Table of contents for 2024-05-31 in DFA News

VOTERS in Kimberley, young and old, indicated that the power to vote a party into government still remains in the hands of the people. While some residents prior to Election Day said that they were not interested in participating in the 2024 National Elections, others who made their way to polls on Wednesday said that it is an opportunity that should not be taken lightly. Residents waited patiently to make their cross at some voting stations which had long lines. Others were fortunate as the process at other voting stations were concluded within a few minutes. Two youngsters who are Generation Z members, said they realised that their vote is not only affecting their own future, but also the future of their own children. Brendon Damons said he studied the…

THE EFF has submitted an application in terms of the Promotion to Access to Information Act for documents relating to multimillion Rand tenders that were awarded by the Thembelihle Municipality, where little to no work was completed. National Treasury commissioned Open Water Advanced Risk Solution (Pty) Ltd to conduct a forensic investigation into the appointment of service providers for the Hillside electrification project and upgrading of the Hopetown sports stadium. The Hopetown project included the construction of a football field, spectator grandstand, upgrading of the brick fence, electrification of the facility, upgrading of the multi-purpose court and the construction of a security ticket booth to the value of R11,5 million in 2020/21. Open Water recommended that the Thembelihle Municipality appoint a quantity surveyor to confirm the extent of work not…

MURDER accused Alberto Matthews, 45, did not seem perturbed when he was denied bail in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court this week. He reminded the gallery that “there is still the high court,” before he walked back to the cells. The accused violated a protection order when he entered his ex-wife, Mandy Bailey’s home in Main Street, Beaconsfield on December 27 2023 and allegedly shot her in the bedroom in the presence of his nine-year-old stepdaughter. The firearm apparently jammed when he pointed the firearm at his 20-year-old stepdaughter and brother-in-law. The Directorate of Public Prosecutions will make a decision on July 3 as to whether the case will be heard in the regional or Northern Cape High Court. During his bail hearing Matthews denied being responsible for any of the…

KIMBERLEY Golf Club results for the week of May 22 to 25 and a look ahead to the period of June 5 to 8. Results for the week of May 22 to 25 are: The Wednesday, May 22 John Dory’s sponsored 18-hole IPS competition was won by Jacques Gouws on 43 pts. Second was Dee Kidson with 40 pts over 3rd placed Siewert Wiid on 38 pts. The Thursday, May 23 KWV sponsored Niner with power play options was won by Sadick Thomas on 27 pts with Chris Gordon 2nd with 25 pts counting out 3rd placed Johan Herselman on 25 pts. The Saturday, May 25 New Vaal Motors Business League sponsored 18-hole Combined Stableford competition was won by Remax/Betterbond on 151 pts with The Golf Shop 2nd with 130…

THE Northern Cape Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola has expressed gratitude towards all stakeholders within the Provincial Joint Intelligence Structure (JCPS) Cluster for their unwavering dedication and professional conduct during the policing of the 2024 General Elections in the Northern Cape. That is after no serious incidents were reported and law enforcement agencies swiftly responded to all occurrences reported. Otola acknowledged that maximum force deployments as well as collective efforts by all stakeholders played a pivotal role in ensuring a peaceful election process. She further acknowledged the professional conduct of all law enforcement officers, who executed their duties with integrity and in an impartial manner. Otola applauded the upstanding behaviour of communities in the Province, including the cooperation with law enforcement and IEC officials, contributed towards a safe…

IN A SPECTACULAR finish to a perfect season, the Suzuki Griquas triumphed in the SA Cup, securing their first major trophy in a decade with a thrilling 46-24 win over their arch-rivals, the Pumas, last week Saturday. Even a week later, the thrill of this win can still be felt in the city. The match, held in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at Suzuki Park in Kimberley, saw Pieter Bergh’s side dominate from the outset. The hosts stormed to a 29-0 lead within the first 25 minutes, showcasing a masterful performance that effectively decided the game early on. Despite a spirited fightback from the Pumas, the Griquas never relinquished their lead, finishing the match on a high note. In what was an impeccable conclusion to the SA Cup tournament,…

FIGHTERS from Galeshewe’s Freedom Boxing Club returned from a recent inter-provincial boxing tournament with mixed emotions. The weekend event, held in Bethlehem in the Free State was originally intended to showcase the talents of 12 of their boxers, but the tournament faced significant disruptions due to logistical issues, reducing the competition time and truncating the Kimberley team’s participation. Club chairperson, Raymond Motobi, spoke to the DFA and expressed his frustration over the delays. “We planned for 29 bouts, giving all 12 of our boxers a chance to compete,” Motobi said. “Unfortunately, the tournament start time was shifted from noon to 3pm because other teams arrived late. As a result, only four of our boxers could step into the ring,” he explained. Yet, despite the setbacks, the club made the best…

AS the Patriotic Alliance (PA) is emerging as the dark horse in the Northern Cape, PA premier candidate in the Northern Cape, Sharifa Ferris said they are aiming to be the official opposition in the 2026 local government elections. With the ANC likely to make a majority win, the EFF and PA were going head-to-head as votes were being counted yesterday. She said that they ran their campaign on a shoestring budget. “Being a relatively new party, our campaign was funded by the PA President Gayton McKenzie, the national office and other sponsors, so it has been difficult but everyone jumped in to lend a helping hand. We have been in the Province for five years and are competing against bigger parties with over 30 years in politics with a…

IT PAYS to stay in touch with your friends. However, be careful because sometimes it can pay the wrong people. Last week, during the busiest day of the week, I had the strongest urge to contact a dear old friend – he’d slap me across my chops for calling him “old”, but the fact is we have known each other since last century. Anyway, being unable to give him a phonecall, I fired off a quick text message: “Hey, hey Mr Buddy! How are you holding up on your side of this fragile rock?” His response jarred me: “I am not fine”. Now, having known this friend for close to 40 years, I know that “I am not fine” is not a response he would give. “I am not fine”…

LAWN bowls, once stereotyped as a pastime for seniors reminiscing about their grandchildren, has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. These days the sport is a dynamic activity embraced by both young and old, where the fierce competition on the greens rivals any mainstream sport. Dedication and hard work in lawn bowls can propel players to new heights, as evidenced by the journey of Kimberley’s Barry Minopetros. Barry, the President of the Beaconsfield Park Bowling Green Club, spends his weekends meticulously honing his bowling skills on the greens. For him, lawn bowls transcends sport – it’s a family tradition. The DFA learned that Barry’s passion began over 30 years ago, playing alongside his parents. Now, his son Keegan, a formidable player himself, has joined the ranks, continuing the family…

GALESHEWE’S Freedom Boxing Club recently returned from an interprovincial tournament in Bethlehem with a mixed bag of results. Yet, despite all the issues, problems and challenges faced by the club, there is a big win on the club’s scorecard. Among the club’s promising talents is 15-year-old Bonolo Obusitswe, a young boxer rapidly making a name for herself. In a conversation with the DFA, Bonolo shared her journey into boxing. “My cousins invited me to join the Freedom Boxing Club, where I received excellent training and learned a lot about the sport,” she recounted. Due to a lack of local female opponents, Bonolo often sparred with boys her age and older, a practice that has honed her skills. “The only time I fight other girls is during inter-provincial tournaments or national…