Picture: North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi
By REGINALD KANYANE
19 October 2025- Following pronouncements from his budget speech, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, will convene a human settlements MUNIMEC with municipalities from across the province. Molapisi said MUNIMEC is an intergovernmental relations forum, where he interacts with municipal leaders to foster cooperation and improve service delivery and governance at municipal level.
He further said it is a consultative platform involving the MEC, mayors, municipal managers and other stakeholders within the human settlements value chain. He added that the forum will deliberate on the progress in addressing the housing backlog as well as the status of housing delivery across the province.
“It will also ensure that there is alignment between planning and budget processes in identifying the needs of communities. Among others the forum will monitor and evaluate projects in local municipalities and further advise the department on relevant issues to be attended to.
“The MUNIMEC will further assist in coordinating other important issues in the human settlements sector, and also keep community leaders updated on plans and challenges relating to the department,” said Molapisi.
He said the forum will meet quarterly and assist in coordinating service delivery in local municipalities. Molapisi said the MUNIMEC will be held at Kings Gate Hotel, Rustenburg on Tuesday at 8am.
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.
29 August 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass said he is making a final and urgent call to all 31 municipalities in the province to submit their Annual Financial Statements (AFS) and Annual Performance Reports (APRs) to the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) by 31 August 2025. Vass said municipalities that have completed their reports are encouraged to submit early and not wait for the last minute.
He further said this critical deadline is in line with the national Operation Clean Audits (OCA) plan, and its successful implementation in the Northern Cape is a key priority for the provincial government. Vass added that the submission of these documents is not merely a procedural requirement, but a fundamental cornerstone of good governance, accountability, and financial transparency.
“We are calling on all our municipalities to act with a sense of urgency and responsibility. Submitting the AFS and APRs on time is crucial for the AGSA to conduct their audits in a timely and efficient manner.
“This process is essential for us to assess the financial health and performance of our municipalities and to ensure that public funds are being managed effectively for the benefit of our communities,” he said.
Vass also cautioned that failure to meet this deadline will have serious consequences, including council having to request the speaker to investigate and implement consequences. He said non-compliance will result in the municipality being reported to the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature, Parliament and delaying the audit process of the AG.
“It will also hinder our collective efforts to achieve clean audits across the province, which is a key objective of the provincial administration and a non-negotiable part of our commitment to the people of the Northern Cape.
“The department’s commitment to supporting municipalities in this process and acknowledged the efforts of those who have already submitted their reports,” said Vass.
He urged those who have not yet submitted to finalise their preparations and submit their documents without delay.
Picture: Informal Settlements in South Africa/Generic
By BAKANG MOKOTO
15 August 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi has expressed concern on various challenges which affect the living conditions of communities in the province. Molapisis said this calls for the government to intervene and implement strategies to remove these challenges.
He further said the department has completed provincial informal settlements upgrading strategy, which is aligned with the National White Paper on Human Settlements. Molapisi added that the informal settlements strategy will enable the upgrade of 219 informal settlements for full upgrading to phase three, which will enable the commencement of informal settlements upgrading projects.
“This upgrading program follows three critical phases, that is land acquisition, formalization of land rights; and phase three which is the installation of essential services (water, sewer, roads and stormwater).
“These phases are linked to the identification of the priority services in informal settlements,” he said.
Molapisi further said in the 2024/2025 financial year, the department had upgraded seven settlements in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati. He added that they have upgraded settlements in Mamusa, Amalia Ext 5, Maquassi Hills, Wolmaranstad Ext 17 and 19, Lebaleng Ext 6, Matlosana Kanana Ext 17 in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District.
“We have also upgraded informal settlements in Rustenburg, Popo Molefe and Mbeki Sun to Phase 3 in Bojanala District and managed to deliver 2504) units through the Informal Settlement Upgrading Partnership Grant.
“For the current financial year, the department has planned to deliver two thousand five hundred (2,257) service sites, at a total budget of R166 567 170 million,” said Molapisi.
