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 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

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

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

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

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

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

December 1st is globally recognised as World AIDS Day, a critical moment for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for those living with the virus, and commemorate those who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses. Instituted in 1988, it was the first-ever global health day and remains one of the most significant observances dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic and encouraging progress in prevention, treatment, and care. Imag

The Potchefstroom community has been invited to take part in a candlelight vigil on Monday,1 December at the Potchefstroom Court. The gathering forms part of the international 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children , a campaign that highlights the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide across South Africa. Local organisers encourages residents to stand together in solidarity, remembrance, and collective action. Image: The Go-To Guy

On Tuesday, 18 November 2025, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) released an extensive Investigative Report detailing systemic service delivery failures across several municipalities in the North West Province. The report follows a large-scale investigation conducted by the SAHRC’s North West Provincial Office after numerous complaints were lodged regarding chronic breakdowns in basic services. According to the Commission, the state of municipal governance in t

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) issued an urgent alert on 21 November 2025, notifying pet owners across South Africa of the recall of several dry dog and cat food products manufactured by RCL Foods. The recall affects more than 55,352 bags  of well-known pet food brands produced between 26–29 May , 4–5 June , and 17 June 2025 . Laboratory testing identified elevated levels of Deoxynivalenol (DON) , a naturally occurring mycotoxin in maize, in certain batches used durin

A continued partnership between the Cachet Park City Improvement District (CID) and its waste-management service provider, Deswalner Recycling, is yielding significant results for the Bult area in Potchefstroom. On average, the team removes around 200 tonnes of waste per month , with roughly 140 tonnes diverted away from municipal landfills through recycling and recovery efforts.  This initiative has become a vital component of keeping the busy student district clean, safe, a

T he Potchefstroom community will gather on Monday, 8 December 2025 , to celebrate the life of Johnathan Robert Fourie , whose tragic passing has left a deep void among family, friends, and colleagues. A Celebration of Life  service will take place at Duet Gemeente, 5 Govan Mbeki Avenue, Van der Hoff Park, Potchefstroom , beginning at 11:00 . The event will also be live-streamed  on the Fourie’s Poultry Farms (Chubby Chick) Facebook page , allowing those unable to attend in

The annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence , observed from 25 November to 10 December , has officially begun, a period recognised globally and locally as a time for reflection, awareness, and united action against violence in all its forms. For communities across South Africa, the campaign serves as a reminder that safety, dignity, and protection are not privileges but basic human rights. A Time to Stand Together The start of the campaign marks an important

Carletonville Hospital has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to healthcare delivery, receiving a prestigious award at the West Rand District Health Services Excellence Awards  held on 22 November. The hospital was presented with the Chief Director’s Special Award , acknowledging its role as a trailblazer in driving progress and transformational change within the district. A Recognition of Dedication and Leadership Accepting the award on behalf of the institutio

A peaceful Gender-Based Violence (GBV) awareness march will take place in Stilfontein on 26 November 2025 , following full verification and approval by Harmony. After consultations, both Spiritual Crime Prevention Stilfontein  and Harmony Mine Waste Solutions  reached an agreement to proceed with the initiative, highlighting the community’s united stance against GBV. Event Details Date:  Wednesday, 26 November 2025 Assembly Time:  13:30 March Duration:  13:45 – 16:00 Departur

The streets of Promosa came alive this week as residents, youth groups, community leaders and partner organisations gathered for a peaceful march calling for an end to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide. Under clear skies and with purple as the symbolic colour of the day, participants joined together to raise awareness, promote solidarity and send a strong message: violence has no place in our community. Strong Community Attendance The march, led by Youth for Change Pro

Traffic in the Steve Biko and Meyer Street area came to a standstill today as hundreds of NWU students participated in a powerful laydown protest, forming part of the national 620 Women’s Shutdown  movement. The action, approved and coordinated as part of the broader Women for Change initiative, aimed to raise awareness around the ongoing fight against gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa. A Moment of Silence on the Streets Shortly after 12:00, students filled the stre

Amelia Nasorgsentrum has experienced a week filled with generosity, joy, celebration, and the true spirit of community. From donations and special visits to award ceremonies and early Christmas blessings, the centre has received an outpouring of love and support from organisations and individuals across Potchefstroom. Each gesture has uplifted residents, strengthened relationships, and reminded the community of the importance of compassion and togetherness. Image:  Amelia Nas