Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for COGHSTA, Bentley Vass
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
12 March 2026- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, today convened a meeting with the Whips of political parties represented in the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality Council after a special council sitting was unable to proceed due to disruptions. Vass, acting in terms of Section 154 of the Constitution which mandates that national and provincial governments support, strengthen and capacitate municipalities to manage their own affairs and perform their functions, expressed grave concern about the conduct of certain councillors, which led to the breakdown of the council meeting.
He further said the Whips presented challenges and proposed solutions to stabilise governance and the administrative leadership of the municipality. Vass added that the people of Sol Plaatje Local Municipality deserve a stable, functional and capable municipality that can deliver good quality services to our communities.
“Political differences must never come at the expense of the residents we serve. The council needs to find common ground and prioritise service delivery at both the administrative and council levels,” he said.
Picture: North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi hand over RDP houses to beneficiaries/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
11 March 2026- The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, accompanied by the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, recently handed over six houses to rightful beneficiaries at Bokamoso and Thekwane villages in the Rustenburg Local Municipality.
Handing over the houses last Friday, Mokgosi said the gesture was not only about giving beneficiaries a roof over their heads, but also about restoring their dignity and ensuring that they have security, worth and a sense of purpose. He described this as an important aspect of living a dignified life.
“The handover came at the right time as we celebrate Human Rights, urging us to accelerate the fight against inequality and discrimination in all its forms. Government is prioritising housing developments that are fully integrated with infrastructure and social amenities.
“This approach aims to address historical spatial inequalities by ensuring that new housing developments have access to basic services and social amenities. This vision will only be realised, if all stakeholders adhere to the principles of the District Development Model (DDM),” he said.
Mokgosi further said for many years their focus has been on the number of houses built. He added that while this helped to reduce the housing backlog they are facing, they have realised that in doing so, they sometimes overlooked other basic services such as reliable water supply, sanitation and electricity.
North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi, echoed the Premier’s sentiments, stressing that access to basic services remains a critical part of the government’s housing mandate.
“Our mandate as the department goes beyond simply building houses. It is about creating sustainable human settlements and improving the quality of life for residents by ensuring that they have access to basic services.
“Government now aims to ensure that new housing projects are connected to infrastructure and social amenities in order to create communities where residents can live, work and access services without being isolated,” he said.
Molapisi urged the beneficiaries to take care of their new homes, as they are investments for their future and that of their loved ones. He said this was made possible through strong coordination between local and provincial governments in an effort to create sustainable and integrated human settlements.
Irene Taunyana (79) pensioner, who had been living in a house built from precast walls, was one of the beneficiaries who received her house during the visit to Thekwane village. Taunyana, who was overjoyed, could not hide her excitement when she received her new home and sang at the top of her voice.
“This is a miracle. My life has just changed, and this generous gesture will help restore my health forever. What the government has done for me is a clear signal of how it cares about us, its citizens,” said Taunyana.
Meanwhile, out of a total of 250 housing units in Bokamoso, 161 houses have been built, while in Thekwane 43 houses have been built out of a total of 50 houses. The Department of Human Settlements has reaffirmed its commitment to providing citizens with adequate housing connected to essential services.
30 December 2025- North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi has sent his heartfelt condolences to the Booi family following the death of their child, Onalenna Booi (19). Onalenna passed away after undergoing the customary initiation at Dithakong village, in Mahikeng.
Molapisi said it is alleged that he was forcefully initiated and collapsed during the pass-out ceremony last weekend. He added that, Onalenna was certified dead at the home of the initiation principal.
“A case has been opened with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and no arrests have been made at this stage. We appeal for a speedy investigation to establish the cause of Onalenna’s death and to determine if all regulations as per the Customary Initiation Act of 2021 were followed.
“We send our deepest condolences to the Booi family and wish them strength during this difficult period. We also appeal to the SAPS to speedily investigate the circumstances that led to his tragic death,” he said.
Molapisi further said if the postmortem results indicate foul play, those responsible must be arrested immediately and face prosecution. He added that, where possible, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) must impose a harsher sentence so that this serves as a deterrent to those who want to contaminate our sacred cultural practices.
“The death of Onalenna brings the total number of initiates who have died during this Summer Initiation Season to three. To date, the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) has shut down seven illegal initiation schools and rescued 68 initiates.
