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JB Marks Municipality Confirms Uninterrupted Refuse Collection and Launches IDP Public Engagements
The JB Marks Local Municipality has entered a period of heightened administrative and community activity this April 2026. While the Communication Unit has ensured that basic service delivery remains steady during the holiday season, the Executive Mayor has simultaneously called for residents to take an active role in shaping the long-term future of the region through the 5th Generation Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and 2026/2027 Budget process. Image: The Go-To Guy Creati

Karen Scheepers
Apr 12 min read


JB Marks Local Municipality Initiates Public Participation for 5th Generation IDP
The JB Marks Local Municipality has officially launched its public engagement phase for the development of the 2026/2027 Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Budget. As a critical component of local governance in South Africa, the IDP serves as a strategic roadmap designed to align municipal planning with the actual needs and priorities of the community. Under the leadership of Executive Mayor Councillor Gaba Thithiba Ka Qhele, the municipality is calling upon residents and

Karen Scheepers
Mar 262 min read


Recovery Efforts Continue: JB Marks Technical Teams Target Remaining Outages
The electrical crisis that began yesterday in the JB Marks Local Municipality continues into Tuesday, March 24, 2026 . While significant progress has been made on the primary infrastructure failure, the municipality has confirmed that several residential areas remain without power as technicians navigate a complex web of interconnected faults. Image: JB Marks Clarification on Affected Areas Municipal officials have clarified that the current outages in Suiddorp, Miederpark,

Karen Scheepers
Mar 242 min read


Massive Power Outage Grips Potch Following Infrastructure Fire
Residents and businesses across a significant portion of the JB Marks Local Municipality are facing a prolonged period of darkness following a major technical failure on the primary electrical grid. What began as a standard investigation into a trip earlier today has escalated into a complex restoration project that is expected to last well into the night, if not longer. Initial Discovery and Scope of Impact The disruption was first noted at approximately 12:50 PM , when mun

Karen Scheepers
Mar 232 min read


Weekly Pulse: Potchefstroom, Ikageng & Promosa (13–20 March 2026)
This edition of the Weekly Pulse captures a week of intense sporting rivalry, significant municipal updates, and critical community alerts. From the roar of the Fanie du Toit Stadium to the heated debates in the JB Marks Council, the Tlokwe region has been a focal point of activity as autumn settles in. Infrastructure & Governance: The Budget Aftermath The fallout from the JB Marks 2025/26 Adjustment Budget continues to dominate local discourse. Following its forced adoptio

Karen Scheepers
Mar 203 min read


The Pulse: Potchefstroom, Ikageng & Promosa Regional In-Depth (1–13 March 2026)
This comprehensive edition of the Pulse dives into the heart of the Tlokwe region during the first fortnight of March. It has been a period marked by high-stakes local governance, remarkable sporting achievements, and a deep sense of community mobilization as residents navigate both tragedy and triumph. I. Infrastructure & Governance: The "Adjustment" Debate Potchefstroom’s political landscape reached a boiling point this week as opposition parties formally slammed the JB M

Karen Scheepers
Mar 134 min read


JB Marks Local Municipality Issues Formal Invitation for 2024/2025 Annual Report Public Participation
The JB Marks Local Municipality has officially issued a public notice convening a critical participation meeting scheduled for Thursday, 19 March 2026 . This gathering is a central component of the municipality’s oversight process regarding the 2024/2025 Annual Report . In accordance with Section 129(3) of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) , the Municipal Council is legally required to consider the performance report and provide a platform for the local community

Karen Scheepers
Mar 122 min read


JB Marks Local Municipality Hosts Market Day to Bolster Local Economy
The JB Marks Local Municipality has officially announced its upcoming Market Day , a strategic initiative designed to stimulate local economic growth and showcase the diverse cultural talent within the region. Scheduled for late March, the event represents a collaborative effort between municipal departments and the Potchefstroom Tourism Association to provide a platform for small businesses and performers. Driving Economic Growth through SMME Support At the forefront of thi

Karen Scheepers
Mar 112 min read


JB Marks Local Municipality Invites Public Feedback on 2024/2025 Annual Performance
The JB Marks Local Municipality, which identifies itself by the slogan "Marks of Excellence," has officially initiated a transparent review process for its latest fiscal year. By opening its doors to community scrutiny, the municipality aims to uphold its statutory obligations while fostering a collaborative relationship with the residents of Potchefstroom and surrounding areas. This move is part of a broader effort to ensure that local governance remains accountable to the p

Karen Scheepers
Mar 62 min read


Major Road Closure Announced for Potchefstroom Infrastructure Upgrade
The JB Marks Local Municipality has announced a significant, long-term temporary road closure in Potchefstroom to facilitate the next phase of the Promosa and Poortjie Dam Bulk Sewer Line Upgrade Project . Starting Monday, 23 February 2026, a portion of Daniel Street will be closed to allow contractors to trench and install a critical pipeline crossing. This project is part of a broader municipal strategy to strengthen and modernize the bulk sewer infrastructure serving the r

