President Cyril Ramaphosa on the passing of former Deputy President David Mabuza
I have learned with deep sadness of the passing of former Deputy President and former Premier of Mpumalanga David Dabede
Mabuza.
Deputy President Mabuza passed away today, Thursday, 3 July 2025, at a hospital in Mpumalanga following a short illness.
He was 64 years of age.
On behalf of government and the nation, I offer my profound condolences to the late Deputy President’s wife, Mrs Mabuza,
and the children.
I extend my condolences to Deputy President Mabuza’s friends and the people of Mpumalanga whom he served as Premier from
2009 to 2018, and previously as a Member of the Executive Council of Mpumalanga across a range of portfolios.
Red more: https://www.gov.za/.../president-cyril-ramaphosa-passing... #GovZAUpdates
Deputy President, Hounorable Paul Mashatile, joined by the Premier of the Free State, Her Excellency McQueen Letsoha-Mathae,
Memebers of Executive Committe, Executive Mayor of Matjhabeng Cllr. Thanduxolo Khalipha, and Executive Mayor of Lejweleputswa
District Cllr. Veronica Ntakumbana, conducted an oversight visit to the Helium Gas Plant, operated by Renergen through its
subsidiary Tetra4, in Virginia today. ...
The visit highlighted government’s continued support for strategic infrastructure projects that contribute to national energy
security, job creation, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
The Virginia Gas Project, spanning across Welkom, Virginia, and Theunissen, is South Africa’s first and only onshore petroleum
production right and is poised to play a transformative role in the country’s energy landscape.
Covering 187,000 hectares within the Free State, the project holds exclusive onshore petroleum rights until 2042. The project
taps into the ancient geology of the Vredefort Crater to extract high-purity biogenic methane and helium, a rare and globally
valuable resource.
With helium concentrations of up to 12% found in certain wells, South Africa is on track to becoming one of the world's leading
helium exporters.
Phase 1 of the project has already seen the successful production of up to 350 kg/day of helium and 50 tonnes/day of Liquefied
Natural Gas (LNG), supporting local energy demands. Phase 2 aims to scale up significantly — positioning South Africa to supply
up to 8% of global helium demand and producing 680 tonnes/day of LNG.
To date, the project has attracted investments exceeding R2 billion, with an additional R23 billion committed for Phase 2
development under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s InvestSA initiative.
The Virginia Gas Project introduces a new, indigenous, and reliable source of clean energy. The locally produced LNG offers an
affordable alternative to diesel, particularly for commercial and municipal fleets. It also supports South Africa’s transition
to a low-carbon economy.
The project has already created over 74 permanent and 385 temporary jobs during Phase 1. Phase 2 is expected to increase permanent
jobs to 250 and create more than 1,000 temporary jobs during construction.
It is also anticipated to catalyse renewed industrialisation in the Free State through the provision of reliable and sustainable
energy.
In addition to energy and employment gains, South Africa is set to emerge as a key global player in the helium market, with the
project generating significant export revenue and foreign exchange.
Renergen has further demonstrated its commitment to social responsibility through bursaries, learnerships, and internships for local
youth. The project also rejuvenates former mining towns, offering hope and economic revitalisation for affected communities.
Declared a Strategic Integrated Project in 2023, the Virginia Gas Project plays a crucial role in addressing South Africa’s energy
crisis. With its long-term production license and potential for further expansion, the initiative ensures long-lasting socio-economic
and environmental benefits for both the Free State province and the nation.
The visit by Deputy President Mashatile and the Free State leadership underscores the importance of collaborative governance in
unlocking infrastructure-led growth. The Virginia Gas Project stands as a beacon of innovation, job creation, energy resilience, and
climate progress — and serves as a critical pillar in building a stronger, greener South Africa.
#Buildingthematjhabengwewant
#ServiceDeliveryToThePeople
#LeaveNoOneBehind
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has officially arrived at the Matjhabeng Local Municipality Main Building in Welkom,
where he was warmly welcomed by the Premier of the Free State, Her Excellency McQueen Letsoha-Mathae, alongside Members
of the Executive Council (MECs), Matjhabeng Executive Mayor Cllr. Thanduxolo Khalipha, and Lejweleputswa District
Executive Mayor Cllr. Veronica Ntakumbana....
The Deputy President’s visit is part of the national Clean Cities and Towns campaign—an ambitious government initiative
aimed at revitalising urban spaces, promoting sustainable waste management, restoring community pride, and encouraging
active citizen involvement in maintaining clean, safe, and vibrant municipalities.
