Welcome to this week's edition of The Weekly Pulse, your comprehensive roundup of the most significant events, national developments, and local stories from the communities covered by The Go-To Guy. This edition is defined by soaring sporting highs, as the Blitzboks successfully defended their home title in Cape Town and the Proteas secured series wins.

Locally, communities balanced multi-billion rand investments and celebrated sporting heroes with the urgent management of sinkhole crises and persistent service delivery disruptions. This report provides a neutral and detailed summary of the key happenings, underscoring the dynamic shifts in South Africa's sporting, social, and economic landscape.

National: Sporting Dominance as Cricket and Sevens Rugby Roar Back

The national spotlight this week is firmly on South Africa's sporting achievements, as both the Proteas Men's and Women's cricket teams, alongside the Blitzboks Sevens rugby side, delivered dominant performances. The Blitzboks defended their home title in a historic final, while the Proteas Men levelled their series against India, and the Proteas Women secured a series win against Ireland, showcasing a wave of national sporting excellence.

Sports

• Blitzboks Defend Cape Town Crown in Thrilling Final: The Springbok Sevens team, the Blitzboks, successfully defended their HSBC SVNS Cape Town title with a narrow 21-19 victory over Argentina in the final. This triumph made the Blitzboks the first team ever to successfully defend the Cape Town title and concluded the weekend as the only unbeaten men's side at DHL Stadium.

• Proteas Men Level T20 Series Against India with Dominant Win: The Proteas Men secured a comprehensive 51-run victory against India in the second T20 International, levelling the series 1-1. The win was set up by a batting masterclass from opener Quinton de Kock, who scored a commanding 90 runs and was named Player of the Match for his "skill, intent, and flawless execution." The performance served as a strong statement of intent after a challenging first match.

• Proteas Women Secure Series Win Against Ireland: The Proteas Women secured their T20I series victory against Ireland, although rain denied them a potential 3-0 "clean sweep" as the third and final match was abandoned due to a sweeping storm in Benoni. Despite the anti-climactic finish, the team's dominant performance throughout the series ensured they walked away with the overall win.

Read these stories and more here: https://www.thegotoguy.co.za/the-gazette/categories/the-gazette

Potchgazette: Champions, Corruption Crackdowns, and Community Resilience

This week, Potchefstroom and the surrounding JB Marks Municipality showcased a blend of sporting excellence, focused community outreach, and critical administrative corrections. While local athletes and officials earned national recognition, the municipality successfully hosted a vital GBV dialogue and certified numerous community members in food handling. Concurrently, local governance focused on correcting systemic errors and enhancing safety on key transit routes.

News

• Community Mourns the Loss of "Potch’s Favourite Son," Johnathan Fourie: The Potchefstroom community gathered on December 8 to pay final respects at the Celebration of Life service for Johnathan Robert Fourie. Held at Duet Gemeente, the service was attended by a large crowd mourning the tragic loss of a community member whose leadership will "never be forgotten."

• Ventersdorp Libraries Pioneer Critical Dialogue on Gender-Based Violence and Mental Health: Ventersdorp Libraries, under the JB Marks Local Municipality, successfully hosted a vital Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Mental Health Dialogue on December 10 in Ventersdorp. The event served as a critical platform to foster safe discussion, awareness, and support in a region grappling with complex social challenges. The initiative highlights the library's expanding role beyond traditional literacy to encompass crucial community development.

Sports

• Dragons Suffer Loss but Prepare for Warriors Rematch: The North West Dragons experienced a significant defeat, losing by 8 wickets to the DP World Lions in the Hollywoodbets Pro50 competition, a "bitter pill" that tested the team's character. The team is now focusing on preparation for their upcoming match against the Warriors, emphasising their commitment to a strong reaction after the loss.

• Sub-8 Stunner: Potch’s Luan Munnik Obliterates Personal Best: Potchefstroom’s Luan Munnik shattered his Personal Best (PB) in the 3000m at the final meet of the 2025 Fast Track Series in Stellenbosch. The Potch Track Club athlete’s performance was hailed as a display of "raw speed and tactical discipline."

• Potch Fighters and Officials Named in National Team: The RCFAI Potch ICE-Team celebrated dual success as two of its standout fighters were officially named in the national team, earning their ultimate accolade. Additionally, two of the club's senior officials were also selected for the 2026 RCFA National Team, proving the club's overall excellence in the sport's administration and safety.

• Former Volkskool Learner Makes URC Debut as Referee: Hoërskool Volkskool Potchefstroom proudly announced that former learner Hanru van Rooyen (Matric Class of 2017) is set to make his debut as a referee in the United Rugby Championship (URC), marking a rare milestone for the school in international rugby.

Council

• Multi-Agency Roadblock on N12 Enhances Safety and Disrupts Crime: The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Potchefstroom successfully executed a high-visibility, cross-border roadblock on the N12 highway. The operation, which links Potchefstroom and the Gauteng Province, was a concentrated, multi-agency effort aimed at enforcing law-compliance, promoting road safety, and actively disrupting criminal activities along the significant route.

• JB Marks Municipality Certifies 106 in Food Handling for Economic Empowerment: The JB Marks Local Municipality's Local Economic & Rural Development Department celebrated a significant skills development event, awarding Food Handling Certificates to a total of 106 beneficiaries from the Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp regions. This achievement marks a substantial step toward enhancing skills and fostering economic growth within the local community.

• MSME Investment Pre-Summit Workshop Boosts Business Readiness: The JB Marks Local Municipality successfully hosted a pre-summit workshop in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT). The initiative was specifically designed to empower local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) ahead of the upcoming Provincial Mega Expo scheduled for December 9–10, 2025.

• JB Marks Municipality Corrects Bank Reference Error for Municipal Payments: The JB Marks Local Municipality issued an urgent public notice regarding an error in the bank reference information provided to residents for municipal account payments. The municipality is taking corrective action to ensure accurate payments are processed and that affected residents can have their transactions verified.

Community

• Potchefstroom Hospital Combines AIDS Awareness with Spectacle Backlog Clearance: Potchefstroom Hospital commemorated World AIDS Day and simultaneously conducted a successful drive to address a backlog in spectacle provision. These dual initiatives underscore the facility's commitment to both tackling major health challenges and improving comprehensive patient services.

• Urgent Call for Supplies and Volunteers for Vat Verniet Tafel Event: The "Vat Verniet Tafel" community initiative, focused on providing practical help to local families, has issued an urgent call for specific donations and professional services with just 11 days remaining until their special Children's event. The organisation is finalising preparations to ensure the day runs smoothly and provides maximum impact.

• Potch WhatsApp Discusses Power, Pet Alerts, and Pending Bills: Community discussions across Potchefstroom WhatsApp groups from December 5 to 10 were predominantly focused on navigating persistent municipal system errors, managing scattered power outages, and coordinating essential community services and voter registration drives.

Click here to view these full stories and more: https://www.thegotoguy.co.za/the-gazette/categories/potch-gazette

Ikageng Gazette: Dignity Restored and Festive Football Kicks Off

Ikageng is focusing on community development and vibrant festive celebrations this week, with the JB Marks Municipality planning a significant house handover ceremony to restore dignity for residents. Meanwhile, the community calendar is filling up with football action from the ABC Motsepe League and various fun-filled events for families and music lovers alike.

Sports

• NW Signal FC Faces NWU Tawana FC in ABC Motsepe League Clash: Football fans were treated to an exciting match in the North West ABC Motsepe League on December 10, 2025, when NW Signal FC went head-to-head against NWU Tawana FC at Promosa Stadium in Potchefstroom.

• NW Signal FC Set to Clash with Lethabong United: NW Signal FC is scheduled to take on Lethabong United in another exciting encounter for the North West ABC Motsepe League on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Promosa Stadium.

Council

• JB Marks Municipality to Host Official House Handover Ceremony: The JB Marks Local Municipality is hosting an Official House Hand Over Ceremony in Ward 06 on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 2:00 PM. This significant community event is being held as part of the municipality's initiative, 'Operation True Promise 4 Restoring Dignity'.

Community

• Ikageng Hosts Its 1st Annual Fun Day on 27 December: Ikageng is preparing for a major community celebration with the 1st Annual Fun Day taking place on December 27. The event is organised by Blackson, Orion Music Entertainment, and Spacenation in partnership with the Kagiso Lerefelo Foundation, promising a full day of entertainment, family activities, and local performances.

• TMT Legacy Tavern Presents Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Music Festival Activation: TMT Legacy Tavern in Potchefstroom hosted a vibrant cultural music experience with the Mahika Mahikeng 2025 Cultural Music Festival Activation on Monday, December 8, 2025.

• Olwethu's Kiddies Fun Day Promises a Splash of Fun: The festive season is being boosted with Olwethu's Kiddies Fun Day, hosted at The View Palace. The event is designed to delight children with an afternoon of entertainment, featuring a vibrant, unicorn-filled theme and providing a fun outing for the whole family.

Click here to view these full stories and more: https://www.thegotoguy.co.za/the-gazette/categories/ikageng-gazette

Klerksdorpgazette: Infrastructure Surge, Inclusion Drives, and a United Front Against GBV

The City of Matlosana (Klerksdorp) experienced a busy and decisive week, focusing heavily on service delivery improvements, community inclusion, and administrative governance. Key events included a major outreach to deliver essential services to Kanana, the hosting of a vibrant Disability Rights Awareness programme, and a powerful municipal-led march against Gender-Based Violence. The municipality also announced significant debt relief and housing support, signalling a concerted effort to restore human dignity and financial stability for its residents.

