Tag Archives: Sello Lehari

North West to commemorate World Aids Day in Tlhabane

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Picture: North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi

By OBAKENG MAJE

26 November 2025- The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi will in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Provincial Council on Aids (PCA), will lead the commemoration of World Aids Day in Tlhabane Township, near Rustenburg on 28 November 2025. Mokgosi will be accompanied by the North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari, the executive mayor of Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, the Rustenburg Local Municipality mayor and leaders from civil society and provincial council on Aids.

Mokgosi spokesperson, Sello Tatai said the 2025 World Aids Day is commemorated under the theme: “Renewed Efforts and Sustainable Commitments to End Aids”, which is a rallying call highlighting the importance and full potential of community leadership to enable the end of Aids. Tatai said the provincial World Aids Day commemoration event will be combined with the roll out of the Accelerated Service Delivery Thuntsha Lerole Programme and Operation Dignity in Tlhabane.

“This as part of the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to intensify HIV/AIDS awareness, strengthens community engagement, and accelerates the delivery of essential government services. This integrated service delivery programme will bring together government departments, state-owned entities (SOEs), civil society, developmental partners, and community structures to mobilise residents towards HIV prevention, testing, treatment adherence, and the provision of social support.

“The provincial integrated World Aids Day commemoration and Thuntsha Lerole programme will include the rendering of on-site services to be held at Tlhabane Stadium, Rustenburg at 8am.

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Lehari concerned about the slow pace of Christiana District Hospital project

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Picture: North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari during his visit at Christiana District Hospital/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

19 August 2025- As part of the province-wide monitoring programme and efforts to ensure progress on ongoing infrastructure projects, the North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari, conducted a political oversight visit to Christiana District Hospital. Lehari said Christiana District Hospital is currently undergoing refurbishment following a fire incident that destroyed a section of the facility in September 2021.

He further said reconstruction of the hospital commenced in October 2023, but experienced several delays which led to extensions of the completion date. Lehari added that project is estimated to the cost of R90 million.

“To date, 85% of the work has been completed. Critical units such as maternity (including ANC, delivery and postnatal services), Paediatrics Unit, Male Ward, Female Ward, Out-Patient Department (OPD), Emergency Unit and X-rays Unit are currently under construction.

“We are here to intervene and ensure there is progress. We are not satisfied with the slow pace of the project – this is unacceptable. We expect all contractors to come forward and account,” he said.

Lehari said the people of Christiana must have a fully functional hospital by October 2025 as promised. He said failure to do so will result in consequences.

“Contractors have since recommitted to completing the project by October 2025,” said Lehari.

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Lehari engages labour unions and stakeholders to strengthen health service delivery

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Picture: North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari/Supplied

By AGISANANG SCUFF

7 August 2025 – In a concerted effort to address pressing challenges in the province’s healthcare system, the North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari, embarked on a robust engagement with joint labour unions and conducted oversight visits to key health facilities in Klerksdorp.

The session forms part of Lehari’s ongoing programme aimed at improving service delivery and labour relations across the province’s healthcare sector.

He further said key issues discussed with the unions included translation of nurses from Community Service to Professional Nurse posts. Lehari added that this includes the recruitment for levels 2–5 and provision of uniforms for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel.

“We also discussed permanent placement of doctors. I reaffirmed my commitment to regular, structured engagement with labour unions, pledging bi-monthly meetings to ensure ongoing dialogue and resolution of issues.

“Regular engagement with organised labour is essential for labour peace. I will ensure that no union is excluded, and that our engagements remain action-oriented,” he said.

Lehari said a meeting schedule was agreed upon, grouping unions to ensure effective communication. He also updated unions on the status of appeals handled by the Office of the Appeal Authority, stating that legal advice is being sought to expedite resolutions.

“I urge unions to utilise departmental structures for issue resolution and not to delay matters by waiting for direct interventions on all concerns. This approach would ensure quicker turnaround and better governance.

“The department committed to finalising a multilateral engagement calendar to strengthen cooperation with unions. I instructed that a clear plan be developed regarding the permanent appointment of doctors and nurses, with measurable targets and progress reports,” said Lehari.

He said the matter of nurses’ uniforms has been escalated to the DDG for Hospitals and Specialised Services, who will engage unions directly on the issue. Lehari said his department reported that it is working closely with the National Department of Health to finalise the implementation model for Community Health Workers (CHWs).

“Currently, the province employs 5050 CHWs, who are being supported with tools of trade, protective clothing, and applicable leave benefits. CHWs are also encouraged to apply for advertised entry-level positions.

“The department presented updates on the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, assuring unions that it remains a priority and is being implemented progressively,” he said.

