Table of contents for 2023-11-17 in DFA News

IN A PHILANTHROPIC effort to support the well-being of the community, the Rotary Club of Kimberley this week made a significant contribution to Ons Huis, a local residential facility for older persons. The Rotary Club handed over a donation of six blood pressure monitors, aimed at bolstering the medical capabilities of Ons Huis, on November 13. Ons Huis, a respected institution dedicated to providing care for those in need, will now be equipped with the monitors to help manage the health of their residents. The Rotary Club's donation of the medical equipment underscores their commitment to enhancing health-care services in Kimberley and surrounding areas. The blood pressure monitors will play a crucial role in the day-to-day care of individuals at Ons Huis, allowing health-care professionals to closely monitor and respond…

IT IS NO secret that South Africans across the Northern Cape and indeed the entire country are struggling with rising food prices stemming from global conflicts and the growing influence of climate change on input costs associated with food production and distribution. Other aspects to consider include rising fuel costs, interest rate hikes and other economic pressures. With load shedding now a part of daily life, it is clear that the food industry is facing mounting challenges that need to be resolved if food security is to be stabilised. Questions remain as to where this leaves the consumer who is faced with the ever-increasing cost of living. A spokesperson for the Spar Group, Mpudi Maubane, said that ever-resilient South Africans are turning to the age-old concept of Ubuntu by finding…

THE ASSOCIATION for Persons with Disabilities (APD) in the Frances Baard District has made a call for alternative accommodation to be provided for 54-year-old Julia Batshegi and her family in Warrenvale, as her house is on the verge of collapsing. Baitshegi, who lives in one of the “vaalblok huise” in Warrenvale, expressed concern that she, her disabled son and her sick husband are at risk of being buried under the rubble of their RDP home. Local residents claimed that the houses, which were erected about 24 years ago, were imposed on them after the project was rejected in Postmasburg. They were apparently threatened that they would never get any other house if they did not settle for those ones. The houses started developing serious cracks five years after they were…

Now to clarify, when I say “senior years”, I will have you know that by the time we reached Standard 8 (today’s Grade 10) as far as we were concerned, we had arrived; we knew everything there was to know about everything and we were ready to take on the world These days I look at Grade 10s and though I see mere children, I remind myself how grown-up and mature I felt when I was their age. Now about that competitiveness during those senior school years, there was one particular contest that was especially keen. Our class’s boys were highly competitive when it came to shoe shining. We would sometimes spend entire intervals buffing our shoes to a mirror-like lustre. And we had our favourite supplies to give ourselves…

In a one-sided encounter during the domestic 4-Day Series, the Northern Cape Heat edured a heavy defeat against the Itec Knights in the second game of their campaign. The Knights set the tone early, amassing an impressive 467 runs in their first innings at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley, completely dominating their hosts with the bat. The Heat, eager to match the Knights’ formidable score, faltered and could only manage a total of 233 runs before they were all bowled out. Jason Oakes was the outstanding batsman for the hosts, scoring an impressive 98, with only Grant Thomson’s 41 making a meaningful contribution to the team total. The Knights then pressed home their advantage, adding 321/4 in a whirlwind 54 overs before declaring with a healthy 555-run lead. When the…

Kimberley Golf Club results for the week of November 8 to 11 and next week’s programme are: Results for the week of November 8 to 11 are: The Wednesday, November 8 Darsha-sponsored 18-hole IPS competition was won by Gavin V Zyl and on 38 pts. Second was Stewart Wiid with 35 pts over 3rd placed Joshua Edwards on 33pts. The Thursday, November 9 KWV-sponsored Niner with power play options was won by Kat Swanepoel on 25pts with Andries Kori 2nd with 24pts and Kevin Antill 3rd on 22pts. The Saturday, November 11 Club-sponsored 18-hole BBS competition was won by Lionel Jacobs with 38pts. Second was Zayhied Suliman on 38pts who lost on a count-out. Third place was claimed by Deon Kotze with a score of 37pts. Please note…

THE RICHTERSVELD, a rugged and majestic landscape, is not only a haven for geology enthusiasts but is now also home to a “wonder child” named Pieter van Wyk (pictured), who has transformed the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park Desert Botanical Garden and Nursery into a botanical masterpiece. Born and raised in the heart of the Richtersveld, Pieter's journey into the world of plants and conservation started right in his own backyard. The Richtersveld, known for its barren mountains and unique desert flora, became the canvas on which Pieter painted his passion for nature. Little did he know, however, that his love for the environment would eventually lead him to become a global champion for conservation. Pieter's odyssey with South African National Parks (SANParks) began in 2013 when he joined as an environmental…

CLASSES at Philipvale Primary School in Philipstown have been suspended for five days following a German measles outbreak at the school. Northern Cape Department of Education spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe said 26 laboratory cases of German measles, also known as Rubella, have been confirmed thus far. Van der Merwe said the department decided to close the school as a health and safety measure. “We have engaged with the Department of Health and agreed that the school will be closed for five days to allow for fumigation and to prevent further spread of the virus. This school closure will also provide an opportunity for learners to quarantine themselves, reducing the risk of further transmission,” said Van der Merwe. “Thus far, the local Masibambane Clinic has recorded 26 confirmed laboratory cases…

Aztec Masters are one step closer to the Masters League crown after their first leg win over Juventus last weekend IN A THRILLING showdown beneath the scorching Kimberley sun this past weekend, Aztec Masters FC secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Juventus Masters FC at the De Beers Stadium. This intense encounter served as the first leg of the highly anticipated Sol Plaatje Masters League final, laying the foundation for an exciting conclusion scheduled at Galeshewe Stadium this Sunday. The temperature soared to a blistering 37 degrees, making every stride on the field a test of endurance for players on both teams. Spectators sought refuge under the shade cover on the grandstand, and their cheers generated an electric atmosphere that mirrored the intensity on the pitch. The match unfolded as…

The Northern Cape Bowls 2023/24 season got off to a thrilling start over the weekend as bowlers from the four sub-districts battled it out in the Pairs Championships. There was plenty of action on the greens as competitors battled it out to claim the coveted titles. The men's pairs final saw Dudley Daniels and Shaun Campher, who had displayed fine form in the Kimberley Sub-District Bowling Association pairs, face off against Marco Geel and Francois van der Walt from Conroy. Despite the Kimberley duo’s efforts, it was Geel and Van der Walt who outclassed their opponents, seizing the title and making a strong statement early in the season. In the third/fourth place play-off for the men's pairs, Wouter Blom and Gavin Panderis from Conroy locked horns with Charles-Peter and Etienne…