News

• Klerksdorp Marched for Justice Against GBV: In a powerful demonstration of solidarity for the 16 Days of Activism campaign, the Klerksdorp CBD became a "hive of activity" on December 5, 2025. The Library Services Department of the City of Matlosana Local Municipality organised a significant 4-kilometre walk against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), drawing in municipal employees and community members seeking justice.

• Matlosana Municipality Enforces Ban on Pool Parties at Public Swimming Facilities: The City of Matlosana Local Municipality, through its Department of Sports, Arts & Culture, issued a Public Notice on December 9, 2025, to explicitly ban all pool parties at its public swimming facilities. This measure was implemented to ensure safety, order, and adherence to operational guidelines at municipal swimming facilities.

• Klerksdorp Weekly News Focuses on Infrastructure, Governance, and Community Spirit: The past week in Klerksdorp and the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District saw significant announcements from the North West Provincial Government, a renewed focus on local governance issues, and deeply personal community stories. The coming weeks are set to be dominated by ongoing investigations into local governance and infrastructure projects.

Sports

• Wessie-Netball's Golden Era Delivers Silver on National Stage: Hoërskool Wesvalia's netball program proved its national relevance, with the school proudly announcing that its former players and personnel continue to achieve great heights. The program is acknowledged for fostering not just players, but "ware nasionale talent" (true national talent).

• Curro Represents Dr. KK at Regional Chess Championship: Curro Klerksdorp announced that three of its learners, Liam Abraham, Chathem Appels, and Boipelo Moloantoa, were selected to represent the entire Dr. Kenneth Kaunda (Dr. KK) District at the prestigious Gauteng Inter-Region Chess Championship. The competition tests mental fortitude and strategic foresight.

• Golfers Tackle the Dark for Charity at Puttering for Paws Event: NTT Nissan Klerksdorp is hosting a unique Charity Golf Mashie on December 19, 2025, at the Village Mashie Golf Course in Orkney. All proceeds will benefit the Orkney & Klerksdorp Animal Shelter, with participants engaging in a Day and Night Golf competition, requiring them to bring their own luminous ammunition.

Council

• Thuntsa Lerole Outreach Brings Essential Services and Infrastructure Improvements to Kanana Township: The City of Matlosana and the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality successfully hosted the Thuntsa Lerole outreach programme in Kanana Township on December 5, 2025. The initiative delivered a comprehensive suite of governmental services directly to residents and addressed infrastructure improvements.

• City of Matlosana Champions Service Delivery Through Debt Relief and Housing Support: The City of Matlosana announced significant advancements in its commitment to improving residents' financial stability and quality of life. The efforts include substantial Eskom debt relief and targeted Human Settlements interventions for vulnerable community members, demonstrating a drive toward sustainable service delivery and promoting human dignity.

• Executive Mayor Sends Holiday Wishes Alongside Spectacular Christmas Lights Switch-On: The City of Matlosana has officially ushered in the holiday season with the Executive Mayor issuing a message of goodwill and announcing a key public event, the Christmas Lights Switch-On. This dual approach reinforces the municipality's commitment to community spirit as the year concludes.

• EPWP Workers Drive Festive Clean-up in Klerksdorp CBD under 'Love Your Street' Campaign: The City of Matlosana mobilised its Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) contingent to conduct a focused street cleaning and litter-picking drive in the Klerksdorp Central Business District (CBD) on December 11, 2025. This proactive initiative is part of the broader "Love Your Street" campaign to ensure a clean and healthy environment during the festive season.

Community

• Matlosana Celebrates Disability Rights Awareness Month with Dynamic Inclusion Programme: The City of Matlosana and the Matlosana Community Empowerment Forum (MACEF) successfully hosted a dynamic and vibrant programme on December 4, 2025, to mark Disability Rights Awareness Month. The event served as a powerful platform for celebrating disability inclusion and fostering greater community awareness.

• Sponsor a Kennel: Animal Shelter Seeks Comfort for Residents This Christmas: The Orkney & Klerksdorp Animal Shelter is appealing to the community to Sponsor a Kennel this festive season, as only 13 of the 82 kennels currently have a dedicated sponsor. Sponsoring a kennel directly ensures a safe, clean, and well-cared-for home for an animal waiting for a family.

• Dominionville Lights Up with Christmas Magic for Charity: The community of Dominionville held a full-scale festive celebration, proving that the spirit of giving is alive and well. The event, organised by locals Morne and Marlene with the support of Rotaract Klerksdorp, transformed the area into a playground of joy and focused on ensuring no child goes without.

