Tag Archives: Oageng Molapisi

CoGTA to present the Municipal Plan of Action to respond to HRC directives

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Picture: North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

8 December 2025- The North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has resolved to take urgent and decisive action in response to a damning report by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The resolution follows a special MUNIMEC meeting convened by the North West MEC for CoGTA, Oageng Molapisi, with executive mayors, mayors and Municipal Managers from all affected local and district municipalities in the province.

In the meeting, SAHRC Commissioner, Dr Henk Boshoff, presented the report’s findings, detailing complaints against the 14 municipalities such as Matlosana, JB Marks, Maquassi Hills, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Lekwa Teemane, Kagisano Molopo, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Mahikeng, Ditsobotla, KgetlengRivier, Madibeng, Moretele, Moses Kotane and Rustenburg. Molapisi said the report painted a grim picture of communities without clean running water, sewer running in streets, lack of roads infrastructure and municipalities weakened by instability and poor management.

“The findings represent not only service delivery failures but human rights violations. When we fail to provide water, sanitation, electricity, remove refuse or maintain trafficable roads, we are stripping our people of their dignity. We need to do better as municipalities.

“CoGTA has also resolved to further strengthen oversight, where governance has collapsed, increase support to struggling municipalities and intervene decisively where needed. We will drive the filling of critical vacant posts, including technical services, enforce compliance with laws and hold those who break them accountable and clean up municipal finances and ensure accountability,” he said.

Molapisi further said municipalities committed to resolving service challenges with some already indicating progress. He added that CoGTA will consolidate an Action Plan to present to the SAHRC in order to meet the timelines set out by the report.

“We do not have the luxury of time. So, we must speedily respond to the issues raised to give our people hope and drive change in our communities,” said Molapisi.

Meanwhile, Boshoff urged municipalities to implement the SAHRC’s directives urgently and within the outlined timelines, warning that the Commission would not hesitate to “name and shame” non-performing municipalities.

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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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Molapisi convenes MUNIMEC in Rustenburg

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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.

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397 title deeds to be issued to rightful beneficiaries

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Picture: Abandoned RDP houses/Generic

By AGISANANG SCUFF

25 September 2025- The Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane and the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Oageng Molapisi, will issue 397 title deeds to the rightful owners at Mothutlung village, near Brits. Simelane spokesperson, Tsekiso Machike said the handover marks a significant step in the Department of Human Settlements’ ongoing commitment to eliminate the national title deed backlog, an initiative poised to unlock over R200 billion in asset value for fully subsidised government houses across the country.

Machike said the North West has for this financial year targeted to deliver 6718 title deeds across the province, contributing to the national goal of 80 000 deeds by 2029.  He further said to accelerate this effort, Simelane and Molapisi, have re-launched the Title Deeds Fridays Campaign, a nationwide drive aimed at mobilising all stakeholders to support the title deeds restoration programme.

“The campaign seeks to restore dignity, strengthen tenure security, and promote economic empowerment for beneficiaries. The event will also be attended by the executive mayor of Bojanala District Municipality, Dikeledi Mthangeni and mayor of Madibeng Local Municipality, Douglas Maimane. 

“We will start with door-to-door delivery of title deeds to three senior citizens in Extension 1 and 2 in Mothutlung at 10am. Then at 10:30am, we will have community engagement and title deeds handover at Mothutlung Community Hall,” added Machike.  

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PICC will continue to clamp down bogus initiation schools

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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.

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A 100 years-old woman receives RDP house

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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.

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Molapisi extends term for NWHC interim Board members

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Picture: The NWHC interim board members

By REGINALD KANYANE

2 July 2025- North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Oageng Molapisi, has officially extended the term of office for the Interim Board of the North West Housing Corporation (NWHC). The interim board was initially appointed in April 2025 in accordance with Section 3(2) of the North West Housing Corporation Act (Act No. 24 of 1982).

Molapisi further said their term is now extended, effective 1 July 2025, to continue serving until a fully constituted permanent board is appointed. He added that, extension of the board’s term is a necessary step to ensure oversight, maintain administrative continuity, and allow the corporation to implement its mandate. 

“We would like to reaffirm our confidence in the interim board’s ability to carry out its duties with professionalism, accountability, and integrity.

“The current interim board possesses the requisite knowledge and experience to drive the NWHC mandate, particularly as we drive the process to finalise the appointment of the new board,” said Molapisi.

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Council reconfiguration at Mamusa Local Municipality

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Picture: The Mamusa Local Municipality offices

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

22 April 20255- On 14 April 2025, the majority of councillors—consisting of 9 out of 16 councillors at Mamusa Local Municipality, petitioned the now former speaker, councillor John Batsi, the Municipal Manager, Rantsho Gincane, and the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, to convene a virtual council meeting on 16 April 2025.