He highlighted that the remaining funds will be allocated to land acquisition and formalization in priority areas. Molapisi emphasised that the department is committed in transforming informal settlements into thriving communities and to prioritise housing and to implement a long-term plan for societal changes as this would leave lasting and positive impact in the lives of the communities.
Picture: Initiates during sacred tradition ceremony
By BAKANG MOKOTO
27 July 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, applauded the Provincial Initiation Committee (PICC) for clamping down on illegal initiation schools in the province, which mushroomed during the winter initiation season. The initiation season concluded last weekend.
Molapisi further said the final group of initiates descended the mountains on 19 July 2025, marking the end of a sacred cultural journey for many young boys across the province. He added that, the PICC led by its Chairperson, Kgosi Godfrey Gasebone, has shut down over 18 illegal initiation schools and rescued over 100 initiates for being exposed to unhygienic conditions and some of the initiates were underage.
“We want to issue a stern warning to the initiation school principals and traditional surgeons that we will unleash all the resources at our disposal to clamp down on bogus initiation schools.
“This winter season saw scores of initiation schools legally approved and monitored across the province by the PICC in collaboration with House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Health Department as well as South African Police Services,” said Molapisi.
He said his department has reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the application of health standards and enforcing the regulations of initiation school as per the Traditional Circumcision Act – 2001 and Customary Initiation Act of 2021. Molapisi said his department will strengthen its educational and awareness initiatives to ensure communities are well-informed about the legal requirements and cultural protocols of running an initiation school ahead of the summer season initiation in December 2025.
“The safety and dignity of every initiate remains a top priority, and the department calls on communities, parents, and traditional leaders to continue working together to protect this sacred tradition from abuse and criminal exploitation,” he said.
Picture: North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi/Supplied
By AGISANANG SCUFF
22 July 2025- In celebrating the International Nelson Mandela Day, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, led a successful handover of a newly-built house with furniture to Bele Martha Nkatiso (100) from Vrischgewaagt village, Atamelang.
Molapisi further said the handover marked a special tribute to the struggle icon Nelson Mandela and highlights the government’s commitment to improving the lives of its most vulnerable citizens. He added that the fully furnished house is as a result of a successful government and private sector partnership aimed at addressing housing backlogs, as well as strengthening relations between the two sectors to deliver affordable housing and enhance social change.
“The gesture is inspired by the call Tata Mandela made, which is for everyone to take action in addressing the world’s social injustices. Today is a day of giving back and making a difference in the lives of our communities, this is exactly what Nelson Mandela stood for, which is to give back in a way which changes the lives of our people.
“It is for that reason that as the government we saw it fit to bring joy in the face of Nkatiso and her family. We are happy to see that she’s lived up to a 100 years, we are happy to have used this day with the people we’ve collaborated with to give you a house where you can live comfortably, safely and without worry,” said Molapisi.
In receiving keys to the house, Nkatiso gave gratitude to the department and stakeholders for building her family a house, she said this will mark a significant improvement in their living conditions as they have lived in a dilapidated shack divided into two sleeping areas, living space and kitchen.
“I thank the Lord for answering my prayers. I have longed for a proper home, and today, my dream has come true,” she said.
In addition to the furnished house, Nkatiso also received food parcels, blankets and toiletries courtesy of various stakeholders, who responded to the call and played their part in honour of Nelson Mandela.
Picture: One of families receive a house from North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi
By BAKANG MOKOTO
14 July 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi has fulfilled a promise he made last year by handing over houses to two destitute families in Tlakgameng village, near Ganyesa, as part of build-up to his department’s Budget Vote that will be held later this month. Molapisi said the generous gesture was made possible through a successful partnership between the Department of Human Settlements and one developer contracted by the department to build houses in the area.
He further said the developer is said to be competent in the construction of houses with credible track record for constructing low cost houses for the department. Speaking during the handover, Molapisi added that it is through collaboration between the public and private sectors that they will be able to address the housing backlog and ensure that people have access to safe, affordable, and dignified living spaces.
