Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation chaired by Hon. Priscilla Williams held an oversight meeting with Department of Education over the First Quarter 2025/26 Performance report.

The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development in the North West Provincial Legislature, led by Hon. Sipho Dial, conducted an oversight visit to the Springbokspan Grain Storage Silos in the Ditsobotla Local Municipality. The visit formed part of the Legislature’s Oversight Week programme in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, aimed at strengthening oversight and public participation while promoting accountability and transparency in government.

The purpose of the visit was to assess progress made in the refurbishment of the silos, evaluate value for money, and determine the state of readiness to ensure that the broader community benefits from the project’s anticipated economic spin-offs.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development informed the Committee that it owns three grain silo complexes in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District — Springbokspan, Kraaipan, and Vryhof — with a combined storage capacity of 230,000 tons. Currently, all three silos are not in use, leading to incidents of vandalism and theft. Initially earmarked for the AgriPark project, which did not meet its intended outcomes, the silos have now been earmarked for revitalisation to return them to full operation.

Built during the former Bophuthatswana government era, the silos have been subject to lengthy discussions over the years without progress. The Independent Development Trust (IDT) has since been appointed as the implementing agent for the refurbishment of the Springbokspan Silos, while assessments for the Vryhof and Kraaipan facilities are still underway. The Department is also planning to extend financial assistance to farmers from surrounding areas once refurbishment is complete.

Approximately 15 villages within a 50 km radius of the Springbokspan Silos are expected to benefit from the project. Phase 1 — restoration of electricity — has been completed at a cost of about R10 million. Phase 2, focusing on mechanical works, is currently 68% complete and is scheduled for completion in September 2025.
Chairperson Hon. Dial welcomed the initiative, noting its potential to stimulate the provincial economy and reduce unemployment.

“This project will serve as a catalyst for driving the province’s economic growth, while fostering sustainable partnerships between producers and end users through innovative and strategic marketing initiatives,” said Hon. Dial.

The Committee recommended that the Department prioritise the strengthening of safety measures, including securing the services of a fire brigade and creating fire belts, given the area’s susceptibility to veld fires during hot weather. It also urged the Department to fast-track the acquisition of a title deed — as the land currently belongs to the tribal authority — to avoid complications when listing the silos on the JSE Stock Exchange. Furthermore, the Committee stressed the importance of installing high-quality fencing to curb vandalism and theft.
To ensure accountability, the Committee has committed to conducting unannounced oversight visits to monitor progress and assess the effectiveness of implemented security measures.
Ends