Tag Archives: North West MEC for Public Works and Roads

Mokua visits affected N18 road outside Mahikeng

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Picture: SANRAL personnel fixing the N18 road, near Tshwara Matsele/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

17 November 2025- North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua accompanied by the Head of Department, Moses Kgantsi and a team from the department, conducted an oversight visit on the N18 route between Mahikeng and Vryburg site, near Uplands. Mokua said this is one of the roads, where heavy rains have resulted in damage to the drain storm water channel and erosion on part of one lane of the road.

She further said the South African Road Limited Agency (SANRAL), as the implementing agent of the road, has deployed a contractor to channel water from the road and has implemented a stop-and-go as a short term solution. Mokua appeals to motorists to cooperate with the team that has been deployed to ensure safety at the site, while repair works are being carried out. 

“With the province having experienced heavy rains this past week and more rain expected in the coming weeks, we urge motorists to exercise extreme caution if travel is unavoidable, as several sections of the roads are waterlogged and visibility might be reduced when it rains.

“The plan is also to consult relevant stakeholders to ensure that a better strategy is derived for a long term solution on this part of the road. We appeal to motorists to exercise patience and caution as more roads will be affected by flooding throughout the province,” she said.

Mokua added that her department is aware of affected roads, which includes R24 Rustenburg to Magaliesburg, N12 between Klerksdorp and Stilfontein amongst others. She said road users are advised to be observant and to avoid unnecessary speeding, especially in low lying areas.

“The department will have teams on the ground in various districts to ensure that we intervene where necessary to make the roads trafficable. The safety of all road users remains our priority. Road users are urged to follow official channels for verified information and to report hazardous conditions to local authorities,” said Mokua.

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North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua calls on senior managers to put ‘shoulders to the wheel’

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Picture: North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua

By BAKANG MOKOTO

7 July 2025- During her opening address at the Departmental Executive Management Committee meeting held on Sunday, North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua emphasized the importance of her being apprised on imperative strategic issues especially the structure. Mokua said getting a full report on the approved organizational structure will assist her to know who is where and whether everyone is where they should be within the department.

Mokua expressed her gratitude about the progress report regarding the acquisition of yellow fleet. She further said the equipment and machinery will assist the department in bridging the gap left by the budgetary constraints that impede the department’s efforts to make the provincial road network trafficable, especially in rural and farming areas.

“As preparations are underway to procure these new equipment, issues of storage, security and training of operators must be prioritised. The department cannot afford to lose any of the limited resources available, whereas the department continues to get complaints from the communities about the status of the roads.

“I must say that I am encouraged and pleased to see that a lot of critical and vacant posts have been advertised. What we have done will ensure that we address two of the top three priorities of this 7th administration, which are Driving Inclusive Growth and Job Creation, as well as that of Reducing Poverty and Tackling the High Cost of Living,” she said.

Mokua reminded the management that the local government elections are fast approaching and as a result the environment will soon become hostile. She added that there is usual spike in community protests related to service delivery during this period.

“Our department will as usual be in the firing line because of the state of our road infrastructure. Where we are not able to meet the demands by tribal authorities and communities, we must be honest and explain our budgetary limitations to them.

“It is important to provide feedback regularly. I also appeal to senior managers to pull not only their socks, but also their working boots and put shoulders to the wheel as a collective to ensure that the Public Works and Roads machinery functions optimally.

“We are going to have to put more efforts in our work and be more responsive to the eminent influx of community requests,” said Mokua.

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Disability Care Centre lauded for taking care of disadvantaged individuals  

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Picture: North West MEC for Public Works and Transport Management, Elizabeth Mokua visiting Tsholetsa Disability Care Centre in Tlhabane, Rustenburg/Supplied  

By REGINALD KANYANE 

North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua handed over the caretakership agreement to the Tsholetsa Disability Care Centre in Tlhabane, Rustenburg. Mokua said this is the first of its kind for the department. 

She further said the centre operates from one of the department’s under-utilised buildings that was previously Iteko Special School. Mokua added that the caretaker agreement means that the department will still own the building, while the Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) that runs the centre will be renting it at no cost. 

“This arrangement will run for 36 months with an option for renewal. The centre, which has 76 beneficiaries, runs a number of skills development programmes that are aimed at empowering persons with disabilities. 

