Table of contents for 2024-10-18 in DFA News

THE KIMBERLEY Action Group said it was moving forward with its plans for a shutdown intended to bring the city to a standstill on October 28. The group had given the MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs until October 16 to intervene regarding high electricity prices and demands for the dissolution of the Sol Plaatje council. Boyce Makodi from the Kimberley Action Group said yesterday that they had not received any response to their grievances. “A large number of people have indicated an interest in taking part in a march. The taxi industry, which has its own unresolved issues, will add to the impact of the shutdown that aims to highlight our concerns. We will engage with business but if they do not wish to participate, the…

THE PARTICIPATION of Northern Cape learners in maths and science is a key area that requires urgent intervention and support, according to the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube. She, along with Deputy Minister Regina Mhaule, recently visited the Northern Cape as part of the ongoing National Listening and Learning Tour. Gwarube emphasised that the tour aims to strengthen the relationship between the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and provincial departments while identifying where the DBE can assist at both district and provincial levels. She highlighted the Northern Cape’s growing reputation as a hub for developing careers in science and mathematics. “The Northern Cape is fast becoming a focal point, particularly in the development of science and technology, as we have seen with the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and the…

OH, WHAT has become of those ‘oozing days’? I remember when perspiring was a normal part of my daily routine. It would be: get up, have breakfast, go to school, sweat during break, sweat while you walk home from school, do homework, then meet friends and work up a sweat playing! And, need I emphasise that this happened almost daily? Perspiration was part of our lives, we just accepted that it was always going to be around – much like we embrace the concept of a data connection nowadays. These days I find myself so deskbound that the only times I sweat is when I have a ton of work to get through with the deadline approaching like a freight train, or when I am too low on fuel to…

Formula One leader Max Verstappen is hoping for a quicker Red Bull in Austin, Texas, this weekend as Lando Norris seeks to speed up McLaren's momentum and beat his rival for the fifth race in a row. There is still everything to play for as the 24-race season starts its decisive final quarter with Austin's Circuit of the Americas also hosting a Saturday sprint with eight extra points on offer. Sunday’s US Grand Prix kicks off a North/South America triple header, with Mexico and Brazil following on successive weekends, before Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi wrap up six rounds inside eight weeks. Verstappen’s lead is 52 points, down from 78 going into the August break, with 180 still to be won and Norris needing to outscore his rival by…

FOR OVER 25 years, Gert van Rensburg, or “Oom Kat” as he is affectionately called, has become a cherished legend in Northern Cape Cricket. Known for his dedicated and distinguished service and meticulous attention to detail, Oom Kat has had a deep impact on the sport in the region. Now, at the age of 65, Oom Kat has had to hang up his lawnmower – not by choice, but because the rules mandate retirement at that age. However, as it’s commonly said, “when one door closes, another opens”, and as expected, someone with his vast knowledge and experience wasn't likely to remain out in the pasture for long. For over two decades, Oom Kat has been a mastermind behind some of the best-maintained pitches and grounds in the region. His…

The newly-named Avanti Burma Lads Cricket Club, a cornerstone of cricket in Kimberley, is celebrating more than eight decades of sporting excellence. Founded in 1942 by renowned local sports personality AR Abass, the club has risen to become the most successful cricket team in the Northern Cape. Now, under the leadership of Chairman Ricky Joseph, the Burma Lads team has earned a reputation for both their dominance on the field and their contributions to cricket development. Speaking to the DFA recently, Joseph proudly shared a little bit about the club’s illustrious history: “Our club has attended the national Club Champs on more than 10 occasions, with the winner of the regional tournaments earning a place at nationals. This is a testament to the talent and dedication within our ranks,” he…

THE NORTHERN Cape Urban TVET College (NCUTVET) recently held a vibrant graduation ceremony for its National Diploma graduates in various business studies. The event took place at the TD Church in Kimberley on October 4, where families and friends gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of their loved ones. The joyous ceremony highlighted the outstanding achievements of the college’s top graduates, who epitomise the institution’s commitment to excellence. These exceptional individuals were recognised for their unwavering dedication, perseverance, and hard work throughout their studies. In a message to the graduating class, NCUTVET College expressed pride in their achievements: "Congratulations on this remarkable achievement. Your hard work, resilience, and determination have paid off. We are proud to have played a role in your educational journey." The college also honoured its 2023 top…

THE HEAD of the Northern Cape Department of Health, Dr Dion Theys, believes he and his co-accused have been vindicated after two multimillion-rand personal protective equipment (PPE) cases, in which they were implicated, were recently struck off the roll in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court. The prosecution has, however, indicated its intent to reinstate the charges. Macronym 37 CC was awarded a R26.9 million contract by the Department of Health in 2020 to procure Covid-19 PPE, including coveralls, surgical masks and N95/FFP2 masks. MKV Investments also received a R16.9 million tender for surgical masks, body bags and coveralls during the Covid-19 pandemic. Theys stated that the latest development in court proved that “no crime was ever committed”. “The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is flogging a dead horse. The Special Investigating Unit’s…

THE WILLIAM Pescod Secondary School (WPSS) Class of 1971-1974 recently gathered to celebrate a remarkable milestone – their 50th anniversary reunion. Alumni from across South Africa and as far as Australia travelled to Kimberley to reconnect and reflect on the five decades that have passed since their matriculation. The event, attended by many from the 71-74 cohort, kicked off with a warm meet and greet, where old friends and classmates reminisced about their school days. Lloyd Louw, the chief organiser of the reunion, distributed T-shirts adorned with the WPSS emblem, generously donated by Spice Mecca, adding to the sense of camaraderie. Despite unexpectedly cold weather, the Saturday morning fun walk from WPSS to Sol Plaatje University (SPU) was well attended by those eager to brave the chill. Following this, the…

