Lichtenburg, North West — Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa is returning to the Ditsobotla Local Municipality in the North West to provide a crucial update on national efforts to stabilize local governance and restore basic service delivery. The follow-up visit aims to assess the progress made since the national government intervened to address the area’s deep-rooted administrative and infrastructural challenges.
Minister Hlabisa previously convened with municipal councilors, local business owners, and traditional leaders to confront the severe governance and service delivery hurdles facing the community. The core objectives of the national intervention have been to stabilize the municipality’s administration and guarantee the provision of essential services, particularly reliable water access and road infrastructure maintenance, which are vital for retaining current businesses and attracting new investors.
To spearhead this stabilization effort, National Cabinet Representative (NCR) and Administrator Kopung Ralikontsane was appointed to oversee the municipality’s day-to-day operations. It has now been over eight months since his deployment, and the upcoming engagements will focus on reviewing the tangible progress achieved under his leadership.
However, feedback from residents on the ground suggests that significant challenges persist. Community members report that basic service delivery remains inconsistent, with many still forced to rely on wind pumps and alternative methods to secure water. Frequent electricity cut-offs continue to compound these difficulties, severely impacting both households and local enterprises.
The economic toll on local businesses has been substantial. Entrepreneurs operating car washes, salons, and other small enterprises are being forced to dig deeper into their pockets to survive. Many have had to purchase Jojo tanks, drill private boreholes, and continuously fund generator operations just to keep their doors open.
These ongoing service delivery failures echo a broader historical trend in the region. Notably, the major employer Clover relocated its cheese factory out of the area a couple of years ago, explicitly citing insurmountable basic service delivery challenges as the primary reason for its departure. Today, observers note several closed business premises in Lichtenburg, with frustrated owners pointing to the lack of reliable municipal services as a key factor hindering their ability to operate.
During this visit, Minister Hlabisa is scheduled to engage directly with councilors, traditional leaders, and Administrator Kopung Ralikontsane. The discussions will center on evaluating the outcomes of the intervention thus far, identifying gaps that still require attention, and establishing actionable steps to ensure long-term stability and consistent service delivery for the residents of Ditsobotla.
