Community News

Supplied The Safer South Africa Foundation (SSAF), in partnership with Pick n Pay School Club, has commenced the distribution of grocery hampers to 241 high school learners who participated in the 2026 Youth4SaferSouthAfrica Debate and Leadership Development Programme. The initiative continues a partnership established in 2020, reflecting a…

By Sizankosi Six third-year Creative Writing students from Sol Plaatje University (SPU) travelled from Kimberley to Makhanda for a week-long research and writing retreat that brought them into contact with established South African poets, literary archives and the country’s vibrant literary community. The retreat, held from 14 to 20 September…

Kutlwano Kgaoganyeng Yunivesithi ya Sol Plaatje (SPU) e nnile le thulaganyo ya lenaneo la beke yotlhe go tlotla ditiro tsa ga Sol Plaatje tsa bonatla mo thutong, mo puong, mo dikwalong, setso le tshiamiso ya loago. Thulaganyo e e tsweletse go tloga ka 5 go ya go 10 Diphalane 2026, mme e kopantshitse boidiidi go tla go ikgopotsa ka botshelo…

Keolebogile Gouws Internationally recognised reggae and dancehall artist, Teboho Montse, aka ‘Pepsin x Mkhanyakude’, brought music and community together at his Echo of Royalty: Black Child Salute Homecoming Rub-a-Dub event at Cattleya House of Rastafarian in Kimberley, on 17 October, where he reconnected with the community that raised him.…

Obone-Aratile Lekhehle Sol Plaatje University (SPU) Centre for Creative Writing and African Languages hosted its inaugural Ya Rona Literary Festival on 16 and 17 October at Sol Plaatje’s Humanities and Heritage Studies building. The two-day festival brought together emerging and seasoned writers, students, literary enthusiasts, and readers to…

MLab hosted a milestone celebration where 36 Tech Graduates from Kimberley received their Code Tribe certificates of completion at Eden Restaurant and Lodge in Kimberley, on 8 October. The celebration was coupled with the tech-based company’s 15th anniversary since its establishment. This qualification equips learners with the technical…

The 29-year-old accused, Lungile Novukela, made a brief first appearance before the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 16 October, after being arrested in Ivory Park, Gauteng, on Wednesday, 14 October, in connection with the murder of his girlfriend, Pinkie Khonkhobe. Khonkhobe’s decomposed body was found buried in a shallow grave in a…

In its sustained efforts to address the increasing incidence of breast cancer among young people, the Provincial Health Department marked October with a range of activities focused on cancer awareness, early detection, patient support, staff wellness and community engagement. A key focus this year is reaching young women and the broader…

Supplied The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape honoured members of the Pixley ka Seme District for their years of loyal and dedicated service during a Loyal Service Medal Parade held in the district today at the Marino Stadium in De Aar. Officiated by Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, Acting Provincial Commissioner for…

Karabo Ntanzi Over 50 athletes, consisting of both able-bodied and residents who use wheelchairs from Helen Bishop Home braved the scorching sun to participate in the 5km Nappy Run contest on 10 October, from Ekhaya Private Hospital in Galeshewe to the circle in front of Pick 'n Pay on Seochoareng Street and back to Ekhaya. The target for the…

Supplied The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape cautions community members, particularly women, to prioritise their personal safety when leaving drinking establishments and other entertainment venues, especially during the late hours of the night and early morning. The Northern Cape SAPS appeals to community members to…

Supplied A member of Upington Serious Organised Crime Investigation team arrested a 29 year old male for possession of drugs after he unknowingly hitchhiking a police officers unmarked car. The Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said the suspect was arrested with 60 tablets of Mandrax valued at R6000, a bag of high-grade…

Supplied The Equality Court sitting in George, Western Cape, restored a truck driver’s human dignity after handing down a victorious judgment, after he suffered racial abuse from a co-worker in November 2024. This matter was heard on 6 May 2026 and judgment delivered on 25 June 2026. The applicant in this matter expressed that “since the…

Supplied The Department of Employment and Labour, through its Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch, will host a stakeholder workshop aimed at strengthening compliance, safety awareness and regulatory understanding within the electrical and mechanical engineering sectors. The Electrical and Mechanical Engineering: Machinery Safety…

The Namakwa District Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews, welcomed the successful conviction and sentencing of Arrie Paulse for tampering with and damaging essential infrastructure, following diligent investigative work and effective collaboration within the criminal justice system. The conviction stems from an incident on 9 October 2022,…

Supplied In an effort to curb crimes committed using non-government organisations, Kimberley’s Serious Commercial Crimes Court convicted Nathan Baldwin Ramailane (62) on one count of Fraud and two counts of money laundering. Ramailane was charged alongside his NGO Heseqwa Caring Network, the accused had submitted a request for funding from…

Supplied The Northern Cape Department of Education is confident that the foundation has been laid for the Matric Class of 2026, to take on the responsibility of building on the achievement by improving last year’s pass rate, and surpassing the 90% pass rate across all of its 149 Registration of Examination Centres. That is after the…

