Tag Archives: The North West MEC for Arts

‘Libraries are sanctuary spaces’

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Picture: The North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Virginia Tlhapi and North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi handing over a library/Supplied 

By AGISANANG SCUFF

11 March 2026- The North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Virginia Tlhapi officially opened a new Community Library in Thekwane. The collaborative efforts of the strategic stakeholders that comprises Rustenburg Chrome mine, Royal Bafokeng institute, Rustenburg Local Municipality and the department, culminated into the establishment of Tshukudu Community Library.

Tlhapi, accompanied by the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, officially handed a new library to the community of Thekwane on Friday, during the Provincial Thuntsha Lerole Programme in Marikana.  She said Tshukudu Community Library epitomises the commitment of the private sector collaboration with Government in developing and uplifting industry-hosting communities through infrastructural community development.

“Tshukudu Community Library offers a welcoming and inclusive environment designed to meet the diverse needs of Thekwane community. The library features a reception area and a dedicated librarian’s office, Internet and Wi-Fi access for patrons and ablution facilities for convenience.

“This includes a shelving area housing more than 2 500 books, a kitchenette for staff use, a children’s and toddlers’ collection area with age-appropriate resources, computer stations for research, study, and digital access and a specialized section equipped with resources and assistive technology for people living with Disabilities,” she said.

Tlhapi further said on behalf of the North West Provincial Government and the people of Thekwane, they convey a sense of gratitude to the Rustenburg Chrome mine and Royal Bafokeng institute for their courtesy and commitment to social investment. She added that they sincerely appreciate their strategic stakeholders in safeguarding the future of Thekwane by honouring their community with this invaluable information graveyard, it is now their property and they should protect it with their own lives, because protecting it, is securing the future of their young people.

“Libraries are sanctuary spaces, a place where silence and tranquillity meet and offer comfort and inspiration. Within the library walls, people can find comfort and peace that allows them to unlock their dreams and awaken their true potential,” said Tlhapi.

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Tlhapi to lead Provincial Heritage Day Celebrations in Mokgalwaneng village

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Picture: The North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Virgina Tlhapi

By OBAKENG MAJE

29 September 2025- The North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Virgina Tlhapi, will close the heritage month activities with the Provincial Heritage Day Celebrations on 30 September 2025, at Tlhaalapitse Primary School in Mokgalwaneng village, in Moses Kotane Local Municipality.  Tlhapi said the event will be celebrated under the theme: “Celebrating the lives of our heroes’ and heroines who laid down their lives for our freedom”, which invites all South Africans to reflect on and honour the sacrifices made by those who fought for liberation and freedom of our country.

She further said the purpose of the Provincial Heritage Month Celebrations seeks to celebrate their rich cultural diversity and foster pride in the traditions, languages and practices that defines their collective identity. Tlhapi added that the event aims to showcase the government’s commitment to protecting cultural resources and promoting inclusive cultural expressions as part of sustainable development.

“Various government services such as Gender-Based Violence (GBV) walk, wreath laying at the grave of Disake Dikeme, who is one of the local struggle icons, aerobics and self-defence exhibitions, which will be led by me, accompanied by Kgosi of Bakgatla ba Kgafela Traditional Authority, mayor of Moses Kotane Local Municipality and Bojanala District Municipality mayor.

“Mokgalwaneng with its 32 surrounding villages had activities held as Heritage Day build-up.  On 23 September 2025, we had Heritage through libraries in Bloemhof. On 24 until 26 September 2025, we had the Provincial Indigenous Games in Rustenburg and Oral History Colloquium in Mogwase on 25 to 26 September 2025,” she said.

Tlhapi said on 27 September 2025, they had a Batlharo Boo Tokwane Ba ga Masibi Cultural Event in Disaneng village, near Mahikeng.  She said the Provincial Heritage Day Celebrations will commence at 8am.

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Maine engages SAFA in quest to bring back sports activities in North West

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Picture: The North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Collen Maine with SAFA delegation/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

The North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Collen Maine said they had a fruitful session with South African Football Association (SAFA) president, Dr Danny Jordaan at SAFA House in Nasrec, Johannesburg. Maine said he engaged SAFA to consider North West amongst provinces that have the capacity and willingness to host both national and international games.

He further said the province has not hosted in while, which presupposes that there is under utilisation of the stadiums in the North West. Maine added that this is adversely affecting the development of sports, as well as tourism in the province.

“We pleaded with Jordaan that it is crucial for SAFA to consider hosting games in our province because that will give the people of North West a civic pride, and that will also facilitate improvement in the development of the province with regard to infrastructure, growth in investment and tourism.

“We both also placed heavy emphasis on the school sport programme, because under 15 and 19 academies are recruited from inter-school sport competition games. The province will be hosting a Premier Cup soon, which is a culmination of Mayoral Cup tournaments into final provincial cup games,” he said.

Maine said North West has talent and they plead with the confederation to come to the province to scout talent. He said they appreciate the opportunity to meet with SAFA and they are looking forward to further discussions around hosting agreements, and to is leave the legacy for the people of North West.

Meanwhile, Jordaan made a commitment to Maine that Royal Bafokeng and Olympia Stadiums amongst others, will be considered to host in the upcoming national and international matches.

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