Table of contents for 2023-11-24 in DFA News

by water shutdown DESPITE Sol Plaatje Municipality recently rolling out its “turnaround plan” to address water shutdowns and increase water levels at the Riverton and Newton reservoirs, city residents have been left high and dry once again. Statistics South Africa, during the recent handover of the 2022 Census results, said that the Northern Cape recorded the highest percentage of water interruptions in the country, at 65.8 percent. Residents of Kimberley know about this only too well and voiced their frustrations yesterday after the municipality implemented an “emergency water shutdown”. Many residents said that the municipality had “blindsided” them and had not given them any warning about the water shutdown. They added that the municipality sounded like a broken record as the same problems were announced over and over again. “We…

THE ONCE drab and dusty Galeshewe Open Air Arena was transformed into the colourful “Galeshewe Active Box”, an informal traders hub that was officially launched by Sol Plaatje executive mayor Kagisho Sonyoni this week. The hub is envisaged to contribute to a more liveable, resilient, safe, economically-thriving and vibrant Galeshewe. The project was made possible through Sol Plaatje Municipality’s participation in the ‘GIZ Cities Challenge 2.0’, aimed at contributing to “Building Vibrant and Resilient Neighbourhoods”, in May last year. The Cities Challenge 2.0 is an initiative led by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) in partnership with Cities Alliance and UN-Habitat. It aims to pilot innovative solutions for sustainable planning and building and contributing to the creation of climate-adapted, connected and liveable neighbourhoods. The participation was also part…

WITH temperatures in Kimberley soaring between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius this week, Sol Plaatje Municipality declared that it aims to restore the water supply to the city by tomorrow. This follows after the municipality implemented an emergency water shutdown on Wednesday in order to attend to two major leaks that were discovered on the 900mm pipeline at Sunset Manor and at the cross-section of the 900 and 600mm pipelines at Midlands. The acting executive mayor, Thobeka Matika, during a press briefing on Wednesday, said the municipality had decided to halt the water supply to the city to attend to the problem. “We remain committed to addressing the loss of water precipitated by the ageing network infrastructure. In 2024, over R104 million from the Budget Facility Infrastructure (BFI) grant was…

Aztecs beat Juventus to be crowned 2023 Sol Plaatje Masters League champions In a heart-stopping finale that left spectators on the edge of their seats, Aztec Masters managed to clinch the 2023 Sol Plaatje Masters League title, despite losing to Juventus Masters in the second leg of the final. Aztecs won the title the same way that had fallen short last year – on the away goal rule, when they went down to Saps Masters in the 2022 final. This year, the final produced an electrifying showdown at the Galeshewe Stadium, spectators witnessed an intense clash of skill and determination that will be etched in local football history and the memories of those who witnessed the game for years to come. In a heartwarming gesture before kick-off, officials from the…

In the realm of archery, dedication, passion, and precision harmonise effortlessly, weaving narratives of impressive growth and unforeseen accomplishments. For Odette Victor, what initially started as a casual fascination with the sport merely a year ago has evolved into an incredible odyssey onto the national platform, characterised by resilience, unwavering family backing, and an unyielding quest for perfection. Odette has transformed into a dedicated archer whose journey in the sport began back in 2021 when her husband purchased bows for him and their son. Little did she know that picking up her son’s bow one day would spark an enduring passion for archery, a sport that would soon become an integral part of her and her family’s life. However, it wasn’t until April 2023 that Odette’s archery journey took a…

A GROUP of seven prison warders from Kimberley are waiting to hear their fate after their unfair dismissal case was appealed to the General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council (GPSSBC) by the Public Servants Association (PSA) and the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru). Six of the seven warders are PSA members, while the seventh belongs to Popcru. The outcome of the appeal is expected in February next year. This is after 13 prison warders belonging to the PSA and Popcru reportedly found themselves at loggerheads with their area commissioner and accused him of sexual harassment, intimidation and victimisation. The union members, who were accused of ill-discipline and intimidation, have also accused their employer of a smear campaign after they became “whistle-blowers”. They accused the area commissioner of being…

IN A SIGNIFICANT boost to local environmental efforts, ‘Bats and Birds Services’, an avifauna company based in Noupoort, has welcomed a generous donation from Noupoort Wind Farm earmarked for the acquisition of a much-needed company vehicle. This development marks a crucial milestone for the community-focused enterprise, which was founded by five dedicated locals through the support of Noupoort Wind Farm. The donation comes at a pivotal moment for Bats and Birds Services, whose team, which now comprises 10 members, is expanding to meet the growing demands of their environmentally conscious initiatives. Noupoort Wind Farm, as part of its commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and local enterprise, has been a key supporter of this Noupoort-based company. Noupoort Wind Farm's support extends beyond financial assistance; they have actively facilitated Birds and Bats Services…

Kimberley Golf Club results for the week of November 15 to 18 and a look ahead to the week of for the period of November 17 to 27. Results for the week of November 15 to 18 are: The Wednesday, November, 15 OBC Chicken sponsored 18-hole IPS competition was won by Gavin van Zyl and on 39 pts. Second was Phillip Maritz with 37 pts over 3rd placed Barend Burger on 36 pts. The Thursday, November 16 KWV-sponsored Niner with power play options was won by Andre Williams on 24pts with Keith Brown 2nd with 22 pts and Sarel van Rensburg 3rd on 18 pts. The Friday, November 17 Flamingo Casino-sponsored Niner was won by Gavin Williams on 20 pts with Andries Kori 2nd with 19 pts, Bernard Turton 3rd…

CITY patients who are referred to their local clinics for medical examinations in order to renew or apply for disability grants have raised concerns about the “poor treatment” they allegedly receive from clinic staff, who they claim give preference to acquaintances. They have accused the staff at clinics of making patients, including those in wheelchairs, queue for the entire day, despite being referred by the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa), before eventually sending them home to “wait until next month”. Following a recent incident at Floors Clinic, a disabled patient called on Sassa to intervene after he was apparently sent back home for the third month and told that the doctor had already seen his required quota of 40 patients for the day. The patient complained that he sat and…

WHAT is our beautiful little town coming to? What has happened to Kimberley? Just the other day, during one of my morning walks a car scraped by me, so close that I am almost certain the driver could smell the ‘two drops’ that came out when I skrikked. The driver, seemingly oblivious to the fact that I had suddenly become dehydrated, went on his merry way as if what he had done was normal. I, meanwhile, continued my stroll with quivering knees; fuming, muttering and mumbling to myself about how people cannot even show basic courtesy on the roads these days. Just then I realised that the reason for the near miss was that I was exhibiting symptoms of a malady that is ravaging our city. The affliction is called…

FIXTURES Cricket Tomorrow Promotion League 40 Overs Pool A Round 5 – Same Pool Adamanatia (12 noon): Colts II vs Old Boys KHS Main (12 noon): Diamantveld II vs Diamond Diggies NJ Heyns (12 noon): CYM vs Pirates Yorkshire (12 noon): Frank Roro II vs House of Cricket SPU (12 noon): Sol Plaatje University II vs Olympian Wanderers II Sunday Promotion League 40 Overs Pools B/C Round 5 – Cross Pool Adamantia (12 noon): Royal Tornados vs Kings II Yorkshire (12 noon): Yorkshire II vs Titans Backfield (12 noon): Burma Lads II vs West End I Promotion League 40 Overs Round of 16 Knockout KHS Main (12 noon): 1st/2nd/3rd/4th vs SPU RESULTS Road Running Time Trial results for Kimberley Harriers run that took place on Tuesday, November 21 are: 4km:…