North West Education MEC Viola Motsumi says the despite ongoing progress, the province still faces an infrastructure backlog estimated at R21 billion.
The MEC tabled a R24 billion budget vote in the North West provincial legislature in Mahikeng on Tuesday.
The province’s social cluster departments, including Health, Social Development and Arts, Culture and Sports also presented their budgets.
MEC Motsumi said the department aims to fill all vacant teaching and management posts at various schools in the province.
A total of R1,3 billion has been allocated to infrastructure development to address backlogs and reduce overcrowding.
“Several new and replacement schools were completed and are now fully operational, including Richard Tumahole Lentsela Primary, Tlhalefang Primary, Kgosi Shope Secondary, Trotsville Primary, Batho Batho Primary, Monchusi Secondary, Mphe-Bana II Secondary, Sarafina, Tigane Primary and Sediko Primary Schools,” she said.
“These projects have helped address infrastructure backlogs and improve learning environments,” Motsumi added
Public special schools have been allocated R1,93 billion, specifically earmarked for pupils with intellectual disabilities.
Meanwhile, Social Development MEC Sussana Dantjie tabled a R1.9 billion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year as the province faces inadequate funding of NGOs.
Like other provinces in the country, families in North West are faced with unemployment and low household income making families heavily dependent on social grants
The province’s unemployment rate remains high, despite mining being a major economic driver.
Over R16 million has been set aside to fund NPOs to providing services to persons with disabilities.
“A record of 362 NPOs serving 202 000 vulnerable community members were assessed, validated and approved for funding in line with the sector funding model timeline,” she said.
“A total of budget of R286 million committed to fund the NPOs will yield economic spin offs by creating approximately 3649 job opportunities
across the province.”
The MEC of Arts, Culture and Sports Galebekwe Tlhapi also tabled a R860 million budget for the coming financial year.
Some of the priorities include filling critical vacancies of CEO and CFO at Mmabana Arts Centre, including the recruitment of board directors.
Tlhapi said R136 million will be allocated to the Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation.
The department also aims to complete outstanding library projects in Matlosana, Boitumelong, Bodibe and Ganyesa.
She also paid tribute to the late social activist in Mahikeng Thato Molasankwe, who was murdered last month.
Molasankwe has been described as a community leader that championed Mahikeng’s arts and cultural identity primarily as a dancer and cultural advocate at the Mmabana Arts Centre.
At the same time, Health MEC Sello Lehari tabled R18 billion budget.
Over the next three years R546 million would be directed to the procurement of over 100 new ambulances and patient transporters.
The department has also permanently appointed 2,400 community health workers.
“This includes a further 2,480 on contract basis. This means that the department has employed a workforce of 4,931 community health workers,” the MEC said.
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