The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass
By REGINALD KANYANE
18 February 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass is set host a special Municipalities and MEC (MUNIMEC) meeting on 19 February 2025, in Springbok (Namakwa District) to discuss critical issues affecting local government.
Vass said the MUNIMEC is a strategic meeting of the MEC with Executive Mayors/Mayors and Municipal Managers, of all 31 municipalities in the Northern Cape.
He further said the special MUNIMEC will receive and discuss presentations on the ward configuration processes in preparation for the 2026 Local Government Elections. Vass added that this includes the progress made by municipalities to adopt the standard draft by-laws for the registration of businesses.
“We will also receive a presentation on the security clearance (vetting) of Municipal Managers and Directors reporting directly to the Municipal Managers, amongst critical items on the agenda of the special meeting.
“We are looking forward to this special MUNIMEC, as we have identified a few matters that must be dealt with on an urgent basis to ensure that municipalities are aware of a few changes to the legislation or regulations,” he said.
Vass said they also need to familiarise themselves with legislative measures as there are upcoming Local Government elections. He said municipalities need to work closely with the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) in the unfolding process of the ward configuration.
“All 31 municipalities in the Northern Cape are expected to take part in the MUNIMEC. Some key sector departments, and local government eco-system partners, are also invited to attend the MUNIMEC that will take place at Springbok Guest Farm (Springbok, Namakwa District) on 19 February 2025,” said Vass.
Picture: Environmental Health Practitioners inspecting some of tuckshops
By REGINALD KANYANE
31 January 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass encourages all Small Micro-Medium Enterprises (SMMEs), spaza shops owners and other food-handling convenience stores across the Northern Cape to register their businesses by the extended deadline of 28 February 2025. Vass said those who would lime to register, they should approach their local municipalities across the province.
“Those who have registered their businesses and have duly received their registration acknowledgment, still need to undertake a further process to obtain their trading licenses. For this process, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) and other regulatory authorities will still inspect registered food-related trading businesses to ensure that these businesses are eligible to trade.
“The government will continue to implement the action plan across all its spheres to address the crisis of foodborne illnesses and the illicit trade of goods across the province,” he said.
Vass applauded businesses that have already approached their municipalities across the province to register their businesses in line with the address by the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa on 15 November 2024. He further said in the address to the nation following the deaths of children due to food-borne illnesses, amongst measures adopted by the government, Ramaphosa outlined a key compliance intervention on the regulation of spaza shops.
Vass added: “We plead with all businesses that have not yet registered to heed the call and to comply with the requirements to register no later than 28 February 2025. This will assist the government to better support this important sector of the economy and ensure that we preserve lives.
“South Africans who are landlords are also prohibited by law, not to register businesses on behalf of illegal foreign nationals. Any South African who has been found to have fraudulently registered a business on behalf of an illegal foreign national will face the might of the law.”
He said the multi-disciplinary inspections to strengthen adherence to legal frameworks governing trade and food safety across the Northern Cape are continuing. Vass said the government is committed to safeguarding public safety and preventing future outbreaks through sustainable practices and partnerships.
Picture: The North West MEC for Corporative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisialong with newly appointed members/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
23 January 2025- The North West MEC for Corporative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi has welcomed new members of the North West Rental Housing Tribunal at a ceremony in Mahikeng recently. The appointment follows the end of the three year term for the previous members who served from 2021.
Molapisi said the Rental Housing Tribunal is established in terms of the Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999, and is responsible for resolving complex rental issues across the North West and also facilitate conflict resolution, as well as establishing sound relations between tenants and landlords in the rental sector. He further congratulated the members and wished them well in their new responsibilities.
“Our department will utilise their expertise in resolving conflicting issues between landlords and tenants and avoid any unfair practices within the rental sector and many others. We also encourage the members to work as a team and called on the members to work across the clock as conflicts happen from time to time.
“We urge the members to avoid unnecessary postponement of cases due to the cost containment that the department is faced with. However, we assure them that they will have departmental support and that I have confidence in them in handling challenges that they will be confronted with during their three year term,” said Molapisi said.
He added that, the new members will be led by Kagiso Mike Khaoue as Chairperson. Molapisi said Khaoue assured him and the department that, they will strive to ensure they deliver as per their mandate, as well as to comply with all the prescripts of the law.
Khauoe said: “The Tribunal sets out guidelines to be followed when parties enter into a rental agreement. The body is again tasked to promote stability in the rental housing sector by resolving disputes that may arise from time to time.
