Table of contents for 2023-07-28 in DFA News

MORE and more these days dealing with stores and retail staff is becoming an increasingly frustrating exercise. Shopping – something that used to be considered ‘retail therapy’ – has become more like ‘purchase perdition’. Look, if you are fortunate enough to walk into a store, find what you need, pay for it and leave, then shopping – something we need to do on a regular basis – works just fine. However, if it so happens that the time comes when you have to deal with under-trained, unskilled, blinkered staff at stores where the only consideration is the company’s bottom line, then you are in for a pretty frustrating ride down the rapids. I can therefore sympathise with the man who was apprehended by the police and taken to the charge…

A PROTEST was held outside Greenpoint High School yesterday where tyres were set alight following an incident during which a pupil was stabbed in the head by a group of attackers who were armed with knives and pangas. Parents complained that no action was being taken to address incidents of gangsterism and violence at the school. They stated that the pupil was still in hospital receiving medical treatment following the stabbing incident. “A Grade 8 and Grade 9 pupil were apparently attacked by gang members who do not attend the same school, in front of the school. One of the boys managed to run away and escaped unharmed while the other pupil was cornered.” Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said the police were monitoring the situation after parents and community…

MATRIC pupils from under-serviced schools in the Northern Cape are set to benefit from Old Mutual’s nationwide roadshow, which seeks to engage, connect and supply critical resources in an effort to foster quality education. The roadshow, which is now in its second year, kicked off earlier this month and is stopping at different provinces on its run to September 7. The roadshow is part of the company’s longstanding commitment to education, aimed at ensuring that South African pupils have access to quality education. It aims to create awareness of the various educational interventions to over 10,000 pupils from 80 schools, at no cost. The pupils should access crucial information about applying for National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding, bursaries, and university and TVET college admissions in a hands-on and…

Kimberley Golf Club results for the week of July 19 to 22 and next week’s programme. Results for the week of July 19 to 22 are: The Wednesday, July 19 OBC-sponsored 18-hole IPS was won by Siewert Wild on 38pts. Second was Gavin Schafer on 36pts on a count-out over Gavin van Zyl with the same score. The Thursday, July 20 KWV-sponsored 9-hole IPS with power play options was won by Herman Posthumus with an excellent 30pts. Second was Shane Arthur on 22pts on a count-out over Kevin Wakeford also on 22pts. The Friday, July 21 Flamingo Niner was won by Zayied Sulliman on 21pts with Andries Kori 2nd on 19pts. Third was Chris Gordon on 17pts on a count-out over Sadick Thomas also on 17. The Saturday, July 22…

DIKGATLONG Municipality has been granted unrestricted access to its FNB bank account after Eskom obtained a court order three years ago to attach the bank account in order to recover debts. The legal representative for Dikgatlong Municipality, Chwaro Kgotlogomang, stated that the attachment of the municipality’s bank account prevented it from complying with its duties in rendering services such as the provision of clean water, sanitation and refuse removal. He pointed out that water was being sourced from the Vaal River, where there were real fears that residents could be exposed to an outbreak of cholera. It was indicated that as of March 2018, the municipality agreed to settle outstanding debts of R55.9 million to Eskom in instalments from March 1, 2018 until August 1, 2023. Kgotlogomang stated that the…

CONCERN over a total collapse of the city’s water grid have been raised following nightly water shutdowns that started more than a month ago. DA councillor Ockie Fourie said they have detected at least 13 major freshwater leaks. “Given that we were not able to inspect certain areas due to marshy conditions and reed overgrowth, there are probably many more. This is in addition to the hundreds of medium to small potable water leaks across the city,” said Fourie. “One of the leaks from a pipeline at the Newton Reservoir has been flooding sporting facilities at Northern Cape High School for the past 13 years. It is causing extensive damage to the swimming pool, netball courts, field and school infrastructure.” He added that there was another unattended leak at the…

THE NATIONAL Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) have requested Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul to accept a memorandum at the Department of Education offices in Barkly Road in Kimberley today, as they believe the DSC building in Memorial Road is not accessible to the community. A march that was supposed to proceed to the premier’s office at the JW Sauer building had to be re-routed to the Department of Education in Barkly Road as uncertainty exists as to where the premier is stationed. Sections, including IT and the Office of the Youth, Women, Disability, Communications and e-Government, have apparently already relocated to the new office building. Community leader Herbert Miller and a member of the Justice 4 All organisation - which will also participate in the march,…

SOL PLAATJE University (SPU) has been ordered to pay a senior primary health officer, sister Danelia McCarthy, compensation to the amount of R128 521.80 for an unfair labour practice. If the university fails to pay by August 15, interest at a rate of 10.5 percent will be charged. The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) commissioner, Shiraaz Osman, who issued the award on July 19, indicated that the appointed clinic manager did not meet the requirements as she did not possess a dispensing licence. “This is a flagrant disregard of the university’s recruitment policy.” It is believed that the clinic manager has since left the employment of the university. McCarthy, who started up the health and wellness centre and acquired her site-specific dispensation for the campus, was shortlisted for…

THERE’S a buzz of excitement in the air at the Floors Gymnastics Club, a small club founded back in 2004 when the school introduced gymnastics as a school sport at Floors North Intermediate School. The current excitement stems from the fact that the club is on the verge of sending a team of 13 gymnasts, selected as part of the Gymnastics SA team, to participate in the prestigious 2023 World Gymnaestrada in Amsterdam from July 29 to August 6. This event is the biggest participation event in the world, attracting around 20,000 participants from 60 countries, and is held every four years. The entire club is charged with pride and anticipation as their athletes prepare to represent South Africa on the international stage. It is a testament to the hard…

Memorial boxing tournament will pay tribute to boxing legend Billy Oliver WITH the objective of celebrating the remarkable coaching legacy left behind by William Edward ‘Billy’ Oliver in mind, the New Champions Boxing Academy will host a tournament in memory of the late boxing icon at the Kimberley Health and Occupation Centre, Ekapa Mine, located on Molyneux Street. Tomorrow’s tournament aims to pay tribute to someone who played an instrumental role in the revival of the New Champions Boxing Academy. And there is quite a bit to acknowledge as far as Billy Oliver is concerned. A former South African Police Championships boxing champion, Northern Transvaal boxing champion, and Transvaal Welterweight boxing champion, and then on top of it all, Oliver was not only an exceptional boxer but also an inspiring…