Table of contents for 2025-02-07 in DFA News

A TOTAL of 33 primary, intermediate and high schools in the Vaalharts cluster are on the brink of closure due to insufficient funding. The Vaalharts School Governing Body (SGB) Forum stated that they had given the Northern Cape Premier's Office and the MEC for Education until February 6 to respond to their urgent pleas, failing which they would be forced to close their doors. A forum member explained that while they had received a portion of their outstanding allocations this week – covering the last quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of this year – it was not enough to cover their basic expenses. A letter addressed to the Premier and the MEC for Education warned that schools would have to halt their food nutrition programmes next week or…

RESIDENTS of Galeshewe and other parts of Kimberley will have the opportunity to receive a free medical check-up tomorrow when Ekhaya Private Hospital hosts its first Health Intact Day. The initiative forms part of the private hospital’s 30-day opening celebration. Ekhaya, the first private hospital in Galeshewe, officially opened its doors on February 8, 2024. Ekhaya’s spokesperson, Mercia Mbayimbayi, said the event aims to promote the importance of early detection among residents. “We have heard so many times that prevention is better than cure. However, most people will only visit the doctor or go for a medical check-up once they are sick. We want to encourage people to prioritise their health and not only seek medical care once they are diagnosed with an illness or when they can no longer…

THE PUBLIC Servants Association (PSA) has called for the immediate removal of the asbestos roof at the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) offices in Central Road, Beaconsfield, to prevent potential health hazards. A prohibition notice was issued by the Department of Employment and Labour on January 31 due to ongoing construction at the premises. The DWS was also informed that it had failed to contain asbestos material at the workplace after a notice of non-compliance was issued on July 22, 2024. PSA Northern Cape provincial manager Steve Ledibane indicated that labour inspectors issued the prohibition notice because there was a danger of building materials and bricks injuring staff members working on the construction site. “Renovations to break down some of the hard walls were temporarily halted in the interests…

At just 21 years old, Noel Jozina Cossa left his home in Mozambique with nothing but a skateboard and a dream. He didn’t know where he’d sleep, what he’d eat, or even where he’d stay – but he knew he had to chase his passion. The road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: he was willing to fight for his future and for the family he left behind. A Passion Born in the Streets Noel’s love for skating began at the age of 12, long before Mozambique had any skate parks. The streets of Maputo became his playground, and he and his friends learned by watching each other, pushing their limits with every trick. “We don’t have anybody to teach us tricks or how to skate. We teach…

APPARENTLY, adding a new word to a language isn’t a simple task and usually follows a number of conditions. Top of that list is that the word needs to be used frequently by a significant number of people. This is why I have been wondering why a certain word that practically everyone is using these days has not been added to the dictionary! As if you haven’t guessed it already, the word is “güdenhew”. C’mon, don’t be coy. I am certain you used it at least 55 times this past week! It just slips into our conversation so naturally that you cannot help yourself … that’s why it HAS to be added to our dictionary! Here’s how it happens; someone says: “Hello, how are you?” And you reply: “Güdenhew.” One…

KIMBERLEY welcomes a new leader at the helm of Diamantveld High School as Francois de Kock steps into the role of principal. With an extensive background in education and a wealth of experience in top-performing schools, de Kock is eager to uphold the school's rich traditions while fostering growth and excellence in all areas. A Journey Through Education De Kock began his teaching career in 1992 at Hoërskool Jeugland. Over the past three decades, he has taught at some of South Africa’s most esteemed schools, including Affies, Waterkloof and Garsfontein. His leadership credentials include serving as the Director of Rugby at Hoërskool Garsfontein from 2011 to 2016 and later taking on administrative roles at Hoërskool Kempton Park, where he was deputy principal before assuming the position of principal in 2019.…

THE HEAT in the city was turned up to scorching this past weekend when Kimberley played host to the Northern Cape Bowls Singles Championships. The province’s top 16 men and women showcased their skills in an intense battle for the coveted titles. The precision, strategy, and determination of the competitors ensured that the tournament produced non-stop thrills, proving once again why bowls remains a sport of both mental and physical mastery – which was challenging under Kimberley’s relentless blazing sun. WOMEN’S FINAL: Marietjie does it again The women’s final was a repeat of the Kalahari Sub-District showdown, with defending champion Marietjie van den Berg facing off against a formidable opponent, Susan Leeuwner. This highly-anticipated match saw Marietjie once again demonstrating her exceptional class and consistency, outplaying Susan to claim her…

