North West residents are eager to hear solutions to persistent issues plaguing the province, particularly infrastructure and high youth unemployment.

Residents have urged North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi to deliver on promises, ahead of his state of the province address (Sopa) in the provincial legislature in Mmabatho on Thursday morning (27/2).

Improve our roads and public transport, resident asks. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

The poor state of road infrastructure in rural areas worried NWU postgraduate student Koketso Dikobe, who lives in a nearby village. “One of the changes I would like the premier to focus on is improving our roads and public transport.

“In my village, we don’t have proper roads, and public transport services are limited. As a student at NWU, it’s quite difficult for me to travel to campus, especially for early classes that start at 07:00.

“Most of the time, public transport doesn’t enter our area because the roads are in such a bad condition,” she said. “Rain exacerbated the problem, as gravel roads become impassable, making it impossible to get public transportation to attend classes.”

Residents of places such as Klerksdorp and Mahikeng, where road infrastructure is in a dire state, shared her concerns. Potholes and deteriorating local roads have left motorists frustrated, with many calling for urgent government intervention.

While road infrastructure remains a pressing challenge, other NWU students have raised concerns over the age restrictions for government and municipal job opportunities. They called on Mokgosi to address their grievances and ensure fairer employment practices.

NWU political analyst Kedibone Phago weighed in on the broader expectations for Sopa, expressing scepticism about its effectiveness. “Sopa has become more of a talk show full of promises, with little tangible progress to show residents,” Phago stated.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg