Provincial MECs responsible for Human Settlements re-launched the Title Deeds Fridays Campaign, a nationwide drive aimed at mobilising all stakeholders to support the title deeds restoration programme. Monyo said the campaign seeks to restore dignity, strengthen tenure security and promote economic empowerment for beneficiaries.

“The executive mayor of Frances Baard District Municipality, Wende Marekwa, the mayor of Phokwane Local Municipality, Willem Harmse and other local mayors within the Frances Baard District, will also be in attendance.  

“We will embark on a door-to-door delivery of title deeds to five senior citizens at ward 1, Sakhile, Pampierstad at 10am. Then we will have a community engagement and title deeds handover at Condo Open Space, Sakhile, Pampierstad at around 10:30am,” he said.

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Northern Cape MEC for COGHSTA to hand over title deeds

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Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass

By REGINALD KANYANE

25 August 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, will be handing over houses to beneficiaries of the Dalton 100 Housing Project in Dalton, Douglas, in the Siyancuma Local Municipality (Pixley Ka Seme District) on 25 August 2025. Vass said Dalton 100 Housing Project is part of the 1 Billion Rand Housing Project launched in January 2024.

He further said he will also hand over title deeds to beneficiaries from around Douglas.

“A title deed is a crucial legal document that proves that a person is the rightful owner of a property or piece of land, and serves to protect rights of citizens, whilst contributing to their economic upliftment, through the leveraging of their properties for various financial and developmental opportunities,” added Vass.

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15 beneficiaries of a housing project receive title deeds

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Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

5 August 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, visited beneficiaries of the Jacksonville 139 Housing Project in Jacksonville, near Kimberley today. This follows the handing over of 15 houses to these beneficiaries on 25 July 2025.

Vass said the courtesy visit was to make sure that the beneficiaries have settled in and are happy with their houses. He further said the visit was also to hand over title deeds to the beneficiaries and confirm that they are the rightful owners of these houses.

“This is a follow up visit to these beneficiaries to ascertain that a few days since we handed them their keys, they are still happy and have moved into their new houses. Furthermore, I came today, to personally hand over their title deeds, which is a crucial legal document that proves that they are the rightful owners of these properties.

“The title deed also protects your rights and contributes to the economic upliftment by enabling individuals to leverage their properties for various financial and developmental opportunities,” he said.

Vass added that his department hands over the houses as soon as they are completed to avoid vandalism and to ensure that the beneficiaries take ownership of their houses immediately, while work commences to finish outstanding houses.

Meanwhile, a beneficiary, Andries Zeekoie (63), said he waited long for the house and is eternally grateful to the government for restoring his dignity and ensuring shelter for his family.

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Vass concludes engagements with municipalities

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Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, has concluded one-on-one engagements with selected municipalities

By REGINALD KANYANE

17 April 2025- Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, has concluded one-on-one engagements with selected municipalities to address specific issues of service delivery and the appointment of Section 54 Managers in these municipalities.

Vass said the series of meetings that started last week, with among others, the Frances Baard District Municipality, the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, the Gamagara Local Municipality, the Nama-Khoi Local Municipality, the Tsantsabane Local Municipality and the Emthanjeni Local Municipality, sought to receive reports on specific issues hampering service delivery and the processes to finalise key and strategic senior management positions in these municipalities.  

He further said Vass received reports on issues related to water challenges in some of the municipalities, revenue collection strategies, as well as the delays in the appointment of key positions in some of the municipalities. Vass added that at the end of these meetings, he was happy with the feedback received about the progress the municipalities are making to address service delivery challenges and the processes of filling critical vacancies, especially at a senior management level.

“I am happy that all the municipalities are having tangible plans in place to address a wide range of issues that I discussed with the mayors, speakers and accounting officers of these municipalities. The meetings were cordial and the agreed deliverables will be monitored closely by my office to ensure that there is compliance with all service delivery imperatives and legislative prescripts.

