Author: Motlhaping Modise

The North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) is optimistic that the newly launched community-led clean-up initiative, #MatlakalaKeZaka, will create much-needed job opportunities and address environmental challenges such as illegal dumping, littering, the burning of waste, and poor waste management practices. The campaign was launched by MEC Bitsa Lenkopane, accompanied by the Mayor of Tswaing Local Municipality, Norah Mahlangu, in Sannieshof. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, Lenkopane said that the campaign represents a turning point in how communities view and manage waste. “Through the Matlakala ke Zaka Campaign, the government aims to promote community-led climate action…

Twenty-five families and victims of apartheid-era crimes have expressed profound frustration and concern over President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to file his own affidavit and heads of argument in support of former Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma’s application seeking the recusal of Justice Sisi Khampepe, who chairs the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Inquiry. The families have accused Ramaphosa of actively advancing views that advocate for the demise of the very Commission he himself established. In a prepared statement read out on behalf of the families and survivors, Thembi Simelane, who is Nokuthula Simelane’s sister, said they are extremely concerned that…

A sense of jubilation filled the air as the community of Mikasa village outside Taung in the North West embraced their newly built Primary School Library. The impoverished Mukasa Primary school learners had limited access to reading resources and were allegedly required to travel approximately 16 kilometres to visit the nearest library. The library was donated to the school by AVBOB, South Africa’s largest mutual assurance society and a one-stop funeral service provider. Welcoming the donation on behalf of the Department, Education MEC Viola Motsumi stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in supporting the education sector. “Let me take this…

A suspect believed to be a hitman in the murder of Marius van der Merwe, known as “Witness D” at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, was arrested in Johannesburg on Saturday. The suspect was apprehended by a task team established to investigate cases arising from the commission. Van der Merwe was assassinated outside his home in Brakpan in December last year, in front of his family, after testifying at the commission about alleged corruption, torture and illegal mining involving police officials. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola had applauded the team “for moving with…

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong has handed over 440 school shoes to pupils in about nine schools in the Greater Taung and Mamusa Local municipalities in the North-West province. Morolong returned to the schools after his January state of readiness visit for the school reopening for the 2026 academic year in the province. During the school shoes handover ceremony which was held in Schweizer-Reneke, Morolong said that he realised that some of the learners were without proper school shoes while others went to school barefoot. “I was reminded that the struggle for dignity in education remains incomplete. …

The South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU) has undertaken to continue fighting for the plight of the young people, particularly unemployed healthcare professionals. The union, which is an affiliate to the congress of the South African trade unions (COSATU) took to the streets on Thursday to protest against the staggering level of youth unemployment in the country. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, SAMATU’s First Deputy President Dr. Nkateko Mnisi said that as much as the union organises medical professionals it has realised that the pervasiveness of youth unemployment across occupational roles is a critical issue deserving a unified, collective…

The North West Provincial Government has commended President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to deploy members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in the province to support the South African Police service (SAPS) in its efforts to combat illegal mining and other violent crime. Ramaphosa announced last month during his State of the Nation Address that SANDF members will be deployed in provinces such as Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Gauteng to assist the police combat high levels of crime and illegal mining. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, Community Safety and Transport Management MEC, Wessels Morweng said that the deployment…

Municipal offices in Brits, North West, have been inaccessible since Monday as community protests brought services at the Madibeng Local Municipality to a complete standstill. The demonstrations follow reports of a collapsing service delivery system at the municipality over the past few weeks. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, the council’s ANC single whip, Peter Padi, confirmed that residents blocked entrances and exits in response to the alleged unilateral decision of then Municipal Manager Quiet Kgatla to halt water provision via tankering without offering an alternative. “The shutdown has affected not only municipal services but also other government institutions in the…

The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) has raised concern over the prospect of increase in petrol prices due to an ongoing conflict in Iran in the Middle East. Experts are forecasting that the United States-Israeli war on Iran could leave consumers and businesses worldwide facing weeks or months of higher fuel prices even if the ongoing conflict, which has now entered its eighth day, ends quickly. This as suppliers grapple with damaged facilities, elevated risks to shipping amongst other many factors. “We know that higher fuel costs are always passed directly onto consumers and workers, driving up the overall cost…

North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi says negotiations are nearing consensus stage between the provincial task team comprising two members of his executive council, the local traditional authority and the national government regarding a disputed piece of land where Mahikeng Student City was earmarked to be constructed in Mahikeng. The Barolong Boora-Tshidi traditional council took the matter to court, halting a planned project aimed at developing a 10 000-bed facility in the province’s capital. During his State of the Province Address (SOPA) last Thursday, Mokgosi announced that a private-sector funding has been secured positioning the project to break ground as soon…