Community News

Sol Plaatje Municipality (SPM) strongly condemns the relentless attacks on its infrastructure by cable theft syndicates, with the latest incident caused by the recent flooding of the subway in Hull Street resulting in motorists being unable to utilise the road.   Cable theft directly affects service delivery to all our residents, more…

By Karabo Siyoko Pictures supplied The Brandvlei Primary School was hit by a severe thunderstorm that ripped through the town on Tuesday afternoon and caused extensive damage to the school. The infrastructure team is on-site to assess the damage to the school building. At this stage, there are six (6) affected classrooms, where the roof is…

By Staff reporter Picture supplied “As part of our commitment to deal more systematically with the backlog of surgeries in the Province, the Provincial Health Department is pleased to note that the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe hospital performed 72 surgeries in conjunction with Gift of the Givers this past weekend," said a jubilant Lebohang Majaha.…

By Karabo Ntanzi Picture supplied Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul, announced the appointment of Lorato Venus Blennies as MEC for Youth, Women, Disability, Communications and E-Government in the Office of the Premier. This fulfills Premier Saul's vision during the inaugural address for the Sixth Administration of a Modern, Growing…

By staff reporter Picture sourced Minister for Labour and Employment Xulasi Nxesi, reported at the SATUCC Conference held in Gauteng that, Union membership increased from 3.5 million to over 4 million between 2013/14 and 2020/21, while new registered unions increased from 203 to 220. The theme was for the conference was, "Revitalization of…

By Thabo Mothibi The African National Congress in the Northern Cape has noted the alarming crime incidents under investigation and before our courts of law. We wish to flag and reflect upon three that have been in the public domain in the recent while: Urging The Public To Provide Police With Information That Could Lead To The Arrest Of…

By Staff Reporter Picture: Sourced President Cyril Ramaphosa led the 5th District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo in Upington. The Imbizo took place at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium. The Northern Cape DDM Presidential Imbizo identified issues in the ZF Mgcawu District that hamper service delivery and economic opportunities.…

The Northern Cape Department of Education will host its Provincial Pledge Signing Ceremony on Monday, 24 October 2022 at the Thabo Moorosi Multipurpose Hall (Mothibistad)in the John Taolo Gaetsewe .This a momentous occasion, where more than 2000 Grade 12 learners will undertake a pledge for a National Senior Certificate Examination, free of any…

By Staff Reporter On 19 October, the government joined the South African media industry in commemorating 45th anniversary of Black Wednesday, also marked as National Press Freedom Day. The day serves as a reminder of how far the South African media has come and allows them to reflect on media freedom. On this day in 1977, the apartheid…

By Siphiwe Ngcongco and Karabo Siyoko Pictures by Rebaone Prophy In observing October as the International month for the elderly, a non-profit organisation, Fepang Setshaba Soup Kitchen, collaborated with the Department of Tourism and Social Development and took 50 elderly citizens to the Mokala National Park, in Hayfield, approximately 70km…

By Karabo Ntanzi Picture by Sibogodi Jebetle Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Galeshewe, the only Shrine in the Kimberley Diocese, celebrated 61 years under the theme "The Role of Mary in the Church". A Mission week was held from 8 to 16 October various activities included an exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Sacrament of Reconciliation and…

By staff reporter As part of celebrating National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) day, the Northern Cape Health MEC, Maruping Lekwene, paid tribute to all EMS personnel for their loyalty and dedication to the public service and most importantly, to communities across the province. EMS day is commemorated on 17 October annually, the…

By Staff Reporter Picture:  Sourced The Northern Cape Department of Education (NCDOE) strives to ensure that learning and teaching occur from day one when schools reopen in January 2023. Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM) resources are essential to effectively running, forming an integral and vital part of our education…

The trial of seven Chinese nationals arrested for alleged human trafficking and child labour was postponed in the Johannesburg High Court to next week Friday because the Court is still trying to get a Mandarin interpreter. It emerged in Court that the previous interpreter spoke Cantonese and the accused were battling to follow proceedings as…

By Karabo Siyoko Pictures by Rebaone Prophy Kopano Ke Matla, a Non-Profit Organisation established in 2018, operating from Elizabeth Seema’s house in Tyala Street, Galeshewe continues to plough back into the community. South Africa is technically operating in recession mode despite recent reports of a decreased unemployment rate.…

