Picture: Traditional leaders engaging with North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari/Supplied 

By AGISANANG SCUFF

22 October 2025- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari has reaffirmed the department’s commitment to working closely with Traditional Leaders (Dikgosi) to address pressing healthcare challenges and strengthen service delivery across the province. Lehari met with dikgosi at Kings Gate in Rustenburg as part of his ongoing stakeholder engagement programme aimed at building strong partnerships to improve healthcare access and quality.

During the engagement, he apologised for the delay in convening the meeting and emphasised the importance of establishing a consistent communication channel between the department and dikgosi. He further assured the leaders that his department is ready to work hand-in-hand with them on health issues affecting their communities and committed to consulting them regularly on developments and challenges within health facilities located in their traditional areas.

“The department will prioritise mobile clinics in rural villages and hold quarterly engagements with dikgosi to monitor progress and ensure accountability,” added Lehari.

He assured dikgosi that they will have direct access to operational managers, chief directors, and hospital CEOs for swift resolution of service-related issues. Lehari also announced that Mmabonyana Lerumo, Director for Special Programmes, will serve as a direct liaison between the department and traditional leaders to ensure quick responses to operational matters.

Meanwhile, Traditional Leaders welcomed Lehari’s open-door approach and raised several issues requiring urgent attention. Kgosi Montshioa encouraged the department to fast-track the finalisation of the North West School of Medicine, which he said is crucial for building capacity and producing home-grown healthcare professionals.

“We call for improved functionality of hospital boards and clinic committees. In the past, poor communication and irregular meetings had undermined their effectiveness,” said Montshioa.

The Chief of Batlhaping BaGa-Maidi Tribal Authority, Kgosi Nyoko Motlhabane, raised concerns about the lack of timeous communication between the department and traditional leaders regarding health-related activities in their villages. Motlhabane stressed that dikgosi should be notified well in advance to allow them to mobilise their communities effectively, instead of being informed at the same time as residents.

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By AGISANANG SCUFF

24 September 2025- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari has commended the standard of primary healthcare services provided at Tsholofelo Clinic and Jouberton Community Health Centre (CHC) in Klerksdorp. Lehari’s remarks followed oversight visits to the two facilities during the ongoing Thuntsha Lerole Integrated Service Delivery Programme in Jouberton Township, in Klerksdorp.

He further said Tsholofelo Clinic, located in Jouberton, has been serving the community for 33 years. Lehari added that it is an 8-hour facility that refers patients to Jouberton CHC.

“During our visit, we inspected key areas, including the waiting area, pharmacy, consulting rooms, and youth-friendly services. We expressed satisfaction with the state of the facility, praising management and staff for their dedication.

“I am pleased that the operational manager here is knowledgeable and hands-on. The clinic is clean, medicine supply is sufficient, and security measures are in place,” he said.

Lehari said patients expressed general satisfaction with services, though some raised concerns about waiting times. He said it was noted that most patients arrive simultaneously around 7am, causing delays.

“During the visit, one patient was assessed on the spot and referred to Klerksdorp Hospital for further ENT (ear, nose, and throat) investigation—an example of responsive care. I applauded the staff for that and urged nurses not to become complacent.

“Nurses should attend to patients as early as possible. People should not be kept waiting the entire day without being helped,” said Lehari.

He said the visit also highlighted areas for improvement, including the need to erect a security guardhouse, install security gates, and trim trees leaning against the perimeter fence. Lehari said the clinic reported 95% medicine availability and an ambulance response time of 45 minutes, both within acceptable norms.

“Staffing currently includes six professional nurses, one enrolled nursing assistant, one doctor, and two cleaners. We stressed the importance of filling two vacant professional nurse posts to strengthen service delivery.

“At Jouberton CHC, which officially opened in 2023, we noted several areas of excellence. The facility reported 95% medicine availability, a TB cure rate of 95%, and Platinum status for performance against National Core Standards,” he said.

Lehari said the CHC was established as part of the government’s commitment to restore and uphold communities’ constitutional right to healthcare. He said, however, challenges remain.

“We raised concerns about gangsterism around the facility, calling for a multi-stakeholder approach involving the South African Police Service (SAPS) and security partners to address the problem.

“The centre also faces pressure from patients outside its catchment area who prefer to use Jouberton CHC, further straining resources. We concluded by encouraging the clinic committee to continue serving as a vital link between communities and management,” said Lehari.

He said clinic committees must listen to community concerns and work with management to ensure these issues are addressed.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

10 April 2025- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari said the communities of Taung in Sekhing and Manthe villages are left with optimism and joy following his visit. Lehari graced the areas to deliver on the health delivery commitments made to the communities of the sub-district.

He further said among the commitments made by the department to the communities of Taung is the completion of the Baga-Mothibi Community Health Centre (CHC). Lehari added that this project, which has become a lifeline for the communities scattered in over 16 villages falling under Kgosi Mothibi, was first constructed with a R140m budget estimate.

“The Baga-Mothibi Community Health Centre (CHC) was officially opened by the Deputy President, Paul Mashatile in September 2023. The facility offers 24-hour increased access to healthcare facilities to members of the surrounding communities.

“The latest work to be carried out on this project is for a budget estimate of R56m, which will cover the general building work which include brick and mortar where it is outstanding,” he said.

Lehari said the budget also covers electrical and ICT networks, mechanical, air conditioning, civil works inclusive of water and sewerage reticulation and pavements. He said this will be done in all 16 units of the facilities, which include maternity, Outpatient Department (OPD), staff residence, dental, radiology, medical gas areas and all the areas.

“We caution all stakeholders against delaying the project. We are here to handover to the contractor and the principal consultants. The contractor will begin and complete the remaining scope.

“The project must have the beginning and end. Therefore, project managers and consultants must be held accountable to ensure completion of the project,” said Lehari.

He said the handover, which was also attended by the Baga-Mothibi Traditional Council, the Speaker of the Local Municipality, municipal councillors, the acting DDG for Health Services and the

the District Chief Director, also deliberated on the roles of key stakeholders to make the project a success.

“I expect the contractor to work together with the project manager. The Community Liaison Officer must serve the role of being a link of the project with the community. A project steering committee which receives a sitting allowance should also assist completion of the project by playing its role.

“If we work together and there are no disruptions like rain, we can expect this project to be completed around April 2026,” he said.

In other exciting news, Lehari took time to meet with the Chief of Batlhaping Ba Ga-Maidi, Kgosi Nyoko Motlhabane. The meeting was to reflect on much-anticipated plans to build a Community Health Centre for Batlhaping Ba Ga-Maidi.

“I briefed Motlhabane that Manthe CHC was on the B5 project list, but was not allocated a budget. However, we assured him and his tribal council that following a meeting with the National Department of Health, the CHC will now be allocated a budget for the 2026/27 financial year.

“We were requested at the meeting with National to first make sure that all current projects are completed before the new ones are accommodated. I have been hard at work conducting oversight through my “Re Bona Ka Matlho” programme to make sure that these projects are completed on time,” he said.

Lehari said this will enable them to start new projects, including the new Manthe CHC for Batlhaping Ba Ga-Maidi communities. He said while the Batlhaping Ba Ga-Maidi CHC is earmarked for the 2026/27 financial year, the Ba Ga-Mothibi CHC is a 12 month project estimated to be completed by April 2026.

Meanwhile, the excited Motlhabane, thanked Lehari and the department for the commitment to deliver the CHC. He assured the department for cooperation and alluded to the fact that the tribal council has already identified land for the project.

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