Tshemedi Lucas Mkhwane By: Neo Ntsele Tshemedi Lucas Mkhwane has been appointed acting Municipal Manager of Mohokare Local Municipality. He takes over from the former acting municipal manager, Mopedi Mohale. Gogta has appointed Mkhwane to a three-month term to support the struggling Mohokare Municipality. He is highly recommended due to his educational achievements and experience in local governance. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration from th

Free State EXCO By: Neo Ntsele On Tuesday, 06 October 2026, the Executive Council (EXCO) of the Free State Provincial Government visited the Batlokoa Ba Mokgalong Traditional Community, led by Kgosikgolo Nkgahle Tsotetsi, in Vrede, Thabo Mofutsanyana District. The visit to the traditional authority occurred two days before President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to officially oversee the Free State Industrialisation Launch in Phuthaditjhaba, QwaQwa, on Friday, 9 October 2026. During

President Cyril Ramaphosa By: Neo Ntsele President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has urged immediate and intensified efforts to tackle gender-based violence and femicide, labelling the violence against women in the country as inhumane and intolerable. In his address to the nation on Tuesday evening, Ramaphosa recognised the anger, fear, and frustration voiced by women nationwide, emphasising that society can no longer ignore violence against women. He specifically urged men

Free State Premier, MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae By: Neo Ntsele The Free State Department of Economic Development and Tourism, in partnership with Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality and SEDFA, organised a successful Free State MSME Compliance and Support Indaba at Bloemfontein's Mangaung City Hall on 22 September 2026. The event gathered over 1,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in one venue. The aim was to enhance business support, improve compliance, prepare enterpr

Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae By: Neo Ntsele In her 2026 State of the Province Address (SOPA), Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae highlighted the crucial role of attracting investment to boost the provincial economy, generate employment, and enhance the quality of life for Free State residents. To further these efforts, the Premier led a provincial delegation to the People’s Republic of China. This investment mission secured a R100 billion investment for th

Free State Premier Maquuen Letsoha-Mathae By: Neo Ntsele An 82-year-old sexual predator who targeted a young girl will spend the rest of his life in prison after receiving a life sentence from the Bloemfontein regional court. On Wednesday, 19 August 2026, Barend van der Berg from Petrusburg in the Free State was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape of an 8-year-old child. Van Der Berg was sentenced exactly two years after Premier Letsoha-Mathae and MEC Jabu Mbalula vis

Mapule Dhlamini By: Neo Ntsele The Free State permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) have advocated for the blacklisting of contractors who abandon or delay project completion in the province. In a meeting on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, with Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae and representatives from the Office of the Auditor-General, the delegation was briefed on ongoing projects in the province. Projects facing issues include the construction of

Deputy Minister Hlengwa and MEC Mbalula By: Neo Ntsele Jabu Mbalula, the MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, conducted stakeholder meetings with Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa at OR Tambo House in Bloemfontein, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, on Wednesday, 12 August 2026. Monyatso Mahlatsi, the MEC for Health, was also in attendance, along with representatives from the Road Accident Fund, Road Traffic Management Corporation, and various other sta

Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae By: Neo Ntsele Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae has expressed support for the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) initiative in environmental scanning and relationship-building, calling it timely assistance for the provincial government’s efforts to stabilise and professionalise local government before the November 2026 elections. This engagement is part of the PSC’s preparations for the upcoming Public Service Commission Bill. The meetin

Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae By: Neo Ntsele On 30 June 2026, the Free State Provincial Government, led by Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, officially received a memorandum of demands from the organisers of the national march against illegal immigration. She praised the marchers for their discipline and peaceful behaviour. “You have demonstrated to the nation that we can advocate for change without resorting to violence,” Premier Letsoha-Mathae stated. The Premier

Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae By: Staff Reporter The Free State Provincial Government wishes to inform the people of the Free State about the upcoming nationwide march on 30th June 2026. Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae has stated that the Provincial Government approaches this time with determination and clarity, saying, "We are committed to intensifying our efforts, especially in creating safer, more united communities." In line with this commitment, the Provincial

Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae and Russian delegates By: Neo Ntsele On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Premier Maquuen Letsoha-Mathae, along with Members of the Executive responsible for Education, Health, Economic Development and Tourism, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, and Acting Director-General Dr. Motsamai Motsoari, met with a Russian delegation led by the Ambassador to South Africa, His Excellency Roman Ambarov. This marks only the second visit of HE Ambarov to

Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae By: Staff Reporter Free State Province Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae has acknowledged and welcomed the findings from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) concerning the bursary programme within the Office of the Premier. She emphasized that disciplinary actions will be taken against all those involved. The SIU's investigation, under Proclamation 123 of 2023, examined the Office of the Premier’s bursary report for the 2017/18 financia

Free State Acting Premier Jabu Mbalula engaging Phomolong Residents By: Staff Reporter The Free State Provincial Government, led by Acting Premier Jabu Mbalula, has effectively resolved the shutdown in Phomolong, Henneman. The protest concerning the Middelpunt Solar PV Project has ended, allowing full access to essential services, including education for Grade 12 students. On Tuesday, 19 May 2026, Acting Premier Mbalula held a stakeholder meeting in Henneman with Middelpunt P

Jabu Mbalula, Judge President Cagney John Musi By: Staff Reporter The Premier of the Free State, MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, has designated Jabu Mbalula, the MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, as Acting Premier of the Free State Province while she is abroad on official duties. This appointment is effective from May 4 to May 11, 2026, ensuring continuous governance during the Premier’s absence. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Free State Division of the High

MEC Ketso Makume By: Staff Reporter On Sunday, 19 April 2026, the MEC for Finance, Economic Development, and Tourism, Ketso Makume, was involved in a car accident. The accident happened on the N5 between Paul Roux and Senekal. The incident occurred when a wild animal suddenly crossed the road, and the driver was unable to avoid hitting it. The MEC and his two protectors emerged without any serious injuries. The family has asked for the MEC, his protectors, and their families

Chris Hani By: Staff Reporter Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae emphasized that the tragic events of April 10, 1993, serve as a poignant reminder of the cost of the freedom we cherish today. During this month, as we commemorate Freedom Day, achieved on April 27, 1994, with the first democratic elections in our nation, it's equally crucial to reflect on the sacrifices made to reach our current state. April is also the month when our martyrs, Solomon Mahlangu and Chris Hani, were

Mxolisi Dukwana By: Staff Reporter Mxolisi Dukwana, the speaker of the Free State Legislature, has shared a warm Easter message with the Free State community. "As we come together with family and loved ones to celebrate Easter, I send heartfelt greetings to everyone in the Free State. This Easter season carries a profound message of hope, renewal, sacrifice, and resurrection. It reminds us that after the darkest times, light and new beginnings can emerge. In the spirit of Eas

Major General Thabang Solomon Lesia By: Staff Reporter Major General Thabang Solomon Lesia has been named the new Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS). With over thirty years of experience in policing, he possesses a profound understanding of operational environments. The Premier of the Free State, MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, expressed her approval of Major General Lesia's appointment, highlighting its significance at a crucial time when combating cr

Minister of GOGTA VF Hlabisa, President Cyril Ramaphosa, Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae By: Staff Reporter On 27 March 2026, President Cryil Ramaphosa and his cabinet met with Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and Members of the Executive Council at the University of the Free State's (UFS) Centenary Complex (UFS). The meeting aimed to explore how national and provincial governments can collaborate more effectively to promote inclusive growth and job creation, reduce p