Tag Archives: The North West MEC for Social Development

Dantjie launches MUNIMEC structure

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

14 December 2025- The newly-established MUNIMEC structure will go a long way in strengthening governance and service delivery across the province, the North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie, told members of mayoral councils from various municipalities at the launch of MUNIMEC forum in Mahikeng on Friday.

Dantjie said this is a platform that will enable them as leaders to build on collaboration, innovation and responsive governance for the betterment of the people they serve. She said it will also help them to monitor and evaluate service delivery commitments by stakeholders.

“The forum will convene its meetings once per quarter to track progress on service delivery, to discuss and resolve a wide range of issues affecting the local government sphere.

“The MUNIMEC provides a platform for the provincial government and municipalities to interact regularly, ensuring a coordinated approach to service delivery and governance issues,” said Dantjie.

She further said MUNIMEC is a consultative forum typically established at the provincial level, bringing together the MEC and members of mayoral council responsible for social development, community development and special programmes in their respective municipalities. Dantjie added that the launch and operation of MUNIMEC structure is a practical implementation of the country’s cooperative governance model, aiming at bridging gaps between spheres of government to improve the living conditions of communities.

“A MUNIMEC structure stems from the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996: Section 40(1) establishes government as national, provincial, and local spheres that are distinctive, interdependent, and interrelated.

“Section 41 mandates that all spheres of government must cooperate with one another in mutual trust and good faith, which includes supporting and consulting each other on matters of common interest,” she said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

‘Prevention of GBVF goes beyond 16 Days of Activism Campaign’

NEWS Leave a comment

: The North West MEC for Social Development, Basetsana Sussana Dantjie/Supplied 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

10 December 2025- The North West MEC for Social Development, Basetsana Sussana Dantjie calls on communities across the province to continue to protect the rights of women and children beyond the observation of 16 days ratified by the UN member states. Dantjie’s appeal comes at the time when the country observes International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2025.

She further said they mark the International Human Rights Day today. Dantjie added that as they do so, they also call on community members to continue to promote respect, observance and protection of human rights for everyone.

“Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is the violation of human rights. Let us therefore, take it upon ourselves to promote human dignity, freedom and security of the vulnerable groups among us if we are to sustain our human rights culture and eradicate gender based violence.

“Despite the shrinking fiscus, our department is providing funding to Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) to enable them to play a crucial role in combating gender based violence by rendering essential services and support to victims beyond the 16 days of activism campaign and other commemorative days,” she said.

Dantjie said their services include community engagements, awareness campaigns, sheltering, counselling, court preparations and psychosocial support to the victims.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture

Dantjie and SASSA conduct outreach in Syferbult 

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The North West MEC Sussana Dantjie and acting Executive Mayor Abisai Seleka visit service delivery stalls at Syferbult informal settlement/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

28 August 2025- The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie said scores of residents from Syferbult and surrounding farms heaved a sigh of relief after the province authorities conducted a day-long community outreach in their area. Dantjie said the community outreach, comprising government departments, their entities, and the banking sector, is meant to bring government services directly to residents, especially in vulnerable or remote areas.

She further said it aims to foster dialogue between officials and community members to address local needs and to facilitate access to essential resources such as social grants, healthcare, economic opportunities and essential goods. Dantjie added this, including school uniforms and social relief of distress in the form of food parcels.

“The flagship programme dubbed Re thuse re go thuse reduces the cost and effort for residents to access support, empowers communities through information dissemination, and demonstrates a commitment to person-centred service delivery.

 “Re thuse re go thuse community outreach programme as a service delivery machinery aimed at restoring dignity by bringing services to the doorsteps of communities,” she said.

Dantjie said they have mobilised a wide range of government departments and partners to deliver on-site services, including social grant applications, assistance with birth and identity documents, health screenings, social casework and referrals, and more.

She said they hope to bring the same outreach programme to this area again, so that many people from the surrounding farms can access services.

“I vow to return to the area with a similar outreach programme. This high-impact outreach, held in partnership with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), is designed to bring vital government and social services directly to the community, with a special focus on residents in rural, remote, and underserved areas,” said Dantjie.

Expressing her profound thanks to the authorities, one of the residents, Mirriam Mthimkhulu, who is also the chairperson of the local primary school, said the visit by Dantjie and her entourage had paid dividends. This followed the handover of school uniforms to 58 learners by Dantjie and SASSA as part of the outreach programme.

Meanwhile, situated near Magaliesburg, Syferbult is among the most vulnerable communities in the North West, grappling with entrenched social challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and lack of proper documentation for children and adults alike. The Re thuse re go thuse community outreach programme will reach other parts of the province in the current financial year to unlock service delivery bottlenecks and improve the lives of people.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

More than 70 learners receive uniform

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

21 August 2025- More than 70 learners at Dingateng primary school near Setlagole village received school uniforms from the authorities to advance their studies. On Wednesday, the North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie took her outreach programme to Dingateng in collaboration with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to distribute school uniforms to learners facing undue hardship and whose parents cannot afford school uniforms and other important amenities.