Supplied 36 Year-old Rhulani Innocent Tshuketana, his entity, (Ribilwa Trading Enterprises)  and an employee at Emthanjeni Municipality, 40 year-old Lusapho Donald Williams, were found guilty of Corruption in terms of Prevention and Combating of Corruption Activities Act 12 of 2004 (PRECCA) and Money Laundering in Contravention of section 4 of…

Supplied The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, has welcomed the conviction and sentencing of a 22-year-old accused, Nathan Mei, for housebreaking with intent to steal and theft. The incident occurred between 21 and 24 November 2025, when the complainant reported that the premises had been…

Supplied The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, welcomed the combined 25-year imprisonment sentence imposed on 23-year-old Sivuyile Mntuyedwa for murder and attempted murder in Kuyasa village on 6 September 2025. Mntuyedwa was involved in an altercation with the son of 49 year-old Sarah Tina…

Supplied Founder of The Zoo Travel and Tours in Kuruman, Boitumelo Peter, saw an opportunity to start up a tourism business in the Northern Cape, drawing on his previous experience in tour management and production. He is one of 10 entrepreneurs to graduate from an Enterprise Development Programme, following three and a half years of business…

Supplied When Nicolette Josop received grant funding in 2024 to launch a mobile kitchen, it marked the start of more than just a food business. Two years on, Ini Hoeki Mobiele Koswa stands as a working example of how structured development support, funding paired with training and mentoring can turn a small, informal idea into a sustainable…

Kutlwano Kgaoganyeng Sol Plaatje University Centre for Creative Writing and African Languages e ne e thankgolola ‘!Xao Journal for New Writing’ semmuso go tlotla le go keteka boswa jwa ga Sol Plaatje mo bekeng ya segopotso sa gagwe. Thankgololo e tshwerwe mo letsatsing la Labotlhano 09 Diphalane 2026. Jenale e, ke ngatana ya dikgangkhutswe…

Supplied Kimberley is preparing to host the second Diamonds and Dorings Kimberley Big Hole Marathon on 24 and 25 October 2026. The organising committee aims to attract 5 000 runners across four distances. Under the theme ‘Local is Lekker’, this year’s event will create opportunities for Northern Cape businesses. Fort Joko and House of Rude…

Supplied As demand continues to grow for qualified and professionally trained Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners in the Northern Cape, the Department of Basic Education has welcomed De Aar Solar Power’s ongoing investment in practitioner development. The programme welcomed practioners from De Aar, Philipstown, and Britstown,…

Boipelo Mere The Sol Plaatje Municipality has suspended refuse collection scheduled for Thursday today, 8 October 2026, in all areas after one of its truck drivers allegedly suffered a fatal heart attack while on duty on Wednesday afternoon. The incident happened on Hulana Street, Galeshewe, at the end of his shift. This is to allow the…

Staff Reporter Sol Plaatjie Municipality reminded residents that teams from its service provider, Ontec, are conducting electricity meter audits and replacing faulty and offline meters. The exercise involves the auditing of various electricity meters, old conventional meters and smart prepaid meters, as part of the municipality’s efforts to…

Staff Reporter The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has refuted claims that any money entering a grant beneficiary's bank account automatically results in the cancellation of a grant. This follows panic among social grant beneficiaries on social media posts, that having money deposited into their bank account will automatically…

Staff Reporter Sol Plaatje Municipality has expressed concern after vandals went on a rampage, destroying more than ten tombstones at Roodepan Cemetery. This despicable act comes after the Municipality erected a new perimeter fence worth R4 166 000, and undertook a massive clean-up operation as part of plans to expand the cemetery.…

Keolebogile Gouws Fifty-four political parties met at Flamingo Casino in Kimberley, on Tuesday, 29 September 2026 to sign the Electoral Code of Conduct and Disinformation Pledge for the local government elections to be held on 4 November 2026. This Code of Conduct is intended to promote “conditions that are suitable to free and fair…

The Northern Cape Department of Health is working around the clock to contain the measles outbreak after a spike in cases was detected among children who are either not fully vaccinated, or have never received the measles or measles/rubella vaccine. The department is working closely with districts to strengthen surveillance, ensuring rapid…

Staff Reporter Detective Constable Leonie Isaac of the De Aar Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit conducted a meticulous investigation that has resulted in the conviction of a 25-year-old male for rape and a 15-year prison sentence. That is after a 30-year-old victim from Britstown recalls and reported that at…

Staff Reporter With South Africa’s ongoing battle against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), the Namakwa Community Police Forum (CPF) in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS) has joined hands in efforts to combat GBVF in their communities. The Namakwa District CPF recently participated in a Meet-and-Greet…

Staff Reporter A 22-year-old Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BEngTech) in Electrical Engineering graduate, Naledi Mohloki was able to benefit from Droogfontein Solar Power’s Technical Internship Programme, which assists in bridging the gap between academic study and industry. The programme, is equipping young engineering graduates with the…

