Subscribe to daily business and company news across 19 industries The Premier Skills PE teacher training was held at St Mary’s Secondary School in Mahikeng from 14 to 17 April Leolo Technical High School in Burgersfort hosted its session from 22 to 26 April Both workshops form part of a powerful collaboration between the Premier League and MultiChoice’s SuperSport Let’s Play initiative the training sparked fresh momentum as teachers completed the four-day programme “We are very excited and honoured to be selected as a beneficiary of the Let’s Play sports field,” said Ramolefe Boitumelo “This programme will benefit not only our school but the wider Mahikeng community as well.” with local educators embracing their role as community changemakers Over the five-day training at Leolo Technical High teachers were equipped to run engaging and adaptable PE lessons using local resources and real-world methods Principal Mathebula of Leolo Technical High School reflected on the lasting impact of the initiative noting how the school’s approach to sports has evolved since the training and the earlier handover of a dedicated SuperSport’s Let’s Play sports complex “We believe that the mindset of the school community has changed from the moment the sports complex was handed over This training initiative ensures we now have a layer of coaches both inside and outside the school.” Since the launch of Premier Skills in October 2023 more than 700 teachers and coaches across 25 districts have been trained with support from SuperSport’s Let’s Play Centres of Sporting Excellence (LPCOSE) These centres offer multi-purpose sports fields and serve as hubs for sustainable physical education Training has already been rolled out at five LPCOSE sites namely Tsholomnqa High and Butterworth High in the Eastern Cape Graduates also form part of Local Organising Committees (LOCs) that lead community events like the Let’s Play Fun Run and Modified Hockey Heritage Day Festival drawing over 6,000 participants nationally and helping to expand access to community sport programmes Educator Nomthandazo Madlala shared her enthusiasm “Our teachers have benefitted a great deal with the Premier Skills initiative We are able to face the PE lessons with confidence and relevant knowledge We are motivated to establish both in- and out-of-school activities to ensure that the sports hub benefits the learners.” Premier Skills is helping teachers deliver more structured PE while creating more opportunities for learners to be active For more information, visit www.multichoice.com Choose a topic below and thereafter view all articles on the topic using the "Next >" button or swiping left Choose a topic below and thereafter view all articles on the topic using the "Next >" button or the keyboard right arrow key Home | South Africa A learner from Mahikeng, North West, has died allegedly after eating snacks bought from street hawkers last Friday bought snacks from one of the hawkers next to the school at Ramosadi Village They subsequently complained about stomach cramps when they arrived at school The family blames the school for not calling for help on time “We still have questions that we can’t answer because now the children are sick “The School Governing Body or the management of the school even the principal they did not make an effort; maybe the one who passed on could not have passed on if they had called the ambulance but they did not call us to tell us that the children are sick it means we would have lost both the children.” The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus is increasing its teaching spaces by constructing new laboratories and lecture halls this year to address the growing needs of students and staff The construction of geography and life sciences laboratory spaces under the Faculty of Education began on 15 January These facilities are located in the central parking area of the A4 New lecture halls are also being constructed behind the nursing building will include two 400m² laboratories dedicated to student practical learning each with a capacity to accommodate 120 students a 300m² GIS computer lab equipped with 84 computers will be available to support student research and learning The facilities will be specialised for the subject groups Geography and Life Sciences within the Faculty of Education providing tailored spaces to support practical learning modules This development aims to address the growing annual student intake and enhance the overall learning experience According to project manager Thapelo Moela the new lecture halls will be able to accommodate 650 students "This facility includes a 350-student lecture theatre and two 150-student lecture theatres The design caters to flexible learning configurations and reflects input from early engagements with end-users and university stakeholders," says Thapelo He explains that the lecture halls were designed to meet various student group needs "The forecourt provides pause areas under a partially covered canopy The facility design ensures universal access The project team analysed the needs of students and lecturers to ensure the spaces meet academic requirements "Advanced sound attenuation measures were integrated to meet stringent acoustic standards We also included state-of-the-art audio-visual systems with displays positioned for optimal visibility as well as smart controls for lighting and sound The furniture design considers ergonomic needs for both able and less-abled students." The lecture halls are also