BOJANALA RESIDENTS ACCESS ESSENTIAL SERVICES AS COMMUNITY VOICES SHAPE OUTREACH

By Nonhlakanipho Masola

• Community representatives from the Manamakgoteng village in the Bojanala District Municipality in the North West presented government officials with a report on community concerns, including recommendations, during an outreach visit.
• As part of the Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme held in the community on 9 January 2026, residents raised issues of poverty, gender-based violence, youth development and the need for more social workers.
• Residents were also able to access various government services, including those from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Department of Home Affairs, and the Department of Health.

Following several days of community dialogues held throughout the week, representatives from Manamakgoteng village in the Bojanala District Municipality presented a consolidated account of community concerns and recommendations.

The engagements formed part of activities leading up to the Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme held on 9 January 2026, where residents not only shared their lived experiences but also accessed much-needed government services onsite.

Among the issues raised was unemployment, which community representative Lebohang Mosinyi from Koster identified as a major challenge for people aged 36 to 45, particularly women.

She explained that limited job opportunities often force women to remain in unhealthy marriages for financial survival, exposing them to abusive situations and contributing to the prevalence of gender-based violence.

Speaking on behalf of the youth, Tshepo Vlei highlighted that men often feel excluded from government programmes and called for their meaningful inclusion in development initiatives.

He further emphasised the need for education programmes that help men understand and respect women’s rights, stressing that women have the right to say no to sexual relations, even within marriage.

Community members also raised concerns about the shortage of social workers and called for improved service delivery in the district.

In addition to dialogue sessions, residents were able to access services from various departments and institutions on site, including the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Health, the National Development Agency (NDA) and participating banks, which provided services directly to the community.

Two women were successfully assisted and approved for Social Relief of Distress support during the outreach.

Addressing the feedback from the community, Minister Sisisi Tolashe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working collaboratively across departments and partners to expand access to basic services.

She noted that ongoing interventions in the municipality include youth employment initiatives and women empowerment programmes, adding that in the current financial year, 20 women from Manamakgoteng and Tlokweng will benefit from the Women Development Programme to the value of R500 000.