Table of contents for 2023-08-18 in DFA News

RENOWNED for its rich history and contributions to the sport of clay target shooting, the Kimberley Clay Target Club has been a cherished institution for generations. However, the shadow cast by the ongoing menace of artisanal miners, known as ‘zama zamas’, threatens to turn this weekend’s celebration into the club’s swansong. The club’s chairman, Peter Bergh, spoke to the DFA recently and expressed both his sincere hope for a successful event and the heartbreaking reality of the club’s predicament. Bergh told the DFA, “It’s with a heavy heart that I say this might be the last time we gather on these hallowed grounds for a competition. Our beloved club, which has stood as a testament to dedication and sportsmanship, is under siege.” Within the club’s once-sanctified premises, the encroachment of…

IN ORDER to preserve the person’s dignity, I will call him ‘Barry Basket’, but I feel the need to tell this story. Barry Basket was a Cassanova; and when I say that, I don’t mean Cassanova in the sense of a promiscuous, philandering man. Not at all; Barry was the romantic and gallant type of Cassanova, the type that would give affectionate and flattering attentions to women. Barry Basket loved the ladies. Unfortunately, Barry Basket, already in his mid-40s, was rather plain-looking, but what he lost in good looks, he made up with charm and wit. One day Barry Basket (I have to always use his full name) was sitting out on the front lawn with the children telling us one of his riveting stories. He had a real way…

THE BRANCH leaders of the Public Servants Association (PSA) and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) are aggrieved that deadlines have been missed in instituting disciplinary action against three chief directors at the Northern Cape Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. The officials were the subject of an investigation by the provincial investigating task team that was set up by the Premier’s Office to probe allegations of corruption, maladministration and financial misconduct. The unions indicated that no steps had been taken against the implicated officials, while shop stewards were being intimidated and victimised. A report that was released in May/June 2023 advised that the chief financial officer (CFO), A Coleridge, the chief director for corporate services, Bonakele Jacobs, and the chief director for special programmes, David Mdutyana,…

Danie van der Lith FNB’s enduring commitment to nurturing young football talent was celebrated during the 13th anniversary of its acclaimed FNB Football First Programme, an initiative that has consistently played a pivotal role in cultivating gifted youngsters, transforming them from grassroots hopefuls into formidable players at Under-13 and Under-15 levels. The recent Kimberley regional festival showcased this success, with eight schools competing fervently for top honours. Ms. Brenda Mafunisa managed the event collaboratively with Coach Spakes, head of the FNB Football First Programme, and Mr. Mondella, the program facilitator. Since its 2011 inception, the programme has attracted emerging football stars, drawing 29,000 young players annually from 39 schools across five regions. Notable successes include Emile Witbooi in the SA Men’s Under-17 squad and Jomo Selemogo signing with Hungry Lions…

THE HEAD of the Department of Health in the Northern Cape, Dr Dion Theys, will appeal after being found guilty of three charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) by the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Kimberley this week. Theys was the acting head of department (HOD) at the time when lease agreements amounting to R13 million were concluded with JP Hugo Trading for nursing accommodation between 2010 to 2012. An investigation was launched after students complained about the quality of the food and that there was no hot water. Theys was on Wednesday sentenced to a fine of R150 000 or three years imprisonment, of which R100 000 or two years imprisonment was suspended for five years, on condition that he is not found guilty of the…

THE NATIONAL Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) believes that mineworkers at Ekapa mine are being exploited. Strike action has entered its second week, with workers calling for minimum monthly salaries of R17 500 and increases in medical aid and housing allowances. Thirty-eight workers were arrested on charges of public violence and received bail in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on August 11. Numsa regional organiser Tshepo Mokhele disputed that workers were receiving minimum salaries of around R13 000 per month as indicated by management. “Some workers who have over four years of service are only being paid R5 700 for a full shift. Our members work 12-hour shifts per day and are earning below the threshold of R250 000 per annum,” said Mokhele. “Miners are risking their lives so that…

MOTORISTS in one of Kimberley’s busiest streets were stunned when they witnessed an armed robbery unfolding in broad daylight earlier this week. The incident occurred in Long Street close to a motor dealership. According to witnesses, they saw a man being robbed by two men who got out of their vehicle in the middle of Long Street. “The man who was robbed appeared to have been talking on his cellphone. He was coming from the direction of a local vehicle dealership and was walking in the parking lot of the dealership when he was attacked.” Witnesses said nothing appeared out of the ordinary while the man was standing next to the road talking on his cellphone. “However, the next moment a white car stopped in the road and two men…

