Why is Support a Taboo in North West?

Welcome to my weekly column. My friends call me Mananigo. This week, I want to have an honest conversation about something we often overlook—support. In our beloved North West province, why does support seem like such a difficult thing to give and receive? Why do we sometimes react negatively when something positive happens? Why is working together so foreign to us?

I ask these questions because I see it everywhere, and I, too, have fallen victim to it. It’s like we’ve conditioned ourselves to think small, even rejecting help when it’s genuinely offered. But here’s the hard truth: What do we, as people of the North West, do well together that leads to success? The answer is, not nearly enough.

This mentality doesn’t start at the bottom—it starts at the top. Many of our political leaders don’t seem to care whether this province prospers or not. Then, we have those in positions of power, the ones who act like they own the government, making endless promises but rarely delivering. And from there, it trickles down to us, the ordinary people.

We constantly hear complaints that people from Gauteng, Limpopo, and KZN are “taking over” the North West. But what are we, the people of this province, doing to change that narrative? I’ve been to countless events that were poorly attended, not because they were badly organized, but simply because the organizers were disliked. The sabotage was intentional. Since when did it become a crime to see another black person succeed?

Here’s my message to you, Black Child: without government backing, private sector investment, and community support, you’re often left to fend for yourself. But don’t lose hope. There are still good people out there—whether in politics, government, or within our communities.

Don’t let negativity stop you. If you have even one person backing your dreams, hold onto that. Build from it, and watch it multiply. Success might feel like a lonely road, but with persistence, it’s one worth traveling.

Until next week, stay strong and keep pushing.