Table of contents for 2023-07-14 in DFA News

DIAMANTVELD High School and the Kimberley Harriers Running Club are joining forces to host the Mandela Day 4-Kilometre Run and Fun Walk on Tuesday, July 18. This event aims to support child welfare and Destiny House, organisations dedicated to improving the lives of children in Kimberley. The run and fun walk will commence at 5pm, starting from Diamantveld High School’s Monument Gate, and participants are encouraged to arrive early for registration, which opens at 4.30pm. The event is open to all members of the community and is free of charge. However, generous donations are strongly encouraged and would be appreciated. The organisers have provided a list of items that can be donated to benefit those in need. These items include winter clothing, especially for children, blankets, canned food, non-perishable foods,…

THE TSWELOPELE Correctional Centre in Kimberley has once again come under scrutiny following complaints from relatives that their family members who are serving time are being denied parole due to the centre apparently not having a psychologist. The family members said that inmates who have applied and successfully qualified for parole are forced to serve extra time behind bars as they cannot be released before being evaluated by a psychologist. “My brother has applied for parole and the parole board granted him parole. One of the requirements before an inmate gets released is that they must first be evaluated by a psychologist. That was noted in my brother’s application. We did not have any fear about him being evaluated as we knew that he had been serving most of his…

FOLLOWING in his father’s ‘bootprints’ seems to have come naturally for Emile Amoreece Witbooi, the son of renowned Mamelodi Sundowns star Surprise Ralani. The young footballer is making waves in the soccer fraternity and has been for a while, even from a remarkably young age. Born on August 29, 2008, in Kimberley, Witbooi has captured the attention of scouts from top clubs, with English Premiership side Manchester United reportedly monitoring his progress closely. Witbooi’s soccer journey began on the dusty streets of Barkly Road in Kimberley, where he resided with his mother Avril Witbooi and his family. It was there that his passion for the beautiful game ignited, and at the age of 10, he began his soccer career under the watchful eyes of coach Kagisho ‘Spondosie’ Matile, known for…

SILENCE surrounds the details of the relocation of the Premier’s Office from the JW Sauer building to the Derek Corns building in Memorial Road in Kimberley. Staff from IT, as well as the office for Youth, Women, Children, Disability, Communication and e-Government, apparently moved into the new premises this month. Kimberley resident Pakes Dikgetsi and the DA have requested the Office of the Premier to provide information about the lease, without any responses being forthcoming. Dikgetsi indicated that he would lay criminal charges as well as complaints with the Special Investigating Unit and the Public Protector for investigation. “According to reliable sources a 10-year lease was signed, whereas government leases are supposed to be renewed every five years. Who are the real owners of the building, who are the sleeping…

SO APPARENTLY you are supposed to gently rub some baby powder onto the affected area after washing it with warm water and antibacterial soap and then tenderly patting it dry. That’s how you treat saddle sore naturally. I needed that remedy after last week’s column. People have been carrying me on their shoulders all week, after I so eloquently seemingly put their bosses in their place with the little dig I took last week telling the story of the sphincter that was made boss after simply not working. Now, I am not the fastest bulldog in the greyhound race. And only after the confetti parade had reached its climax did I realise that I also had a boss. It became clear when he called me this week and told me…

Kimberley Golf Club Results for the week of July 5-8 and news about next week’s programme. Results for the week of July 5-8 are: The Wednesday, July 5 Konica Minolta sponsored 18-hole BBS was won by the team of William Wepener And Muzapher Allie on 43 pts on a count-out over Zayhied Sulliman and Donald Witbooi on the same score. Third were Gavin van Zyl and Siewert Wild on 42 pts. Fourth were Ian and Dee Kidson on 41 pts. The Thursday, July 6 KWV sponsored 9-hole IPS with power play options was won by Joanie Herselman on 19 pts on a count-out over hubby Johan Herselman on the same score. Third was Keith Brown on 18 pts. The Friday, July 7 Flamingo Niner was won by Parks Mashabao on…

IN A CELEBRATION of exceptional coaching talent, Mark Charlton, coach of the Northern Cape Heat Cricket team, has once again claimed the coveted title of Division 2 Coach of the Year. This prestigious accolade was bestowed upon him at the CSA Awards held at Vodaworld in Midrand, Gauteng, solidifying his reputation as one of the most accomplished mentors in South African cricket. Charlton's coaching philosophy centres on instilling a passion for cricket in his players, emphasising that the game should be seen as a dream rather than just a job. According to him, this perspective enables players to excel and reach their full potential. “I always tell my players that cricket is a dream, not a job. If you treat it as a job, you will probably fail. Once…

RETIRED Kimberley magistrate Smit du Plessis succeeded in having a private prosecution against him struck off the roll in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court this week. Du Plessis was charged with fraud, perjury and defeating the ends of justice, where a private prosecution was brought against him for presiding over a case on three occasions without an appointment letter. Du Plessis was the presiding officer in a case dating back to 1998 involving charges that were brought against Freddy Witbooi, the chairperson of the Northern Cape Civics Organisation Ross Henderson and Itumeleng Jack Moroka, relating to a stolen cheque. Moroka, who brought the private prosecution against Du Plessis, alleged that he was not legally appointed by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development or a delegated official to preside over their…

FORMER ANC provincial chairperson John Block, who is in custody at Upington Correctional Centre, will appear in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court in person when he applies for bail on August 1. Block appeared via a video link while his co-accused, the former HOD for the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Roads and Public Works, Patience Mercia Mokhali, 60, and the director of Babereki Consulting Engineers CC, Tshegolekae Motaung, 59, made an appearance in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on July 11. The court was packed to capacity, while a group of Block's supporters had travelled from Upington to attend the court proceedings. The State alleges that Babereki Consulting Engineers CC was fraudulently awarded a R51 million tender as a structural civil engineer and project manager for the Kimberley Mental Health Hospital…

Burre Burger Challenges NC residents to join him on his Social Ride for Drought Relief Burre Burger, CEO of Droogtehulp met Burre Burger NPC, has issued a heartfelt challenge to the people of the Northern Cape to join him in a charity drive aimed at supporting local farmers. Burger, known for his philanthropic endeavours, took to Facebook to rally support for the cause and pledged to cycle an undisclosed distance himself. “I don’t know how many kilometres I’m going to cycle, but I’m going to try my best to go as far as possible. “I would do anything for our farmers,” Burger said, expressing genuine enthusiasm. This exciting initiative, scheduled to take place tomorrow has garnered significant attention from individuals and businesses alike. Participants are encouraged to sponsor kilometres by…

NO CASH please. That’s the message from Africa Genesis Archery (AGA) Northern Cape as they gear up to host an exciting archery club competition at the Kimberley SPCA on Saturday, July 22. This event promises to bring together skilled archers from various clubs, including Kimberley, Schweizer-Reneke, Bloemfontein, Kroonstad, and Welkom, but what makes this competition truly special is the entry fee required for participants. Archers who wish to partake in the event are asked to contribute a bag or a few tins of dog or cat food. This unique entry requirement underscores the organisers’ commitment to supporting the local community and the welfare of animals. While the archery competition is exclusively for club members, members of the public are invited to join in the festivities and explore a range of…