Magae Media News

21/09/2026

GARDEN THAT BROUGHT A VILLAGE TOGETHER AS ONE FAMILY

Report by Archibold Tlale

KRAAIPAN -In 2022, this 1.8-hectare piece of land in Kraaipan, about 96km from Vryburg, was vandalized and abandoned. No farming activity was taking place. Today, it is known as Ratang Gardens Co-op Ltd Ratang Gardens , and it is feeding more than 3,000 families in Kraaipan and Setlagole.

Magae Media visited the garden and found that being in the garden is not just about plants. The garden has preserved heritage and has brought the community together as one family. Members volunteer their time and hands to keep it alive.

The garden is situated near a mine, in a small town that is 74km away from the nearest city with a food market. Despite only utilizing 10% of its land under greenhouse tunnels, it already produces high-quality spinach, pumpkins, watermelons, green peppers and chillies.

Production Manager Thembani Manyu said the team is working very hard to ensure the garden produces vegetables on a large scale and to fill the entire garden with crops. He thanked everyone who is supporting the vision and urged the community, especially the youth, to join as volunteers and help curb the high rate of unemployment.

Marketing Assistant Manager P**e Tsamai said their dream is to supply all local supermarkets in Ngaka Modiri Molema District and all spaza shops in Kraaipan. He said a few spaza shops have already responded positively and have been very supportive, and he called on the community to visit them and buy local.

"Collaboration is the way forward in growing and building a better Kraaipan for all and for the future," said Tsamai.

Tsamai also encouraged youth to participate in job creation dialogues, saying this will help the country stay focused on economic transformation and fight the scourge of GBV and femicide, especially since the village lacks recreational facilities and parks to keep a positive mindset alive.

He said the next step is to venture into digital marketing by creating platforms such as TikTok, X and Instagram to showcase their work and products. He added that they are working closely with the production manager to take Ratang Gardens to greater heights.

Tsamai said he would like to see the garden supplying schools with vegetables and collaborating with agricultural schools to provide practical lessons. As part of their community give-back project, they are planning to feed patients at local clinics once or twice a week by serving vegetable soup for breakfast. He called on the community to use Ratang Gardens as a centre to access information on plant production.

Founder and farmer Phehello Lehetla spoke about security challenges and proposed possible solutions, including new watering systems and natural pesticide controls. He said skills development programmes are necessary to motivate volunteers who give their time for free.

In his closing message, Lehetla said unity is power and the spirit of Ubuntu is what keeps Ratang Gardens going. He linked his work as a farmer to September, which is Heritage and Tourism Month.

"If the community can reflect back to the old days where people had gardens and ate their own fresh vegetables and fruits from the soil, that kept them healthy and strong with strong family-oriented practices. Being in the garden preserves our heritage," said Lehetla.

His goal is to see Ratang Gardens franchising, acquiring more land, and entering agro-processing and retail to sustain livelihoods and grow. He said measures are in place to face challenges that will be caused by El Niño, with plans to open more boreholes and expand the watering system. A few hectares already have water sprinklers to save water and ensure correct irrigation. They would also like to see the garden fully moving into the digital space.

In the end, Ratang Gardens is more than a garden. It is proof that when a village that was once vandalized and forgotten decides to plant together, volunteer together and believe together, it does not just grow vegetables. It grows unity, it grows heritage, and it grows a future where no one goes to bed hungry. This is Kraaipan feeding itself, healing itself, and standing as one family again.

19/09/2026

North West Parks Mahala Week starts tomorrow.

North West Parks North West Dept of Economic Development, Environment Conservation & Tourism will kick off Mahala Week tomorrow, 20 September, offering visitors free entry to participating provincial parks as part of Tourism Month celebrations.

The initiative runs until 27 September 2026, encouraging residents and tourists to explore the province’s natural beauty, wildlife and tourism attractions.

Visitors must bring a valid South African ID. Group bookings should be made in advance, while additional activities and amenities are excluded from the free entry offer.

18/09/2026

16/09/2026

NORTH WEST TOURISM MONTH OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED!

The North West Tourism Month Media Launch took place on 15 September 2026 at Bakgatla Resort in Pilanesberg, North West Dept of Economic Development, Environment Conservation & Tourism bringing together media partners, tourism stakeholders, municipalities, departmental entities and Bakgatla Ba Kgafela as the host traditional authority.

2026 Launch Theme:
“Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.”

Delivering the keynote address, DEDECT MEC Bitsa Lenkopane highlighted the important role of tourism in the provincial economy.

“Tourism goes beyond leisure - it is a critical driver of economic growth, job creation, and sustainable enterprise development that directly feeds families across our communities.”

MEC Lenkopane said the North West tourism industry recorded 4.1 million domestic trips, 458,000 international arrivals and R11 billion in tourism revenue during the 2025/26 financial year, while sustaining more than 9,200 jobs.

She further emphasised the need to balance tourism, conservation, heritage and wildlife resources with the sustainable use of digital technology.

“Our goal is to maintain a balanced approach between tourism, conservation, heritage and wildlife resources, as well as the sustainable use of digital technology for innovation and accessibility, thereby ensuring meaningful contribution to economic growth.”

North West Explore It. Experience It. Enjoy It!

The conversation continues: How can digital transformation and AI help bring the North West’s hidden tourism gems, rural heritage sites and museums to a wider audience?