equipped with interactive learning technology "These spaces support student-lecturer engagement Each theatre has sound lobbies to minimize noise interference ensuring the functionality of the spaces," adds Thapelo “We keep the project on track by meeting bi-weekly to review progress and address issues promptly the projects will be completed within the revised timeline." These developments are part of the NWU’s commitment to enhancing academic spaces and supporting a conducive learning environment Scores of pupils could not go to their respective schools in and around Mahikeng in the North West due to heavy rains that have left houses damaged and roads closed This is after the South African Weather Service (Saws) indicated that there will be continual showers expected on Wednesday The North West Cooperative Governance spokesperson Lerato Gumbi said the province experienced above-normal rainfall And the torrential rains are continuing in all parts of the province and have resulted in floods in most areas Bojanala Platinum and Dr Kenneth Kaunda Districts are the hardest hit regions Ditsobotla and Ratlou local municipalities “Reported incidents included motorists who got stuck in flooded roads and motorists were redirected to trafficable roads “Other roads which were reported to have flooded in the province included N18 outside Mahikeng towards Setlagole N14 between Sannieshof and Delareyville and on towards Vryburg R30 between Derby and Ventersdorp and R52 between Koster and Rustenburg,” he said He appealed to motorists to exercise caution when traveling on these and other roads as flooding may continue have been affected and damaged in some areas in the province Municipalities continue to conduct impact and needs assessments to determine the extent of damages They continue to establish the kind of assistance that would be needed Affected families will be given social relief packages such as food parcels He said in Mahikeng some of the roads were flooded mainly due to poor water drainage systems Some flooded roads in Mahikeng town have been closed as a result The National Department of Human Settlements has approved 20 temporary residential units for Bodibe And other units are being processed to assist affected residents in other areas of the province,” he said Saws mentioned that there is the likelihood of disruptive rain This is predicted around the coastal region of the eastern half of the Eastern Cape As well as the southern coastline of KwaZulu-Natal This will be before rainfall returns to the more favourable weather in South Africa “Given the potential impacts from this Sunday to at least Wednesday it is of great importance for the public to stay informed by monitoring weather warnings and updates from the Saws,” the statement read Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Tel: +27 11 268 6300 Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms & conditions and privacy policy Home | Politics Some opposition parties in the North West’s provincial capital Mahikeng have expressed strong reservations amid a tug-of-war in the province over the multi-billion rand Mahikeng Smart City development The Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements earlier called for an immediate halt to all mega and smart city projects and the precautionary suspension of the CEO of North West Housing Corporation Democratic Alliance provincial leader Freddy Sonakile and Economic Freedom Fighters provincial secretary Papiki Bauile oppose the project There seems to have been no consultation with the traditional council that was responsible god for the land there is also a pending court case that the department and the tribal council are undergoing Another case of wasted millions that could have gone towards assisting young people That could have gone to trying to improve the situation of North West,” Sonakile says ”As the EFF we support the move that the student smart city must be withdrawn while everything else that has to do with the land occupation of the land around Mahikeng must be investigated,” adds Bauile With heavy rains and flooding affecting the North West province some roads outside Mahikeng have been closed forcing drivers to take alternative routes The flooding has affected key roads across the province including the N18 outside Mahikeng and other roads are faced with significant disruptions Traffic authorities from the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management have been deployed to assist motorists and manage the situation has urged motorists to remain vigilant on the roads “One thing that we plead the motorists to do is not to drive during the night The weather forecast is that there will still be rain We are also aware of the Vaal Dam which is open and might cause a problem on our roads in the areas (surrounding) the Bloemhof Dam which is above its capacity we make a plea to motorists to please be safe.” residents living on the banks of the Vaal River in Orkney near Klerksdorp have decided to brave the torrential rains and evacuate their homes This is as fifth sluice gate of the Vaal Dam was opened to manage rapidly increasing water levels due to heavy rainfall Others have decided to remain behind for now VIDEO | Heavy rains wreak havoc in the North West:  Access to water and sanitation is recognised as a fundamental human right, essential for health, dignity and prosperity, according to the United Nations (UN) Water. But for many in South Africa, this is not the case, as communities endure the daily