“We will continue to work with these municipalities in the spirit of cooperative governance as required by the District Development Model (DDM). Engagements with other identified municipalities will continue to ensure better service delivery to communities and stable administration in municipalities,” he said.

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AGSA embarks on a roadshow in Northern Cape 

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Picture: AGSA, Tsakani Maluleke

By BAKANG MOKOTO 

10 April 2025- The acting Northern Cape Premier, Bentley Vass, accompanied by Members of the Executive Council (MECs) and senior government officials, met with the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA), Tsakani Maluleke, as part of the Auditor General’s Roadshow. In attendance was also the Speaker of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature, Newrene Klaaste and Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs).

Vass said the purpose of the meeting was for Maluleke to present the outcomes of the 2023-2024 Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) audit. He said constructive discussions took place regarding interventions and strengthening Municipalities to ensure that Local Government complies with legislation and delivers efficient and effective services.

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One Billion Housing Project On Track 

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Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for COGHSTA, Bentley Vass on oversight visits/Supplied 

By REGINALD KANYANE 

11 March 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, has embarked on oversight visits in Perth and Heuningvlei, where the One Billion Rand Housing Project will commence. The project was launched by the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa in January 2024. 

Vass who was accompanied by the executive mayor of the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, Pulane Mogatle-Thoane, the District Municipality Speaker, Ephraim Aiseng, the Joe Morolong Local Municipality mayor, Dineo Leutlwetse-Tshabalala, Kgosikgolo Hastings Jantjie and Kgosikgolo Pule Bareki, and several councillors, also had community engagement with the housing beneficiaries in Heuningvlei.

“We briefed the delegation on the housing project for the JTG District and its progress. Over 500 houses will be built in Joe Morolong Municipality as part of the One Billion Rand Housing Project to address the housing backlog in the JTG District.

“This provided us with a first-hand opportunity to observe the progress in the JTG District and to engage with the contractors responsible for the area. The successful visit was concluded with a community meeting, where we engaged 200 housing beneficiaries at the Heuningvlei Community Hall,” he said.

Vass further said as the Northern Cape Provincial Government (NCPG, they intend to expedite the One Billion Rand Housing Project and ensure that the beneficiaries receive their quality houses sooner. He added that, to this end, they receive a weekly progress report, and the Human Settlements team is working closely with the contractors to ensure adherence to the project timelines.

“A follow-up meeting between COGHSTA, the Traditional Council, and the District and Local Municipality, will take place to address some of the challenges highlighted by members of the community, including beneficiary administration and job opportunities and sub-contracting issues.

“Following the briefing, we handed over two houses to Albert Mothobi and Selita Nkgari’s family in Churchhill. These two families were assisted after news reports on the dire state of their mud houses,” said Vass.

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Newly-appointed Northern Cape MEC, Limakatso Koloi vows to take her department to greater heights

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Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for COGHSTA, Bentley Vass handing over baton to the newly-appointed MEC, Limakatso Koloi

By REGINALD KANYANE

26 January 2025- Following the announcement by the Northern Cape Premier, Zamani Saul on the appointment of the new Member of the Executive Council (MEC) responsible for the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison (DTSL), Limakatso Koloi, the MEC of COGHSTA, who until yesterday was also responsible for DTSL, Bentley Vass, hosted a handover meeting with Koloi.

The ceremony was attended by Head of the Department of DTSL, Rodney Pieterse and Senior Managers, as well as the Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, and Deputy Provincial Commissioner. Vass congratulated the new MEC and wished her all the best with the new responsibilities.

“The government committed to deliver services effectively and address the pressing needs of communities of the Northern Cape. We express confidence in the abilities of Koloi to propel the DTSL to greater heights.

“I am now henceforth, the Executive Authority, responsible only for the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA),” he said.

Meanwhile, Koloi shared the same sentiments. She said she was humbled by the appointment and that she was looking forward to her new role to advance the interests of all communities, working with the administrative leadership of the department, and of the SAPS and fellow colleagues in the Provincial Cabinet (MECs) under the stewardship of Saul.

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