Table of contents for 2025-01-17 in DFA News

SMART prepaid electricity meters will be rolled out in Belgravia, Cassandra, De Beers, El Toro Park, Flamingo, Florianville, Kirstenhof, Mogul Park, Riviera, West End and Verwoerd Park over the next two weeks. Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thabo Mothibi said work would continue in Beaconsfield and Roodepan. “Meters have been installed to date in Carters Glen, New Hillcrest, Hillcrest, Royldene, Newpark, Rhodesdene, Monument Heights and in the Memorial Road area,” said Mothibi. “Customers are responding positively and over 1,000 residents who are eager to replace their old prepaid electricity meters have made online bookings via our website.” Mothibi said installers would provide a brochure detailing how to recharge units and other aspects relating to the use of the customer interface unit, which should remain plugged in at all times. “Residents can…

NATURAL remedies and exercise are the secrets to longevity, according to Kimberley resident Griet Magereth Messelaar, who recently celebrated her 105th birthday. Griet, a member of the advisory council of the Griqua Royal House cultural and traditional institution, has outlived three of her children, two of whom died due to Covid-19. Leader of the Griqua Royal House, Captain Aaron Messelaar, shared that a giant cake was ordered to celebrate his mother’s remarkable milestone. “Her oldest son would have turned 74, and her youngest child is 54,” said Aaron. He added that Griet is the matriarch of a large family that includes nine children, 24 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. “She always told us that we would have long and prosperous lives if we honoured our parents,” Aaron shared. “She…

JUST one day after opening its doors, Ekhaya Private Hospital in Galeshewe welcomed its first two patients, who were rushed to the facility for emergency medical treatment. Jubilation filled the Galeshewe air on January 8 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, following years of renovations and improvements made to the former guest house in the heart of the location that was converted into a hospital by local businessman Karel Phentela. The hospital boasts 27 beds for the medical and psychiatric units and is even fitted with a gym for psychiatric patients. Hospital spokesperson Mercia Mbayimbayi said the facility aims to deliver affordable private health-care services to the residents of Galeshewe. “The second phase will entail the completion of the second floor of the medical unit. The theatres, a mother-child unit and a…

The Sol Plaatje University (SPU) Women’s Football team can’t seem to put a foot wrong. In a landmark achievement for women's football in the region, the SPU Women have earned promotion to the prestigious Sasol League. This milestone comes after a stellar performance during a season that saw them clinch the 2024 Frances Baard Regional Women’s League title at a canter. The promotion, endorsed by the Provincial Competitions Committee, marks a significant step forward for the SPU Women, who have worked tirelessly throughout the season to claim their spot among South Africa’s elite women’s football teams. The Frances Baard Football Association extended their best wishes to the team as they embark on this new chapter, confident in their potential to excel at the provincial level. PW Mondela, Regional Secretary of…

A 56-YEAR-OLD man who allegedly kidnapped his 23-year-old girlfriend and locked her inside a car for an extended period, wants the complainant to “stop harassing” him. The woman was rescued on Christmas Day 2024 after neighbours heard her calling for help. The accused, Ashwin Williams, was released on R2,000 bail after appearing in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court last week on charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and kidnapping. The incident occurred while Williams was out on R200 bail for a pending charge of assault GBH. The matter will proceed in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on January 20. State prosecutor Freddy Paul opposed bail. He pointed out that this was not the first time that the 23-year-old complainant was allegedly assaulted by the accused. “He allegedly…

“YOU NEED to master the art of balance, and you will be able to excel at anything in life, not just your academics.” This was the advice of the Northern Cape 2024 Matric Top Achiever, Kutlo Motlhoioa, from Kimberley Technical High School. Motlhoioa shared that he managed to study effectively by balancing his school work with an extensive list of extra-mural activities. These included serving as deputy head of the school choir, leading the Kids Teaching Kids programme, participating in the Debating Society, and representing his school in Mathematics and Science leadership projects. He also hosted career guidance workshops, spearheaded a Grade 4 reading initiative to address the country’s reading crisis, and was the Dux learner of his school. Motlhoioa revealed that to prepare for his National Senior Certificate (NSC)…

