Picture: The North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi introduces the newly-appointed contractor/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Gaoage Oageng Molapisi, accompanied by the acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi, met with the Bakwena-Ba-Mogopa community in Bethanie on Thursday.
The meeting occurred before the last instalment of the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme – Thuntsha Lerole for the 6th administration held at Chaneng village, near Rustenburg.
During the session, Molapisi officially introduced the newly-appointed contractor for the D109 Road project, which extends from Berseba at the intersection with Road P51/1 (Majakaneng to Sun City). He further said the road passes through Madikwe and Bethanie and ends at 22, 5km at the intersection with R511 Road between Brits and Thabazimbi.
He added that they introduced Maximus Earthworks as the newly-appointed contractor following the termination of the contract by the previous service provider.
“The project will take approximately 10 months to complete at a total value of R 106 638 989.40. The target set aside for Small Micro-Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) through sub-contracting opportunities for this project stands at a whopping R 21.9 million (excluding VAT).
“This will bring about 30 work opportunities for local communities. Skills transfer will also be part of this project as participants will receive technical, generic, and managerial skills with 2 students in the Built Environment,” said Molapisi.
He said his department places provision of quality road infrastructure as key for economic growth in the province. Molapisi said he is pleased that the administration did not delay the appointment of the new contractor.
“I am more delighted about the economic benefits as a result of the road project,” he said.
Picture: The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi announces new changes at Maano Secondary School/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said she is proud to announce the official conversion of Maano Secondary School in Masutlhe II village, outside Mahikeng, to an Agricultural Focus School on 17 May 2024. Motsumi made this announcement during the second-last instalment of the Thuntsa Lerole Accelerated Service Delivery program led by the acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi.
She further said Maano Secondary School, previously a public ordinary school, was selected as one of seven Agricultural Focus Schools in Ngaka Modiri Molema in 2023, with the aim to equip learners with the skills and knowledge they need to participate in the agricultural economy and develop a love for farming.
Motsumi added that North West is an agrarian province and the establishment of agricultural schools is crucial to enforce these skills and love for agriculture amongst our learners.
“This will ensure a brighter future not only for our learners, but for the entire province’s agricultural sector. The school received a R2.5 million from the Maths, Science, and Technology Conditional Grant, to establish its agricultural production lines.
“Currently, the school boasts of a crop production, poultry production (including broilers, layers, free-range chickens, and egg housing), goat production, and plant production in the form of orchard,” said Motsumi.
She said the conversion of Maano Secondary School coincides with the distribution of National School Nutrition Program (NSNP) utensils to the school. Motsumi said other schools in the Ngaka Modiri Molema district that benefited from the NSNP, include Kebonang Secondary School, Kgosi Kebalepile Secondary School, St. Mary’s Special School and Motheo Thuto Secondary School.
“We also visited Boitsanape Technical School, which is currently refurbishing its school furniture. The school is additionally providing training to its General Assistants to help them further develop their skills.
“The department remains steadfast in providing its learners with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. By fostering a love for agriculture and equipping students with the necessary skills,” she said.
Picture: The ANC deputy chairperson, Lazarus Mokgosi sworn-in as new North West MEC for Social Development/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West said the newly-appointed North West MEC for Social Development, Lazarus Mokgosi will have to prove his worth. Mokgosi was appointed as North West MEC for Social Development after the North West acting Premier, Nono Maloyi, fired Boitumelo Moiloa from the position yesterday.
The DA deputy provincial chairperson, Freddy Sonakile said, Mokgosi has been a Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) in North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) for barely a year and would need to prove his worth as he takes over a department that has in recent months been fighting internal conflicts at the expense of residents, who desperately depend on the department’s social services to keep absolute poverty at bay.
“At a time where North West’s unemployment rate continues to surge and residents increasingly rely on the government’s R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant, this department continues to be used as a political yoyo by ANC politicians.
“The DA approached the Public Protector to investigate and determine the legality of Premier Bushy Maape’s decision to place former MEC, Boitumelo Moiloa on special leave two months ago and indirectly placing the Department of Social Development under an unexplainable provincial administration,”he said.
Sonakile further said, unfortunately, for Mokgosi, there is no time for celebratory parties. He added that Mokgosi boarded a “Titanic” that was already facing waves.
“We will closely monitor how he deals with the mess and the mafias in the department and use every mechanism at our disposal to ensure that residents receive the social services they desperately need,” said Sonakile.
Meanwhile, the ANC Chief Whip in the NWPL, Paul Sebegoe said: “We wish Mokgosi well in the new area of responsibility. We are confident that he will stabilise the department and ensure that it focuses on its mandate to accelerate service delivery for the benefit of the most vulnerable within our communities.
“Mokgosi has played a pivotal role in fostering the unity of the ANC caucus in the provincial legislature and ensuring implementation of the resolutions of the ANC Caucus Lekgotla.”
Sebegoe said Mokgosi’s hands-on approach and commitment to serve gives them confidence that he will deal decisively with the challenges facing the department and steer it towards reclaiming its service delivery track record that will respond to the plight and aspirations of our communities.
He emphasised that Mokgosi brings to the department invaluable experience, skill and expertise that he has gained throughout over 35 years in the public service, leadership in the trade union as well as the ANC.
Sebegoe also expressed gratitude to Moiloa for the service she has rendered communities across the province during her tenure.
Meanwhile, the F4SD president, Dr Mbahare Kekana said they welcome the appointment of Mokgosi.
“Remember, that role has been vacant and is very central to the needs of our masses. However, we question the dual positions that are being held by Maloyi. We believe that he was supposed to appoint Mokgosi as the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) because that’s where the problems are.
“As we speak, that portfolio remains severely neglected because most municipalities continue to receive disclaimers and other challenges. So, we expected Maloyi to fire himself as MEC for COGHSTA and appoint somebody capable, who could take the department forward,” Kekana said.
TaungDailyNews 