Author: Tshegofatso Letsie

The North West Department of Education has established a total of 124 winter camps for matric learners. Over 31 000 learners will attend the camps which are aimed to assist them revise and address their challenges, ahead of the final exams. “These camps operate in two formats. Namely, residential and walk-in where 112 centres are residential, providing full-day academic support with overnight accommodation, while 12 centres function as walk-in camps, where learners return home after lessons,” said the department’s spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane. He described the camps as a critical intervention towards inclusive education. “We do this with the purpose of closing…

This year’s Corporate Wellness Week, observed from 1-5 July, shines a glaring spotlight on burnout, a condition increasingly recognised as a silent killer in the modern workforce. In a revealing report by Life Healthcare Hospital, a staggering 71% of workers are reported as disengaged and vulnerable to the debilitating effects of burnout, prompting urgent calls for systemic change in corporate environments. Burnout, characterised by profound exhaustion, anxiety, and cognitive impairment, can have devastating effects not just on individuals but on organisations as well. “The condition brings with it severe effects including cognitive and severe impairment, exhaustion, anxiety, and substance abuse,”…

Following a successful and thrilling experience of the popular two-day Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival at the Mmabatho Stadium in Mahikeng in December last year, North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi has announced that the provincial government has established a research report which seeks to assess the overall event. The research will determine the success of the event, its reach, the economic impact and how it benefited small businesses, as well as point out areas of improvement. According to Mokgosi, a budget of over R18 million was set aside for the event. “The budget covered the stage, marketing campaigns, accommodation and other…

The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture has vowed to support plans aimed to transform the country’s museums. Minister Gayton McKenzie used his address during the Heritage Sector Bosberaad in Cape Town, to implore the sector’s practitioners and experts to compile a transformation strategy of museums which he said the Department will support He also used the engagement to ascertain himself with the current state of museums in the country, as well as challenges faced by the sites’ management. McKenzie believes that the refurbishment of museums will not only strengthen social cohesion and community participation but will also accelerate global…

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has ramped up interventions to contain the spread of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). This follows the spread of FMD to other nearby farms within Ventersdorp, at the JB Marks Local Municipality. According to the Director of Veterinary Services Dr Langa Madyibi, the disease was detected after animals displayed clinical signs of FMD and tested positive based on tissue samples. Despite this, he guaranteed that strict measures continue to be in place across farms in the province. “The Veterinary teams are conducting their work under strict biosecurity protocols, including disinfecting…

The North West Provincial Skills Development Forum is anticipated to accelerate growth and progress across the province. The Premier’s Office Director General, Paul Mogotlhe opened the Forum’s induction session in Sun City, near Rustenburg. Mogotlhe used his address to reiterate the significance of bridging the skills gap in the province. “Without a skilled workforce we cannot grow our economy, reduce unemployment or fight poverty and inequality. Through this Forum we want to ensure that the people of the North West have access to quality skills that improve their employability and entrepreneurship,” said Mogotlhe. He expanded more on the issue of…

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is calling on government and relevant partners to strengthen measures towards protecting the country’s water infrastructure. The Commission released its policy brief on recommendations on how to tackle water mafias and what it termed as the systemic sabotage of essential water infrastructure on Wednesday. The policy brief covers a wide range of aspects including the impacts of water infrastructure vandalism on the public and economic costs thereafter. SAHRC spokesperson, Wisani Baloyi provided an overview of some of the recommendations the commission made in the brief. ‘’The policy brief seeks to be a clarion…

Banyana Banyana Head Coach, Dr Desiree Ellis has named the final squad of 26 players who will represent the country at the 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) to be played on 5-26 July 2025 in Morocco. Ellis believes the squad has the required flexibility to clinch the title. “Getting the right mix of players was very important for us. Our recent friendlies showed the versatility within our ranks and our versatility will be key for us in Morocco. Refiloe Jane for example has played every position on the field except as goalkeeper. Lebohang Ramalepe can play both…

The Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has assured the country that the meat consumed from animals infected with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is not a threat to human health and safe to consume. Steenhuisen alongside Gauteng Agriculture MEC, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa conducted an oversight visit at Karaan Beef Feedlot in Heidelberg to witness the vaccination of cattle as part of government’s fight against FMD. The visit comes after the country received the first batch of about 900 000 vaccine doses from Botswana. According to Steenhuisen, a second batch will be ordered to continue responding to the outbreak particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and…

The South African government is optimistic that the signed $1.5 billion Development Policy Loan Agreement will help the country unlock key infrastructure advancements aimed at improving the country’s economy. The National Treasury has through a statement, welcomed the agreement describing it as a positive step towards addressing the high unemployment rate. “The financing forms part of the government’s broader efforts to implement structural reforms that strengthen public institutions, crowd in private investment, and improve service delivery across priority sectors of the economy. “The loan support is anchored on three key pillars of structural reform, i.e., improving energy security, enhancing the…