South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the closing session of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Taking Parliament to the People programme in Stilfontein, in the Matlosana Local Municipality in the North West Province, on Friday, 15 May 2026. Ramaphosa is coming to Matlosana after delegates of the NCOP led by NCOP Chairperson Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane and members of the North West Provincial Legislature conducted various oversight visits in the municipality from 12 to 15 May 2026 under the theme, “Celebrating 30 Years of the Constitution: Deepening Participatory Democracy for Service Delivery.”
Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya confirmed the programme focuses on strengthening public participation, oversight and cooperative governance across all three spheres of government.
“The National Council of Provinces, as the parliamentary House representing provincial and local interests at national level, plays a critical role in South Africa’s constitutional democracy through oversight of provincial and local government, cooperative governance, and the protection of provincial interests.
“Taking Parliament to the People brings democracy closer to communities by creating a direct platform for citizens to raise concerns and contribute to decision-making processes,” said Magwenya.
Delegates heard that the municipality is facing significant service delivery failures, widespread, severe sewage spills and deep potholes, and running facilities that are grappling with aging infrastructure, inadequate lighting, limited security systems and the absence of a full-time air traffic control tower.
PC Pelser Airport, situated between Klerksdop and Stilfontein, has become an embarrassment to both the City of Matlosana Local Municipality and the government of the North West.
Director of Community Services at the municipality, Pheello Setona confirmed that there is a lack of aircraft tracking records at a municipal airport, which exposes a breakdown in operational governance and safety compliance oversight.
This is a clear indication of a severe governance failure, directly impacting security, and safety compliance. The facility is grappling with aging infrastructure, inadequate lighting, limited security systems and the absence of a full-time air traffic control tower.
“We do not have a record of aircraft landing and taking off at this airport and this makes the facility a potential hub for criminal activities, especially considering the prevalence of illegal mining activities in the area.
This airport has significant potential. We can even establish an aviation school here, but the municipality currently lacks the budget required to implement the improvement plans,” said Setona.
While reporting back to permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and members of the North West Provincial Legislature, Setona asked for funding for the proposed upgrades of a municipal airport, has a 1 500-metre run away and 49 hangars, 11 of which belong to the municipality.
