Table of contents for 2025-09-12 in DFA News

LOCAL businesses that were sidelined in favour of a contractor from outside the city to refurbish the Floors community hall have called for a forensic investigation into how the multimillion-rand tender was awarded. The managing director of the appointed company – Mabalane A Seven Construction and Projects – is Makome Julia Matlala. According to the registration details, the company’s physical address is listed as Lephalale, Limpopo, although its website states that it is based in Pretoria, and the letter of acceptance indicates that it is situated in Kathu. The contract form, signed by Sol Plaatje municipal manager Thapelo Matlala on June 11, stipulates a payment of R3.9 million within 30 days of receipt of the delivery note. While Sol Plaatje Municipality has not outlined the scope of work or confirmed…

THE ILLEGAL cutting and removal of protected street trees in Kimberley has sparked growing concern, with calls for urgent intervention to safeguard the city’s urban forest. Former Sol Plaatje Municipality Parks manager Massimo Mazzoncini, who retired in August 2024, emphasised the importance of protecting trees that form part of the city’s green infrastructure. “Street tree by-laws regulate various aspects of trees located in public areas by controlling the planting, pruning and removal of trees. Permission from the municipality is required for any action involving street trees. Trees planted on pavements are the property and asset of the municipality,” explained Mazzoncini. He further highlighted that many of the trees being cut down fall under the National Forests Act (Act No. 84 of 1998). “The trees that were cut down are protected…

SOL PLAATJE Municipality has committed to investigating why the youth desk co-ordinator in the Office of the Executive Mayor has been receiving a full salary despite reportedly being absent from her desk for the past two years. The official is believed to be a close family member of the MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism and ANC Youth League provincial chairperson Venus Blennies-Magage. A spokesperson for the Office of the Mayor, Keobakile Musunse, confirmed that Beauty Blennies started employment at the municipality on May 3, 2022. She stated that apart from being granted maternity leave, there appeared to be no approval for her extended absence. “The municipality is currently investigating whether Blennies was granted any formal approval to work remotely or under any flexible work arrangement,” said Musunse. “At…

The spirit of youth football came alive at the Boys High School grounds in Kimberley as the Northern Cape hosted the Kay Motsepe Schools Provincial Knockouts this week. Boys and girls from across the province gathered to showcase their talent, determination and passion for the game, continuing a proud tradition of giving learners a platform to rise through the ranks of SA football. The Kay Motsepe Schools Tournament, established years ago with the aim of promoting school sports and providing opportunities for young players to be scouted, has grown into one of the most respected school football competitions in the country. For the NC, it remains an important stage where communities unite and dreams begin to take shape. This year’s provincial knockouts brought together schools from all five districts of…

The Carling Currie Cup semi-finals are set, with Kimberley gearing up for a high-stakes clash as the Suzuki Griquas host the Toyota Cheetahs under lights at Suzuki Stadium tomorrow, with kickoff at 7.15pm. Griquas earned second place on the final log with 25 points, securing the home advantage for this pivotal encounter. Despite a 37-7 loss to the Fidelity ADT Lions in their last league match – their second defeat of the season – the Griquas have shown strong form throughout the campaign. They face a determined Cheetahs side, who finished fourth with 23 points. The Cheetahs recorded a convincing league win over the “Bloem Brekers”. Still, they fell short against the Vodacom Bulls in their final match, staging a spirited second-half comeback that signals they will be a tough…

A MAN has admitted to strangling a woman and helping to dispose of her body in a case where his former partner and her sister claimed life insurance pay-outs taken out in the name of their cousin. The cousin’s body was retrieved on August 11, 2020, from a water canal in Douglas, where a forensic pathologist attributed the cause of death to drowning and a head injury. It was indicated that the deceased was still alive when she was thrown into the water. The accused in the matter – Justin Tier, Naledi Leburu and Mpho Leburu – appeared in the Northern Cape High Court this week, where they pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, defeating or obstructing the course of justice, and two counts of fraud. Following the incident,…

HUNDREDS of children across the Northern Cape have received brand-new multilingual storybooks, offering them the chance to discover the joy of reading and the tools to build a brighter future. As the country marks National Book Week (September 5–11) and National Literacy Month, the Northern Cape has become the first province in South Africa to benefit from a grassroots literacy drive tackling the nation’s reading crisis. A total of 600 multicultural storybooks were distributed this week, placing books into the hands of young learners in some of the most underserved communities — many for the very first time.” The initiative comes against the backdrop of alarming statistics. The 2025 Thrive by Five Index findings release this week show that less than half of pre-school children are meeting developmental milestones, with…

THROUGHOUT my life, it’s been my head that has been giving me a rough time. At first, before I even got to school, it was too big and I kept bumping it, causing bumps and knobs and booboos. Also, because of its size, I acquired the unfortunate nickname of “Spyker”, because a nail has a big head and a thin body. But it didn’t end there. When I was at school, the thick tuft of fur on top of this lump would often misbehave, no matter how much I brushed it, making me look “uncool”. Later, after I discovered Brylcreem and a swirlkous, the fur started greying; very soon thereafter, the grey strands started dropping off onto the shower floor … making me uncool again! But the fur patch was…