Dantjie further said the learners both males and females received two sets of shoes, socks, trousers, vests, sport shirts, school bags, tunics and tracksuits to the value of more than R4000 per learner. She added that the government has developed programmes to provide for the needs of learners and adults alike in its intervention in the plight of learners.

“We call on officials to protect the children’s right to education and ensure that they have birth certificates and identity documents. Of the 235 registered learners, 25 of them do not have birth certificates or identity documents.

“About 208 learners receive social grants. In the next seven days, our social workers will profile needy learners and their families in this area. Based on their home circumstances report, we will intervene with our social relief of distress and Re thuse re go thuse programmes, which includes provision of food parcels, school uniform, sanitary towels and other amenities to our communities,” said Dantjie.

She vowed to bring her Re thuse re go thuse flagship to needy communities so that they access government services at their doorsteps.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Dantjie condemns a rape and murder of Bokao Gaseimelwe

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The deceased, Bokao Gaseimelwe/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

1 August 2025- The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie has condemned in the strongest terms the reported rape and murder of Bokao Gaseimelwe (6) at Tseoge village, near Ganyesa. Dantjie applauded law enforcement agencies for the swift arrest of a suspect (26).

She further said according to the preliminary report at their disposal, the mother and the deceased went to Gamonchonyane village to watch a horse-riding competition. Dantjie added that, on their way back home, the mother alighted from a motor vehicle (van) and went to Hlokoloza tavern and her daughter followed her.

“The mother came back alone after a few minutes and entered the vehicle, which drove off. The driver stopped to pee and the mother went to the back of the van to check if her child was asleep.

“Other children who were at the back of the van told her that Bokao followed her. She then realised that the child was missing. Although the car drove back to the tavern, where the mother and other passengers searched for the child, that did not yield positive results,” she said.

Dantjie said the local police were called on Sunday morning, 27 July 2025, to a residence after the girl’s half-naked body was found at the entrance of a pit latrine and a case of rape and murder was opened.

“The death of one child is one too many. We condemn the abuse of those that are vulnerable among us, especially children and women. We appeal to parents to take care of children and never neglect them. Children should not be allowed to enter liquor outlets. It is against the law.

“We bemoan the incident and call for a concerted effort of community members in protecting children and women against perpetrators. Since the sad story broke out, we have assigned social workers to provide ongoing psychological support in the form of trauma counselling to the family,” she said.

Meanwhile, the rape and murder case against the accused was postponed to 4 August 2025, for formal bail application.

taungdailnews@gmail.com

Dantjie to visit Taung Treatment Centre

NEWS Leave a comment

 

Picture: North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie

By BAKANG MOKOTO

30 July 2025- As Mandela month draws to a close, the North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie, is scheduled to lead a Letsema Cleaning Campaign at a state-run treatment centre in Taung on 31 July 2025, at 9am. Dantjie said the treatment centre, which is situated in Taung hospital premises, has been established to meet the growing demand for inpatient rehabilitation services, particularly for individuals affected by substance use disorders.

“In June this year, the department admitted seven service users at the centre to start the process of rehabilitation. The state-run treatment centre has ten beds for females and ten for men service users.

“The centre has an occupancy certificate and it is conditionally registered for a period of 12 months to render rehabilitation services to clients in line with the Prevention of and Treatment of Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008,” she said.

Dantjie further said since 2018, officials at the centre have been rendering community based services to clients with substance use disorders to the entire Dr Ruth Segomotsi District. She added that their services include screening of clients, counselling of individuals and families at various homes, referral of clients with dual diagnosis to psychiatric wards for treatment and conducting awareness campaigns on substance abuse. 

“During my visit, we will monitor the centre by doing walkabouts, meeting the service users and lead a cleaning campaign to mark the closing of Nelson Mandela month,” said Dantjie.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

A call to curb teenage pregnancy

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: A teenager pregnant while still attending school/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

23 June 2025- The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie calls on various communities to join hands with the government in its effort to curb teenage pregnancy in the province. Dantjie’s plea follows the recent cases of statutory rape involving three young girls in Christiana.  

She further said three cases were reported to Lekwa Teemane Service Point on 19 June 2025, by the police after the nursing sister and medical practitioner filed the cases following consultations with three teenage girls aged 14 and 15. Dantjie added that the other minor’s age is still to be confirmed.

“The three visited the local clinic and were confirmed to be pregnant. The absence of parental accompaniment during their clinic visits raised significant concerns regarding inadequate parental care and supervision.

“Upon preliminary investigation conducted by professional social workers comprised of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) social worker, probation officer and ward supervisor, it was discovered that two of the three minor girls aged 14 and 15, had already given birth while the other one is expected to give birth in August 2025,” she said.

Dantjie said a girl (14), was impregnated by a boy (17), a girl (16) by a man (18), while the age of the boyfriend of a girl (15) is still to be verified. She expressed disappointment on the three statutory rape cases.

“The government has implemented measures to address teenage pregnancy in schools such as the integrated school health programme, which is led by the North West Department Education, Health and Social Development.