inconvenience and health hazards of sewage spills. In Mahikeng, North West, residents face constant sewage spills caused either by government negligence or by some locals tampering with the sewerage system. The situation highlights the ongoing struggle for basic services and the urgent need for solutions to protect public health and well-being. The picture is bleak for residents of areas such as Danville in Mahikeng who have sewage spills right on their doorstep, “For the past 20 years we’ve been living in conditions such as this, this to me is very inhumane because now waterborne diseases are increasing,” one resident laments. Another says, “The sewerage blocks now and then.” As the water and sanitation authority, the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality has acknowledged the problem. JOHANNESBURG - The Mahikeng High Court in the North West has set aside the sale of a house valued at R1.5 million, but auctioned for a mere R1000. The property was the subject of a dispute between parties who were married in community of property and was part of a divorce settlement reached in 2022. In terms of the settlement, the house was to be sold, and the proceeds divided equally between them. However, the auction took place with only two bidders and the winning bidder was the ex-wife’s attorney acting on her instructions. The court found that not all was fair in love and war. It set aside the sale of the house that happened in 2023 and interdicted and stopped the ex-wife from taking the transfer of the property into her name. In a 14-page judgment, Judge Ronald Hendricks found the sale of the house flew in the face of the principle of fairness. The court papers detail how the ex-husband found documents of the conditions of the sale of the property lying in the front yard of his house. When he enquired at the Office of the Sheriff, he was informed that the house had already been sold for R1,000 which he would have to split in half with his former spouse. Moreover, the court found that the property was not sold to an independent third party but that the ex-wife who placed the house on auction, had empowered her attorney to place a bid for the property. The judge then found the process to be unfair to the ex-husband. Sections Parents of learners at Matloding Primary School outside Mahikeng are demanding answers after a classroom ceiling collapsed during a lesson The North West Department of Education had previously committed to repairing the school which caters to both primary and secondary learners The department has yet to relocate secondary school learners to a renovated old school a move that would allow primary learners to use the mobile classrooms currently occupied by the seniors This delay has stalled renovations at the primary school Parents have accused the provincial education department of neglecting the safety and well-being of learners “This just exposed how irresponsible the Department of Education is They should have rushed here after this incident to see what happened Another parent highlights the school’s poor conditions We don’t know if it’s because we are struggling Children just help themselves anywhere because there are no toilets Imagine how senior girl learners change their pads when they are on their periods.” The incident has raised concerns about the department’s commitment to addressing infrastructure challenges and ensuring a safe learning environment North West are calling for the authorities to install stormwater drainage in their area This comes after Mahikeng and the surrounding areas have experienced torrential rains since last night Some of the residents have started to count their losses Some houses in Extension 39 were submerged in water following an overnight rainfall Some residents are unable to enter their homes due to flooded homes Others were busy trying to dry their belongings while others tried to rid their homes of water she lost her chickens and her other belongings The furniture in my house is all damaged including the food that I had for my children My kids cannot even play outside or even step on the floor inside the house.” Others lost their necessities like groceries Mahikeng local municipality MMC for Public Safety Baratang Mathe says the extent of the damages in the area will be assessed “We need to assess the situation in each and every individual household so that we can come up with measures to assist them We cannot just say we can assist them with this without assessing.” Residents meanwhile are fearful that they might lose even more if the torrential rain persists AVBOB celebrates a milestone by rewarding its members on a large scale Stoan Seate and Gospel artist Omega Khunou JOHANNESBURG - Music lovers will be kicking off the festive season in style.  