“Today, we have brought back the dignity of the Setshogela and Montshabatho families. The houses we are handing over to them are a sign that our government continues to care about the plight of its people.
“This act of generosity has not only provided a safe and dignified shelter for the two vulnerable families but has also restored hope and a sense of belonging. It is through such meaningful interventions that lasting social change is achieved,” he said.
Molapisi said the donation of the houses comes at the right time ahead of the departmental budget vote, which will be held on 23 July 2025, where he will outline plans by the department to achieve the mandate of creating a sustainable human settlement for all the citizens of the North West. He said the department extends its heartfelt appreciation to the philanthropists for their continued unwavering commitment to social responsibility and for making a tangible difference in the lives of those most in need.
“Their contribution is a true example of the power of partnerships between the government, private sector and communities in building a better future for all.
Meanwhile, the handover was accompanied by other donations such as food parcels from the Department of Social Development, vegetable and seedlings from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and planting of trees in each household by the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism.
Receiving keys to the newly-built house, Kgomotso Ivy Setshogela, thanked the government and the contractor for gifting her family with the house. She said they now have a proper house structure to sleep in.
“I am grateful to the MEC and the contractor for affording me and my family shelter as I had long lost hope in our situation,” said Setshogela.
Setshogela (47) lives with 12 dependants in an old cracked house, which is on the brink of collapsing. The family survives through child support grants received by some of the children in the household.
Another house beneficiary was the jubilant, Mmiki Montshabatho (70) who also gave gratitude to the department and all those involved for gifting the family with the new house. Montshabatho said she is overjoyed with the gesture and hoped that this does not only end with them and the same should be extended to others in need as well.
“We are a family of nine and we have been staying in a one-roomed shack. We did not have access to any government benefits such as grants and healthcare as we face challenges with civil documentation,” she said.
Picture: North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi
By OBAKENG MAJE
202 June 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi said his department has promised to expeditiously arrange a meeting between North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and the province’s military veterans. This comes after a Provincial Imbizo on the Military Veterans Housing Programme held at Mogwase, near Rustenburg.
Molapisi further said the Imbizo was held in line with the resolution of the Human Settlements MINMEC, provided feedback and information on the interventions approved by Cabinet to fast-track the delivery of adequate housing to Military Veterans.
He added that key challenges affecting the programme include disagreements about approved plans by the Department of Military Veterans, locations, where homes are built, qualifying criteria, untraceable members and beneficiaries, and a lack of serviced sites amongst others.
“This is despite veterans of the armed forces being either homeless, living with their families, or living in unfavourable conditions as a result of the programme’s poor performance.
“Before the start of the Imbizo, we handed over three completed houses to Military Veterans at Mabele-A-Pudi village and Bapong. We urge the veterans to exercise patience as the government works in their best interest,” said Molapisi.
He said that as a caring government, they recognise the sacrifices of military veterans towards achievement of democracy and freedom. Molapisi said he will personally facilitate the meeting between the departments and Mokgosi to address their challenges.
“We are aware of most of them and we are more than willing to address them. We further promise to engage with municipalities through the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to encourage them to also address their needs, such as the provision of service sites for the construction of houses.
“The Department of Human Settlements should also ensure that they make provision for those who are still in service and earning more and are not qualifying for the houses through the First Home Finance Programme,” he said.
Molapisi said other resolutions he made were to engage the Department of Public Works to avail properties that are no longer in use.
“To track and monitor progress, the Military Veterans Housing Programme will now be discussed at MUNIMEC meetings, where I interact with municipalities on a range of issues about service delivery.
“As our liberators, I pledge to do everything in my power to make sure you get what you deserve, and I will use the departmental budget speech to further address your concerns. There will be less talk and more action this time,” he said.
Meanwhile, according to military veterans, most of their challenges emanate from mistreatment from government officials, as most of their calls are not being answered. They said their applications take forever to be processed and the fact that they do not want to be served by people who have never been in the military, as they would not understand their plight.