Rhythmia Gymnastics Club in Kimberley has done it again. Recently, a group of 21 of the club’s gymnasts represented both their club and the Northern Cape province at the prestigious National Gym Games, held at the Western Cape Sport School in Kuils River between September 18 to 23. Competing against the best in the country, the Rhythmia gymnasts put on their usual exceptional performances, which resulted in them bringing home numerous medals and accolades. Leading the team’s success was Mayah Hloma, who clinched two silver medals and one bronze, in addition to earning the title of National Champion by placing first overall in her category. This outstanding performance by Mayah has undoubtedly made her the toast of the club. Other notable achievements included Tricha Richards who finished fourth overall, and…

A defiant Gayton McKenzie sought to dispel any notion that he attended the Paris Olympics as part of a R800,000 “joyride”, saying he was no superfan, but attending to his duties as Sports Minister. He was speaking off-script before addressing the public on his first 100 days in office during a press conference held in Johannesburg on Thursday. McKenzie has defended himself, saying he had made it his mission to save money on accommodation, but it is unclear why he did not display the same energy to save over R400,000 spent on ground transport costs. Though he did not go into much detail about why some of the expenses were so high which included over R454,005 on ground transport in Paris for him and his officials – he claimed there…

A FAMILIAR face on the Kimberley school sports scene, Deon Carney has spent nine years shaping rugby at Northern Cape High School. As an Old Boy of the school and its Director of Rugby, his expertise has made a lasting impact on both the first XV and Sevens teams. However, now, after nine successful years at Northern Cape High, Carney is taking on a new challenge at Diamantveld High School (DHS). In a recent interview with the DFA, he revealed that Diamantveld approached him with an offer, which he accepted. In this new role, Carney will serve as Rugby Organiser and Head of Junior Rugby, focusing on developing the Under-14, Under-15, and Under-16 teams. He brings with him years of experience and is eager to apply it to help Diamantveld’s…

A WHIMSICAL gown, fit for a princess and crafted from approximately 30 DFA newspapers, earned Northern Cape High (NCH) School learner Daynah Smith first place in a recycling fashion design competition held during the annual Mr and Miss NCH 2024/25 pageant. Daynah, a Grade 11 learner, and her peers were tasked with creating fashion designs using recycled materials. She explained that it took about a week, from the planning stages to the final product, to complete her gown. While Daynah initially had doubts about whether her choice of recycled material would suit her design, she was ultimately pleased with the outcome. “I drew inspiration from an image on Pinterest and envisioned a dress that combined a corset with the elegance of a princess-style long skirt,” she said. “At first, I…

A UNANIMOUS desire from religious leaders in Kimberley to bring residents closer to God and seek divine intervention for the city is at the helm of the upcoming Jesus Week Crusade. The crusade, which will take place from October 23 until October 26, aims to bring together thousands of residents and members of many different churches to gather in worship at AR Abass Stadium. The Senior Pastor of City of Hope, Jan van Reenen, said earlier this week that more than 30 churches from different denominations and 30 evangelists from Christ for All Nations (CfAN) had already agreed to be part of the crusade, with many more expected to come on board. He said the aim of the crusade is to bring revival and spiritual transformation to the Diamond City,…

A WHISTLE-BLOWER has alleged that district municipalities incurred irregular expenditure by funding Speakers to attend a meeting in Groblershoop, which never took place last week. A by-election was held in Ward 6 of the !Kheis Municipality on October 8-9, the same dates the Speakers’ forum was scheduled to convene. The ward was won by ANC candidate Junine Patricia Priscilla Ludick, taking control from the DA. According to the whistle-blower, only the Speakers from Kgatelopele and Tsantsabane municipalities arrived in Groblershoop, following an invitation from the ZF Mgcawu Speaker. It was unclear, however, whether they attended the meeting. The whistle-blower further claimed that the cash-strapped Kgatelopele Municipality had approved travel and subsistence allowances, along with accommodation and petrol expenses, for the Speaker and his driver’s trip to Groblershoop. “The Speaker was…

Kimberley soccer fans celebrate Leonay’s return after continental conquests THERE was quite a bit of fanfare at the Kimberley Airport on Wednesday afternoon when one of Kimberley’s newest sports stars returned home to a rapturous welcome after displaying her exceptional soccer skills on the continental stage. Norman Football Development Club, under the leadership of team manager Sydney Norman, had recently extended heartfelt congratulations to one of the club’s brightest young talents, 14-year-old Leonay Kock. This was ahead of Leonay’s departure to the CAF African Schools Football Champs COSAFA Qualifier that was recently wrapped up in Walvis Bay, Namibia. This Grade 7 learner from Beacon Primary School had earned the honour of being called up to represent the Under-15 Schools National Team. In the end, the young player made the most…

THE SUPPORTED Employment Enterprises (SEE), an entity of the Department of Employment and Labour, will host a wellness and sports day at the AR Abass Stadium in Kimberley today, starting at 9am. The senior administration clerk at SEE, Annie Siyo, explained that the event is a joint effort between the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the Premier’s Office, and the Department of Employment and Labour. The initiative is designed to promote a healthy and inclusive environment for employees, with a strong focus on supporting individuals with disabilities. Siyo emphasised the importance of the event, noting that it aims to boost both physical well-being and workplace morale by encouraging teamwork and camaraderie among the participants. “We aim to promote physical well-being, teamwork and camaraderie among over 60 employees to enhance…