“SAPS has effected six arrests, with all suspects charged with contravening Section 33 of the Customary Initiation Act of 2021. The pass-out of initiates began two weeks ago and will continue until all initiation schools close on 9 January 2026,” said Molapisi.
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.’’
Picture: One of the initiation schools set on fire/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
10 December 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi has commended members of the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) for their swift and coordinated response that led to the safe rescue of 64 initiates (male and female) and shut down of five illegal initiation schools, which operated in three districts.
Molapisi said the successful operation which began last week, resulted in rescuing 14 male initiates in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, 15 in Ngaka Modiri Molema District and 24 male initiates and 11 female initiates from bogus initiation schools.
“Our PICC members acted with precision and urgency. We applaud their proactive approach in ensuring the safety of our initiates. We will leave no stone unturned in dealing decisively with unregistered and illegal initiation schools in the province.
“We urge communities and parents to remain alert and report any suspicious or unregistered initiation activities to authorities without delay. The PICC and the department have embarked on campaigns to make our people aware of the Customary Initiation Act and processes to follow to register the initiation school and comply,” he said.
Molapisi further said the time for complacency is over. He added that they are going to shut down all illegal schools and safeguard the lives of the young people.
“If you want to operate an initiation you must comply” concluded Molapisi.
Picture: Child headed family received a newly-built house/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
8 December 2025- Christmas came early for a child-headed family of five in Bodibe village, near Itsoseng. This comes after the family received the keys to their newly-built and fully-furnished house from the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi.
The Koba family had been living in difficult conditions since losing both their parents. Their mother passed away earlier this year and their father died a few years ago.
The department approached one of its housing developers to assist the family by building them a home. The department partnered with Leano 87 Solutions to construct the new house as part of its mandate to create sustainable human settlements and improve people’s lives.
Kabelo Koba (25), the eldest of the family, explained that they had been destitute and struggling to make ends meet since the death of their parents. Of the five children, only two—Kabelo and Naledi (23)—receive the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant, while Motheo (17), Boitshepo (7) and Kamano(3) receive the Child Support Grant.
The family has been surviving on these grants, which Kabelo said were not enough to sustain them.
“This is a great relief for us as a family because we will now live in peace without worrying about being chased away. We would like to thank the department and everyone who played a role in improving our lives,” he said.
Meanwhile, Molapisi stated that the government is committed to ensuring that the people of the North West receive the services they deserve. He said the department needs to strengthen coordination with all three spheres of government to speed up service delivery.
“The department is mandated to build houses for citizens, despite challenges related to housing development. As the department, we must ensure that we prioritise marginalised groups—women, child-headed families and people living with disabilities—to ensure they receive the necessary support and benefit from government services,” he said.
According to the Head of Department, Kgomotso Mahlobo, the Department of Social Development first alerted Human Settlements about the family’s plight. Mahlobo said Social Development also provided the family with food parcels as part of fulfilling children’s basic rights.
Picture: North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
1 December 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi has affirmed that his department will make sure it delivers on its constitutional mandate of providing citizens with sustainable, integrated human settlements and ensuring effective service delivery of public infrastructure, which is crucial for economic growth and social justice.
Speaking recently during the National Council of Provinces’ visit in the North West Province, Molapisi acknowledged that the department is currently faced with many challenges hindering its housing mandate, this includes housing backlog, stalled projects, issues with bulk infrastructure capacity in municipalities and poor workmanship by some contractors.
He further said his department is driving a focused approach to deliver houses for vulnerable communities. Molapisi added that the department has identified project preparation and oversight as key areas of focus.
“As a department, we have initiated several strategies to improve performance and ensure effective delivery of sustainable human settlements. For the current financial year, we are utilising 80% of the budget to unblock stalled housing projects across the province. Only 20% is used for new projects.
“The upgrading of informal settlements is also an important area, which is also getting attention. He said the department is working closely with municipalities to address this matter, which includes access to water, sanitation and electricity. Our approach is respect to local and district municipalities as another sphere of government,” he said.
Molapisi said they are collaborating with municipalities and not taking the big brother posture. He said it is municipalities that at their own council decide to agree on their interventions towards achieving service delivery.
“We will continue to institutionalise the District Development Model (DDM) by effectively taking part in Intergovernmental Relations Forums, which include our MUNIMEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), and Human Settlements respectively.
