Table of contents for 2024-10-11 in DFA News

WINDSORTON has just gained a significant boost in health care with the establishment of a primary health-care clinic, bringing accessible and quality medical services to the community. Sister Trudie Swart, with over 40 years of nursing experience – 32 of which were in management and teaching - has turned her lifelong passion for helping people into reality. Her journey has been deeply rooted in her dedication to the nursing profession, which she has served with pride. Founded in 2000 in Krugersdorp, “Verpleegsorg 2000” initially focused on home nursing and wound care services. From the beginning, the goal was to one day open a clinic that would provide excellent service to everyone regardless of race, colour, or creed. Sister Swart’s commitment went beyond her hospital duties as she continued to offer…

DON’T ever let people get the impression that you are “nice”! That’s it. That’s all I have to say this week. Wow, even I am impressed. That’s the shortest column I have ever written – just 11 words. Oh dear, judging by all the furrowed brows of all the readers, I fear I may have to explain myself just a little bit. How do I put this? You must know that being “nice” creates its own set of problems … for example, you’ve probably heard the story of the middle-aged man who saw an older woman walking towards the door near him, so, to be “nice”, he proceeded to open it for her. Instead of thanking him, she, and everyone else on the plane, started screaming. Ahem … maybe I…

WHILE security company director John-Ross Crosseby Henderson, 38, intends to appeal the court’s refusal to grant him bail, concerns have arisen regarding his safety and that of his family, who have reportedly received death threats. His family claims to have credible information about a possible hired shooting if he is released from custody. Henderson has until October 18 to appeal the outcome of his bail hearing. He faces charges for the murder of Kimberley businessman Jayson Afrique and the attempted murder of his wife, Micayla Afrique. On July 31, 10 shots were fired at the passenger side of their vehicle by a shooter who was apparently standing in the driveway of their home in New Park. Jayson was fatally shot in the head and body while trying to shield Micayla…

IN A WORLD rapidly embracing technology to make life more convenient, some individuals with impairments and disabilities remain excluded from mainstream society, said Anza Tshilidzi, a participant in the Funda Mzansi reading competition. Tshilidzi, a member of the Emang Mmogo Book Club in Kimberley, made headlines as the first blind participant in the competition’s English impromptu reading category. The competition’s goal is to foster a culture of reading across society. Tshilidzi competed against book club members from across the country, university students, school learners, and inmates from various correctional facilities. Having lost her sight at 10 months old due to measles, she said her love for reading motivated her to enter the competition. “When the Funda Mzansi competition came around, I decided to grab the opportunity as a way of…

Established 19 years ago, the Floors Gymnastics Club first started training young gymnasts at the Floors North Primary School. Practising on cement floors and the school’s lawns, the athletes looked past their challenges and focused on what they wanted to achieve. It turned out to be infectious; over time, more of the community’s children started to join, growing the club to where they are today. And where does the club find itself today? Well, on Wednesday morning this week, The Heights Restaurant & Bistro in Kimberley hosted the club for their departure breakfast. This comes after the club received an exciting invitation to attend the XI International ‘Gymnastics for All’ Forum in Campinas, Brazil. Set to take place from October 17 to 20, 2024, this esteemed event gathers gymnastics professionals,…

THE PERCEPTION of Kimberley being regarded as a small, quiet ‘dorpie’ is fast being shed, thanks to its rising sports stars. One such standout is 17-year-old Patrisia Fernandes, a Grade 11 student making waves in the karate world. Fernandes recently competed in the Karate National Championships in Johannesburg, where she won bronze in both the women’s elite kata and kumite divisions. This success earned her South African JKA Karate National Colours for the seventh time in her 10-year karate career. Even more impressive is the fact that she has now qualified for the 16th Funakoshi Gishin Cup Karate World Championships in Tokyo, where she will represent South Africa later in October. Fernandes expressed her pride in earning national colours again, especially in a year where competition was tougher than ever.…

MURDER accused Alberto Matthews will need about a month to raise the necessary funds to appoint a new legal representative. Advocate Celeste Nameka withdrew her services in the Northern Cape High Court on Wednesday, citing that she was left in a “very difficult position” that prevented her from continuing to represent Matthews. Earlier this week, Nameka requested a postponement, explaining that Matthews was suffering from diarrhoea and not receiving adequate medical care at the correctional services facility. Matthews allegedly violated a protection order by entering his ex-wife Mandy Bailey’s home in Main Street, Beaconsfield, on December 27, 2023. He allegedly shot her in the bedroom while her nine-year-old stepdaughter was present. The firearm apparently jammed when he proceeded to point it at his 20-year-old stepdaughter and brother-in-law. During a court…

THE LIFE of Lydia Maarman from Galeshewe is set to improve after she received a sewing and overlocker machine from a good Samaritan, Susan Swaartbooi. Maarman, a trained seamstress and polio survivor who uses a wheelchair, lost her livelihood when her sewing machine broke down about a year ago. For many years, she had earned a living sewing curtains, making alterations, designing bags, creating seat covers, and sewing school uniforms. Expressing her deep gratitude, Maarman noted that her inability to earn an income negatively affected seven people, including her five minor children, three of whom are foster children. She explained that she began working from home after losing her job when the Ikageng Community Centre for the Disabled closed down. “We were given machines so that we could work independently.…