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Sibanye Stillwater mine donates two ambulances

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Picture: The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari and delegation from Sibanye Stillwater mine/Supplied  

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

29 October 2024- The Sibanye Stillwater mine in Rustenburg has donated two ambulances and an emergency response vehicle. The vehicles which are fitted with modern equipment will provide much needed solutions for health facilities in the Bojanala District and further allow for ease of transportation of patients to specialised units equipped to treat their unique ailments.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, the North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari, hailed the donation as yet another good example of how the private sector can work together with the government in finding solutions to challenges that confront citizens on a daily basis.

Lehari thanked Sibanye Stillwater for the donations.

“Undoubtedly, this contribution will improve our ability to deliver essential medical services to our citizens. I am very confident that these vehicles will enable high quality medical service delivery to patients requiring inter-hospital transfers and external referrals.

“South Africa’s public healthcare facilities are under great strain and the ambulance service is no exception, which is tragic, given that when it comes to health issues, speed of reaction by medical personnel is very often the difference between life and death,” he said.

Lehari further said the government can achieve much, but the government can achieve much more through partnerships with stakeholders. He added that as a government, they hold a firm view that it takes the community, the private sector, civil society organisations and government partnerships to significantly impact on service delivery.

Meanwhile, the Vice President for Social Sustainability at Sibanye Stillwater, Sibongile Zikalala said the gesture was symbolic of their commitment to community development.

“As Sibanye, we are putting every effort in partnering with government as we have a long standing partnership with the provincial department. To date, the company’s PGM operations have donated 23 ambulances, 3 mobile clinics and 1 emergency response vehicle to enable improved health services,” she said.

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North West Council on AIDS congratulates new EXCO 

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

The Chairperson of North West Council on Aids, Neo Moepi said they are looking forward to working efficiently with the newly-elected North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and the North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari. 

Moepi said they intend to work closely with the 7th administration to advance the social and health needs of the People Living with HIV, as well as those of the society at large. He further said they would like to encourage them to be active members and participants in the AIDS Council. 

He added that the AIDS response needs all leaders beyond political affiliation, race and colour as the face of HIV and AIDS knows no boundaries. 

“We would like to take this opportunity to welcome and send well-wishes to both Mokgosi and Lehari. The two leaders are critical for the well-functioning of the Provincial Council on AIDS. 

“Mokgosi in particular is the Chairperson of the Council and the PCA believes that he will use his term to steer the Council in the right direction by uniting civil society and all the stakeholders behind the fight against HIV and AIDS,” said Moepi. 

He said at the same time, the PCA took this opportunity to thank the outgoing Chairperson in the form of former North West Premier, Bushy Maape and former acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi for their role in rebuilding the Provincial Council on AIDS. 

He said the former North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha is equally acknowledged and appreciated for his sterling work particularly in the early stages of re-establishing the PCA. 

“During their term, they assisted the province to successfully re-establish and formally launch the PCA structures, which was led by the Deputy President on 1 December 2019. 

“They also ensured the appointment of the PCA Head of Secretariat paving way for more critical appointments to ensure the sustainability of the Council. The PCA is now looking to the new Premier and MEC to provide leadership and continue to build and strengthen the Council,” said Moepi. 

He said most importantly, the support of the new leadership is critical in ensuring that the province implements the 95-95-95 strategy to address HIV and TB targets in line with UNAIDS. Moepi said these targets seek to ensure that 95% of the people living with HIV in the province know their HIV status. 

“Another 95% of those that are HIV positive are initiated and retained on care, while the last 95% target seeks to ensure viral suppression of HIV positive clients who are initiated on treatment.

“The PCA also calls the two leaders to rally behind implementation of the broader National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2023-2028, which seeks all of us to engage multi-sectoral approaches to reduce the barriers and enhance access to equitable HIV, TB and STI prevention and treatment services,” he said.

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Spiking on N4 road in North West a concern 

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By OBAKENG MAJE  

The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari, will address the incessant and unceasing spiking challenges experienced mainly on N4 road. Lehari will also launch the new uniform for the elite unit, The Eagles. 

Lehari spokesperson, Tshegofatso Mothibedi said: “The uniform, which is different from that of the Provincial Traffic Officers’ attire, represents an identification of The Eagles. 

“The Eagles is a specialised unit that consists of 60 members. It was established in 2023 to operate on a 24-hour basis on arterial routes, including the N4, N12, N18 and N14 consists of 60 members. 

“The activity will form part of the Provincial Government’s Accelerated Service Delivery Programme, Thuntsha Lerole, which will be held in Matlosana. The event will commence on N12 road in Klerksdorp on 10 May 2024 at 9am,” he said.

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North West traffic officers to receive new uniform

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Picture: The traffic officers during parade/Generic 

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The North MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari, will be leading the distribution of the traffic uniform for all officers. The North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management spokesperson, Lucas Mothibedi said the event will be preceded by a joint law enforcement operation at the Lehurutshe Traffic Station at 11am. 

“There will be an opportunity for one-on-one interviews after each event,” said Mothibedi. 

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