Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-10-17 i DFA News

PARENTS of children at a Kimberley primary school have pleaded with the Northern Cape Department of Education to intervene after their children began experiencing unexplained fainting spells following a camp near Barkly West from September 19 to 21. A meeting was held with district officials on Wednesday, as parents – now at their wits’ end – expressed concern that their children may not be able to write their exams or complete the syllabus before the end of the year. They said they were unaware of the purpose of the trip and only later discovered that it had not been authorised by the department. “We were under the impression that it was a fun, educational trip. Had we known what would happen, we would never have agreed to send our children,”…

THE EX-WIVES of alleged “Hollanders” gang leader, George “Barney” Peters, who have “Barney’s Property” tattooed on their foreheads and bodies, have distanced themselves from him. The accused — Britney Arends, Stephanie McAnda, Simone Rose and Abigail van Wyk — indicated that they no longer wished to be referred to as Barney’s wives. They appeared alongside Peters and their co-accused — Chinaaz Mentoor, Chane Adams, Michael Peters, Clive Peters, Deon May, Pamerston Mentoor, Henry Blom, Vincent Rosen, Tshepo Malambi, Nico Hofuza and Shawn Smith — in the Northern Cape High Court this week. The accused are facing 117 charges, including murder, attempted murder, gang activity, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, discharge of a firearm in a built-up area, public violence, money laundering, racketeering, defeating the ends of justice, assault, kidnapping,…

WHILE pressure mounts to investigate the appointment of acting Sol Plaatje municipal manager Busisiwe Mgaguli, the Provincial Treasury and the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta) have come to her defence. Mgaguli entered into a plea agreement after being convicted of fraud for submitting false subsistence and travel claims exceeding R500,000 while employed as a senior manager in the Provincial Fiscal Discipline Unit at the Mpumalanga Department of Finance between 2011 and 2012. The National Prosecuting Authority explained that Mgaguli has been making deferred payments towards the confiscation order to a curator bonis appointed by the court since 2013. “After the full amount of R780,000 was paid, the High Court realisation order was made in July 2024 to enable the curator bonis to pay over the…

As the warm October air sweeps across the Northern Cape, golfers and enthusiasts are marking their calendars for one of the region’s longest-running sporting traditions: the Barney Barnato Golf Tournament. Hosted annually at the historic Kimberley Golf Club, the event goes way beyond being a weekend swinging a club and marching after a tiny white ball on the greens and fairways, and, perish the thought, the rough and bunkers. No, the Barney is a celebration of competition, heritage, and community spirit. A legacy forged in diamonds Named after Barney Barnato, the self-made tycoon born in London’s Whitechapel district in 1851, the tournament captures the daring energy of Kimberley’s diamond rush era. Barnato rose from humble beginnings as a street performer to become one of South Africa’s great mining magnates, rivalling…

A 21-year-old mother from Keimoes has been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years, after the Keimoes Magistrate’s Court found her guilty of child neglect and physical assault, including allegations that she burned her five-year-old son with cigarettes and subjected him to ongoing abuse. The abuse came to light in July 2023 when social workers received a report, but it was only in November 2024 that the child’s grandmother reported her concerns to the police, prompting a thorough investigation. Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, provincial commissioner of the South African Police Service in the Northern Cape, welcomed the conviction and sentencing, emphasising the police service’s zero tolerance towards child abuse. The investigating officer, Detective Constable CC Beukes, was commended for her compassion and diligence in securing the conviction. In…

IN THE quiet streets of Zone B in Ikhutseng, Warrenton, lives a woman whose life story stretches across more than a century. Mrs Dithwele Wilheminah Moeng, known to her family and friends as “Gogo Wilheminah”, will celebrate her 105th birthday on October 23. Sitting comfortably at home, Gogo Wilheminah shares her story with the DFA. “I was born on October 23, 1920, in Platberg in the Boshof district,” she says. “Life was simple back then. We didn’t have electricity or fancy things, but we had each other. People cared, helped one another, and shared what little they had. We played outside, helped our parents, and respected everyone in the village.” Her memories drift back to her childhood games, long days filled with laughter and songs. “I remember playing maketo and…

