Table of contents for 2025-08-22 in DFA News

Wildlife club members, environmentalists and farmers are fiercely opposing a diamond mining application that threatens the future of Rooifontein. Experts have advised that mining activity will have a devastating impact on wildlife, fauna and flora, birdlife and the ecosystem. Affected parties, including members of the public, have until September 12 to lodge any objections. The farm is home to threatened species, including the Secretary bird, white backed vulture, small spotted cat, mountain reedbuck, as well as zebras, Gemsbok and unique plant species. The proposed area will affect an archaeological and cultural heritage site and San rock art site, while recreational activities such as hiking, bird watching, bicycle riding, park runs, camping and hunting will also be negatively impacted. The mining proposal submitted by Affordable Outcomes CC, based in Christiana, intends…

A group of young traffic trainees say they have been left in the lurch after paying for remedial training out of their own pockets, despite earlier promises of placements to strengthen road traffic enforcement in the Northern Cape. This comes even though R19.5 million was budgeted in the 2025/26 financial year for the appointment of 50 traffic officials in the province. Two months after passing all their modules, 32 trainees remain at home, unemployed. They were part of an intake of 50 trainees who were enrolled to undergo training at the Matjhabeng Traffic Training Academy in Welkom in October 2024. The total cost of training reportedly amounted to around R20 million. The portfolio committee on transport, safety and liaison earlier this year questioned the 68 percent failure rate, where only…

ANC ward 3 councillor Derick Korkie and ANC Youth League (ANCYL) regional task team convener Kagisho Ntshinga expressed their disappointment over the provisional withdrawal of assault charges that were laid against them in the Kimberley magistrate’s court this week. The trial involving the alleged assault of a 31-year-old ANCYL branch member during a branch general meeting at the Homevale community hall in Roodepan on October 30 2024, was scheduled to begin on August 19. Korkie and Ntshinga stated that their reputations had been damaged as part of a ploy to end their political careers. “However, they did not succeed, as we are still in our positions. We are not happy that we never had an opportunity to tell the court our version of what really happened. We are public figures;…

Two of Kimberley’s rising skateboarding stars, Boipelo Awuah and Brad Balie, have departed for Moscow to compete in the Grand Skate Tournament 2025, a showcase that draws the world’s leading street skateboarders. They are the only South Africans invited to the event. Their participation follows years of groundwork by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s Kimberley Diamond Cup programme, which has developed young talent through equipment, tournaments and international exposure. To ensure the pair could compete, the department recently appointed Exilite Holdings as its service provider. The local events management company also came on board as sponsor, covering flights, travel bags, clothing and spending money. Without this backing, Awuah and Balie would not have been able to represent South Africa and the continent on this stage. For Awuah, already…

‘The dream is that one day, when people think about South African Taekwondo, the NC will be spoken of with respect’ – Mosekimang Dikgetsi Taekwondo practitioners from the Northern Cape returned home from the 2025 Tuks Taekwondo Championship in Pretoria with renewed pride after delivering one of their best performances in recent years. Competing against powerhouse provinces with bigger squads and resources, athletes from Sol Plaatje University (SPU) Taekwondo and Shidokwon Academy of Roodepan showcased grit, skill and determination to secure a remarkable eight medals. The championship, held on August 16, drew over 20 clubs and hundreds of athletes from six provinces. And while most teams arrived with more than 50 competitors, the Northern Cape fielded only 23 athletes, five from Shidokwon Academy and 18 from SPU Taekwondo, and yet…

The Minerva Gardens murder case has been transferred to the Northern Cape High Court after a third suspect was added this week. Obaray Mabija was joined as a co-accused when the matter appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on August 20. The case stems from a shooting on December 21, 2024, in which Charmaine Anthony was killed and her son, Lucan, was wounded in the leg and buttocks. Advocate Dr Celeste Nameka, her father, Clive Ferris, and co-accused Obaray Mabija are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and the unlawful discharge of a firearm. Mabija told the court he intends to appoint a Legal Aid South Africa representative. The state handed over the indictment, confirming that the matter will be transferred to…

The family of a two-year-old toddler who drowned in a water-filled trench near Masakeng location in Valspan is seeking legal advice to hold the Phokwane municipality accountable for her death. A community activist, Maleke Montshiwagae, said the treacherous trench that was situated close to the residential area had never been cordoned off. "It is believed that the girl followed her father when he went to relieve himself outside. It was dark, and no one was aware that she had left the house when she fell into the trench that was dug for the installation of sewer pipes. It was already too late when they realised that she was missing.” The toddler’s mother, Deoiwe Cekiso Duyalvame, said that the family had consulted a lawyer to institute a claim of negligence. “We…

