MAHIKENG — In a strategic move to strengthen provincial governance and fast-track economic development, North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi announced key changes to the Provincial Executive Council during a quarterly media briefing on Wednesday, 12 August 2026.
The reshuffle comes on the heels of a comprehensive performance assessment of various provincial departments.
According to Mokgosi, the adjustments are directly aligned with the government’s recently adopted Medium Term Development Plan and the 2026 Provincial Growth and Development Strategy.
In his address, Mokgosi emphasized that the administration is legally and operationally bound to evaluate provincial departments and their executives against a strict development mandate.
“Government, through the adoption of the Medium Term Development Plan, has mandated us to see to the full realisation of the three priorities encapsulated in this programme and as aligned to the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy recently in 2026,” Mokgosi stated.
The Premier outlined the three core priorities driving his administration’s agenda: driving inclusive growth and creating jobs, reducing poverty while tackling the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state.
Invoking his constitutional authority to optimize provincial governance, Mokgosi announced the immediate structural changes.
“In terms of Section 132 (1) and (2) of the constitution, the Premier has the Executive Powers to make changes and strengthen the work of government in the implementation of these objectives,” he explained.
The executive re-arrangements feature three major shifts:
• Dr. Desbo Mohono has been appointed as the new MEC for Education, taking over a critical portfolio aimed at bolstering provincial academic outcomes.
• Wessels Morweng vacates his previous deployment to head the Department of Arts, Culture, Sports, and Recreation.
• Virginia Tlhapi steps in to take over the reins as the MEC responsible for Community Safety and Transport Management, tasked with overseeing provincial security and transit networks.
Mokgosi concluded the briefing by reiterating that these administrative shifts are designed to ensure that the respective executives adhere strictly to the provincial mandate and deliver tangible results for the people of the North West.
Meanwhile, Mokgosi emphasised that reviving the provincial economy hinges directly on stabilizing its local government structures. Identifying municipalities as the primary catalysts for local economic growth, he outlined their constitutional mandate to build and maintain core infrastructure while ensuring the seamless provision of reliable basic services.
In his address, Mokgosi argued that creating a predictable and efficient local environment is a prerequisite for forging sustainable partnerships between local enterprises and private investors.
While acknowledging that the province’s municipalities are “not yet out of the woods,” the Premier pointed to targeted interventions implemented by the Provincial Executive Council as a turning point. These continuous oversight measures have reportedly yielded registered progress in municipal audit outcomes, signalling a steady improvement in financial governance practices across the region.
According to the provincial administration, these improved outcomes are crucial milestones in restoring investor confidence and eliminating institutional inefficiencies that stymie employment growth.
Moving forward, the provincial government’s strategy relies heavily on leveraging these governance reforms to attract outside capital. Shifting away from standard public-sector employment initiatives, the administration intends to position the North West as a competitive destination for private investment, particularly within struggling local municipalities. By enforcing strict adherence to good governance, the executive council aims to eliminate corruption and red tape, creating a transparent ecosystem where private entities can safely coinvest in regional development.
Mokgosi concluded this segment of the briefing with a firm directive to provincial and local leadership, reiterating that under the weight of a 56 percent extended unemployment rate, institutional complacency will no longer be tolerated. The upcoming fiscal quarters will serve as a testing ground for whether these financial governance gains can successfully translate into tangible factory floors, infrastructure projects, and long-term jobs for the people of the North West.
“Moses Kotane, JB Marks, and Greater Taung Local Municipalities improved from qualified to unqualified audit opinions, joining the Bojanala Platinum District, Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, and Moretele Local Municipality in the 2025/26 financial year. Mamusa Local Municipality has moved from adverse to qualified opinion. Notably, disclaimer audit opinions have decreased significantly from nine municipalities in 2020/21 to just one in 2024/25, which is Ditsobotla Local Municipality.
“As the provincial government, we also want to applaud Ratlou Local Municipality for improved performance, from a disclaimer to a qualified outcome. This municipality has successfully completed the submission of the Annual Financial Statement (AFS) without the use of consultants,” said Mokgosi.