The Kimberley Sporting Legends Trust is gearing up for a special celebration that will honour the province’s rich cricketing history and the players who helped shape it. The Kimberley Sporting Legends Reunion Weekend promises attendees a memorable few days of nostalgia, camaraderie, and recognition, culminating in a Gala Dinner at Elizabeth Conradie High School. The evening will feature keynote speakers, an awards ceremony, and live entertainment, all dedicated to celebrating the sporting greats who left their mark on the region. “We invite all legends, friends, and supporters to join us for this special occasion on 1 November 2025,” said the Kimberley Legends Trust Committee. “We are grateful for those who have already RSVP’d and kindly ask that others confirm attendance by 20 October 2025, to assist with planning.” A huge…

There’s an old saying that suggests that dynamite comes in small packages, and 16-year-old Bonolo Obusitse is living proof of this saying. The petite powerhouse from Freedom Boxing Club has exploded onto the South African boxing scene, returning home from the South African National Boxing Organisation Cadets and Juniors Championships with yet another gold medal around her neck. This latest victory marks her third national gold, a remarkable achievement for the young athlete who competes in the 46-kilogram division. Bonolo dominated her opponents at the tournament, winning all three of her bouts in convincing fashion and cementing her reputation as one of the most promising young female boxers in the country. What makes her success even more impressive is her training environment. Bonolo doesn’t have any female sparring partners. Instead,…

THE STATE will send a cellphone belonging to murder accused John-Ross Crossbery Henderson for further analysis by an expert after no information was found on the device. Henderson appeared in court on October 14 for a pre-trial readiness assessment, as the State is still awaiting outstanding evidence. The trial, relating to the murder of Kimberley businessman Jayson Afrique and the attempted murder of his wife, Micayla Afrique, is scheduled to start in the Northern Cape High Court from October 20 to 24. The Afriques were shot at while entering the driveway of their home in New Park on July 31, 2024. State advocate Theunis Barnard said that three cellphones were sent for forensic analysis. “We are still waiting for the report on one of the cellphones. The State will send…

Dancers from the Noleen Andrews School of Dance have proven their versatility and talent across two demanding disciplines – Irish dance and Hip Hop – earning national recognition and international opportunities in back-to-back competitions. From October 3 to 5, the school’s Irish dancers represented the province at the annual South African Irish Dance Championships in Gauteng. Competing against some of the country’s best and judged by three international adjudicators, the team delivered outstanding performances that brought home three championship trophies. Their results also included 14 gold, 14 silver, and 11 bronze medals, along with 12 fourth places and eight fifth places – a remarkable achievement that reflects months of dedication and disciplined training. Behind their success is coach Noleen Andrews, a qualified Irish dance instructor whose experience and commitment continue…

Recently, Konoha Martial Arts, a club from Kathu in the Northern Cape, were proudly represented at the recent NWS Karate Championships held in Upington. At the championships, 12 dedicated students showcased their skills in both Kata (traditional forms) and Kumite (fighting) disciplines. Though the tournament was smaller in scale, the spirit and determination of the competitors were anything but; they applied themselves admirably. Each Konoha student gave their all — demonstrating focus, discipline, and true martial arts spirit right to the final bout. Sensei Janko Janse van Vuuren, who escorted the team to the tournament, expressed how proud he was of his students’ outstanding performances and dedication throughout the event. Whether the competition is big or small, and no matter if the students are in competition, in their dojo, or…

Get ready to be drenched in colour and laughter this weekend as Elizabeth Conradie School hosts its exciting Colour Run tomorrow, starting at 8am. The event promises a morning filled with vibrant fun, fitness, and community spirit –and, of course, plenty of colour. Participants can expect a festive atmosphere as they make their way through clouds of bright powder, with ‘throwers’ stationed along the route ready to splash anyone daring enough to cross their path. The first 100 entrants will receive a free T-shirt; that is the good news. The not-so-good news is that if you haven’t entered, it’s too late, because entries closed yesterday. For those who did make the cut-off time, a series of lucky draws will also take place on the day, adding an extra layer of…