WATCH: Mahika Mahikeng festival | Mzansi music and cultural experiences The seventh Mahika Mahikeng cultural music festival attracts thousands to the province to enjoy the beats For what we can expect from this year's installment Parliament’s engagement in the P20 and G20 discussions ensures that global policies on trade and governance directly benefit South Africans and the broader African continent through parliamentary oversight nmvana@parliament.gov.za Seeking to reinvigorate partnerships with universities and explore collaborative opportunities with students the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) visited the Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU) on 30 October 2024 “This is not a one-time event; we plan to hold similar outreach programmes more frequently in the future,” said Mr Rowan Walter the Divisional Head of SARB’s Modelling Development within its Economic Research Department The visit was part of the central bank’s Talk-to-the-SARB roadshow which is designed to engage with key stakeholders and promote dialogue and collaboration within the academic community The event provided students with valuable insights into career opportunities at the SARB and within the financial sector and raised the possibility of collaborating with students on smaller projects in the areas of model development Such interactions will enable students to enhance their academic work by integrating both theoretical and practical aspects of the central bank's operations These collaborations will open doors for NWU students as the SARB maintains close collaborations with the University of Pretoria the University of the Western Cape and Stellenbosch University particularly through its Bureau of Economic Research It hires recent graduates from these institutions and provides them with opportunities to work within the Bureau of Economics for one year This arrangement allows the graduates to acquire practical experience and insights from seasoned professionals which they can subsequently apply within their respective institutions the bank offers graduate programmes that enable recent honours and master’s graduates to apply for internships or graduate placements at the central bank for one year fostering professional development and knowledge transfer deputy vice-Chancellor for Community Engagement and Campus Operations at Mahikeng Campus expressed her appreciation for this initiative “The visit from the SARB inspired and informed students enhancing their enthusiasm for the diverse career opportunities available in central banking and related sectors,” she said “Such events play a crucial role in strengthening the connection between academic training and professional pathways thereby enriching the future workforce of South Africa’s economy.” Students and staff listen attentively to the presentations Ms Sumaiya Sidat (SARB) and Nimrot Lidovho (SARB) Mr Rowan Walter of SARB and the NWU’s Prof Daniel Metsileng during the presentations Mahikeng municipal manager, Advocate Dineo Mongwaketse, signed off appointment letters of tenders worth more than R100-million to two companies linked to the manager in the office of the mayor, Lekgowa Mahole Sunday World can reveal Mongwaketse signed off a letter to appoint BLTnP Security on a three-year contract worth R63.188-million in March BLTnP used Mahole’s physical address in Golfview Mongwaketse also signed off a R29 571 692.78 tender in February last year for the building of the Mmabatho sports facility in favour of Global Extensive Network Project This is a business joint venture where Alphons Kurata Makhoba Makhoba is also a director of Mphoentle Investments a company that Mahole used to own but resigned from in February 2023 just days after the contract to build the sports facility was awarded Mphoentle Investments is also registered in Mahole’s physical address – the same one used by BLTnP Security confirmed her firm won the R63-million tender and that she used Mahole’s address She also confirmed she had “rented” the space from Mphoentle Investments “before I moved to my current address” Mahole registered Mphoentle Investments as a sole owner “I don’t have any relationship with Mr Mahole nor does my business have any relationship with him.”   Floyd Ngwana, a director of the Global Extensive Network Project, also confirmed Makgoba was a part of the business joint venture and that they had won the R29-million tender “I know Lekgowa as one of the officials working in the municipality but I didn’t know that he was related to Makhoba But I can confirm Makhoba is part of the business joint venture that was awarded the contract to build the sports facility,” Ngwana said Mahole requested “a reasonable indulgence to allow me to respond in full” regarding BLTnP Security’s use of his physical address and his relationship with Makhoba But Makhoba confirmed Global Extensive Network “is my company” And the contract to build the sports facility was awarded to a business joint venture where my company Makhoba admitted Mphoentle Investments was Mahole’s company and “gave it” to him when he joined the government Makhoba denied knowing about BLTnP Security or renting space at Mphoentle Investments offices told Sunday World the municipality had not even registered BLTnP Security for VAT when it awarded a three-year contract worth R63 188 132.40 to the company in March 2024 The company was only registered for VAT by Sars on April 19 Modiboa also acknowledged the municipality awarded a contract worth R29 571 692.78 to the Global Extensive Networks Project he pointed out that it is a joint venture consisting Global Extensive Networks Project TOP K Projects and Thavhani Trading Enterprise Makhoba said he had no business relationship with BLTnP Security and couldn’t explain why it used the Mphoentle Investments’ address Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content  I am interested in lekgowa mahole and Makhoba’s story Police in the North West have arrested two men for the alleged murder of 43-year-old Motlalepule Kau The duo is expected to appear at the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of kidnapping, rape, and murder. Kau was reported missing last Wednesday in Mahikeng Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone says police followed leads that led them to discover the body in a shallow grave in the bushes between Tlakgameng and Kudunkgwane villages The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in North West condemns the brutal killing of a young woman whose body was found in a shallow grave in the bushes between Tlakgameng and Kudunkgwane villages The body was positively identified by a next of kin as that of Motlalepule Kau who was reported missing at Mahikeng police station on Wednesday The gruesome discovery came after forensic leads led the investigation teams that worked tirelessly in the area #sapsNW [UPDATE] Two male suspects, both aged 33, have been arrested in connection with this matter. They were arrested at Tlakgameng village and are expected to appear in the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, on charges of kidnapping, rape and murder. NP pic.twitter.com/hfgQ4cBv5S — SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) April 26, 2025 Home | Business Public logistics infrastructure in the North West is in a critical state says Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) functional transportation systems including much-needed upgrades to roads railways and airports are needed to position the agriculture and mining-dependent province as an import and export hub says such transport deficiencies have far-reaching economic impacts This comes as the Mmabatho Airport in Mahikeng remains largely unused after a R400 million SA Express tender was unscrupulously spent and the airport’s potential as a cargo port was also wasted “The fact that we have on our doorstep here in Mahikeng an airport which was functional which can be grown to not only service commuter passengers but also the transport of goods and services Our neighbouring countries are on the border and certainly one can look at Mahikeng as an airport itself as a hub for the export and even import of goods that then can be transported inland,” says Campbell the provincial Department of Community Safety and Transport Management says it has accepted bids for the management and maintenance of the airport as well as the Pilanesberg International Airport “The bidders had requested more time given the technicality of the requirements and I gave a directive that we must extend until the 22nd of February,” elaborates MEC Wessels Morweng  “So we are calling all capable people to come and partner with us to resuscitate Mahikeng airport which will in the main be used as a cargo and also to resuscitate Pilanesberg airport which we want to use for passenger lifting so it’s for that reason that transport is very important in enabling the economy,” he adds The Inkatha Freedom Party (IPF) says it’s working towards demystifying the myth that they are a regional or tribal party It has opened its first office in Mahikeng Though the IFP has been contesting elections in the North West it has not managed to secure a seat at any of the municipalities or in the provincial legislature The Tautona Velenkosini Hlabisa House has been unveiled The IFP says it’s on a mission to make inroads into the North West you can see that IFP is a national party that represents the people of South Africa,” says  Blessed Gwala With voting patterns having changed in the past general elections resulting in the formation of the Government of National Unity the IFP hopes to gain more support in other provinces outside of KZN “The outcome of the 2024 national and provincial elections has brought about a different political landscape and dynamics in South Africa that people are not now just voting because you were the liberation movement They are looking at parties and leaders that can deliver And that is why with leaders like ubaba Gwabeni here we are seizing this opportunity as the IFP so that he can develop more leaders here and we can be relevant in the North West Province,” says Narend Singh The party now has its eyes fixed on the 2026 local government elections all of them are going to be inspired from the Tautona Velenkosini Hlabisa office and they will be moving every square inch of the province it will take you to the promised land,” says Themba Gwabeni The IFP says they will put hands together to work towards growing support in the North West Video: North West – IFP opens first office in Mahikeng MAHIKENG - Sanco is threatening to shut down North West municipalities not delivering services the civic organisation marched to the Premier's office in Mahikeng But it says little has been done since then more areas have now taken their concerns to the provincial government Residents are frustrated with water and electricity cuts In further efforts to address service delivery the Save Mahikeng Movement is now in the process of collecting signatures for a petition addressed at the Premier's office and calling for his intervention Some residents of Mahikeng in the North West have criticised the Provincial Department of Human Settlements over the R54-million-Marang Estates housing project that has been abandoned for over a decade The remarks come after the Department’s MEC Oageng Molapisi announced their intentions of resuscitating the project which is built on a piece of land linked to the Hawks investigation into corruption The controversial project was halted by the National Home Building Registration Council (NHBRC) for non-compliance with its safety requirements Some residents in Mahikeng lament that money was already wasted on this a project that should have been used to improve the lives