With last year’s edition drawing 480 athletes from 28 schools, anticipation is high for another thrilling showdown where only the best of the best will compete for top honors. The Top 20 isn’t just any athletics meet; it’s an event where schools field teams of 20 elite athletes, each competing in only two events to maximize performance. Points are awarded based on the Sasol Point Table, ensuring a strategic and fiercely competitive environment. The grand finale, a high-energy relay race, always delivers an electrifying climax to an action-packed day. This year, defending champions Hoërskool Concordia will be back to protect their title, while other schools will be looking to dethrone them. With medals, trophies, and bragging rights at stake, the competition promises to be as intense as ever. But beyond…

SECURITY workers who were formerly employed by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) intend to continue protesting outside the Metlife Towers building in Kimberley until they are permanently absorbed. The workers expressed their anger over the termination of their contracts as of January 1. “We are being forced to sit at home while we have no means of taking care of our children. Some of us have 15 years of service and have been left jobless,” they said. They pointed out that an expectation was created when Premier Dr Zamani Saul announced the establishment of the Northern Cape Provincial Security Services in January 2024. They believed they would be employed by provincial government departments through the insourcing of security services. “Instead of government fulfilling its commitment of creating…

NORTHERN Cape High Court Acting Judge Omphemetse Chwaro last week dismissed an application to recuse himself from the Defensor security tender trial. A previous application brought by the accused to be discharged from prosecution was similarly unsuccessful. The accused – former HOD for the Northern Cape Department of Health, Steven Jonkers, and Defensor Electronic Security Systems (Pty) Ltd directors Renier van Rooyen and Claudius Peterson – were charged in connection with a R384 million security tender that was awarded by the Department of Health in 2017. They are facing charges of fraud and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act. The State alleges that supply chain management processes were flouted, as the company was not fully compliant or registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) when it was…

THE SOL Plaatje Municipality, in partnership with Vodacom and education activist Murendeni Musanda Ndanduleni from the Musanda Foundation, encouraged learners at Dr EP Lekhela Secondary School in Galeshewe to focus on their educational “swag”. The guests visited the school to celebrate its outstanding 98% pass rate in the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations and to introduce Vodacom’s free e-learning platform. The school was crowned the best-performing school in Galeshewe for the 2024 matric results. Sol Plaatje executive mayor Martha Bartlett applauded the teachers, staff and learners for their achievement. “We are impressed that the Class of 2024 set the bar very high. Those learners did not focus on their environment. We expect the Class of 2025 to improve on those marks. This is an indication that achieving a 100%…

The SA20 cricket tournament is wild. Every night is a high-energy affair. Walking around the stadiums, there are children and adults having a jolly good time. Then there’s the executive suits, where you can bump into anyone from Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie to Afrikaans pop icon Kurt Darren on any given night. For the past couple of weeks, though, I’ve shared the company of former Springbok rugby players Juan de Jongh and Rudy Paige. The duo have reinvented themselves as social media content creators, with their podcast ‘Behind the Ruck’ proving hugely popular. In fact, their unique humour and charm has seen pay-channel SuperSport call on their services during the SA20 to add some colour and off-field entertainment to the action out in the middle. For anyone who has ever…

SOME people live one great story. Johan ‘Jobo’ de Villiers has lived several. From the dusty streets of De Aar to the rugby fields where Griquas fiercely contested their matches, from the structured world of military service to the unpredictable landscape of entrepreneurship, and now to the greens of competitive lawn bowls, his journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and an enduring love for sport. His life is a testament to adaptability, proving that true champions aren’t defined by a single moment but by their ability to embrace every new challenge with the same passion and determination. Growing Up in De Aar: A Childhood of Adventure and Loss Born on September 24, 1971, Johan was the youngest of five siblings in the close-knit Northern Cape town of De Aar. His…