Send your comments below 👇🏽

15/09/2026

🔥 BOYS MATTER TOO — AND THIS CONVERSATION CANNOT BE IGNORED! 🔥

What happens when we stop asking “What is wrong with our boys?” and start asking “What do our boys need from us?”

Today, Mrs Grand Africa 2026, Motlalepula Mabaso Motlalepule Tshelane, joins Gospel Beats Afternoon Drive for a powerful conversation about the boy child, identity, support, mentorship, education and the future of our young men. 👑🎙️

This is more than a radio interview — it’s a conversation every parent, young person and community member should hear.

📻 Tune in TODAY at 15:15
🎙️Mmabatho Fm 107.7
🌐 Stream live: Mmabatho FM⁠

Turn up the volume. Open your mind. Join the conversation.

🗣️ BOYS MATTER TOO. 💙

04/09/2026

FROM KRAAIPAN WITH SPICE: OMPHILE LETSAPA BUILDS THE BABALASI MIX BRAND 🌶️

What started with curiosity, a love for good food, and a passion for chili has become an exciting business journey for Omphile Isrish Letsapa, a local entrepreneur from Kraaipan Village in the North West Province. With determination and a belief in her own abilities, Letsapa is turning her love for spicy flavors into a growing brand known as Babalasi Mix.

Her journey began by making chili mixes and sharing them with people around her. The positive feedback she received gave her the confidence to believe that her passion could become more than just a hobby. She decided to take a chance on herself, improve her recipe, and create a product that people could enjoy with their everyday meals.

The name Babalasi Mix is as unique and catchy as the business itself. Letsapa says the name was inspired by the way people enjoy spicy food after a night out. What began as a simple idea in Kraaipan Village is now becoming a dream of building a brand that can reach customers far beyond her local community.

Like many young entrepreneurs in rural areas, however, Letsapa faces challenges in expanding her market and reaching more customers. She hopes to grow Babalasi Mix through better delivery systems, stronger supplier connections, and opportunities that will allow her products to reach different areas. She believes funding, mentorship, and business training could help take her dream to the next level.

Letsapa's message to young graduates and aspiring entrepreneurs is simple but powerful: believe in yourself and start with what you have. She encourages young people in rural communities to use their skills, talents, and ideas to create opportunities and income. From a passion for chilli mixes in Kraaipan Village to the growing dream of a bigger market, Omphile Letsapa and Babalasi Mix are proving that sometimes the biggest dreams start with a small idea — and a little bit of spice. 🌶️

Story by : Lebogang Khobela

03/09/2026

GBV awareness 4th annual tournament hosted by Moleboge foundation and Loetopele construction at Fast Eleven sports field in Kraaipan, North West on the 29 August 2026 .

27/08/2026

[PICTURES]GCIS host North West Media roundtable discussion aimed at sustainability and transformation of the community media sector in the city of Matlosana Ball room hall , Klerksdorp .

26/08/2026

[WATCH] MM&E exclusive interview with the founder of newly established online store Leb Luxor Lebogang Khobela to speak more of online shopping and style .

26/08/2026

KRAAIPAN COMMUNITY HOLDS MEETING OVER BOITHAOPO SECONDARY STATE.

KRAAIPAN -The much-anticipated community meeting over the state of Boithaopo Secondary School was held on Monday 24 August 2026 in Kraaipan, although it started later than the scheduled time of 1:00 PM.

The meeting, which was held next to the Tlhatlhogo Middle school Old Building, was attended by concerned parents and community members who came to discuss the growing concerns of vandalism, crime and ill-discipline at the school.

According to those in attendance, community members were given a platform to raise their concerns openly about the safety of learners, the protection of school property, and the need to restore a culture of respect and discipline , this happened ahead of the Grade 12 preliminary examinations.

A major resolution taken during the meeting was the formation of a community committee that will work closely with the school to write proposals of engagement to North West Department of Education SAPS South African Police Service , Tribal office, school social worker and other stakeholders.

The community has volunteered and elected a committee of 5 to 6 members who will be tasked with taking the issues forward, engaging with the School Management Team (SMT), the School Governing Body (SGB), and ensuring that the resolutions are implemented way forward.

The community leader who chaired the meeting Oageng Lerebolo announced the names of the volunteer committee members , who elected themselves in Namely
Lucia Makabanyane, Boitumelo Bereng, Tshidi Bokgwathile, Tshegofatso Keogotsitse, Fikile Njilo including Oageng Lerebolo .

Lerebolo emphasized that the state of the school cannot be left to educators alone. He called on parents, learners, former students, and all residents of Kraaipan to attend such meetings , stating that a disciplined and safe school can only be achieved when the community takes collective ownership.

Key issues topped the agenda
Vandalism
Crime, drugs
Discipline , school bunking , late coming
Safety
Lack of activities in school

The committee has met with the SMT and SGB to outline the concerns. Lerebolo said the SGB Secretary explained that they always report everything to the department and report any crime in school which they have opened a case of theft and others to the police but never received anything from anyone .
Community members thanked one another who attended despite the delay, and called for continued support for Boithaopo Secondary.

The meeting came just a day before Grade 12 learners across the country start their preliminary examinations on Tuesday, 25 August 2026.
The community seeks proper intervention to preserve the future of the school .

For Magae Media reports, this is a Developing story.