As part of his programme in Matjhabeng, Deputy President Mashatile will visit the Tetra4 Helium Gas Plant in Virginia
and the Thabong Wastewater Treatment Works, lead an integrated service delivery and cleaning campaign, and engage with
various stakeholders to assess progress on key infrastructure projects.
His presence reinforces government’s commitment to building healthier, more liveable urban centre.
#buildingthematjhabengwewant
#ServiceDeliveryToThePeople
#LeaveNoOneBehind
DEPUTY PRESIDENT PAUL MASHATILE TO LEAD THE CLEAN CITIES AND TOWNS CAMPAIGN IN MATJHABENG LOCAL MUNICIPALITY,
LEJWELEPUTSWA DISTRICT, FREE STATE
The Deputy President will continue the national Clean Cities and Towns Campaign during his official visit to Matjhabeng,
as outlined below:
Date: Tuesday, 01 July 2025
Morning Session: 10:30 AM – Matima Road, Thabong, Welkom, 9460
Afternoon Session: 13:00 PM – Lekgarietsa Secondary School, Welkom, 9460
The Matjhabeng Local Municipality continues to demonstrate its commitment to renewal, progress, and people-centred
governance.
During today’s Service Delivery Summit held at Feder Meyer Hall in Welkom, the overarching message resonated clearly:
Putting Matjhabeng First – For Excellent Service Delivery for All.
In his opening address, Executive Mayor Cllr. Thanduxolo Khalipha set the tone by emphasising that the municipality is
not only focused on fixing infrastructure, but also on restoring the dignity of its people.
He reflected on key milestones in Matjhabeng’s infrastructure recovery efforts, particularly the successful
refurbishment of pump stations and wastewater treatment plants ? projects already improving sanitation services across
various wards.
The Mayor outlined several catalytic economic initiatives aimed at revitalising the local economy. These include the
revitalisation of the Welkom Cargo Airport, the expansion of solar energy programmes, and the groundbreaking helium
mining investment by Renergen , all poised to stimulate job creation, empower local SMMEs, and catalyse long-term
economic growth in the region.
Institutional reform and capacity building remain central to the municipality’s strategy. The appointment of qualified
professionals to strategic positions, combined with the institutionalisation of daily service delivery reporting, has
strengthened the municipality’s ability to respond quickly to challenges such as potholes, water leaks, illegal dumping,
refuse collection, and sewer spillages.
On the financial front, the Executive Mayor reaffirmed the municipality’s focus on revenue stabilisation through the
intensified Operation Patala campaign.
This initiative encourages households, businesses, government departments, and municipal employees to fulfil their
financial obligations to the municipality.
The introduction of prepaid smart meters was also highlighted as a critical intervention to improve revenue collection
and ensure the long-term sustainability of essential services.
Cllr. Khalipha underscored that accountability must begin within the municipality itself, reinforcing his
administration’s firm stance against inefficiency and non-compliance.
He further announced that the Deputy President of South Africa is expected to visit Matjhabeng in the coming week to
support the municipality’s flagship cleaning and greening campaign, a vital pillar of its commitment to creating safe,
healthy, and liveable communities.
This summit marks a turning point for Matjhabeng, as the municipality takes bold, coordinated steps toward rebuilding
public trust, strengthening governance, and delivering lasting, transformative change.
#buildingthematjhabengwewant
#ServiceDeliveryToThePeople
#LeaveNoOneBehind
The District Director of Lejweleputswa District Education, Me. Phaello Zonke delivered a key presentation at the Matjhabeng Local
Municipality Service Delivery Summit, highlighting both achievements and pressing challenges within the local education sector.
Her address covered the District Profile, term 1 performance, set targets, and the critical issue of school safety, particularly in
relation to bullying. ...
With 204 schools, 5,626 teachers, and 160,219 learners across Lejweleputswa, the Director emphasised the collective responsibility in
safeguarding learning environments.
The presentation outlined serious service delivery challenges affecting schools, including water supply interruptions, illegal dumping
near school premises, vandalism, and theft of infrastructure, as well as poor access roads and outstanding electricity accounts.
Despite these hurdles, the Director acknowledged the value of collaborative solutions and ongoing partnerships with local businesses
and stakeholders. She called for continued multisectoral efforts to improve school infrastructure and protect the right of every learner
to a safe and dignified education.
#buildingthematjhabengwewant
#ServiceDeliveryToThePeople
#LeaveNoOneBehind