“These include, among others, arts and crafts, aluminium manufacturing; brick-making; gardening as well as entrepreneurship and financial literacy courses. I would like to commend the centre manager and founder, Richard Tlhogwe, for his bravery and vision. 

“As we commemorate the day dedicated to a true selfless leader, Nelson Mandela, we should appreciate the work that you are doing that embodies the principles of Tata Madiba,” she said. 

Mokua said instead of Tlhogwe to just focus on himself, he made a bold move and chose not to just empower himself, but also extended services by assisting people with disability and many others related designated groups from the area. 

She said poverty continues to be a thorny issue that needs to be eradicated and said the centre was doing well in the fight against the scourge by establishing a vegetable garden that contributes to food security in society. 

“Tsholetsa is not only uplifting beneficiaries at this centre, but it is also uplifting the standard of living in the section in which they are located by developing their capacity and putting food on the table,” said Mokua.   

Meanwhile, Tlhogwe expressed his appreciation to the department, saying that the caretaker agreement was a culmination of a journey that started many years ago when he decided to create a platform not only for persons with disabilities like himself, but also for the unemployed youth in his area. 

“A lot of us are talented, but we did not have a platform or place where we would be allowed to express and showcase our talents. Establishing this centre was one way of creating a one stop centre, where people can hone their skills while also making a living,” he said.

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The North West Department of Public Works and Roads to launch EPWP in Brits  

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Picture: The North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Gaoage Molapisi 

By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Gaoage Molapisi, will on Thursday, host the Provincial Launch of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Phase V and 20 Years of EPWP at Brits Sports Grounds, North West. Molapisis said EPWP is a key government initiative contributing to Government Policy Priorities (GPP), ensuring decent work and sustainable livelihoods. He further said the programme aims at providing poverty and income relief through temporary work and skills development for the unemployed.

“During the launch, we will showcase the successes of the programme, including its contribution towards skill development in the province. More information on the changes in the programme, including its rebranding strategy and plans by lead sector departments shall be announced at the launch.

“A new cohort of participants will also be unveiled with women, youth and people with disabilities constituting the majority,” he added.

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Introduction of consultants for upgrading of D506, Z559 and D332 roads

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Picture: The upgrading of D506, Z559 and D332 roads on sight/Generic

By REGINALD KANYANE

North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Gaoage Oageng Molapisi, will on Thursday, introduce consultants for the upgrading of Road D506, Z559 and D332. Molapisi is also expected to lead a sod-turning ceremony for the special maintenance project of Road P47/2 including Koster Town and sections of Road P34/2.

The North West Public Works and Roads spokesperson, Lerato Gambu said: “Molapisi will lead both activities ahead of the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme-Thuntsha Lerole scheduled to take place on Friday at Moses Kotane Local Municipality.

“The activity will start off by introduction of consultants for designs of upgrading projects at the Dwarsberg to Pachsdraai Road and Roads P51/2 and D56 (Sesobe to Brakkruil).”

Gambu said this event follows consultations with the community of Dwarsberg regarding conditions of the road. He said the first session will take place at Debrak Community Hall on 18 April 2024 at 10am.

The second session will be at the Municipal Hall in Koster at 2pm.

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The bridge construction project aims at improving responsiveness to emergency situations in rural communities

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Picture: North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi conducted oversight at the bridge construction project/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Gaoage Molapisi conducted an oversight at the construction of the bridge at Montshioa Stad on Tuesday. Molapisi was accompanied by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) representative, Major Aaron Nguqu and Chief Director responsible for Infrastructure Coordination, Implementation and Maintenance , Sifiso Diko.

He further said the bridge is part of the Welisizwe Bridge programme designed to address the existing backlog of bridge infrastructure. Molapisi added that the programme further aimed at improving responsiveness to emergency situations in rural and disadvantaged communities.

“The programme is a collaborative effort between the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and National Department of Transport. Welisizwe Bridges will improve communities’ access to heathcare facililties, schools and economic amenities.

“The programme also seeks to create labour intensive working opportunities through the Expanded Public Works and Roads (EPWP). The project was among the 12 earmarked projects in the province as announced by president Cyril Ramaphosa during the 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA),” he said.

He said the expeditious completion of the Welisizwe Bridges will go a long way to mitigate challenges caused by heavy rains and floods in the communities as experienced in the past.

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