According to the Municipal Manager, Rantsho Gincane, the meeting was convened in terms of Section 29(1A) of the Municipal Structures Act (as amended)(Act), which provides: “If the speaker or acting speaker refuses to call a meeting of the council as requested in terms of subsection (1), the Municipal Manager or in the absence or refusal by the Municipal Manager, a person designated by the MEC for local government in the province, may call and chair the meeting.

“The speaker refused to comply with the request of the majority of councillors, prompting them to approach me. On 17 April 2025, I acceded to the request and issued a notice for the council meeting to be convened on 22 April 2025 via a virtual platform,” he said.

Gincane further said the primary purpose of the meeting was to allow councillors to deliberate on a motion of no confidence against Batsi and Chairperson, Ephraim Chubisi. He added that, the meeting was intended to confirm his appointment, as well as the termination of acting Municipal Manager, FT Mabokela.

“As the convenor of the meeting, I wish to affirm that the council meeting was convened and satisfied the necessary quorum. Residents and stakeholders are hereby informed about the council resolutions.

“A motion of no confidence against Batsi was unanimously passed and he has been replaced by councillor Lesego Motlapele following his uncontested election. Chubisi has been removed as the Chairperson of Finance and Corporate Services and replaced by Councillor Nthabiseng Modise after a motion of no confidence was passed, unanimously,” said Gincane.

He said the council reaffirmed its previous decisions of the meeting held on 18 March 2025, to reinstate him as the substantive Municipal Manager and terminate Mabokela as the acting Municipal Manager. Gincane said the council wishes to categorically state that Mabokela is no longer in the employ of the Mamusa Local Municipality.

“Our immediate concentration and preoccupation is on restoring the confidence of our people and all stakeholders by providing the most basic services and strengthening the municipal administration,” he said.

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‘Provision of housing is central to our developmental trajectory’

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Picture: The North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

10 April 2025- Speaking recently at the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on the occasion of the debate on housing inadequacy in South Africa and the prevalence of informal settlements, North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, has acknowledged that his department is currently facing housing backlogs due to amongst others the non effective operational municipal system and thus hinders and delays the department to provide adequate housing to the people.

Molapisi said the department is aware of the municipal infrastructure units’ shortcomings such as the deterioration of the infrastructure and therefore having significant effect in housing delivery is compromised.

He further highlighted budget cuts and increase in population as other factors impacting the delivery of houses in the province. He added that, for instance, the province used to get R2 billion in grant funding nearly ten years ago, but like many provinces, that has since changed.

“The targeted delivery of homes and serviced sites decreased as a result of budget cuts that cut off R400 million just two fiscal years ago. With regards to the increasing number of informal settlements in the province, the department continues to observe the expansion of informal settlements, especially at the mining towns due to potential employment opportunities.

“Municipalities are also inundated with constant land invasions putting pressure to the department to respond expeditiously to provide basic services thereby disrupting normal planning cycle and processes,” said Molapisi.

He said they cannot shy away from the fact that informal settlements are increasing. Molapisi said is for this reason that the National Department of Human Settlements has adopted the White Paper for Human Settlements (2024), which provides for a tacit approach to address challenges arising from informal settlements.

“To align and play our part, the North West Department of Human Settlements has just completed an informal settlement upgrading strategy after which it will commence with informal settlements upgrading projects”.

“In addition, the Department of Human Settlements is working closely with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the province to resolve challenges of bulk infrastructure at affected municipalities,” he said.

Molapisi said through the COGTA Bulk Infrastructure Committee (BIC), they have taken advantage of the Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) bid window to apply for bulk infrastructure projects. He said they are working around the clock to try source available funding to alleviate the situation.

“We remain committed to creating sustainable human settlements. It is our considered view that the restoration of our people’s dignity rests in housing them in habitable homes with basic amenities. The Department of Human Settlements is putting a spotlight on issues of lack of bulk infrastructure for human settlements projects, as well as promoting integration of social and economic aspects thereby yielding dividends in terms of spatial planning, community services and broader quality of life for our citizens.

“Through the District Development Model (DDM), we are encouraging our municipalities to consider using bylaws to address land invasions coupled with planning to formalise old settlements on available vacant state land,” said Molapisi.

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Molapisi launches Clean Cities campaign

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Picture: The North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 

9 April 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, will on 10 April 2025, host the strategic meeting of the MEC with Executive Mayors and Mayors (MUNIMEC). 

Molapisi said the MUNIMEC has been established in line with the Intergovernmental Relations Framework (IGR), which is the platform designed to improve collaboration, enhance municipal governance, address systemic service delivery challenges, such as housing; foster financial accountability and amplify the institutionalisation of the District Development Model (DDM). 

“We will also officially launch the Clean Cities Campaign under the theme “Rata Tikologo Ya Gago” (Love Your Environment).  The campaign forms part of the province’s broader commitment to sustainable development and improved service delivery. 

“The meeting will take place at Protea Hotel in Klerksdorp on 10 April 2025, at 9am, while the launch of the Clean Cities Campaign will take place in Kanana Township, near Orkney at 2pm,” he said. 

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