Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-05-02 i DFA News

DIAMOND Park and Greenpoint in Kimberley are informal settlements – once places where children played freely in the streets and neighbours greeted each other with pride in their modest shacks and homes. Today, Diamond Park has become a shadow of itself, consumed not by crime or internal decay but by a river of sewage that winds through its streets and yards, unchecked and unresolved. What were once roads are now thick, muddy corridors overgrown with lush grass fed by human waste. The roads are impassable, the air choked with the stench of faeces, and the dignity of residents trampled into the filth beneath their feet. While South Africans celebrated Freedom Day on Monday, the residents of Diamond Park found little reason to celebrate. Freedom? Here, it’s a bitter joke. Families…

WOMEN’S rights activists say silence is not an option after a pastor – described as a “sex pest” – allegedly made unwelcome sexual advances toward a 26-year-old volunteer with the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM), under the auspices of the Office of the Premier. A criminal case was opened against the reverend, who is employed at the Office of the Premier and affiliated with the MRM, on April 5. Activist organisations and a whistle-blower, who allegedly received death threats after questioning why the clergyman was being protected, claim there are efforts to suppress the disturbing allegations. Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane confirmed this week that the Kimberley SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit is investigating a case in which a 26-year-old woman was allegedly sexually assaulted…

THE SWD team should be wary. I say this because the Suzuki Griquas will no doubt be determined to bounce back strongly and put in a commanding performance when they face the Eagles in George this evening, following a contentious and heartbreaking defeat that ended their unbeaten SA Cup run. Last Friday’s loss in Nelspruit brought the Kimberley team’s unbeaten run in the SA Cup to an end under highly controversial circumstances. Fullback Cameron Hufke appeared to have sealed a match-winning hat-trick in the dying moments, only for referee Christopher Allison to overturn the awarded try after glancing at the stadium’s big screen – despite the SA Cup not allowing the use of TMO reviews. Earlier, Griquas had also suffered a harsh yellow card against flanker Marco de Witt, compounding…

Mïcke earns second Proteas team call-up Mïcke Strydom, a talented young karateka from Zanshin Karate-Do in Kimberley, has made her mark on the national stage, securing second place in the Girls 14/15 kata division. Her hard work has earned her official Proteas colours for the second year running – an achievement she describes as “one of the best feelings ever.” Although Mïcke began karate early, her passion for competition sparked about three years ago after watching senior athletes at a national tournament. “I realised what I was doing and what it could be,” she recalls. “I decided I wanted to be one of those athletes whom others stay behind to watch.” Finding out she ranked second nationally filled her with pride and resolve. “I was proud of myself for making…

AN URGENT interim interdict obtained by a property owner to prevent the demolition of flats in Nobengula Street, Galeshewe, is reportedly preventing Sol Plaatje Municipality from addressing overflowing sewage in Wards 17 and 31. The landlord, Odirile Sehako, approached the court on April 26, citing loss of income and is claiming costs from the municipality to repair the building. In her judgment, Judge Mpho Mamosebo prohibited the municipality – as well as any of its contractors or employees – from damaging the erf or demolishing the property. Ward 17 councillor and former Speaker, Nomazizi Maputle, said this week that sewage was flowing into her home and others in the area. Sol Plaatje Speaker Dipuo Peters highlighted the importance of obtaining proper approval and authorisation before constructing a building. “The sewerage…

AN INTERIM board has stepped in to prevent more than 35 vulnerable children from facing neglect or being abandoned on the streets, as the Sinothando Child Welfare Centre in Galeshewe teeters on the brink of closure. No representative from the Northern Cape Department of Social Development was present on Tuesday to accept a petition from the Sinothando Concerned Community Group. The petition called for a forensic investigation into alleged maladministration, corruption, and mismanagement of funds at the centre, dating back to 2010. “Our investigations reveal serious governance and operational failures that threaten the sustainability of the centre and the welfare of the children under its care,” it stated. A new interim board was elected on the pavement after concerned community members were prevented from entering the premises. Interim board chairperson…

The Airlink Pumas produced a thrilling performance to topple the previously unbeaten Suzuki Griquas 39-35 in Nelspruit on Friday evening, surging to the top of the SA Cup standings as the race for Carling Currie Cup Premier Division qualification heats up. In a fiercely contested encounter at Mbombela Stadium, the Pumas scored five tries, with Sango Xamlashe and Lundi Msenge each grabbing a brace. Clinton Swart delivered a pivotal performance, racking up 19 points through a try, four conversions, and two penalty goals to hand the Pumas their first win over their arch-rivals in three attempts. The defending champions, Griquas, who had swept all before them so far this season, fought hard with Cameron Hufke crossing the line twice and George Whitehead contributing a try, three conversions, and a penalty.…

Kamogelo Makinta, a determined 15-year-old from Zanshin Karate-Do in Kimberley, is fast making a name for herself. Ranked fourth nationally in the Girls 14/15 kata division, she recently earned Karate South Africa (KSA) National Colours – securing her place at the AUSC Region 5 Championships in Durban on May 23-24. Speaking about her journey in karate, Kamogelo reflects on her early days in the dojo with passion. “I started karate quite a while back, and from the first moment I stepped into the dojo, I already had goals in mind,” she said. “Watching other karatekas perform inspired me to match or even exceed their levels of skill.”That drive and ambition have clearly paid off. Earning a top-four ranking was a proud moment. “It proved that all my hard work has…

“HI JOE … Can you come down for a sec? I want to ask you something. It’s pretty important,” the young man called to his friend who had just climbed three stories up a scaffold. “What is it?” Joe shouted back, clearly reluctant to make the long trip down. “I can’t shout it out from down here. It’s kind of personal.” With a sigh, Joe carefully climbed down the criss-cross of metal pipes. Finally standing next to his friend, he asked, “So, what’s so important?” His buddy grinned and said, “What on earth are you doing up there?” Then, without waiting for a reply, he hopped on his bicycle and rode away. I have it on good authority that this harmless – if frustrating – prank happened right here in…

Kimberley’s Rhythmia Gymnastics Club and St Patrick’s CBC are celebrating after Tricha Richards, a Grade 10 learner and first-year senior Olympic gymnast, was selected to represent South Africa at the prestigious Pharaoh’s Cup in Cairo, Egypt. Richards is one of only six gymnasts nationwide to earn a spot on the national team for the international event, which takes place on May 2-3. It marks a major milestone in her career, as she steps onto the global stage for the first time at senior Olympic level – an achievement reflecting her dedication, countless hours of training, and deep passion for the sport. The Pharaoh’s Cup is an annual competition that attracts some of the world’s top gymnasts, offering Richards the opportunity to test herself against elite international talent. When she received…

THE GLITTER of Kimberley’s historic nickname shone bright once again as boxing returned to the Diamond City in grand fashion, with the recent staging of Diamond Fight Night at the Flamingo Casino. Organised by Rusty Gloves Combat Academy in conjunction with Fight Arts Promotions, the event drew a packed house and delivered a thrilling evening of white-collar boxing and dynamic jiu-jitsu matchups. Six high-octane boxing bouts and 10 intense jiu-jitsu contests kept the energy crackling throughout the evening. Fighters from Kimberley and Bloemfontein faced off, with participants including Morafe Seitiso, Zubair Jaffer, Raaziq Motlekar, Jaedon Van Eden, CJ Townsend, Sipho Manya, Otlotleng Mocwana, AJ Page, Kagisho Hlungwani, Duke Haai, and Bret Du Preez. Behind every bout lay six weeks of intense preparation – weekly sparring sessions, tailored fitness regimes, and…