Community News

Karabo Ntanzi About 200 members of the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) from Francis Baard, JT Gaetsewe, and ZF Mgcawu Districts gathered at Phatshimang FET College to select teams that will represent the Province at the Southern African Teachers Organisation (SATO). According to Keitumetse Kwenampe, SADTU Provincial Sports…

Supplied  Minister Motsoaledi has on Friday, 08 august visited the Northern Cape province following the release of the report by the Health Ombud on his investigation of treatment, complications and deaths of psychiatric patients at Northern Cape Mental Hospital and Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital. On the 30 July 2025, the Health Ombud…

Supplied  A significant victory was secured for a family in the Barrydale area in the Western Cape after they successfully opposed their eviction. On 5 August 2025, the Land Court in Cape Town handed down judgment dismissing an appeal by a landowner who sought to overturn the decision of the Swellendam Magistrate’s Court which dismissed their…

By Khumo Makame and Palesa Mofoti The Northern Cape Department of Education hosted an Indaba focusing on Early Childhood Development (ECD) under the theme "Quality Foundational Learning". The gathering, which is a build-up towards the G20 South Africa Conference, was held at Sol Plaatje University’s (SPU) 7- 8 August 2025. Delegates included…

Karabo Ntanzi A Congolese-born Doctor, Phil Mwenze, is Senior Medical Officer (Physician) at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital and also running a private practice in Roodepan. He came to South Africa 18 years ago.  He worked in Johannesburg for eight years before relocating to Kimberley. Dr Phil stated that in their country, many companies…

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has called for the marketing of South African natural diamonds across the world, as the sector faces a decline in demand and price. The local sector now faces an added challenge of a US tariff of some 30%. South African natural diamonds have not been excluded from the US tariff list,…

Correspondent Mourners who attended the funeral service of Kenalemang Cynthia Moreothata have pleaded with the government to end Gender Based Violence. Moreothata was allegedly killed by her husband who is a Pastor in what many described as one of the most brutal murders in the province. She was allegedly beaten to death with a hockey stick…

Karabo Ntanzi Three hundred and fifty delegates from all nine provinces descended on Mitta Seperepere Convention Center in Kimberley to witness the first South African Heroine Awards (SAHA) in the Northern Cape. Hosted on Women's Day, the Convention Centre was filled with men and women dressed to the nines. Thanks to the Mme Re Ka Thusa…

Platfontein community members brazed the cold weather to witness a historic moment of opening the first state of the art Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD). The !Xunkwesa ECD was constructed by the Palms for Life Fund at the cost of R12.7 million. There are 19 ECD Practitioners from the local community. The Premier handed over…

By Karabo Ntanzi A Congolese-born businesswoman, Aena Mwenze, who resides in Kimberley, celebrated her birthday differently this year by inviting survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The purpose was to observe the International Nelson Mandela Day. The host, owner of Aena.CO collaborated with the SAPS, Women Touching Lives,…

CORRESPONDENCE The family of MI- Kyla Booysen says plans are underway to establish a foundation in her honor. Booysen is one of three South Africans who were killed by a Zimbabwean national, Collen Mhlanga, in a road accident in June last year.   Mhlanga was sentenced to ten years in prison of which two years were suspended. On 31 June 2024,…

Supplied The MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Mase Manopole, on Friday, 18 July 2025, lead a series of impactful community outreach activities in Roodepan observing Nelson Mandela Day, under the theme, “It’s Still in Our Hands to Combat Poverty and Inequity”. This initiative reaffirms the…

Supplied The Department of Employment and Labour’s Inspections and Enforcement Services has closed down a Government mortuary in Bloemfontein, Free State. The closure of the facility emanates from a reactive inspection conducted by the department’s inspectorate in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The Department conducted a…

Cyberbullying is one of the challenges that our society is faced with, especially in the education sector and it contributes to learners dropping out of school, suicide cases and other serious incidents amongst learners. The police and the Community Police Forum in Lime Acres conducted a School Safety Campaign on Monday, 7 October 2024 at Lime…

Supplied The man arrested in connection with the massacre of 18 people made his first appearance in the Lusikisiki Magistrates' Court yesterday. Siphosoxolo Myekethe (45) is facing 18 charges of murder and one count possession of an unlicenced firearm, an AK47 assault rifle. The accused was arrested on 07 October 2024 at his home in Mthimde…

Correspondence The Department of Water and Sanitation has warned communities who use water from rivers (raw or untreated) in the Northern Cape and North West to be careful as they might contain cholera. This include communities and water users along the Harts and Vaal rivers. The Department explained that residents from Christiana downstream…