THE MAYIBUYE Dance Academy will host the ‘Dance Pages’ flagship dance festival at the Northern Cape Theatre from October 17 to 26. Curator and director Letlhogonolo Nche said the annual event will showcase a diverse range of dance styles, with 100 young dancers from 10 organisations and companies participating. He stated that featured performers this year included the Mayibuye Dance Academy, Moving Into Dance, Kwanele Finch Thusi, Lucky Dance Theatre, Amandla Danca Teatro, TVD Performing Arts Extravaganza, Ubuhle Development Foundation, Shane Pholoane, African Arts Agents, Kearabetswe Moroka, Norman Pisane, and many others. “Its dedication to the arts and community development has made a significant impact on the lives of many young dancers in the Northern Cape,” said Nche. “One of the festival's aims is to promote dance as one of…

Karateka from Kimberley,s Zenkutsu Karate Club in Galeshewe recently travelled to Gaborone, Botswana, where they participated in the prestigious Kanazawa Botswana Independence Cup Karate Tournament on Saturday, October 5 2024. This international event, hosted by Kanazawa Shotokan Karate-Do International Botswana, saw 15 karateka from Kimberley proudly representing their dojo and their city. Under the expert guidance of Sensei Dawid Shaft Thebeyapelo, the team achieved remarkable success at the tournament. Their hard work and dedication paid off as they collectively brought home an impressive haul of 18 gold- and nine bronze medals. These accomplishments not only reflect their individual skills but also emphasise the club’s commitment to fostering excellence in karate. In addition to the good run in Botswana, the team remains focused on their larger mission, which is to continue…

A Skills Development Day was recently hosted in Kimberley, offering athletes across various disciplines a chance to refine their talents in dance, drill, cheerleading, and majorettes. Organised by the Federation Dance Drill Cheerleading and Majorettes’ Northern Cape division, the event welcomed the body’s National Executive Committee, who provided top-tier coaching and mentorship. Over the first weekend of October, 56 athletes from schools including Technical High School, Northern Cape High School, Laërskool Staats, and Newton Primary School gathered to be part of the event. The training sessions, guided by a team of highly qualified coaches from Johannesburg and Pretoria, focused on developing both the technical and creative aspects of these sports. Senior athletes also pitched in, offering additional insights and creating a vibrant learning atmosphere. “The energy on the field was…

COSATU and its alliance partners threatened to leave the International Day for Decent Work and Working-Class Solidarity march before a memorandum of demands could be handed over to various state institutions this week, as Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul was not available. The memorandum addressed pressing issues, including high unemployment, job losses, the rising cost of living, and the need for increased social support and wages. Cosatu provincial secretary Orapeleng Moraladi tried to pacify the angry workers when they were informed that Saul was “not there” to listen to their grievances. Moraladi also noted that, despite commitments to sign for their copies, representatives from the Special Investigating Unit and the Hawks also failed to attend. “We want to know from them what is happening to the cases that were…

THE SOL Plaatje Municipality in Kimberley has assured residents that its water is safe for consumption, following a warning from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) advising communities along the Harts and Vaal rivers, from Christiana downstream, not to drink or come into contact with untreated water after cholera was detected. DWS spokesperson Wisane Mavasa confirmed that water samples taken from five sites revealed the presence of cholera. “During routine raw water sampling in September, water samples from five sites, namely, Barkly West Caravan Park, Douglas Weir, Schweizer Reneke, Christiana and Wentzel Dam indicated the presence of cholera. Follow-up samples on the river are in process and will indicate the extent and area of caution,” said Mavasa. “The Vaal River is a ‘workhorse river’ and is serving the Northern…

THE INCLUSIVITY of the gay community is one of the focus areas that newly-crowned Mr Gay Nation SA 2024 Northern Cape, Richard Theron, has vowed to advocate for. Theron, who was born in Standerton, Mpumalanga, has made his home in the Northern Cape and has been a resident of Concordia in Namaqualand for almost 25 years. Expressing his excitement over his recent victory, Theron emphasised his commitment to using his platform to support those marginalised by society. “This victory symbolises a significant moment for the LGBTQ+ community in the region. I want to be a beacon of hope for those in our community who feel unheard and unseen. This win not only highlights my charisma and dedication but also serves as a platform to uplift marginalised voices throughout the Province.…

The rich cricketing tradition of Kimberley was on full display this past weekend as Diamantveld High School hosted its annual T20 Cricket Festival. The event, which has become a fixture in the city’s sporting calendar, saw teams from 18 schools across the country gathering to showcase their talents and passion for the game. The hosting school, Diamantveld High School, finished in a credible fifth place, a respectable position for them if you look at the quality of their opposition. But in the end, there could only be one winner, and this year Hoërskool Garsfontein snatched the trophy away from the defending champions, Hoër Volkskool. During the final match of the tournament at the Kimberley Diamond Oval, Garsfontein set a total of 204/5 in their 20 overs. Volkies knew that they…