Table of contents for 2024-05-03 in DFA News

A GROUP of artists has been camping inside the offices of the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in Kimberley since last week. The artists, who have been sleeping on the office couches with their blankets, are demanding permanent contracts. They believe the Northern Cape Theatre has become a “white elephant,” lacking the necessary resources for programmes or to promote artists’ work. They claim there is “no proper plan for the theatre” and have vowed to continue their sit-in until their demands are met. “Nothing and no one will stop us. They can do whatever they want, we are willing to die for our cause. If we get hurt by the police or if we are charged, we will get bail and come back to the department, no…

BACK when I was younger, we had social structures in place – one in particular – that would prevent those who had committed an injustice from being too confident that they would get away with being nasty to nice folk. This particular social convention was called the “squitch” … Ahhh, the wonderful, field-levelling, societal readjusting “squitch”; just saying the word makes me believe that there could be fairness, justice and equality again, if only the squitch returned. Squitch was a simple convention, and it may have been rooted in the Scriptural principle of “an eye for an eye”. If someone hurt you, harmed you and offended you back in those days, you were perfectly within your rights to act out a similar offence upon them … as long as your…

Flying start for hosts The Absa Wildeklawer School Sports Tournament kicked off on Wednesday with an impressive and stirring opening ceremony at the Diamantveld High School sports fields. And as for the sports tournament itself, that opened on a high, with exciting netball, soccer and rugby games to thrill and delight the spectators. But it was Diamantveld’s rugby team that won hearts and laid down a marker for the rest of the tournament. The showdown between the first teams of Diamantveld and Marlow Landbou truly stole the spotlight. In a match brimming with intensity, the skillful Diamantveld packed away the red carpet and surged ahead from the onset, swiftly notching up tries to command a formidable 17-0 lead. However, Marlow refused to be outdone, gradually finding their rhythm and narrowing…

RUNNING a marathon can provide physical benefits such as improved cardiovascular health, increased endurance, and weight management. It also offers mental benefits like stress relief, enhanced mood, and a sense of accomplishment. But then, along comes a marathon that not only benefits the runners and delights the spectators but actually aims to make a real difference in the lives of the less fortunate. This was the plan when Kimberley Boys’ High School, in collaboration with the Teemaneng Running Club, announced the Annual Founder’s Half Marathon set to take place in Kimberley on Thursday, May 18. Named “Township meets Town”, this half-marathon embodies the spirit of unity and community. Departing from the traditional circular route, participants will commence their journey in Galeshewe and culminate their run at Kimberley Boys’ High School,…

The Junior Wildeklawer sports tournament hosted by Newton Primary School concluded this past week, and has been hailed as a resounding success. Renowned as one of the nation’s premier school sports events, it continues to expand annually, and could be poised to claim the title of the largest tournament in the country. In an interview with the DFA, Newton Primary’s management team shared their insights on this year’s Wildeklawer Tournament and its significance. Acting principal Pedro Enslin celebrated another remarkable year of success at the tournament, echoing the triumphs of its predecessors. “Our opening ceremony set an extraordinary tone for the entire tournament. It was truly exceptional, from start to finish,” Enslin said. “This year marked a significant milestone as we introduced matches under floodlights, drawing even larger crowds due…

THE HIGHLY anticipated Absa Wildeklawer 2024 tournament kicked off on Wednesday at Diamantveld High School, marking the commencement of an electrifying sporting spectacle. This annual event, which draws in crowds from far and wide, has brought together an impressive total of 192 teams ready to battle it out across the fields of rugby, netball, and soccer. What's truly remarkable is the sheer diversity of participation, with teams representing 111 schools spanning the globe. This year's turnout surpasses all previous records, underscoring the tournament's exponential growth and its burgeoning significance on the sporting calendar. Adding to the excitement is the inclusion of two prestigious international schools, Kirkham Grammar from the UK and St Johns from Waikato, New Zealand. As the games unfold this weekend, spectators can anticipate a riveting display of…

The Griqualand West Rugby Union recently unveiled the union’s new coaching team for the Suzuki Griquas Under-21 squad. With an eye firmly fixed on the future, this coaching line-up promises to inject fresh energy, expertise, and inspiration into the region’s burgeoning rugby talent. Taking the helm as head coach is none other than Johnathan Francke, a name synonymous with Griquas rugby excellence in the region. Francke’s impressive track record, spanning both playing and coaching roles at various levels, underscores his unwavering commitment to the game and its development. His appointment signals a clear intent to instil a winning mentality and nurture the next generation of Griqua rugby stars. Assisting Francke in this ambitious endeavour are two familiar faces, Jonathan Adendorf and Ederies Arendse, both revered former Griquas players. Their deep-rooted…

KIMBERLEY Golf Club results for the week of April 24-27 and a look ahead to the period of May 3 to 12. Results for April 24 to 27 are: The Wednesday, April 24 John Dorys sponsored 18-hole IPS was won by Stephan van Heerden on an excellent 44pts with Sean Ralph 2nd on 39pts and Jacques Gouws 3rd on 35pts. The Thursday, April 25 KWV Niner was won by Keith Brown on 27pts with Peter Raubenheimer 2nd on a count-out with 25pts over Sharheem Richards. The Friday, April 26 Flamingo sponsored Niner was won by Wilson Sophazi on a count-out with 20pts over 2nd placed Sadick Thomas with 3rd placed Neil Langley 3rd on 19pts. The Saturday, April 27 Mercedes New Vaal sponsored Race to Fancourt competition on a…

LOCAL social media was recently awash with a startling video showcasing the dire extent of flooding at Northern Cape High School's sports grounds in Kimberley. This alarming drone footage prompted a gathering of key stakeholders at the school on Monday morning, where urgent discussions ensued to address the pressing issue. Members of Sol Plaatje Municipality and the Department of Education were taken on a tour of the affected area to show them the extent of the flooding and damage caused by the constantly running water. They were unable to get to the rugby fields due to the water-logged ground, but the drone footage of the fields painted a clear picture of the extent of damage caused by the water spilling onto the school grounds. Since 2016, Northern Cape High School…

LAST weekend, the heat was on in the SA Cup competition, with the Suzuki Griquas and Airlink Pumas continuing their relentless, unbeaten charges in the competition, maintaining their spotless records. Meanwhile, the NovaVit Griffons and Toyota Cheetahs displayed their prowess, also securing vital victories to stay in the hunt. Griquas set the tone with a commanding performance, routing Eastern Province with a resounding 50-0 triumph in Uitenhage on Friday. The log leaders wasted no time, piling up 38 points in the first half alone, before sealing the deal with another 12 after the break. Led by Pieter Bergh, Griquas displayed remarkable discipline, shutting out Eastern Province from the scoreboard entirely. The try-fest saw standout performances from Marco de Witt and Bobby Jordaan, each crossing the whitewash twice, while George Whitehead's…

The 2024 Lupus Classic is set to ignite excitement next week, Saturday, May 11, when the cycle race gets under way at the Flamingo Casino in Kimberley. The event promises to help spectators and participants alike to embrace the joy of cycling and strengthen community bonds. This eagerly anticipated event, organised by Blade Health and Wellness, caters to families and cycling enthusiasts alike and promises a day packed with challenges, camaraderie and family-friendly activities, commencing bright and early at 7am. In addition to the DFA being the media partner for the cycle race, what distinguishes this year’s Lupus Classic is its partnership with Mediclinic Gariep. Denise Coetzee, the hospital’s patient experience manager, highlights their commitment to ensuring participants’ well-being throughout the event. Mediclinic Gariep will be on hand at the…