of residents I’m longing for those old days because those old days there was no corruption as it is happening right now.” “I think this has been a waste of money and a waste of infrastructure because they could have empowered our youth and benefitted our people and our local people here in Mahikeng.” Molapisi says the court case of officials arrested in connection with the matter will influence their next move officials who were involved have been arrested There is a court case that is still pending and I think very soon it will be finalised this is what we are going to do after being advised by the NHBRC.” NPA files interdict to halt sale of land that once belonged to the Mahikeng Municipality Public Protector Adv Kholeka Gcaleka will deliver a public lecture – titled “Community engagement and the role of the public protector in supporting and strengthening constitutional democracy” – at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus Adv Gcaleka holds an LLB degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and an LLM in commercial law from the University of Johannesburg She started her career as an aspirant prosecutor in 2004 at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and worked her way up after leaving the NPA as senior deputy director for public prosecutions she was employed as the special ministerial advisor for the departments of Public Service and Administration As special advisor she specifically focused on legislation and policy development probing the state of affairs of municipalities across Gauteng She is currently a board member of the International Ombudsman Institute a member of the United Nations Working Group of the International Ombudsman Institute and the chairperson of the African Ombudsman Research Centre She is also the co-drafter of the African Peer Review Mechanism South African Charter of the National General Council She was also the first black female to be appointed the national Chairperson of the Society of State Advocates was plunged into darkness on Thursday after an explosion at a sub-station affecting the electricity supply to Mahikeng Some areas of Mahikeng saw electricity restored a few hours after the incident but many parts have remained without power Eskom spokesperson Ezekiel Baruti says the estimated restoration time for the remaining customers and villages in Mahikeng is anytime after 8 o’clock this morning provided there won’t be any further complications or breakdowns The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has filed for an urgent interdict in a bid to halt another sale of land that used to belong to the Mahikeng Local Municipality in the North West The land was allegedly sold fraudulently more than 16 years ago and is linked to a Hawks investigation into corruption The initial sale also included a portion of land where the provincial Human Settlements Department invested R54-million for the abandoned Marang Estates Prime development land was sold for next to nothing and is now at the center of a corruption investigation The current owner wants to sell the land again forcing the NPA to file an urgent interdict in a bid to halt the sale The Mahikeng Local Municipality initially wanted to sell the land marked for development for R144-million but only got around R5-million This dubious deal is still under investigation 16 years later and the company that obtained this bargain is now in liquidation without settling their debt to the municipality The land was later sold on auction to another company for R16 million The company then changed names and sold and transferred portions of the land to five other companies and a trust account Law enforcement agencies tried unsuccessfully on numerous occasions to get a preservation order arguing that the land was obtained through criminal means They returned to court again after the current owner put the land up for sale in a WhatsApp message says this is abuse of the legal process and that the NPA had previously been unsuccessful with three different forfeiture applications to the high court Their previous application was dismissed in February 2024 and it is therefore possible that his clients would be able to sell the property denies that they are abusing the court process “The prevention of organised crime act allows the AFU to proceed on an ex parte basis The case was previously dealt with on technicalities and not on merits We will await their application for a rescission of the preservation order The NPA will not allow suspects to remain with proceeds of crime in their possession We will await their application for a rescission of the preservation order.” Opposition parties in the North West say a proper land audit needs to be done and the matter concluded speedily spokesperson for the EFF in the North West “We are quite concerned that even now the case is ongoing and there is no logic conclusion as to when it will be concluded the person who bought the property illegally is now about to auction as the EFF we are going to initiate a fully blown investigation into this and also look at the possible ways of stopping this process until the case has reached its own conclusion.” DA’s councillor in the Mahikeng Local Municipality “This thing of municipal managers and officials doing as they please is a Pasella all the time I’m sure if we do similar investigations to this one This particular situation let’s believe that the NPA will be able to stop the auction so that the investigations can be concluded ActionSA’s Provincial