Supplied The family of 28-year-old Jayson Afrique have welcome the decision of the Kimberley Magistrate denying bail against the man accused of his murder. 38-year-old John Ross Henderson was denied bail on 4 October following days of concerted battle by his legal to have him released on bail. Afrique was shot and killed near his home in…

Supplied The coordinators of four well known Museums in Kimberley believe their partnership will go a long way in exposing key cultural institutions. The Transnet Transport Museum, the William Humphreys Art Gallery, the Big Hole Museum and the McGregor Museum recently launched the Museum Passport Initiative with the aim of boosting heritage…

Supplied The Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola joined by the Deputy Director of Correctional Services, Phillip Phajane hosted a combined Heritage Month event at Kimberley Correctional Services on Wednesday, 2 October 2024, under the theme “Celebrating the lives of our heroes and heroines who laid down their…

Supplied In 2008, the World Health Organisation declared 3 October as World No Alcohol Day and the country is observing October as Social Development month. Minister for Social Development (DSD), Sisisi Tolashe is appealing to all South Africans not to consume alcohol or sell alcohol to children. Under the theme: “Say No to alcohol and…

Supplied As the Festive Season approaches, the SAPS, in partnership with other Government departments, provided essential mobile services that are easy accessible to the community of Galeshewe on Thursday, 3 October  2024. The service on Wheels initiative by SAPS and Government Departments. namely. Home Affairs, Social Development, Department…

Correspondent The family of 28-year-old Jason Afrique said his untimely death has changed their lives. Afrique, a well-known businessman and a member of bikers' CC Riders Club, was shot and killed near his home in Newpark, Kimberley, on 31 July. The shooting incident happened when Afrique and his 27-year-old wife were about to enter their…

Supplied The DA in the Northern Cape has expressed concerns about policing in the rural areas, including farms. This comes after the arrest of four suspects in connection with the murder of 81-year-old Kuruman farmer Hendrik Venter.  Venter was found dead with wounds on his head near his farm on 27 September. Apparently, he was attacked…

Supplied The Roodepan SAPS is investigating an inquest into the death of Richard Steenkamp (73) who went missing in Roodepan on Friday, 16 August 2024. On Wednesday, 04 September 2024 at about 10:00 the body of Steenkamp was found in the veld on a farm near Roodepan by an employee. His body was identified by his family, andno foul play is…

Karabo Ntanzi The partnership between the Department of Public Works and the Department of Higher Education's Community Education and Training College launched a groundbreaking initiative for female EPWP participants in the Frances Baard District. The partnership will afford more than three hundred women from Frances Baard District an…

By SAPS As certain parts of the country is experiencing severe weather conditions,  the SAPS in the Northern Cape is appealing to residents to implement the following safety measures during this period and also to be vigilant and alert during extreme cold and wet weather. Ensure that all fires in fireplaces are extinguished and heaters are…

Supplied by National Department of Health                                                                                                                                   Picture:  Sourced  South Africa is currently experiencing the annual influenza (flu) season which started in the week of 22 April 2024, and a number of flu strains are…

Karabo Ntanzi While a number of political parties including the ANC are planning on intensifying coalition talks on who they wish their coalition partners will be, some Northern Cape communities have tabled their preferred coalition political parties. The current scenario of coalition governments in a number of provinces including the…

Supplied The Sol Plaatje Local Municipality is excited to announce its partnership with Easypay, a leading digital payment solutions provider, to facilitate convenient and efficient digital bill payments for residents.  The system came into effect from Friday 31 May 2024. This significant digital transaction step confirms the municipality's…

While a number of political parties including the ANC are planning on intensifying coalition talks on who they wish their coalition partners will be, some Northern Cape communities have tabled their preferred coalition political parties. The current scenario of coalition governments in a number of provinces including the Northern Cape is as a…

By Palesa Mofoti After a long anticipation from the community the Northern Cape Department of Education with the Premier of the Province, Dr Zamani Saul officially opened the renovated Kimberley Academy (former Redirile Primary School) on 24 May 2024. Parents, community members, learners including dignitaries, the Executive Mayor of Sol…

Supplied The Northern Cape Provincial Government has over the past 30 years made great strides in transforming the education landscape in the Province through massive investment in Education. The sixth administration further declared Education as one of its apex priorities, confirming that Education is an important cornerstone to ensuring…

Thato Mgoma The Department of Roads and Public Works celebrated 20 years of a nationwide government programme, the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) at AR Abass Stadium yesterday. This programme was implemented in 2004 to alleviate poverty and reduce the unemployment rate of the country. It has proved to have been a success as there were…

Supplied The SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences units in the Frances Baard District, accompanied by the SAPS Sector Policing, Community Police Forum, Social Crime Prevention and the Safety Participants from the Department of Transport Safety and Liaison, as well as Department of Social Development visited schools in…