Click here to view these full stories and more: https://www.thegotoguy.co.za/the-gazette/categories/klerksdorp-gazette

Carletonville: Water Triumphs and an Historic Eskom Agreement Amid Infrastructure Collapse

Carletonville and the Merafong region are defined this week by a profound contrast: a dramatic, community-driven victory that restored water to long-suffering areas, juxtaposed with the ongoing catastrophe of the R500 sinkhole and a fatal electrical incident. Crucially, the Merafong City Local Municipality and Eskom signed an historic agreement to secure electricity infrastructure and fiscal stability, signalling a major step toward addressing systemic service failures.

News

• R500 Sinkhole Catastrophe: Road Closure and Detour Implemented: The Merafong City Local Municipality issued a Road Closure Notice on December 8, 2025, confirming that a section of the R500 road has been temporarily closed following the formation of a large sinkhole. The collapse, which worsened recently, created a significant hazard in Carletonville requiring immediate intervention, and a detour has been implemented for road users.

• Fatal Electrocution in Kokosi: Public Warning Issued: The Local Municipality issued a Public Notice regarding a fatal electrical incident that occurred on December 5, 2025, in the Extension 1 Ring Breaker area. An unidentified male individual was tragically electrocuted in the incident involving a high-voltage electrical installation, prompting a public warning from authorities.

• Merafong Water Crisis Deepens Amid Payment Non-Compliance and Rand Water Restrictions: Prior to the week's water triumph, the Merafong City Local Municipality issued a notice on December 7, 2025, confirming the water supply situation remained critical across the municipality. This severe status was attributed to ongoing bulk water restrictions implemented by Rand Water due to issues including non-compliance with payment schedules.

• Carletonville Weekly News Highlights Community Triumphs and Urgent Local Challenges: The past two weeks in the Merafong area have presented a sharp contrast between notable community triumphs and pressing municipal challenges. Residents continue to grapple with essential service failures and ongoing safety concerns, with the R500 collapse and the widespread water crisis remaining the central, unifying challenge against which community members are compelled to demand accountability.

Sports

• Callies Teachers Serve as Officials at Sun City Golf Tournament: Two dedicated staff members from Hoërskool Carletonville, Mnr. Johan Bezuidenhout and Mnr. Quinton Snyman, traded the classroom for the golf course as they served as officials at the prestigious annual golf tournament at Sun City. This opportunity allowed the teachers to share shoulders with golf legends at one of the world's most sought-after sporting destinations.

Council

• Historic Agreement: Eskom and Merafong Sign DAA to Fortify Electricity Infrastructure and Fiscal Stability: The Merafong City Local Municipality and Eskom jointly announced the official signing of a Distribution Agency Agreement (DAA) on December 8, 2025. This historic cooperative measure is crucial for improving operational efficiency, enhancing service delivery, and ensuring a consistent and reliable electricity supply for all Merafong communities, signalling a new era of fiscal stability and infrastructure commitment.

Community

• Triumph and Tenacity: Fochville Water Flows Again: The communities of Kokosi, Fochville, and Greenspark experienced a moment of profound relief and triumph as water finally began flowing in their taps on December 11, 2025, after "long, painful months of suffering." This victory, heralded by the Greater Fochville Water Crisis Committee, symbolises the power of community resilience in the face of a severe "man-made crisis."

• Oujaarskuier by Innidorp: New Year's Dance and Braai Planned: Innidorp Restaurant in Fochville is planning a lively New Year's Dance and Braai for December 31, 2025, featuring the music duo AJ de Vos & Arno van der Hoff. The event promises live music, braai meat, and a festive atmosphere to ensure the year ends on a high note.

• SPCA Staff Rescues Dog from Deep Khutsong Pit: A dramatic rescue unfolded on December 5, 2025, after a dog, now named "Survivor," was found trapped in a dangerously deep hole near Khutsong for days. A brave employee from the Carletonville SPCA risked his safety and was unexpectedly assisted by illegal miners in a remarkable act of compassion, with the dog currently safe and awaiting a new home.

• Innidorp's Holiday Fun Programme Back by Popular Demand: Innidorp in Fochville is bringing back its popular Holiday Programme for children. This is good news for parents seeking a safe and fun place for their children to play and relax during the December school holidays.

Click here to view these full stories and more: https://www.thegotoguy.co.za/the-gazette/categories/carletonville

The Pulse That Keeps Us United

The stories compiled in this edition of The Weekly Pulse reflect a nation and its communities navigating both significant change and enduring challenges. While the record-breaking power of the Blitzboks defending the Cape Town title provides a source of national pride, and the historic Distribution Agency Agreement signed between Eskom and Merafong signals a new era of stability, the ongoing catastrophe of the R500 sinkhole and the critical water supply issues continue to highlight real-world pressures on citizens and infrastructure. However, the dramatic return of water to Fochville, heralded by community resilience, proves that local efforts can overcome systemic failures. We remain committed to being your Go-To Guy, providing the comprehensive and neutral coverage you need to stay informed about the pulse of your world.

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