“Issues such as house rules set out by landlords, receipts for rental payments, services cut-offs’ without a court order, withholding of tenants possessions, overcrowding and subletting, exploitative rents, service charges and damage to property are general conflicts that cause disputes between the landlords and tenants. Such challenges are mostly resolved through the Rental Housing Tribunal.”
Meanwhile, other members of the Tribunal include Advocate Matshidiso Mogale as Deputy Chairperson, Goitsemodimo Seleka, Bafedile Shuping and Attorney Tlotlo Kegakilwe.
Picture: The embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality
By BAKANG MOKOTO
21 January 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi is set to meet with all the councillors of the embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality.
According to Molapisi spokesperson, Lerato Gambu, the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the support provided to the municipality in line with Section 154 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which dictates that national government and provincial governments, by legislative and other measures, must support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities to manage their own affairs, to exercise their powers and to perform their functions.
Gambu said the meeting will be convened at the embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality offices at 2pm.
Following the embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality spokesperson, Pius Batsile said the municipal council held a special council sitting on 17 January 2025, and Mazwi Moruri was unanimously elected as the new mayor of Ditsobotla Local Municipality after the removal of Thabo Nkashe, through a motion of no confidence.
“In the same breath, Rasupang Mooketsi was duly appointed as the acting Municipal Manager effective immediately following a council’s decision to place Olaotswe Bojosinyane on special leave pending the review of the MEC’s court application regarding his appointment as Municipal Manager.
Meanwhile, the suspended Municipal Manager, Olaotswe Bojosinyane sent a letter to all employees saying that, the municipal speaker decided to continue with an irregularly convened council sitting, despite the content of his letter dated 15 January 2025.
“Having noted the impact and the potential to cause political and administrative disruptions. We continue to condemn the delinquent, delusional, and mediocrity paranoia displayed by the Speaker by adjoining the irregular sitting and went on to convene bogus council sitting after he adjourned irregular council.
“Furthermore, all union affiliates and employees are advised to keep calm, despite grandiose delusional disorder displayed on 17 January 2025, bogus council sitting, though its decision will cause financial implications to the institution,” he said.
Bojosinyane said they are convinced that employees are not agitated by such decisions and will be calm, while alternative processes are followed by the affected and aggrieved parties to this regard. He added that they hope this will sit well with them and their extreme calmness will be highly appreciated.
9 January 2025- The North West Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), working together with Municipal Disaster Centres, remains on high alert for incidents of disaster across the province. This comes as disaster management teams are on the ground conducting needs and impact assessment following heavy rainfall that affected many parts of the province and damaged infrastructure, properties and possessions.
The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi said the province has experienced heavy rainfall in the past few days and the district municipalities that were largely affected included Bojanala Platinum and Ngaka Modiri Molema.
Molapisi further said both formal and informal houses were damaged by the heavy rains, including municipal infrastructure such as culverts, roads and bridges. He added that Kromkuil Bridge in Moretele has collapsed, scores of houses in Moretele, Rustenburg, JB Marks, Ditsobotla, Ratlou and Mahikeng Local Municipalities were flooded.
“Roofs of houses at Mokgola in Ramotshere Moiloa and Ledig in Moses Kotane were blown away. Mud houses at Moshwaneng in Ratlou Local Municipality, were affected and faced possibilities of collapsing. Public amenities such as hospitals, clinics and schools were also not spared.
“Lehurutshe Hospital, Moses Kotane Hospital in Ledig and General Delarey in Lichtenburg are some of those which were affected. Bogosi Clinic and Primary School in Moretele was also water-logged,” said Molapisi.
He said mop-up operations are underway to bring all affected facilities back to full operation. Molapisi said upon receiving reports on disaster incidents, he directed coordination on the ground to assist affected residents and communities across the province.
“The provincial preparedness and response contingency plan have been developed and are being implemented. Various sector departments and municipalities have been briefed and activated in line with their roles and responsibilities, and they use their own resources to respond to emergencies/disasters incidents.
“The National Department of Human Settlement provided Temporary Residential Units (TRU’s) for damaged houses in the province. The affected departments will reprioritise their budget to address the pressure created by the flood disaster incidents,” he said.
Molapisi has directed sector departments and municipalities to budget for proactive disaster management activities to avert some of the disaster incidents.
“As part of the long-term intervention, municipalities must on an on-going basis maintain road infrastructures and storm water drainage systems to reduce flooding.
“The Department of Public Works and Roads in collaboration with municipalities will repair damaged roads, bridges and culverts and the Department of Human Settlements will repair all affected RDP houses,” said Molapisi.
