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. The start of December brought contrasting news: soaring triumphs in international rugby, a looming crisis in the pay-TV industry, and a vital moment of national reflection for World AIDS Day. This report provides a neutral and detailed summary of the key happenings, underscoring

The news that Hennie, the iconic white bull terrier and cherished companion of comedian Rikus de Beer (better known as Jonathan from Radio Raps), had passed away was met with an outpouring of national sentiment. Far from being just a family pet, Hennie was elevated to the status of a cultural figure, affectionately dubbed the “ikoniese tjom”  (iconic chum). His life, and the subsequent widespread public farewell, is a profound story of how a dog’s personality became the philo

The City of Matlosana has issued an update concerning its meter reading processes and ongoing internal operational improvements, effective from Thursday, December 4, 2025. The municipality is currently undertaking an initiative to bring meter reading functions fully back under municipal management control . This transition involves a phased approach to ensure that newly appointed meter readers are comprehensively trained to capture the most accurate readings possible. Image:

The community of Carletonville and its surrounding residential areas are facing a rapidly escalating geological crisis, with recent sinkhole incidents and neglected infrastructure drawing chilling parallels to the tragic 1964 Blyvooruitzicht disaster. Over half a century after the Oosthuizen family vanished when a massive sinkhole swallowed their home, the same warning signs are flashing brightly, fueling intense anxiety among residents. The underlying concern is the high con

The Dual Content Crisis The African pay-TV landscape is on the brink of a major contraction as MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv, confirmed the imminent removal of at least four channels from its platform, with the potential loss of an additional twelve, bringing the total to a possible 16 channels  exiting by January 1, 2026. This extensive cutback is a result of a two-pronged development: the confirmed closure of four channels by their owners and a high-stakes stalema

The week of Friday, November 28, to Wednesday, December 3, 2025, saw significant activity across various Potchefstroom community WhatsApp groups. Recurring themes centered on power outages, water supply issues, municipal finance concerns, and general community safety alerts, highlighting ongoing service delivery and local governance discussions. Image: The Go-To Guy Creations ⚡️ Power Supply and Storms Power failures dominated the chat groups this week, with multiple outages

The JB Marks Local Municipality  has issued a public notice confirming a scheduled water shutdown affecting the Ikageng Pump Station. This necessary interruption is required to facilitate a critical infrastructure upgrade: the installation of a new Water Meter and Pump Control Valve . The upgrade work is being carried out by an appointed contractor and is essential for improving the efficiency and management of the local water network. Shutdown Details and Affected Areas The

A syndicate, including two municipal employees  and two community members  from Matlosana, was arrested on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, following a collaborative investigation into allegations of fraud and corruption within the City. The arrests were made by the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation), stemming from an investigation led by the South African Police Service's (SAPS) organised crime team. The investigation focused on allegations that the syndicate was

The North-West University (NWU)  is strategically advancing its internationalisation goals following high-level engagements at Otago University  in New Zealand on November 28. The visit focused on strengthening academic and research ties in the rapidly evolving fields of medical training, health research, and space science. The collaboration targets practical academic touchpoints, moving beyond mere agreements toward shared teaching, student mobility, and joint scientific pro

Commuters using the R500 road  face severe and prolonged disruption after a major sinkhole opened up on the provincial route earlier today, Wednesday, December 3. The affected section of the road, located at the turn-off to Goudvlakte  just past Red Cap Ranch , has been immediately closed by authorities. Motorists are being diverted and have been issued an urgent warning to reduce speed, particularly in the current wet weather conditions, as the complex process of repair begi

This Christmas, PAWS Haven's workshop is running on pure love and tail wags. The shelter has assembled a special team of fuzzy helpers who have been tasked with the most important jobs of the season. These dedicated dogs, affectionately known as Santa's Pawsome Pit Crew, are ready to fill their forever homes with maximum sparkle, cheer, and holiday dazzle. Image: The Go-To Guy Creations The Pawsome Crew of Helpers The crew members are taking their festive roles very seriously

As the holiday and festive season approaches, residents across all communities are being reminded to exercise extra vigilance  and implement proactive security measures. The festive period often corresponds with a statistically recorded increase in criminal activity , particularly in property crimes such as house break-ins and various forms of opportunistic crime. This heightened risk is often attributed to families travelling or relaxing their usual security routines, making

The City of Matlosana has implemented significant changes to its utility billing system and introduced a new online web portal. These measures are part of the municipality's ongoing efforts to improve the accuracy  and dependability  of monthly meter readings and enhance service delivery to consumers. The updates aim to provide greater clarity on how meter readings are processed and offer residents a convenient new method for submitting their consumption data. Image: The Go-T

The City of Matlosana's Sports and Recreation Department has announced the upcoming Learn to Swim and Water Safety Programme , scheduled for launch following the official media release on December 2, 2025. This vital community initiative is being executed in partnership with Swimming South Africa , Lifesaving South Africa , and North West Swimming . The programme is designed to bring together expert instructors and lifesaving professionals to enhance water safety knowledge an

With the festive season fast approaching, the Vat Verniet Tafel is intensifying its efforts to create special moments for families in need. The current focus is on assembling comprehensive food hampers for parents and individual joy packages for children. The team emphasises that continued community support is crucial to making this day truly special. Immediate Needs: Items for Family Hampers The organisation is specifically calling for donations of essential goods to fill th

The Potchefstroom Fire Protection Association had embarked on a major 800-hectare block burn project, a meticulously planned two-week operation aimed at clearing old grass and preparing fire breaks. Image: Trauma First Responder Chaplaincy The Unexpected Turn On October 7, 2025, what began as a routine day of burning and fire break preparation took a sudden, dangerous turn. As the day progressed, unexpected high winds whipped up, causing a section of the prepared fire break t

The City of Matlosana  has officially initiated a monumental economic and energy transformation, announcing billions of rands in renewable energy investments set to establish it as a premier clean energy hub  in the North West Province. Following a comprehensive press conference hosted by the Local Economic Development (LED) Directorate, the municipality confirmed that construction on large-scale solar projects, marking the city's most substantial investment wave in over a de

Stakeholders, community members, and supporters from across Potchefstroom gathered this week in a powerful show of unity to honour the life of 17-year-old Kelebogile Matlasenyane and other victims of gender-based violence. The gathering formed part of a broader restorative justice initiative aimed at supporting affected families while reinforcing the community’s shared commitment to combating violence against women and children. Community Gathering Focused on Healing and Soli

Large parts of Potchefstroom are currently experiencing a power outage, with the municipal electricity department confirming that efforts to restore supply are temporarily stalled due to severe weather conditions. 🛑 Restoration Efforts Delayed by Severe Weather The power outage was reported to municipal electricians around 14:30. While the fault has been identified and the department is aware of the situation, the ongoing storm has made working conditions unsafe for maintena

North West Delegates Forge United Front for NGC The African National Congress (ANC) in the North West province successfully concluded its two-day Provincial General Council (PGC)  on November 30, following intensive strategic deliberations held at the Potchefstroom Banquet Hall. Convened under the guidance of ANC National Chairperson, Cde. Gwede Mantashe, and NEC Deployee, Cde. Mduduzi Manana, the PGC was a critical step in preparing the provincial delegation for the upcoming