Supplied Hundreds of security guards in the Northern Cape demand the government to employ them permanently. This comes after about 700 security guards were not paid their monthly salaries in April.  Some guards employed by Defensor security company who did not want to be named for fear of being victimized said they are working under appalling…

By Palesa Mofoti ‘I never want to see a child suffer, because that hurts me deeply seeing a child in that state’ words from Xolo Nicholas Ndayi affectionately known as Rre Ndayi, founder of Kitso Ke Bophelo a non-profit organization in Mokgeledi Street, Galeshewe. The Ndayi family house is a haven for the community.  Kitso Ke Bophelo offers…

Karabo Ntanzi It was an auspicious occasion for Masiza Primary School staff members, parents, and some members of the School Management Team as they bid farewell to two beloved teachers, Kedisaletse affectionately known as Sale Moheta and Mam Thandi Khonkhobe on Friday, 17 May. The intimate gathering was held at one of the old restaurants in…

Supplied A 44-year-old stepfather has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Galeshewe Regional Court after he was convicted on one count of rape as well as one count of attempted rape of his stepdaughter. In 2017, when the victim was 14 years old, and in Grade 8 the accused who was residing with the victim and her mother, began raping the…

Thato Mgoma The Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, launched a Labour Activation Programme at Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre last Friday.  Stake holders within the Labour department, government officials and community members attended. Labour Activation Programme (LAP) is a unit within the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)…

MEDIA STATEMENT  It is with deep sadness that the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality (“SPLM”) announces the passing on of a colleague from the electrical department, Enrico Jose Convivious who succumbed to injuries stemming from severe burn wounds.  An explosion occurred whilst he and three colleagues were on-call at the Hercules Street Substation…

KARABO NTANZI "Women in the country will continue experiencing violence as long as the justice system fails them." These are the chilling words of a Warrenton woman who has become another statistic of gender-based violence. Thirty-one-year-old (31) Lesego Mere said she is lucky to be still alive after a trigger-happy police officer allegedly…

KARABO NTANZI The Northern Cape Department of Basic Education has called on the new School Governing Bodies (SGB) to prioritize learner support. The Department indicated the need for governing bodies that will be part of the solution. Five hundred and fifty-four (554) public schools in the Northern Cape successfully participated in the 2024…

By Palesa Mofoti The first handover of the Youth, Women, and Persons with Disability Fund (YWD) was held on 16 April 2024 in Kimberley. The YWD Fund is the initiative of the Northern Cape Ministry for Youth, Women, Persons with Disability and e-Commerce. Through this fund equipment and financial assistance to the tune of R8,9 million was…

Thato Mgoma Aggrey Klaaste Library, a state-of-the-art library was opened in Greenpoint next to Greenpoint Primary School on Friday. Greenpoint is one of the oldest townships in Kimberley. The historical moment was witnessed by Premier Zamani Saul and members of the provincial legislature, the Mayor of Sol Plaatje Municipality; Kagisho…

Supplied The Congress of South African Trade Union (COSATU) in the Northern Cape says it will use its Shop Steward Council of clusters and Workers Day rally to consolidate its campaign for the ANC victory in the upcoming general elections on May 29. The trade union has organized a series of shop stewards councils in the Province's districts:…

Karabo Ntanzi Residents in several informal settlements in the Sol Plaatje Municipality have pleaded with the provincial government to accelerate the provision of housing. The plea comes from families in Roodepan who were displaced after their shacks were blown away during heavy rainfall and strong winds last weekend. An assessment by…

Karabo Ntanzi A battle involving the Sol Plaatje Municipality and Kimberley Local Taxi Association is looming over the usage of the Bultfontein Road. The reason for the scuffle comes after taxi operators affiliated with the association returned to park their minibus taxis on the road. Last year, the municipality closed a part of Bultfontein Road…

KARABO NTANZI The Northern Cape Education Department has confirmed placing its a Chief Director, who is facing criminal charges at the Kimberley Magistrate Court, on a precautionary suspension. His suspension comes after members of women's organisation,  Women Waging War Against GBVF and other community members burnt tyres outside the…

Palesa Mofoti The Roodepan Business Forum says the Department of Small Business Development's donation to local SMEs will go a long way in addressing joblessness in the area. The department led by Deputy Minister of Small Business Development Dipuo Peters donated business equipment to 87 SMMEs as part of the government's plan to assist…

Karabo Ntanzi More than 2,000 first-year students from Sol Plaatje University filled Mittah Seperepere Convention Center on 19 February for a formal welcoming ceremony, which is the last step of confirming that indeed they are Gemmies, as the Principal, Professor Andrew Crouch, enthusiastically informed them. This ceremony followed a vigorous…