World-class shooting competition at historic Kimberley venue will take place under a dark cloud THE KIMBERLEY Clay Target Club, a stronghold of sporting heritage and one of the nation’s oldest clay target clubs teeters on the brink of closure even as it prepares to host the Northern Cape Standard Competition this weekend. This prestigious event, encompassing the Standard discipline and featuring ATA Trap, ATA Double Trap, DTL (Down The Line), Skeet, Skeet Doubles, and UT (Universal Trench), promises an awe-inspiring showcase of unparalleled marksmanship. This weekend’s Standard discipline competition will feature the skills of world-class shooter Luca Peacock. For those who don’t know Peacock, the marksman hails from the Western Province and was recently crowned World Champion in the Universal Trench discipline in Spain, while the SA team was also…

Archers from the Northern Cape demonstrated their expertise in a spirited clash during the AGA-NC Provincial Competition held on August 5. With a nationwide participation of over 1,500 individuals, this annual event holds significant importance as archers strive to secure spots in their respective AGA Provincial Teams for the imminent AGA-SA National Tournament in October. The Africa Genesis Archery Northern Cape (AGA-NC) chapter witnessed an impressive turnout of 60 archers this year, all contending for the coveted top 16 positions across three categories: Junior, Junior High, and Adult. Dawid de Greeff, the AGA-NC Coordinator, emphasises that this competition transcends mere target practice. “It’s the convergence of dedication and competition, with the aim of representing our province on the national stage,” de Greeff told the DFA. The path to provincial triumph…

THE COMMUNITY of Victoria West has issued notice to stage a march on August 21 in an attempt to persuade Ubuntu Municipality to conclude a contract for the R100 billion Ubuntu Green Energy project. The project is one of the nine hydrogen projects to be fast-tracked in the country. Victoria West residents are aggrieved over delays after the project was supposed to start on August 1. They indicated that while the site required 5 726.6 hectares of land, the municipality was only prepared to avail a smaller plot of ground. They stated that people were desperate for jobs as there was a high unemployment rate in the area. According to a presentation, the project is expected to create about 500 manufacturing jobs, 250 service centre jobs, 200 power plant construction…

THE OWNER of Hancor in Kimberley, Pieta Serfontein, said there was “less desperation” for water among city residents during the latest scheduled water shutdown. Serfontein, a local businessman, once again availed his services to assist the residents of Sol Plaatje Municipality over the five days of the water shutdown, which started on the evening of August 9 and saw water being restored by August 14. He is well known as the city’s Good Samaritan due to his intervention in providing the community with water for free during shutdowns. This time around, Serfontein said he did not have to fill the JoJo tank that he put up at his deli in West End as often as he has during past water interruptions. He added, however, that people did fetch water day…

The stage is set for an intense showdown as local favourites, Kimberley Diamond Ladies FC, prepare to face the formidable Amakipkip Ladies in their final soccer match of the Sasol provincial league. The highly-anticipated clash is set to take place tomorrow, at Pniel Estate in Barkly West at 3pm. With tensions running high and the stakes even higher, the Diamond Ladies currently lead the league standings with a significant advantage in goal differences. Yet, the competition remains fierce. Royal Wizards are closely pursuing, with two games in hand that could potentially shift the balance. Throughout the season, Diamond Ladies have showcased remarkable teamwork and unwavering determination, consistently delivering impressive performances. Their ascent to the league’s top position has been truly remarkable, and their fans eagerly await a triumphant conclusion to…

Kimberley Golf Club results and next week’s programme Results for the week of August 9 to 12 Wednesday, August 9 saw an excellent turnout of 115 players on the Women's Golf Day. The Men’s Division was won by Zayied Suliman on 43pts with Aldrich Vermeulen 2nd on 42pts and Allan Doherty 3rd on 41pts. The Ladies Division was won by Dee Kidson on 44pt with Helena Janse 2nd on 37pts and Noleen Dippenaar 3rd on 35pts. The Junior Division was won by Toerien Diedericks on 41pts with Barrie van Zyl 2nd on 39pts and Peo Maneng 3rd on 37pts. The Thursday, August 10 KWV sponsored 9-hole IPS with power play options was won by Shane Arthur on 24pts with Kevin Antil 2nd on 23pts and Kevin Wakeford 3rd on 21pts.…