Author: Motlhaping Modise

The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, has raised concerns over the growing number of underperforming schools in the province, despite ongoing efforts to revitalise them. Motsumi was speaking during the release of the 2025 matric results at Rutanang Primary School in Rustenburg, within the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality. She was accompanied by Premier Lazarus Mokgosi, members of the Executive Council, the provincial legislature, and leaders from traditional and Khoisan communities. Speaking on YOU FM’s Newshour, Motsumi expressed disappointment with the performance of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, which recorded a decline in its matric pass rate. “Three…

South Africa’s 2025 matric results have sparked mixed reactions following their release by Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube in Fairlands on Monday evening. According to the minister, the Class of 2025 achieved a historic 88% pass rate, the highest in the country’s history, marking what she described as a major milestone for the basic education sector. However, the announcement has been met with skepticism from several political parties and civil society groups, who argue that the headline figure masks deeper systemic failures in the education system. Build One South Africa (BOSA) was the first political party to challenge the results,…

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has warned that it will not be a “pushover” amid ongoing tensions between its alliance partners, the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP). Speaking to YOUFM and Newsnote at Moruleng Stadium outside Rustenburg on Saturday, COSATU President Zingisa Losi said the federation’s unity is of paramount importance and must not be compromised by disputes between the two political parties. “We are coming from the Central Executive Committee (CEC), the highest decision-making body of COSATU, and we were very clear that we are not going to be a…

The President of the ANC Youth League, Collen Malatji, has urged the party President Cyril Ramaphosa to ensure that Saturday’s National Executive Committee (NEC)’s January 8 Statement, embraces the high unemployment affecting young people in the country. Malatji was addressing thousands of league members who were attending the Peter Mokaba Memorial Lecturer at the JM Ntsime Secondary School in Mogwase outside Rustenburg, a day before the party’s 114th anniversary celebrations at the Moruleng stadium. Malatji said 2026 must be declared the year of the youth because of the crisis of high unemployment affecting mostly the youth. “We are not going to…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised outgoing National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Adv. Shamila Batohi for doing an “excellent job” in transforming the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and restoring public confidence during her tenure. Ramaphosa appointed the current Special Investigating Unit (SIU’s) Head Adv. Andy Mothibi to replace Batohi as the next NDPP with effect from February 1, 2025. Batohi’s non-renewable term of 10 years ends in January. “Yes, Shamila Batohi came in at the time when the NPA was in serious need of transformation, and she has done excellently in transforming and repositioning the NPA. We all came to…

Former ANC National Executive Committee member and former Deputy Minister of Transport and of Water and Sanitation, Dikeledi Magadzi, has passed away. She was 75. The ANC confirmed her death on Sunday morning, 28 December 2025. Party spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu described Magadzi as a disciplined and dedicated leader who served the movement and the state with unwavering commitment. Magadzi’s political career spanned decades. Before joining national government, she held several MEC positions in Limpopo, including Public Works, Agriculture, Health, and Safety and Security. She later chaired the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Transport before being appointed to two deputy ministerial…

Persistent severe weather conditions over the festive season have led to a significant increase in electricity faults across Eskom supply areas nationwide. The utility says heavy storms, flooding and strong winds have damaged infrastructure in several provinces, worsening supply disruptions. Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena said while much of the damage in the Eastern Cape has been resolved, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and the Free State remain heavily affected. “Eskom teams are on the ground repairing damaged infrastructure to restore supply in affected communities, including Tzaneen and Mashashane in Limpopo,” Mokwena said. She added that teams are working around the clock, but response…

Authorities in the North West have arrested 26 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol, while another 10 were taken into custody for allegedly attempting to bribe traffic officials. The arrests were made during ongoing festive season operations across the Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Kenneth Kaunda districts. According to the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, the intensified law enforcement efforts have contributed to a notable improvement in road safety. The province has recorded a 40% reduction in fatal crashes compared to the same period last year. Between 20 and 26 December 2024, 24 fatalities were reported.…

The North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) has identified major entertainment industry events as strategic platforms to position Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the province. According to the department, such events attract large audiences and create valuable opportunities for local market participation. For this reason, DEDECT, in partnership with its entity, the North West Parks & Tourism Board, has identified key events across the province to ensure that MSMEs are not left behind, but actively involved in showcasing and promoting their products and services. The initiative forms part of the department’s Access to…

The North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi accompanied by Health MEC Sello Lehari and other dignitaries visited Mahikeng Provincial Hospital to welcome and hand over goodies to Christmas babies born between 00:00 – 09:00.Lehari will also interact with mothers, families and healthcare professionals, and extend words of encouragement and goodwill to all those spending Christmas in health facilities. Speaking on the YOUFM breakfast show on Christmas Day, Lehari announced that babies were delivered between midnight and 07:00 on Thursday, Christmas Day.“The good news so far is that 42 Christmas new-born babies have been delivered across the province. 16 of them were…