The archery community of the Northern Cape is preparing for one of its proudest moments as 41 local athletes gear up to represent the province at the Africa Genesis Archery South Africa (AGA-SA) National Tournament. The prestigious competition will take place between October 7-10 at the Polokwane International Airport, where more than a thousand archers from across the country are expected to compete. For the Northern Cape team, the tournament is not just another competition. It includes three championships – the National Inter-Provincial, the National Adult Archery Generation, and the National Inter-Schools and Clubs – making it the pinnacle event of the local calendar. For many athletes, it is also a launchpad to even bigger dreams, as outstanding performers will be considered for selection to represent South Africa in Botswana…

Kimberley has long been a breeding ground for sporting talent, and three of its finest darts players will soon carry the city’s name to an international stage. Dean Naude, Jaco Thuynsma and Leane van der Walt have been selected to represent the Southern region of the African Darts Group at the ADG Continental Tournament in Nairobi, Kenya, on September 23–24. The trio are among just 16 elite players chosen from across the Southern Hemisphere, a group that represents the best in darts. For Kimberley, it is another proud moment, proof that the city can hold its own on the global sporting stage. While darts in SA is sometimes seen as a pub pastime, the sport has a strong and expanding competitive structure. The South African Darts Board, established in 1947,…

IMAGINE having to live with a constant cloud of dust hovering over your premises, creeping into your home, and leaving a thick layer of dirt on your appliances. You clean today, but by tomorrow the dust is back again. For residents in Ernestville, close to the old CRC Church, this has become a daily reality. Since 2019, when Ekapa Mining constructed a new access road leading into their mine, life for homeowners in the area has been turned upside down. The gravel road, which runs alongside a guest house and nearby homes, has become a highway for heavily loaded mining trucks. Every vehicle that passes kicks up a cloud of dust that drifts into living spaces, gardens, and businesses. When the DFA visited the site following complaints from residents, the…

HUNDREDS of residents slept over at the Kimberley train station this week in order to access health services provided by the Transnet Phelophepa Healthcare Train. Residents camped at the station on Sunday night in anticipation of the train, which was scheduled to arrive on September 8, but were informed on Monday morning that it had been delayed. They returned again on Tuesday — including elderly patients — bringing along blankets, cooler boxes and pillows to spend another night on the cement floor in an effort to avoid long queues. Many said they preferred the Phelophepa train to conventional health clinics, as it offered a wider range of services. Phelophepa Healthcare Train manager Dr Thabiso Manamela explained that while the train had been on schedule, delays were caused by theft and…

A GRADE 6 pupil, Susan Tsubane, 11, was killed in a motor vehicle accident while reportedly going to fetch water from a leaking pipe near a main road in Hartswater. A family member, Ishmael Matlapeng, said Susan’s twin was devastated by her sister's death. “We will bury her this weekend. Her fellow pupils at Motswaledi Primary School were unable to concentrate following the incident," he added. Matlapeng explained that Susan had gone to fill a four-litre water container, as residents in the Nkandla settlement did not have access to running water. “Children are often sent to cross the busy street to collect water,” he said. He expressed frustration that no one had been held responsible for her death, claiming that the driver of the Isuzu bakkie that allegedly collided with…

Kimberley will play host to an action-packed boxing tournament next Saturday, September 20, when New Champions Boxing Academy and Platinum Boxing and Fitness Club bring some of the region’s finest talent together. The event will take place at Eden Pub and Grill, located at 112 Landbou Road, South Ridge, with bouts scheduled to begin by midday. Several top clubs have confirmed their participation in an impressive line-up. These include the hosts New Champions Boxing Academy and Platinum Boxing Club, along with Bokamoso Boxing Club, and Tsantsabane Boxing Club from Postmasburg, Rusty Gloves Boxing Club, Home Defenders Boxing Club, and Smithy’s Boxing Club from Welkom, Bert Collins Boxing Club from Brits in Gauteng; and Just Do It Boxing Club. From the host gyms, fans can expect to see exciting performances from…

The Sol Plaatje Masters Football League has received a massive financial boost with the announcement of a new sponsor, marking the league’s first sponsorship in six years. The sponsor, who chose to remain anonymous, pledged R130,000 to the league for the coming year. Of this, R100,000 will go towards running the league, while R30,000 has been allocated specifically for a pre-season tournament between January and March. The sponsor’s only condition is that after Sunday’s football matches, players must gather at his establishment to enjoy a few drinks and support his business, a deal he believes benefits both parties. The league, which consists of 41 teams and between 1,100 and 1,300 members, provides a strong platform for the partnership. The sponsorship will initially run from September 1 this year until September…