“These programmes include family preservation. Our department has also partnered with the Shout it Now organisation to educate young people about HIV, teenage pregnancy and other social ills across the province,” said Dantjie.

She said: “We cannot be deterred by these incidents in our resolve to prevent teenage pregnancy and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in our communities.

“Our social workers, including our social cluster departments and the civil society organisations are on the ground to break the barrier of ignorance among young girls by educating them about teenage pregnancy and other social pathologies that are tormenting our communities.”

Dantjie said that the issue of teenage pregnancy requires the collaborative efforts of key role players, which include parents, teachers, guardians and the community at large. She said social workers will continue to render family preservation services, psychosocial support and parenting skills to the young girls. 

“They will also be referred to a psychologist in order to prevent them from possible cyber bullying and stigmatisation.

“In addition, the probation officer will ensure that therapeutic services are rendered through possible diversion programmes to the alleged perpetrators if deemed appropriate after thorough investigation,” said Dantjie.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

“Non-compliant NPOs derail our efforts to achieve clean audit”  

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie/Supplied 

By REGINALD KANYANE 

10 April 2025- The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie, decried non-compliance of non-profit organisations (NPOs) with legislation as a major cause of her department’s inability to achieve a clean audit. Dantjie was addressing more than 200 delegates from various NPOs who filled Madibeng’s White Hall to capacity for a day-long roadshow, dubbed ‘Re Thuse Re Go Thuse’.

‘Re Thuse Re Go Thuse’ is Dantjie’s flagship programme that underscores her commitment to fostering a robust and effective NPO sector that is capable of delivering essential services to communities across the province in partnership with sister departments and State-Owned Entities (SOEs).

“We account to oversight bodies on how we spend the budget that is allocated to us. A large percentage of the departmental budget goes to the NPOs to enable them to work in partnership with the department in delivering services to our people. 

“If we keep on providing funding to NPOs that are not fully compliant with legislation, we will always attract a finding from the Auditor General SA,” she said.  

Dantjie further said, NPOs must refrain from using unspent monies without the approval of her department. She added that NPOs should explore other possible means of generating income without depending solely on her departmental annual funding.

Meanwhile, the National Lottery Commission, the South African Revenue Services, the Provincial Treasury, the National Development Agency, the Department of Home Affairs and the National Department of Social Development are part of the stakeholders that participate in the roadshow. 

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Dantjie urges NPOs to comply or risk deregistration

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie/Supplied  

By REGINALD KANYANE

9 April 2025- The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie said civil society organisations should comply with legislation if they are to receive funding from government and its entities. Dantjie told delegates from various Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) during “Re Thuse Re Go Thuse” NPO support roadshow, which is underway in Rustenburg Civil Centre.

She further said 150 representatives from the National Lottery Commission, the South African Revenue Services, the Provincial Treasury, the National Development Agency and National Department of Social Development are part of the day long NPO roadshow. Dantjie added that, “Re Thuse Re Go Thuse” is a flagship programme that underscores commitment to fostering a robust and effective NPO sector that is capable of delivering essential services to communities across the province in partnership with sister departments and State-Owned Entities (SOEs).

“While we acknowledge the role of civil society organisations in changing the lives of our people, we must also enforce compliance to legislation so that there is transparency and accountability in the social sector.  All NPOs must comply with the NPO Act.

“They must adhere to tax requirements and their information on Central Supplier Database (CSD) must be accurate. Non-compliant NPOs face possible deregistration and they will not receive any financial resources from the funders,” she said.

Dantjie said the compliance to the NPO Act is strategically aligned with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendation 8, which addresses risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing in the sector. In Bojanala, 5221 NPOs are deemed compliant, while 727 have already been de-registered from the system due to non-compliance to the NPO Act.

“We scheduled to take Re Thuse Re Go Thuse NPO roadshow to Brits on Thursday at 9am,” said Dantjie.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Dantjie to interact with NPOs through roadshow

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie

By OBAKENG MAJE

8 April 2025- The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie will interact with Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) in Rustenburg and Brits during a two-day roadshow dubbed “Re Thuse Re Go Thuse.” Dantjie’s year-long roadshow is targeted at NPOs that are funded by the department, including those with an interest to receive financial support.

The North West Department of Social Development spokesperson, Petrus Siko said roadshow gives NPOs within the social sector the opportunity to know their registration status, check compliance, gain extensive knowledge about the importance of complying with the NPO Act No 71 of 1997 and share information about different funding models provided by the department and its stakeholders.

Siko said central to Dantjie’s roadshow is compliance to the NPO Act, adherence to tax requirements and the Central Supplier Database (CSD).

“Re Thuse Re Go Thuse programme underscores the department’s commitment to fostering a robust and effective NPO sector capable of delivering essential services to communities across the North West.

“By addressing critical operational challenges and facilitating access to vital resources, the programme aims to empower NPOs to maximise their impact and contribute significantly to the province’s socio-economic development,” he said.

Meanwhile, the two-day roadshow will take place at Rustenburg Civic Centre on Wednesday and Madibeng White Hall in Brits.

taungdailynews@gmail.com