Karen Scheepers
Feb 232 min read


JB Marks Municipality Intensifies Infrastructure Oversight and Skills Development
The JB Marks Local Municipality has entered a period of intensive operational activity, focusing on long-term infrastructure resilience and the empowerment of local businesses. From high-level site inspections led by the city's top leadership to specialized training for the tourism sector, the municipality is signaling a concerted effort to modernize service delivery and foster economic growth across its districts. Image: JB Marks Executive Leadership Conducts Infrastructure

Karen Scheepers
Feb 232 min read


Technical Failure Disrupts Prepaid Electricity in JB Marks
Residents within the JB Marks Local Municipality are currently facing challenges with energy procurement due to a significant technical breakdown. On Sunday, 22 February 2026, the municipality issued an official notice to all media outlets regarding an ongoing issue affecting the systems used for prepaid electricity transactions. This disruption has left many community members unable to top up their meters as the municipal vendor's platform remains inaccessible. Image: The Go

Karen Scheepers
Feb 232 min read


NWU and JB Marks Local Municipality Formalize Strategic Alliance for Regional Development
The landscape of local governance and tertiary education in the North West province marked a significant milestone this week as the North-West University (NWU) and the JB Marks Local Municipality convened to solidify a long-term developmental partnership. The strategic engagement, held at the NWU Potchefstroom Campus, served as a formal platform for senior leadership from both entities to align their institutional capacities toward the socioeconomic advancement of the region.

Karen Scheepers
Feb 103 min read


JB Marks Local Municipality Issues Urgent Warning Over Payment Scams
The JB Marks Local Municipality has released an public notice, warning residents of a sophisticated scam currently targeting municipal customers. Fraudulent messages, distributed via SMS and WhatsApp, are falsely claiming that residents face immediate service disconnection unless urgent payments are made to specific bank accounts. Image: The Go-To Guy Creations Anatomy of the Scam According to municipal officials, these fake notifications are designed to appear official, oft

Karen Scheepers
Feb 92 min read


DA Elects New North West Leadership and Names Professor Theo Venter as JB Marks Mayoral Candidate
Following the Democratic Alliance (DA) North West Provincial Congress held this past weekend, the party has officially set its leadership and municipal strategy for the 2026 election cycle. As of February 9, 2026, the party has transitioned from its convention to active campaigning, centered around a newly elected provincial executive and the mayoral candidacy of Professor Theo Venter for the JB Marks Municipality. Image: DA New Provincial Leadership Confirmed The congress, w

Karen Scheepers
Feb 92 min read


Potch Faces Widespread Utility Crisis Following Severe Weather
Significant portions of the JB Marks Local Municipality are currently grappling with a dual-utility crisis as severe storms have caused extensive power outages across the region, while scheduled maintenance and pipe repairs have resulted in water service interruptions. The disruptions, which began over the weekend, have affected a broad range of residential, agricultural, and industrial zones, including Wilgeboom, Ikageng, Mooibank, and the Central Business District. Critical

Karen Scheepers
Feb 22 min read


A Week in Potch WhatsApp: Power, Pet Alerts, and Pending Bills
This report covers the primary community discussions and service delivery alerts shared across Potchefstroom WhatsApp groups from Friday, December 12, to Wednesday, December 17, 2025. The week was defined by a mix of infrastructure challenges, security warnings, and continued troubleshooting of municipal administrative systems. Image: The Go-To Guy Creations 💻 Municipal Billing and Cabledocs Update The Cabledocs online system remains a central topic of conversation as reside

Karen Scheepers
Dec 18, 20253 min read


JB Marks Local Municipality Announces Brief Mid-Day Closure
Residents and businesses within the JB Marks Local Municipality are advised of a temporary adjustment to municipal operating hours taking effect today, Thursday, 18 December 2025 . To facilitate a scheduled year-end staff function, administrative offices across both regions of the municipality will conclude their operations earlier than usual. According to an official public notice released by the Office of the Municipal Manager, Mr. Kgomotso Kumbe, the doors will close to th

Karen Scheepers
Dec 18, 20251 min read


A Week in Potch WhatsApp: Power, Pet Alerts, and Pending Bills
This report covers the key community discussions and service delivery alerts shared across Potchefstroom WhatsApp groups from Friday, December 5, to Wednesday, December 10, 2025. The focus of the week was predominantly on navigating persistent municipal system errors, managing scattered power outages, and coordinating essential community services and voter registration drives. Image: The Go-To Guy Creations 💻 Municipal Account System Issues The issues surrounding the municip

Karen Scheepers
Dec 11, 20253 min read


MSME Investment Pre-Summit Workshop Boosts Business Readiness
The JB Marks Local Municipality - Local Economic and Rural Development Department , in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), successfully hosted a build-up workshop on Friday, December 5, 2025 . 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. Image: JB Marks Capacity Building

Karen Scheepers
Dec 8, 20252 min read
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