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has sounded the alarm over a controversial settlement deal between the Sol Plaatje Municipality and the Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works, which will see the municipality lose out on more than R533 million. According to DA councillor Chris Whittaker, the agreement secures a once-off payment of only R95 million on departmental debt of R628 million. “For every rand received, the municipality is effectively writing off five rand. This kind of loss-making venture is not sustainable for a cash-strapped municipality that is already battling to provide basic services,” Whittaker said. The DA has confirmed it will submit formal questions probing how the deal was finalised, as the contract was signed by the municipal manager without being tabled before council for discussion. This, the party…

The Suzuki Griquas enter Round 5 of the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division with momentum, but also with a new challenge: the rest of their campaign will be played away from Kimberley. On Sunday, Pieter Bergh’s team will be in Pretoria for a clash with the Vodacom Bulls at Grizzly Park, home of Tuine Rugby Club in Daspoort. Kick-off is at 3pm. The Griquas have been formidable at home, stringing together three consecutive wins since their opening-round defeat to the Pumas in Nelspruit. Their latest victory, a 26-17 result over the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV, showcased their resilience and tactical discipline. That performance was built on dominance at the set piece, with scrum penalties piling pressure on the Sharks. Tries came from Caleb Abrahams, Dylan Maart, Derik Pretorius, and Gurshwin Wehr,…

The 2025 Motsepe Schools Games brought excitement, determination and a high quality football to Kimberley as hundreds of learners competed across three age divisions under the Sol Plaatje school football structure. This year’s competition featured 32 boys’ Under-19 schools, 38 boys’ Under-13 schools and eight girls’ Under-13 schools, all battling it out for the honour of representing Sol Plaatje at the next stage of the competition in Warrenton. Matches kicked off with group stages, leading to a series of thrilling knockouts before three champions were crowned in the finals last week. In the high school boys’ Under-19 final, Emang Mmogo edged Emmanuel High School 2-1 in a tense encounter played at Technical High School on Wednesday, August 20. The game showcased the depth of talent in local school football, with…

MY FRIENDS and I, we were movie crazy! We watched every single movie … Make that every single “action movie” we could. Now, saying that these days may seem like an exaggeration. But when we were growing up, movie screenings occurred once a week. We had no televisions, no devices, and therefore motion pictures were screened in dedicated cinemas – and these were not cinema multiplexes. In fact, we even had a different name for them: "bioscopes". It’s hard to describe the thrill, the warmth, the nostalgic emotions that wells up when I think of those days. I guess it’s those feelings that, in a sense, got me practically addicted to theatrical entertainment. Yet, the fact is, I cannot say when the last time was that I watched a…

Residents have petitioned for a ban on face masks in Ward 16 after a 17-year-old was allegedly killed by suspects who concealed their identities. Ward 16 councillor Casper Rammutle stated that the deceased was fatally stabbed by unknown suspects near a tavern in Snake Park on Sunday, August 17. “We call for a prohibition on wearing masks in our ward as criminals are using them to disguise themselves," Rammutle said. He also urged the closure of unlicensed shebeens and illegal taverns that were attracting criminal elements in the area. “Our petition will be handed to the SAPS and Public Protector. We request higher police visibility and regular patrols in the neighbourhood. We have advised parents to ensure that their children stay out of the dark streets at night.” Rammutle commended…

THIS WEEKEND promises a thrilling showcase of South African sporting talent across the globe, with the Springboks, Springbok Women, and Proteas all in action. Bokke need to step up The Springboks are set for a crucial Rugby Championship clash against Australia at DHL Stadium in Cape Town this Saturday, August 23. Following a disappointing 38-22 defeat to the Wallabies in Johannesburg, which saw them drop to third in world rankings, the Boks are determined to correct the wrongs. That loss, their first at Ellis Park against Australia since 1963, highlighted issues like 26 missed tackles and 17 turnovers, with coach Rassie Erasmus lamenting they didn't play according to their usual high standards in the second half and that they let themselves and the country down. To bounce back, Erasmus has…

Kimberley’s Patrisia Fernandes has climbed to the very top of karate rankings, securing the number one spot in both South Africa and Africa. The CBC St Patrick’s learner described the feat as “humbling and surreal,” crediting years of discipline, sacrifice, and faith for her rise. Her success has also been recognised at school level, where she recently earned her third white honours blazer — making her the first girl in CBC Kimberley’s history to do so. “It feels very humbling, almost unreal,” she reflected. “This didn’t happen overnight; it took years of discipline, sacrifice, and faith. For nearly three years, I was stuck at third in South Africa, no matter how much I trained or gave of myself. There were times I doubted if it would ever change, but I…