Picture: The Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality offices up in flames/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
9 June 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi to immediately commission a comprehensive forensic investigation into the burning of the Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality offices in Christiana. The municipal offices went up in flames on Saturday night and the cause of the fire is still unknown.
The DA spokesperson on SCOPA in the North West Provincial Legislature, Freddy Sonakile asked when governance burns, who benefits? Sonakile said they call for an urgent probe into the Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality inferno.
“It is not the first time that public infrastructure has gone up in flames in Lekwa-Teemane. Over the years, the municipality has seen fires consume critical facilities, including the town hall, a clinic, and a hospital.
“The pattern is deeply troubling and demands urgent scrutiny. This latest fire comes just days after the municipality appeared before the North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), where members expressed outrage at the municipality’s disclaimed audit opinion,” he said.
Sonakile further said this includes the lack of proper supporting documentation. He added that the timing of this fire raises serious concerns and cannot be ignored.
“Facts must be confronted. The committee itself was unequivocal. Destroying or failing to safeguard public records is a criminal offence under the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa Act.
“The forensic investigation must establish the whereabouts and responsibilities of municipal security personnel at the time of the fire. Whether the municipal offices and their contents were insured and whether this incident may be linked to a deliberate attempt to destroy evidence relevant to financial mismanagement or maladministration,” said Sonakile.
He said in addition, they call on law enforcement authorities to urgently open and pursue a criminal case of arson and for both investigations to be concluded without delay, with findings made fully public. Sonakile said they are determined to uncover the truth.
“The people of Lekwa-Teemane deserve transparency, accountability and justice, not ashes where governance should stand,” he said.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said: “At this stage, enquiry has been registered regarding the incident and investigations are underway.”
*Meanwhile, the Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality mayor, Sebang Motlhabi was not available for comment as his phone rang unanswered. His response will be incorporated in the article when received.
Picture: The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
27 May 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi expressed his satisfaction on the progress registered. This comes after Molapisi’s recent visit to Redirile Housing Project, wherein 385 housing units are being constructed in Redirile Township, in Derby.
He said this demonstrates the department’s commitment to ensuring that the elderly, people with disabilities and child-headed families are provided with quality housing, their living conditions are improved and they regain their dignity.
“I am very pleased with the speed in which the project is moving at. This shows that we are moving in the right direction to ensuring that our communities have decent housing.
“As a department, ours is to ensure that we create and facilitate sustainable human settlements for our people as this will help to improve the quality of their households,” said Molapisi.
He said the Redirile Housing Project is part of the department’s efforts, which aims to provide quality housing to residents, particularly those who have been living in very dire conditions for years. Molapisi said the project, which started in 2022 is currently at 90% completion, with less than 30 units remaining to be completed and handed over to beneficiaries.
“If the department can keep up with this speed, they will be able to tackle all the housing backlogs they are faced with, thereby providing communities with decent homes and improving their livelihoods,” he said.
Moreover, Molapisi together with the Head of Department, Kgomotso Mahlobo and departmental officials paid visit to an elderly woman (84), who has been staying in a dilapidated shack with her six grandchildren for years and has not benefited from the government’s low-cost housing scheme. He expressed his concerns on the family’s living conditions and committed that his department together with the local municipality will follow-up on the matter to ensure that the household situation improves and the elderly woman gets a decent house.
“It cannot be correct that an elder at her age is still exposed to such living conditions. As the department, we will ensure that all necessary measures are taken to ensure that a house is being built for her,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Head of Department, Kgomotso Mahlobo echoed the Molapisi’ sentiments that the department, working together with municipalities, will continue to identify elders and assist them. Mahlobo further stressed the importance of regular applications follow-ups and reviewing housing policies to ensure that they are appropriate for identifying deserving applicants.
“By doing so, the department can better support vulnerable community members and provide them with the assistance they need,” she said.
The Guardian 