The North West Department of Education is gearing up to host the 2026 National Special Olympics, with MEC Viola Motsumi expressing optimism about the event’s success.

This follows after MEC Motsumi and MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation Virginia Tlhapi participated in an observation mission at the Special Olympics World Winter Games held in Turin, Italy.

MEC Motsumi emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for learners with special needs.

“Learners with special needs must be acknowledged and recognized by other provinces, including the whole world. With this experience, I am confident that we will be able to host a successful event.

“We will be able to collaborate with our sister departments especially the Department of Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation. Immediately from here these departments are going to have a series of meetings in order to come up with strategies of hosting a successful event”, MEC Motsumi.

Special Olympics South Africa CEO Ancilla Smith recently announced that the North West will host the national games next year.
“Special Olympics South Africa is very excited that the North West province will be hosting the Special Olympics National Games in 2026. I am confident that the province will be able to deliver the world class games”, said Ancilla Smith.

MEC Motsumi further emphasized that they have facilities in their province to host all the nine provinces.