Chairperson Kwena Mangope says “This is clear dereliction of duty and it’s unacceptable ActionSA calls upon the provincial NPA to immediately establish specialized anti-corruption courts including additional forensic expertise in the NPA to ensure it has the capacity to effectively and efficiently investigate corruption.” The then municipal manager of the Mahikeng Local Municipality and six others have since appeared in court on charges of fraud contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act and the Public Finance Management Act The Mahikeng Local Municipality says they have not been able to recover any money lost during the sale Plans are afoot to restore the George Dick Montshioa Airport to its former glory in a bid to boost tourism trade and investment in the North West capital Mahikeng It has been more than three years since the airport was renamed George Dick Montshioa but the airport still bears the branding and signage of Mafikeng Airport The Mahikeng Local Municipality notes on its website that “the Mahikeng Airport The airport is designed to accommodate large aircraft and is not only ideal for both business and leisure activities but has been used on many occasions to host international as well as national air shows.”  The municipality further notes that “untapped business market in Mahikeng continues to flourish as the municipality still offers lucrative business packages for industrial residential and business developments projects Mahikeng is a city of opportunities in the sector of agriculture manufacturing Maine said these facilities would boost tourism Maine said: “We are focusing on young people; we want to complete in this financial year all the infrastructure programmes; we want to bring the Mmabatho Stadium to its former glory so that we can host national and international games That is what is going to make me sleep well at night I want to see Mahikeng Stadium and the airport working again,” Maine said Maine was referring to assets that have been left to deteriorate for more than two decades some Mahikeng residents believe Maine’s dream is unrealistic we don’t want to hear or discuss it because I’ve seen the contrary for the past 30 years,” a resident said “There is no reason Mahikeng is what it is today it is because of a lack of leadership that Mahikeng is where it is We should be asking them questions about what happened.”  Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content The women’s football team of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus has been crowned champions of the North West Sasol Football League This victory positions the team as the top women’s football team in the province The NWU ladies exhibited consistent performance throughout the season This strong showing earned them the top spot in their stream and led to their triumph in the provincial playoff championship individual players and the coaching staff received accolades recognising her leadership that steered the team to this historic win acknowledging the vital role she played in the team’s solid defence was honoured as the Best Player of the Season highlighting her significant impact on the field Coach Moshushu expresses her pride in the team’s achievement Our goal was clear from the beginning of the league discipline and commitment from each player have been inspiring and this victory is a testament to their dedication.” the Mahikeng women now look ahead to the national playoffs scheduled to take place in the Western Cape in October These playoffs will see the top teams from various provinces competing for the ultimate title in the Sasol League the team will represent the North West province aiming to extend their winning streak on the national stage and to bring home the championship title Mmabatho Tladi earned the Goalkeeper of the Season award Keletso Nemukula was honoured as the Best Player of the Season The North West Department of Economic Development has stated that the North West Parks and Tourism was required to contribute R7 million to last year’s Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival due to a contractual obligation This comes after MEC Bitsa Lenkopane addressed the media following allegations by two former acting CEOs who spoke out about poor working conditions and persistent interference by Lenkopane The former executives informed the legislature’s portfolio committee that they were sidelined and intimidated during their tenure Lenkopane refuted the claims from acting CEO Charlene Jacobs that there was undue interference “The board came here to report about the R45 million that we deposited And we went out of the country and when we came back she told me about the whole corruption She gave me this and when I asked her where was she and what did she do – that is when I was told she was on her way So I’m still waiting for her but there’s no interference,” says Lenkopane “She does not understand the concept of separation of powers that politicians are not supposed to be involved in issues of administration a similar thing happened and MEC went on to the media to say that it’s a myth the story that employees have not been paid But to top it all is the fact that the MEC has chopped and changed from September with the one that has served the longest being three months.” Nceba Baardman from the PSA says the MEC must go “We want the premier to intervene in this problem to change the MEC because we don’t have trust in the MEC And also the employees of the entity have lost trust in the MEC.”