Author: Koketso Dikobe
North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism Bitsa Lenkopane has called on media organisations to use digital platforms to help drive tourism growth, attract visitors and unlock greater economic opportunities for businesses across the province. Speaking at the Tourism Month media launch, Lenkopane urged journalists and media houses to produce compelling digital content showcasing the North West’s tourism assets, including its wildlife, heritage, culture, food, entertainment and hospitality sectors. She said media coverage should extend beyond established attractions to highlight lesser-known destinations, tourism businesses and communities that form part of the province’s tourism value chain. The call…
The North West Department of Education has confirmed that 60 schools across the province have sustained damage following strong and destructive winds that swept through parts of the province between 4 and 5 September. The damage includes roofs, mobile classrooms and other school infrastructure, with the department continuing to assess the extent of the destruction. The storm damage comes as the department is already dealing with the impact of recent school fires, placing additional pressure on its infrastructure programme and efforts to provide safe and conducive learning environments. The department has indicated that measures are being put in place to…
EFF President Julius Malema has placed the health, safety and well-being of North West residents, particularly children and elderly people, at the centre of the party’s provincial manifesto launch in Tlhabane, Rustenburg. Addressing supporters and community members at the launch, Malema called for stronger measures to protect children in schools, stressing that their safety must be treated as a priority. He also urged the prioritisation of elderly residents in the delivery of basic services, including access to free water and transportation. Malema further called for the cancellation of outstanding electricity bills, arguing that residents should not be left struggling under…
KLIPVOORSTAD — A 62-year-old man has been arrested following the discovery of a suspected clandestine drug laboratory at a farm in Klipvoorstad, near Jericho. The discovery was made on Wednesday after community members alerted law enforcement to suspicious activities at the property and reported a strong, unpleasant chemical smell coming from the premises. Police found four men at the scene, two South African nationals and two foreign nationals. Three of the men allegedly fled into the surrounding bushes when police arrived, while the 62-year-old man was arrested. North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management Galerekwe Tlhapi says the suspected…
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has set a target of achieving 50% representation of women in the sheriff profession, highlighting opportunities for greater participation, professional growth and leadership in the sector. Kubayi was speaking at the South African Board for Sheriffs’ annual Women’s Day celebration at Sun City, outside Rustenburg. The event, held under the theme “Balance the Scale: Give to Gain”, focused on recognising the contribution of women to the sheriff profession and the broader justice sector. Women accounted for only about 10% of representation in the profession last year, highlighting a significant gap and potential for…
North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi has acknowledged that political considerations played a role in his decision to reshuffle the provincial cabinet, adding a new dimension to changes he initially described as necessary to strengthen government performance and service delivery. Mokgosi was responding to questions in the North West Legislature on Thursday when he addressed the circumstances surrounding the reshuffle, which affected three members of the Executive Council. The changes included the removal of Viola Motsumi as Education MEC and her replacement by former Legislature Speaker Desbo Mohono. Wessels Morweng was moved from Community Safety and Transport Management to Arts, Culture,…
The Absa-SACCI Entrepreneur Empowerment Summit is positioning itself as a platform to help North West small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) overcome barriers to growth by connecting them with funding, procurement opportunities, business networks and key industry stakeholders. Held in Rustenburg, the summit brings together entrepreneurs, financial institutions, business organisations and support agencies to address some of the practical challenges facing small businesses. For SMMEs, access to finance and markets remains critical to expansion and sustainability. The summit provides entrepreneurs with information on funding options, procurement opportunities and potential partnerships that could help them scale their operations. Absa Head of…
Six deaths recorded during the previous initiation season have placed renewed pressure on authorities in the North West to tighten oversight of initiation schools ahead of the 2026 summer season. The Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee is intensifying efforts to identify illegal initiation schools, with operators required to register by 9 October as authorities move to strengthen safety measures and prevent further loss of life. Deputy Chairperson of the committee, Andries Stemmer, indicates that registration is a legal requirement that allows authorities to monitor initiation schools and ensure compliance with safety standards. Stemmer has raised particular concern over initiation schools operating…
Businesses operating around the Samancor Dikwena Chrome Mine in Brits are counting the cost of disruptions following the failure of a tailings storage facility, with local operators calling for stronger contingency measures to protect livelihoods and economic activity. The incident occurred on Thursday, 13 August 2026, at Compartment 1B, after its northern wall collapsed, releasing almost all of the slimes stored in the compartment. The failure disrupted electricity and water services in surrounding areas, leaving businesses scrambling to find alternative ways to keep their operations running. Several businesses have turned to generators to maintain electricity supplies. However, the additional fuel…
North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi has reshuffled his Executive Council in a move he says is aimed at strengthening governance, improving accountability and accelerating service delivery across the province. Mokgosi announced the changes during a media briefing in Mahikeng, saying the reshuffle is aligned with the province’s Medium-Term Development Plan and its three key priorities: promoting inclusive economic growth and job creation, reducing poverty and the cost of living, and building an ethical, capable and developmental state. The Premier said these priorities require continuous monitoring of government performance and regular assessments of provincial departments to ensure they effectively fulfil their…