Kutlwano Kgaoganyeng Sol Plaatje University’s (SPU) Library and Information Service hosted “Read Mhudi” for Information Literacy Day on Tuesday, 8 September, at the University Library Auditorium under the theme “Readers Become Leaders: Promoting Literacy for Academic and Personal Success.” This initiative forms part of the Vice-Chancellor’s…

Obonearatile Lekhehle The Kimberley Military Sports Club grounds came to a spectacular halt earlier this month as the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, officiated the pass-out parade of more than 2,500 new South African National Defence Force (SANDF) recruits. This historic occasion marked a major milestone for the…

Staff Reporter Kimberley Serious and Violent Crimes Unit is investigating an inquest after the body of an unknown male was discovered on Friday, 18 September 2026 at approximately 10:00 in Waterloo Street in West End. The exact location is in the veld opposite the Maloof Skatepark. It is alleged that a passer-by observed the body alongside…

Staff Reporter The Kakamas Regional Court convicted Terence Markus, 36, for attempted murder of his 23 year old girlfriend and sentenced him to 18 years’ imprisonment. A charge of rape was withdrawn after the court found that the available evidence was insufficient to sustain a prosecution on that charge. The incident dates back to…

Staff Reporter The Kagisho Detectives are requesting the assistance of the public in locating Itshenkeng Georginah Morokonyane, 43, who was reported missing by her mother on Wednesday, 02 September 2026. According to the police, Morokonyane left home on July 2025with her friend known as "Maureen" indicating that they were going to a casino in…

Staff Reporter The Mothibistad SAPS are requesting the assistance of  the public in locating the 16 year old Realebogile Gaebee who was reported missing by her mother. According to information, Realebogile left home with her brother 04 September 2026 when they took a taxi to school. Police spokesperson Captain Nomvuyo Makoloi said Gaebee…

E fetotswe ke: Kutlwano Kgaoganyeng Lefapha la Thuto la Kapa Bokone le tshotse tshwetso ya go tswala dikolo tsotlhe mo kgaolong ya Namakwa ka Mosupologo, 14 Lwetse 2026, morago ga tlhagiso ya maemo a bosa a Yellow Level 4 a a ntsheditsweng mo kgaolong eo. Ponelopele e bontshitse kgonagalo ya dipula tse di maatla, merwalela le ditsela dingwe…

Staff Reporter The Hopetown Regional Court has convicted and sentenced a 37 year old man to 5-years imprisonment for assaulting his 56-year-old wife on 15 November 2025 in Hopetown. The accused was additionally declared unfit to possess a firearm. The victim and the accused were visiting a friend and thereafter, whereby the victim left and…

Kealeboga Sibiya In a commitment to improve the quality of public health for over 80% of the Northern Cape population, Premier Dr Zamani Saul and Health MEC, Nontobeko Vilakazi, launched a fleet of 60 Emergency Medical Services(EMS) vehicles on Tuesday, 8 September, in Kimberley. The launch was attended by MEC for Women, Children and Persons…

Staff Reporter The Springbok Regional Court recently sentenced 23-year-old El-Jean Cupido to 10 years’ imprisonment for the culpable homicide of 71-year-old Edwin Charles Hagglund. Three years are suspended, and the accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm. The court heard that the tragic incident happened during a social gathering…

Staff Reporter The Postmasburg Regional Court has sentenced a 35-year-old Ethiopian national, Asanfe Abebiya, to a lengthy prison term following his conviction on multiple charges of rape and kidnapping. The court handed down the following sentences: Count 1 (Rape): 15 years imprisonment Count 2 (Rape): 15 years imprisonment Count…

Boipelo Mere The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has downgraded its weather alert for Kimberley to a Yellow Level 2 warning, following Sunday’s severe Orange Level 6 storms that left a trail of destruction across the Northern Cape. This comes after violent storms wreaked havoc on local infrastructure, triggering power outages that lasted…

Staff Reporter Shaderick Seane, 31, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Kimberley High Court on Friday, after a 28 year old woman’s body was found with assault and strangulation injuries in Soul City, Galeshewe. The sentence was passed on 28 August 2026 following his conviction for murder. The woman’s body was discovered on Tuesday,…

Staff Reporter A 22-year-old Vosburg man was sentenced to 20 years’ direct imprisonment for raping his 42-year-old mother at their home on 23 November 2025. Passed by the Carnarvon Regional Court, the conviction and sentence follow a thorough investigation conducted by Detective Constable Leevirne Nathalie Raaf of the Carnarvon Family…

Staff Reporter Applications are open for the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture 2026/27 Community Arts Development Programme (CADP). Grant Funding of up to R50 000 is available per approved project while up to R30 000 can be approved for Procurement of Goods and Services per approved beneficiary. Applications open on 01…

Staff Reporter Frances Baard District management welcomes the conviction and 15 years imprisonment sentencing of Ernest Khoza; 50, for house robbery and rape. The sentences will run concurrently with a five-year sentence previously imposed, resulting in an effective sentence of 25 years’ direct imprisonment. The sentence follows a…