THERE is concern about the state of the roads in the North West. Driving on the roads is a challenge for many motorists.
One of the motorists, Tshepo Mokgwe who travels to Mogwase daily said that potholes are putting their lives in danger. He said the potholes were so bad that motorists had to drive on the wrong side of the road which was dangerous for oncoming traffic.“The potholes here are so bad that if you are not familiar with the road, you might easily damage your tyres and get punctures. It’s frustrating driving there during peak hours as there is a lot of traffic, which makes it difficult to navigate through the potholes,” said Mokgwe.
Kelebogile Mthombeni said they struggle driving on these roads especially when it rains. “We hope that the government fixes the road because it’s been a long time.”She said that service delivery is poor in the province. Each year we are given promises which are never implemented.“We can’t continue living like this. We need services that were promised when we put government in power.”
North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi delivered the 2025 State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the North West Provincial Legislature on 26 February, outlining the government’s achievements, challenges, and plans for the year ahead.
In his address, Premier Mokgosi emphasized the province’s economic recovery efforts, infrastructure development, job creation, and service delivery improvements. He acknowledged the economic setbacks caused by global and national financial pressures but assured residents that the provincial government remains committed to economic growth and social development.
“We take this opportunity to appreciate the collaborative efforts undertaken by the Provincial Government with mining houses to address road infrastructure backlogs in the province.Subsequent to this, the Impala Bafokeng Resources has funded the rehabilitation of roads at Mafenya, Chaneng and Robega villages at a cost of R39 million.The 10km project was completed in June last year.”
“The recent investment of R160 million by the Anglo American Amandabult Complex gives credence to our ongoing efforts to foster relations with the private sector to address road infrastructure backlogs in the province.The communities of Manamakgoteng, Sandfontein Dikweipi, Segakwaneng and Ramokokastad in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality will benefit from the 15km roads upgrade due to be completed in October this year.The company has further pledged to fund a road linking Limpopo and the North West via Ramokokastad at an estimated cost ofR120 million.
Mokgosi said are they are hopeful that this pledge will be finalised and signed before the end of the current calendar year to commission the project for design and construction.All these initiatives amount to more than three hundred million rands worth of investment in road infrastructure.
“We have heard the cries of the people of Ward 1 and 2, in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality over the lack of a trafficable road between Dwarsberg and Pachsdraai.We have appointed consultants to commence with various investigations for urgent intervention to construct a new twenty-seven-kilometre tarred road.”
About The Author