He said municipalities must incorporate disaster risk reduction into development planning (IDP’s) and they must also develop bylaws and their enforcement strategy thereof. Molapisi said the department and PDMC will continue to coordinate sectors to ensure safer and disaster-resilient communities in the province.
“The department is also working with South African Weather Service (SAWS) for issuance of severe weather early warnings to role-players and communities.
“SAWS predicts that the province will still experience above-normal rainfall throughout the autumn season,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Development and SASSA profiled affected families and a Social Relief of Distressed grant was provided. The Al-IMAAD and Gift of the Givers organisations provided humanitarian relief in some affected areas, including Ditsobotla.
They included hygiene packs, blankets, food parcels and mattresses. The Red Cross donated 100 blankets to Bojanala District Disaster Management Centre. In most of the areas in the province, the blocked drainage system is to be blamed for flooding.
Picture: North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi addressing the CoGTA Strategic Planning Session/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
2 October 2024- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, addressed the start of the three-day Strategic Planning Session held in Mahikeng. Speaking at the strategic planning session, which coincided with 100 days of the 7th administration, Molapisi called for a paradigm shift from managers towards achieving the mandate of the department.
“We call on all officials to build on the work done over the years to restore the dignity of the institution, accelerate pro-poor service delivery and rural development.
“We also advised managers to discuss ways to improve departments’ audit status from consecutive unqualified opinions to a clean audit outcome; use of available performance information of municipalities to inform a strategy to support improved municipal audit outcomes and focus on research and innovation for solutions,” he said.
Molapisi further called on the administration to take the lead in ensuring that the District Development Model (DDM) is institutionalised across all municipalities. He added that leaving this session, they must have aligned their strategic plans with available resources, driving development and growth.
“We must prioritise the people on the ground at all material times. Our department must focus on the three key priorities as outlined in the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024-2029, with specific focus on building an ethical and developmental state,” he said.
Molapisi added that they need a renewed determination and a realistic plan to improve the delivery of basic services and bring stability to local government.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NWHTKL), Kgosi Thari Maotwe, senior officials led by the Head of Department (HOD), Dr Ben Bole, SALGA and other stakeholders, were amongst attendees.
Picture: North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua with beneficiaries/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
17 September 2024- The North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua conducted an oversight visit to the Military Veterans Housing Programme in Ganyesa, near Vryburg. Mokua’s oversight visit was part of the Provincial Government’s Accelerated Service delivery Programme, Thuntsha Lerole.
Mokua, who was standing in for the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, was accompanied by local ward councillors and Dikgosi. She expressed her satisfaction in the progress made by the department in ensuring the provision of housing to the Military Veterans in the province.
“We also engaged with beneficiaries of the three houses amongst those that the department has constructed. During these engagements, we observed, registered and acknowledged progress in relation to the specifications on these houses.
“These include built -in kitchen, stove, bedroom cupboards and fitted bathroom amongst others. The house is also making provision of an additional 3rd Bedroom replacing the carport, which beneficiaries have requested for,” said Mokua.
She further reiterated that it is in the interest of the department to complete all backlogs as it is the department’s commitment to redress and restore dignity in the lives of communities in the province. Mokua added that they are mindful of different circumstances the beneficiaries are faced with.
“The department will continue to conduct due diligence in every project they are working on and quality assurance, compliance and accountability forms part of the contract with service providers,” she said.
Meanwhile, the emotional Tsimane Kamanyane, who is one of the beneficiaries, showed his gratitude and appreciation to the gesture that the department has extended.
“I am very emotional because I now see that indeed, the government is caring. I am an owner because I now have a dignified home,” he said.
Picture: The North West MEC of Corporate Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi handing over a house to one of the beneficiaries/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
4 September 2024- The North West MEC of Corporate Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi handed over two houses to the Matsane and Tau families in Middleton-B, near Atamelang. According to Molapisi, this was part of the North West Provincial Government’s Women’s Month commemoration ceremony.
He further said the initiative was aimed at recognising and honouring women on 30 August 2024. Molapisi added that they will continue giving the people houses just as the department is mandated to do.
“We urge the beneficiaries to take care of their houses as it is a lifetime opportunity and a lasting legacy to have a dignified shelter. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the women are prioritized and their dignity is restored as it is stipulated in the Bill of Rights.
“All human beings must have shelter and live in decent houses. Handing over the house keys to one of the beneficiaries, Dikeledi Matsane (44), who is a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) survivor, is what the department is doing to restore the dignity of the people, especially women,” he said.
