Table of contents for 2025-06-27 in DFA News

IN HOMELITE, Kimberley, a bold vision is taking shape, not inside a polished factory or sprawling industrial park, but through a small startup, powered by determination, a compact brick-making machine, and the drive to change lives. Meet Zimkhitha Duze, the founder of Uuka Bricks, an eco-friendly brick manufacturing initiative still in its early stages but with the potential to transform not only construction but also communities across the Northern Cape and beyond. Armed with a finance background and a heart for social impact, Duze is currently producing sustainable bricks using a small-scale machine, crafting each unit with care. Her goal? To grow Uuka Bricks into a fully-fledged manufacturing business that reduces plastic waste, creates jobs, and makes green building materials accessible and affordable. Right now, her operation is humble but…

The much-anticipated showdown between the Springboks and the Barbarians is set to ignite the DHL Stadium in Cape Town tomorrow, as the home side begins their 2025 international season with a unique fixture for the Qatar Airways Cup. In what marks the Barbarians’ first-ever match on South African soil, an exciting blend of international stars, seasoned veterans, and promising newcomers will go head-to-head in a clash that, while not carrying official Test status, is being treated with the intensity of one. The Barbarians, coached by Robbie Deans, arrived in Cape Town earlier this week with a formidable 23-man squad, featuring no fewer than 18 players with Test experience. The squad includes familiar faces to SA fans, such as former Junior Springbok and current DHL Stormers lock Ruben van Heerden. The…

There’s a new name in the Northern Cape’s provincial football ranks – and while they may be newcomers at this level, the Sol Plaatje University (SPU) women’s team have stepped up with determination and pride. SPU’s debut this past weekend in the prestigious Sasol Women’s Football League marked a historic moment for the university and a significant milestone in the development of women’s sport in the region’s academic space. Fresh off their title-winning campaign in the Frances Baard Regional League, SPU earned their place in the provincial stream of South Africa’s leading semi-professional women’s football competition – a league that features over 140 teams nationwide and serves as a critical pathway to the top-tier Hollywoodbets Super League. Now grouped in one of the Northern Cape’s two competitive streams, SPU faced…

When Mamelodi Sundowns step out onto the field against Brazil’s Fluminense on Wednesday night at 9 pm at the FIFA Club World Cup, in addition to carrying their own badge, they’ll also be bearing the flag for South African club football. This is no small achievement – just their second appearance on this global stage – but what makes it truly remarkable is how they got here. Not through lucky draws or one-off cup runs, but through sustained excellence. And behind that excellence lies something even more important: a deliberate and ongoing investment in talent. And this seems to be the recipe for South Africa’s sporting successes of late. From academy prospects to young signings given time to develop, Sundowns have built a machine that refreshes itself year after year.…

Three school governing body (SGB) members were arrested and appeared in the Mothibistad magistrate's court this week after being accused of going on a spending spree with school funds. Hawks Northern Cape spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team arrested Patrick Kgomotso, 34, Lesedi Morapadi, 37 and Itumeleng Tsinyane, 52, on June 24. "The three SGB members are signatories of the AB Koloane Primary School governing body. They are alleged to have gone on a spending spree between January 2020 to April 2021, whereby they made several ATM withdrawals from the school's bank account during weekends and school holidays. "The group claims to have used the funds to pay for goods and services related to the school. On inspection, they failed to provide supporting…

EYEBROWS have been raised over the procurement of office space for two key Northern Cape government departments, amid allegations of “questionable” leases. It appears that payments continued for the rental of the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison’s provincial office – located on the corner of Lennox and Sidney streets – even after the lease expired and the building was evacuated due to safety concerns last year. In correspondence dated November 28, 2024, the department advised that it would be “in contempt” if it paid the building owners, Ocean Echo Properties, directly. This follows a court order obtained by Nedbank, instructing the department to pay rentals to the bank instead. Staff members were forced to evacuate the building immediately on November 26, 2024, after the Department of Employment and Labour…

Once a niche pursuit in the Northern Cape, martial arts are fast becoming a powerful force in the province’s youth sports scene – and the results are starting to show on the national stage. At the recent Martial Arts South Africa National Championship and Festival in Pretoria, Northern Cape athletes brought home 51 medals, a strong showing that reflects the growing strength of the sport in the province. Leading the charge were the Konoha Martial Arts academies from Kathu and Kuruman, whose competitors delivered a standout performance – collecting 35 medals, including 14 golds, under the guidance of Soke Sensei Rainer and Sensei Janko. Their efforts made up the bulk of the province’s medal count and highlighted the steady rise of local talent developed through structured training and committed coaching.…

