Table of contents for 2024-11-15 in DFA News

THE GALESHEWE police have opened an enquiry after a child allegedly discovered a white tablet in a biscuit packet that was purchased at a spaza shop in Bloemanda, Kimberley, this week. Community members raised concerns that drugs were being sold to children in the area. The Galeshewe community policing forum chairperson, Simon Dire, added that residents had to be prevented from shutting down the spaza shop on November 12. Ward 6 councillor Nomganza Riet said that the child found the tablet inside the biscuit packet. “The substance was sent for testing at a laboratory.” Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock stated that the incident occurred on Tuesday at around 6.30pm. “The 14-year-old child allegedly purchased the packaged chocolate biscuit from the spaza shop in Bloemanda and discovered the tablet inside. The…

AND THEN suddenly on Friday night, I just had the flu! And as weird as that sounds, how it happened was just as bizarre. After a tough week at the office, I decided to treat myself and have an early night on Friday. So by 9.30pm, I had shut off all electronic devices and had snuggled (or maybe collapsed) into my comfy bed. However, at 11pm I woke up with all the symptoms: runny nose, aching joints, scratchy throat and nagging cough – I must admit, I had a late-night influenza cadenza. It caught me completely unawares; really blindsided me! On Friday night, there I was, a normal, healthy functioning human being, but by Saturday morning I was a petrie dish of goggas wearing dirty takkies and influenza tracksuits. I…

Sanctioned by the Northern Cape Aquatics Sports Association, the Elcon Short Course Gala offered race distances of 200m or less in the school’s 25-metre pool and brought together nine swimming clubs and their supporters to celebrate the school’s new era in aquatics. School principal Martha van Zyl pushed the drive to revive the pool thanks to a deep desire to restore the pool to its former glory. With a vision to provide therapeutic opportunities and eventually develop classified disabled swimmers for participation in the SA Nationals for the physically disabled, Van Zyl and her team dedicated significant time, resources, and hard work to the renovations. Deputy principal Johan van Zyl said that their aim was not only to provide therapy to students who needed it but to also introduce swimming…

IN ONE of the biggest pageant controversies in the city’s history, local businesses feel tricked into offering their services free of charge during the Miss Teen Universe 2024 event, which took place in Kimberley from October 31 to November 10. Local enterprises yesterday appointed specialist investigator Mike Bolhuis to probe what happened to the substantial sum of money that was apparently donated towards the event by sponsors, including government departments, individuals, and businesses. Several local business owners claimed that they had “not received a cent” after putting in long hours and suffering financial losses to cover their overhead expenses. “We closed up shop and declined other business opportunities to assist after being approached at short notice. An event of this magnitude has never been held in the city before. We…

IN WHAT can be described as coming full circle, two internationally acclaimed Kimberley artists, Monwabisi “Bisi” Bangiwe Ka-Jobela and Mkhululi Mabija, have been entrusted with the responsibility of being part of the creative team for the first-ever Lion King Junior theatre production. The duo recalled the day they received a call from Walt Disney in the United States, inviting them to be the creative minds behind the first all-child cast of the world-renowned production. Mabija, an internationally recognised librettist and musical theatre writer, said that both he and Bangiwe Ka-Jobela were in Kimberley when they got the news. “We were busy rehearsing for a show we were doing for the Grahamstown Arts Festival when we got the news from Disney. Bisi was already acquainted with The Lion King as he…

FOR MANY young men in South Africa, the road to success is a journey fraught with obstacles, from economic hardship to limited resources. Sol Plaatje University’s Professor Odireleng Martin Ntwaeaborwa has walked this path and, through sheer determination, transformed his life into a beacon of hope. On December 15, at the ninth annual Galeshewe Gentlemen’s Dinner (GGD), this inspiring role model will be honoured for his achievements and for embodying the powerful message that it’s not where you come from that defines you, but where you’re headed. Born and raised in Mokasa 2, a small rural village near Taung, Professor Ntwaeaborwa’s life began in an environment where resources were few and challenges were plenty. He attended local schools - Lekwene Primary and Pelotshweu Middle School - before matriculating from Batlhaping…

A DEDICATED marathon runner with a fierce love for the sport has been trodding the trails in and around Greenpoint in Kimberley. Twenty-five-year-old Sharlton Kramp first felt a spark of passion for the sport of long distance running while watching marathon races on television when he was just nine. Today, that spark has turned into a love for the sport and he shared his story of resilience, faith, and determination with the DFA recently. He said that it’s his hope that these qualities will inspire others as he continues to pursue his dreams, despite the financial obstacles he faces. Growing up in an informal settlement, Sharlton faced challenges that could have deterred him from his passion. Yet, in retrospect, he sees these obstacles as stepping stones rather than roadblocks. He…

Sebabatso Mo-Hapi, a long-distance runner from Kimberley, Northern Cape, has dedicated her life to the pursuit of excellence on the road. What started in 2016 as a casual attempt to join her friends on a run has grown into a powerful and inspiring journey, driven by an unbreakable competitive spirit and a passion for pushing boundaries. Mo-Hapi’s first marathon took her over six hours to complete, but that initial challenge sparked a determination to improve. With her friends as both motivators and supporters, she embraced running wholeheartedly, and tells the DFA, “I caught the bug and never looked back.” Today, her dedication is unwavering. A typical week of training includes a one-hour morning session and a 30-minute evening session, Monday through Thursday, focusing on speed and hill training. Her Saturdays…

CONCERN has been expressed over vacant buildings in the CBD that are being used as criminal havens and causing the city centre to deteriorate into a “slum”. Property owners said that the empty buildings were attracting “unsavoury elements”, including prostitutes and drug users, while thieves were stealing building materials, cables, electrical wires and copper. They added that damage was caused to infrastructure and members of the public were being robbed of their cellphones and belongings in the CBD. The CEO of the Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sharon Steyn, said vacant buildings had been stripped and vandalised by vagrants. “Businesses are fleeing from the city centre as it is not conducive or safe to operate there. This has caused the value of properties to depreciate. Tenants are not…

OPPOSITION parties and civil rights groups are convinced that the recent mayoral reshuffle is motivated by factional battles that are unfolding ahead of the ANC regional conference. ANC regional chairperson Mangaliso Matika, Frances Baard District mayor Unondumiso Buda and chief director in the Office of the Premier Thulani Binase are in the race for leadership positions in the Frances Baard region. While the ANC has already pronounced the new mayors and Speakers at Sol Plaatje Municipality and Dawid Kruiper Municipality, political parties will also be voting for opposition candidates to fill these positions. Parties claimed that there was a strong possibility of an opposition-led council if voting took place by secret ballot. ANC provincial secretary Deshi Ngxanga made the surprise announcement on Tuesday evening that Member of Parliament Barbara Bartlett…

It was an evening filled with camaraderie and celebration as players, coaches, and supporters came together to recognise and honour the remarkable contributions of individuals on and off the field. Tiaan Pretorius was named Forward Player of the Season, for his power and consistency in driving the team forward throughout the year. In the backline, JP Roets took home the Backline Player of the Season award, a testament to his agility, skill, and dedication to the game. Henco Lourense was awarded Player of the Season, thanks to his consistent exceptional performances, leadership, and unwavering commitment. Lourense also received the highly respected Players' Player of the Season award, voted on by his teammates as a mark of his impact both on and off the field. As for what lies ahead, the…