Tag Archives: Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA)

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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64 initiates rescued from illegal initiation schools

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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.

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Child-headed family receives a newly-built house

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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.

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Molapisi committed to deliver on his department’s housing mandate

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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.

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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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Elderlies receives new houses as part of Thuntsha Lerole

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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.

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NCOP permanent delegates to Northern Cape received a presentations from various departments

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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.”

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Mokgosi committed to bring dignity to communities through housing delivery

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Picture: The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi /Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

12 November 2025- The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi has hailed the multi-million rand housing project at Tshing Township in Ventersdorp as a significant step towards bringing back the people’s dignity. Mokgosi said this bold move by the North West Department of Human Settlements will see 1500 beneficiaries moving into their new houses before the end of the 2026/2027 financial year.

Mokgosi who was accompanied by the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, executive mayor of JB Marks Local Municipality, Gaba Thithiba ka Qhele and Head of Department (HOD, Kgomotso Mahlobo, visited the area on Friday last week as part of Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated Service Delivery Programme to assess progress on the construction of the houses as well as hand over of five completed houses to beneficiaries.

“It is important to deliver houses to communities as this act is not only about ensuring beneficiaries have a roof over their heads, but realising their right to live in safety and dignity in a decent home. We also urge beneficiaries to refrain from selling their houses or renting them out to foreigners who later turn them into spaza shops or unlicensed liquor stores.

“We have noted that there are beneficiaries who have been in the waiting list from as early as the dawn of democracy. As a government, we are pleased that soon those beneficiaries will be moving into their houses, but our challenge is that the very same beneficiaries, after receiving the houses, sell or rent them out and go back to living in the informal settlements,’’ he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Betty Gama (85) lived in a two room shack for seven years with her son, Botha Gama (28). The family has been surviving on old age grants.

According to Gama, their shack burnt down with everything inside forcing them to find solace from neighbours. She is one of the beneficiaries who were prioritised to receive a house as she did not have a proper place to stay.

“I have nothing but praise for the department. The assistance and support I received from the government is impressive. I was carried by my shoulders through a difficult time of my life and my dignity was restored through provision of a wonderful new home,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Petros Shuping (70), who lives with his family of four, spent many years living in a dilapidated shack which made their stay very unpleasant during the rainy season and the cold weather. The Shuping family depends on government grants for survival as they also experience scarcity of jobs or employment in the area.

Meanwhile, Molapisi said: “The Tshing housing project is one of the fastest moving projects in the province and this is all made possible by the dedication and commitment shown by contractors. We would like to applaud the contractors on ensuring the houses are built in excellent standards and handed over to rightful beneficiaries.

“As department, we are ensuring we work hand in hand with our contractors to improve housing delivery. We would like to thank all the contractors working on this project to ensure that our communities are provided with decent houses.”  

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NWPG continues to priorities vulnerable groups across the province

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Picture: North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi handing over a house/Facebook

By REGINALD KANYANE

6 November 2025- North West Provincial Government (NWPG) said it will continue to prioritise vulnerable groups across all the districts. As part of government’s intervention to address housing challenge to the elderlies, the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, accompanied by the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi have recently handed over houses to two elderly persons in Mmamokete village in Zeerust.

During the handover, North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi commended the department for the work it has done in a short period.

“Today is about restoring dignity, pride and hope to our community. When we hand over a house we give a foundation on which future generations can build. We remain committed to providing quality housing because every family deserves a safe place to call home,” he said.

Sharing Mokgosi’s sentiments, Molapisi pointed out that the government has a vision of ensuring that communities live in decent houses. He further stated that the three spheres of government require strengthening coordination to ensure provision of services to the most deserving citizens.

“The primary responsibility of the department is to build houses, but one of our challenges is the issue of blocked projects. We have concluded that we prioritize unblocking incomplete projects. We have allocated 80% of our budget to unblocking blocked projects and 20% to new projects. We cannot build new houses whereas we have incomplete projects.

“There are 36 outstanding houses that need to be completed in Mmamokete and the project is included in the current plan of the department. The department is working timeously to improve the quality of life for households in the province and will always prioritize older persons, women and child -headed families in delivering houses across all province,” added Molapisi.

One of the beneficiaries is Eleanor Mothandi (104), who is survived by four children from the 24 she gave birth to. Mothandi is currently living with her children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

One of her daughters, Mmita Mothandi (50), who is also her caregiver, expressed her gratitude to the department. She said her family has a decent home and their lives will change for the better.

“As the family, we survive on the mother and grandchildren’s monthly social grants. I sometimes do odd jobs to survive as the social grant money is not enough to cater for the whole family,” said Mmita.

The other beneficiary was Christopher Mokwena (72). He lives with his wife, three children and one grandchild. The family has been living in a shack for a long time.

“We also survive on the monthly old age pension, and the child support grant they receive. It’s a great joy to the family to have received such a gift, it’s been long and we are grateful,” he said.

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15 beneficiaries receive RDP houses

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Picture: Some of beneficiaries/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

28 October 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass handed over a total of 15 houses to some of the beneficiaries of the Calvinia 200 Housing Project in the Hantam Local Municipality in Namakwa District). Vass was accompanied by the executive mayor of the Namakwa District Municipality, councillor Mervin Cloete, mayor of the Hantam Municipality, councillor Koos Alexander and other councillors of the two municipalities.

He further said the Calvinia 200 Housing Project is part of the 1 Billion Rand Housing Project launched in January 2024 by the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa and Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, as part of efforts to address the housing backlog of the Northern Cape. Vass added that the houses are completed.

“They will be handed over to beneficiaries in batches from project to project. We are happy that this morning, we are able to hand over keys to 15 families in this municipality. We continue to call all the appointed contractors across the Province, to work with speed to ensure that beneficiaries receive their houses sooner rather than later.

“We are aware of slow progress in some of the projects in the different districts and we have moved swiftly to terminate some of the contractors, who are not performing optimally despite several interventions and assistance by the department,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Saul said the Northern Cape Provincial Government is committed to eradicating the province’s housing backlog by building houses in all the Districts.

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