AmaZulu FC’s attempt to sign Upington City winger Bokang Mokwena faltered at the final hurdle due to a transfer fee disagreement, according to a recent report. However, behind the scenes of the transfer market hustle, the real story seems to be the Northern Cape’s emergence as a hub for footballing talent. Despite being South Africa’s largest province by area, with the smallest population, and often overlooked, the region is now consistently producing players who draw interest from top clubs. Emile Witbooi immediately comes to mind. This young maestro broke into Cape Town City’s starting XI after Spurs and Chelsea reportedly scouted him – an impressive rise from kicking the ball around in Barkly Road. Meanwhile, Kimberley-born goalkeeper Jaden Bardenhorst was accepted into the SAFA National Academy, while FC Real Madrid…

An accused who threw drain acid at his cousin, inflicting facial nerve damage and severe burn wounds to her face and body, has been found guilty of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Kimberley magistrate Memory Qomoyi on Wednesday took note of the aggressive behaviour displayed by the accused, Itumeleng Bergman, 4,0 at the time the offence was committed. The incident took place in Mzimba Street in Galeshewe on August 18 2024, where the accused and the complainant Dora Bergman shared the family residence. Before the incident, an argument erupted over a blocked toilet where raw sewage was spilling into the yard. Qomoyi noted that Dora was left with the task of cleaning the mess, while the accused was sleeping inside the house. “Itumeleng felt aggrieved that he…

THESE days, I have become so jaded, it takes quite a bit to impress me. However, I was impressed when I recently read about Bob Schwartz’s planking record. While most people in their 80s are taking it easy and celebrating the fact that they can still pull on a sock, Schwartz set a staggering benchmark. The Florida-based grandfather held a plank for an incredible 50 minutes! These days, fitness experts recommend older adults hold a plank for between 20 seconds and two minutes. Schwartz blew that guideline into the stratosphere. The beauty of planking, of course, is that it requires no equipment. I remember my last day at the gym, just before cancelling my subscription. I spotted an attractive young lady working out nearby and wanted to impress her. So…

For the riders who gathered at Whispering Pines, near Kimberley, the Western Mounted Games (WMG) Northern Cape Qualifier went beyond a test of skill and became a celebration of passion, perseverance, and the deep bond between horse and rider. From Upington to Prieska, Barkly West to Hopetown, competitors traveled long distances to take part in five gymkhana events designed to challenge their speed, agility, and precision. But beyond the stopwatch and technical maneuvers, the day was filled with moments that spoke to the heart of the sport. Under gazebos and along the arena’s edge, families and friends cheered, offering encouragement as riders tackled tight turns and rapid sprints. Young riders looked to seasoned veterans for guidance, while competitors exchanged tips and words of support between runs. For many, this qualifier…

A SPIRITED and focused Junior Springbok squad is preparing to depart for Italy ahead of the 2025 World Rugby Under-20 Championship, which kicks off this Sunday. The young South Africans will launch their campaign with a challenging Pool A fixture against Australia, followed by matchups against England and Scotland. After wrapping up final preparations in Stellenbosch, the team will head to their tournament base in Verona on Tuesday. There, they will fine-tune their strategies and acclimatise to Italian conditions before taking the field in Calvisano on Sunday, June 29. The players are brimming with pride and determination, as emphasised by team captain Riley Norton, a former Paul Roos Gymnasium pupil from Stellenbosch. “We’ve worked incredibly hard to be here, and all of us are just so proud to be representing…

The much-anticipated Sasol Women’s League finally got under way in the Northern Cape this past weekend. That's good news because due to challenges between clubs and SAFA, teams have been forced into a tight schedule, with many playing two fixtures over a single weekend to make up for lost time. Strong local support The opening weekend saw Diamond Ladies step up to host the reigning provincial champions, Royal Wizards, at the FNB Astro Turf Stadium in Kimberley. The match drew strong local support, with fans eager to see top-level women’s football return to the field. At the final whistle, Royal Wizards had beaten Diamond Ladies 2-0 in a thrilling match. Wasting no time, Diamond Ladies were back on the pitch the very next day when they faced the determined Amakipkip…