Molapisi said he is proud to say Matsane and her children have a place to call home. He also said counselling will be arranged for Matsane in order to change her life and that of her children for the better.
The overwhelmed Matsane could not hold back her tears when receiving the keys.
“I would like to thank the department for building a house for me and my children. This feels like a dream and I am grateful,” she said.
Another recipient was Margaret Tau (37), who received a house on behalf of her late grandmother, Martha Tau. She said her family comes from Bornou Farms next to Delareyville and later moved to Middleton B.
“I am unemployed and only survive through child support grant money I receive on behalf of my three children. Even though my grandmother is no longer with them, she is resting in peace knowing that she has left a legacy for her family as we now have a roof over our heads,” said Tau.
North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi donates a houses to Molifi family/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The North MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi handed over a house to the Molifi family in Tigane Township, near Klerksdorp. Molapisi said this was part of celebrating Women’s Day as the affected family has been living in a two-roomed shack.
He further said the newly-built house came as relief to the two social grants recipients and their four children. Molapisi added that they were working in collaboration with the North West Department of Social Development.
“The family received a furnished house, food parcels and blankets. We urge women, especially in rural areas to stand firm and continue to advocate for the emancipation of women from all aspects of life.
“We would also like to condemn the social ills committed against women. We call on the law enforcement agencies to deal decisively with those who continue to violate the rights of women,” he said.
Molapisi also urged the ward councillor to work closely with women and vulnerable groups within the Tigane community. He reiterated that his department will continue to prioritise women in construction and allocate 40% of the budget to them.
“We commend the women of 1956 march in Pretoria. We further urge other women to carry on the baton and their legacy forward. The government has and will forever continue to prioritise women and strive for equality. We respect and honour women of our country as they are nation builders and leaders.
“We do so in ensuring that we restore their dignity, just like we are doing to the Molifi family. We have handed over the house as part of our ongoing venture to make sure that housing delivery remains key and that the partnership with other government departments and business continue unabated,” said Molapisi.
Meanwhile, receiving the house on behalf of the family, the elated Nnase Molifi, who just celebrated her 70th birthday, could not hide her excitement. Molifi continued to thank the government and the philanthropic contractor, who built the house and donated furniture for the whole house.
“We urge the government to continue to deliver services to communities as they are relying on it to better their lives. I am grateful for this wonderful gift that will remain our treasure as the family.
“We are grateful and pleased to see that our patience and hope are answered. We now have a home and we are sure to leave a legacy for our children and grandchildren,” she said.
Picture: North West MEC Oageng Molapisi, his Head of Department, Kgomotso Mahlobo and departmental officials handing over goodies to some of the elders at Hands that Cares Old Age Home/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
The North West MEC for Corporate Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi accompanied by Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality mayor, Dinah Pitso and Head of Department (HOD), Kgomotso Mahlobo, closed off the Mandela Month activities by spending 67 minutes at Hands that Cares Old Age Home in Dinokana and Gopane Village, Zeerust.
Molapisi visited the centre wherein he donated blankets, groceries, toiletries and sanitary packs to the centre. He described the Nelson Mandela Day as an extremely important day for everyone, especially South Africans as it reminds them of the global icon and all the good deeds he has done towards building a better South Africa.
“Throughout his lifetime, Madiba inspired us with acts of generosity. We are forever indebted to his lesson of humanity. His legacy should not die. I therefore urge all of us to work together in ensuring that the Madiba legacy multiplies for generations to come.
“We are grateful that our officials lent helping hands at the centre by cleaning the yard. We would like to thank them for their selfless contribution and ensuring that they play their part as this embodied the values of peace and human dignity as espoused by Nelson Mandela,” said Molapisi.
In addition, he also handed over two newly-built houses to the Morubane and Phejane families at Gopane village. The handover is part of the Molapisi’s programme of unblocking all the blocked projects across the province.
Meanwhile, both beneficiaries appreciated the gesture bestowed to them citing that indeed their living conditions will be improved.
Hands that Cares Old Age Home was founded in 2006 by Gadifele Sebogodi and operates as a non-profit making organisation, which renders social welfare services to elderly people, middle-aged people, people living with disability and destitute people.
Sebogodi said: “The centre provides the victims with access to shelter, provision of nutritious food, emotional support and other essential services in order to ensure the physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being of fellow citizens.
“We would like to thank the department and all stakeholders involved for the donations they received. Truly, we did not expect anything nor made applications to any institution for assistance.”
She further thanked the department for remembering them on Mandela Month. Segodi added that this is a testament that indeed the good work is noticed out there.
The Guardian 