“SHOOT them, Daddy, shoot them all,” was allegedly the command given by Advocate Celeste Nameka, 43, to her father, Clive Ferris, 67, after she became embroiled in an argument with her boyfriend. The dispute, reportedly fueled by mutual accusations of infidelity, escalated into a violent confrontation involving an illegal firearm, assaults, and bloodshed. Shocking details of the incident, during which several gunshots were fired at a residence in Minerva Gardens on December 21, emerged during the bail applications of Ferris and Nameka in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court this week. During the altercation, Charmaine Anthony, 56, was fatally shot, while her son, Lucan Anthony, 37, sustained gunshot wounds to his leg and buttocks. The accused, who are facing several charges including attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm,…

At just 12 years old, Kimberley’s Kitso Modise (pictured) is making waves in the world of tennis. This Grade 7 learner at St. Patrick’s CBC, recently achieved a significant milestone when he was selected as a full member of the South African Schools Tennis Team. In fact, Kitso is proving that hard work, dedication, and a passion for the game can turn dreams into reality. Born in 2012, Kitso’s journey in tennis began when he was just seven years old. Inspired by his father, a tennis enthusiast, Kitso first picked up a racquet in 2020. It happened that, during a visit to the courts one day, tennis coach Nolan van der Merwe introduced the youngster to the basics of the game. “After the session, the coach asked if I…

MEMBERS of the Homevale Neighbourhood Watch and three community members expressed relief after charges of murder were reduced to assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH) in connection with the death of a 27-year-old man who was allegedly caught stealing a cellphone. The Roodepan police initially opened a murder case following an incident that occurred in Homevale, Kimberley, on December 28, 2024. SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam stated that preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased had allegedly been captured on CCTV footage stealing a cellphone from a motor vehicle parked at a residence in Homevale. “He was tracked down through the assistance of the neighbourhood watch,” said Sam. He added that five suspects, aged between 30 and 62, were arrested for murder after the man collapsed…

EVERYONE who knows me knows I have a love-hate relationship with a certain type of footwear. Well, mostly hate. I’ve declared a playful vendetta against these shoes, much to the amusement of my friends. I’m talking about Crocs – you know, the ones with the duckbill shape and holes for your dignity to seep through. The official footwear of the "I give up on life" club. Despite my exaggerated outrage, I’ll admit Crocs aren’t actually harmful (though they do commit egregious crimes against aesthetics and fashion). They’re just silly shoes. But what they represent in this story ties to a more profound point about popular trends and their unintended consequences. Did you know Crocs made a cameo in the dystopian comedy “Idiocracy”? In the film, society has devolved into such…

THE RECENT Northern Cape Schools SA20 cricket play-offs held in Kimberley, held last Sunday and Monday, marked the relaunch and rebrand of the Schools T20 Challenge, formerly known as the Coca-Cola Schools Challenge. This event, organised in conjunction with Cricket South Africa, has reclaimed its position as the premier national school competition for Under-19 cricket teams across the country. The play-offs showcased top talent from across the Northern Cape, with teams that had secured top two or three positions in their respective regions vying for glory in both the Under-19 boys and girls categories. The matches featured eight teams in the boys’ section and four in the girls’ section. The Boy’s teams were Kathu High, Northern Cape High, De Aar High, Kalahari High, Frank Roro Hub, Diamantveld, Upington High and…

Members of the Norman Football Club are beaming with pride as their star player, 14-year-old Leonay Kock, has earned a call-up to represent South Africa in the Under-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Leonay, a rising soccer talent from Kimberley, will join the national camp at the SAFA National Technical Centre (Fun Valley) between January 5 to 19. The first leg of the qualifiers will see the South African team face Gabon in Franceville on January 11, with the decisive second leg scheduled for January 18 at Lucas Moripe Stadium. Sydney Norman, team manager of Norman Football Club and a member of the club’s executive committee, extended heartfelt congratulations to Leonay for this significant achievement. “This is yet another proud moment for Leonay, her family, and the club. Her dedication, discipline,…