North West Premier, Mr Kagiso Mokgosi, has called for stronger accountability, improved financial management and intensified service delivery at municipal level as the National Council of Provinces’ (NCOP) Taking Parliament to the People (TPTTP) programme officially commenced in the City of Matlosana Local Municipality on Tuesday.
Speaking during the opening session of the programme at the Spirit of Word Church in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, Premier Mokgosi said restoring public confidence in local government requires municipalities to improve governance systems and ensure communities receive reliable basic services.
“Local government plays a critical role in ensuring that communities receive services such as water, sewer collection and electricity,” the Premier said.
Held under the theme “Celebrating 30 Years of the Constitution: Deepening Participatory Democracy for Service Delivery”, the NCOP programme seeks to strengthen direct engagement between communities, Parliament and government institutions on issues affecting residents.
Premier Mokgosi said the initiative aligns with the provincial government’s Thuntsha Lerole accelerated service delivery programme, which creates platforms for communities to raise concerns directly with government leaders. “This programme aligns with our provincial programme, Thuntsha Lerole, which affords communities the opportunity to raise pertinent issues relating to service delivery and governance,” he said.
The Premier used the platform to highlight ongoing provincial interventions aimed at stabilising municipalities and improving governance across the province.
Referring to the provincial government’s Kgothekgothe initiative convened by the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) in February 2026, Mokgosi said the gathering resolved to strengthen financial management and enforce consequence management where governance failures occur.
He said that the programme reaffirmed the urgency of improving the delivery of basic services, including water, electricity, sanitation and roads, while also addressing housing challenges facing communities across the province. “To restore public confidence in local government, municipalities must improve governance, strengthen financial recovery measures and ensure efficient service delivery.”
The Premier also welcomed signs of stability returning to Ditsobotla Local Municipality following the implementation of a Section 139(7) intervention in September 2025 by the national Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. He noted that this intervention was due to years of governance and financial instability, including unfunded budgets, mounting debt, unpaid salaries and deteriorating service delivery.
“The intervention, which will remain in place until after the 2026 local government elections, was implemented in response to severe governance and financial challenges in the municipality,” he said.
Premier Mokgosi further emphasised the importance of cooperation between municipalities, traditional councils and Khoisan leadership structures in strengthening governance and social cohesion within communities. The Premier also paid tribute to former Botswana President Festus Mogae, describing him as a leader whose legacy was grounded in ethical leadership and ubuntu.
Meanwhile, City of Matlosana Mayor, Cllr Fikile Mahlophe, welcomed the continued collaboration between the municipality and the provincial government.
The Taking Parliament to the People programme will continue throughout the week, with NCOP delegates, provincial leaders and government departments engaging communities on governance, service delivery and socio-economic development challenges.
Justice Molafo
12 May 2026
Arrange a tour