“Through the interventions aligned to Section 154 of the Constitution, we are going to support and strengthen the capacity of our municipalities so they will be able to manage their affairs, exercise their powers, and perform their functions effectively. Lastly, we want to emphasise a partnership with the Provincial Treasury and South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the continued close working relationship with the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders to discuss issues affecting their communities,” said Molapisi.
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.
Picture: North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi with beneficiaries/Supplied
By AGISANANG SCUFF
25 November 2025- After suffering a stroke earlier this year, forcing her into permanent disability, Boitumelo Pelaelo (68) from Dipudi Section in Ganyesa, thought her dream of owning a proper house would perish right in front of her eyes. However, this was not the case as her dream was realised when Pelaelo received keys to her newly-built house from the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi.
She is currently staying in an old house with her family of 13. The family depends on her old age grant and child support grants received by the younger children.
According to Pelaelo, the old house they were living in was small for the whole family and said they will now be able to live comfortably and not cramped.
“I would like to thank the government for what they have done for me and my family. This house will indeed change our lives for the better,” she said.
Pelaelo’s house has been amended with ramps as she is using a wheelchair.
The handover of houses is part of the Department of Human Settlement’s continued effort of unblocking blocked projects across the province. So far 80% of the project has been completed and houses handed over to beneficiaries.
Out of a total of 73 houses, 60 have already been completed.
Molapisi said this progress is a positive stride in the department’s commitment to accelerating housing delivery. He said the department will leave no stone unturned and will ensure that houses are built for legible beneficiaries.
“As the provincial government, we will continue to deliver on our mandate and change the lives of the people. We do this to ensure we deliver as promised. We further handed over houses to three elderly people at Tlapeng Section,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Ishmael Motlaleemang (70) had been living in a one-roomed house with his partner and two dependants for years. According to Motlaleemang, the new house will afford his family enough space to live in. The other two beneficiaries; Samuel Morakeng (70) and Kathrina Koba Seakwa (67), also thanked the department for finally recognising them as they have been waiting for their houses for years.
They said they will now be able to live comfortably without worrying during rainy seasons and strong cold winds.
Picture: NCOP permanent delegates to the Northern Cape/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
19 November 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass said he is ready to welcome the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) permanent delegates to the Northern Cape. NCOP permanent delegates are conducting oversight over service delivery projects as part of the Provincial Week from 18 to 21 November 2025.
Vass said the 2025 Provincial Week, an annual flagship oversight and accountability programme of the NCOP, will take place under the theme: “Building Viable Municipalities for Enhanced Delivery of Basic Services to Communities.” He said through the programme, the permanent delegates return to their respective provinces to assess progress in the delivery of basic services and engage communities on challenges affecting their daily lives.
“This underscores the NCOP’s ongoing commitment to strengthening oversight and accountability as key priorities in improving the quality of life of all South Africans. The NCOP weeklong programme will focus on the ZF Mgcawu District and Namakwa District. The delegates will be receiving presentations on the measures taken to strengthen service delivery broadly, as well as the state of municipalities and measures taken to improve this sphere of government for effective service delivery.
“We welcome the NCOP delegation, which is mandated by Section 42(4) of the Constitution, to represent provincial interests at the national level. We are looking forward to the weeklong interaction that has the aim of identifying measures to enhance service delivery, promote accountability, and ensure that matters affecting our province are effectively brought to the attention of the National Government,’’ said Vass.
He further said the NCOP delegation started their programme in the ZF Mgcawu District on 18 November and will proceed to the Namakwa District, where they will also be engaging with communities and conducting in-loco inspection of some of the housing projects in the Namakwa District.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul spokesperson, Naledi Gaosekwe said: “The NCOP received presentations from the Departments of COGHSTA and of Roads and Public Works, led respectively by Vass and Fufe Makatong, as well as the presentation of the state of municipalities in the Namakwa District, presented by the executive mayor, Mervin Cloete and inputs by SALGA and the Office of the Auditor-General.
“The presentations focused on issues relating to service delivery in municipalities, as well as the implementation of infrastructure projects across the province. The NCOP delegates will proceed to the Namakwa District to engage with the Karoo Hoogland and Hantam Municipalities, and visit key infrastructure projects, as well as host a public meeting in the Namakwa District as part of the weeklong programme that will end on 21 November 2025.”
The Guardian 