By Staff Reporter The Executive Mayor for Francis Baard District Municipality, Cllr Unondumisa Buda, handed over three trucks to the Magareng, Dikgatlong and Sol Plaatje local municipalities. The trucks were purchased from savings derived during the 2021/22 budget. To deliver effective and efficient service to the communities, a need…

By Staff Reporter As part of the global exertions to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination in society, the Northern Cape Health MEC, Maruping Lekwene joins the international communities in commemorating World Malaria Day (25 April)  by providing education on malaria, as well as spreading information on its control, prevention…

By Staff Reporter The MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Mase Manopole, has welcomed the conviction of four poachers, who were arrested for stealing endangered and protected Halfmens trees in the |Ai|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (ARTP) in the Northern Cape. The perpetrators were arrested by a…

By Staff Reporter The MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Mase Manopole, launched the R3.2m Provincial lucern planting project in Warmsand near Upington on Thursday, 21 April 2022. The project is expected to create more than 200 jobs is a partnership between the Department and the farmers'…

Staff Reporter Northern Cape Department of Education is shocked and saddened by an unfortunate incident that occurred at the Kimberley Boys High School this afternoon. This unfortunate incident led to the drowning of a learner who is related to the rugby coach of the school. Although the deceased is not a learner at the school, the Department…

Staff Reporter MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Mme Mase Manopole highlighted that despite constituting a majority of the population, “Women remain marginalized and often fall victim to discrimination and abuse, with some paying with their lives.” Manopole was addressing the Northern Cape…

The Frances Baard District Municipality (FBDM) tabled its adjustment budget for the 2021/22 financial year on 23 February. According to the Municipal Finance Management Act, 32 of 2000, municipalities may revise their approved annual budgets through an adjustment budget at mid-term. The annual exercise is critical as it assists municipalities…

The Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform informs the public about the escalating outbreak of brown locusts in various parts of the Province, especially in the Pixley ka Seme District (Karoo belt). Most areas are affected by fliers (adult locusts) and there are reports of a new…

As part of promoting long-term behavioural changes such as incorporating regular physical activity into daily routines, Northern Cape Health MEC, Mr Maruping Lekwene encourages members of the community to actively support the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders within the Province. This encompassed…

Judge Mmathebe Violet Phatshoane has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Sol Plaatje University (SPU) Council. Judge Phatshoane served on the SPU Council since June 2014 and has played an integral role in the development of the University.  She is poised to lead the Council, until April 2025, as it governs SPU in the next phase of its…

By Karabo Ntanzi Fepang Sechaba Soup kitchen, Tshwaraganang Development Center, Footprint of Hope and Elderly and Disability Center celebrated Mandela Day by hosting an intimate gathering for 107 years old Virginia “Selina” Montlenyane Mancwe and 104 years old Rose Veldman. The centenarians live a stone's throw from one another and were domestic…

By Olebogeng Molale The family of a woman who died in a shack fire with her children early this year has expressed their disappointment at Sol Plaatje Mayor Patrick Mabilo. The Sekgoro family from Galeshewe alleges that the Mayor has not fulfilled his promise that the municipality will build a shack for two of the remaining children of the late…

By Refilwe Mphirime Operation Wanya Tsotsi is a non-profit organisation established in March 2015 due the surge of gangsters within the Galeshewe community. According to Gopolang Daniel “Spencer” Plaatje, there was a clear call from community members to have a public structure that would deal with gangsterism. Discussions took place among the…

By Olebogeng Molale A 35-year-old man who claims to have been assaulted by an off-duty police officer in Galeshewe in February this year has accused the South African Police Service of protecting the suspect in this case. The victim, who wants to remain nameless for fear of victimization, says since opening the case at the Galeshewe police…

Ka Olebogeng Molale Lefapha la thuto mono Kapa Bokone leare le kgotsofaletse ka moo programma ya dithuto tsa tlaleletso tsa paka ya mariga go baithuti ba mophato wa marematlou di tsamayang ka gone, lefa gone naga ya Afrika Borwa ele mo legatong la bone la thibelo ya metsamao kantlha ya koketsego ya dikgetsi tsa mogare wa Covid 19. Lefapha…

By Staff Reporter Since the beginning of the vaccination programme in February this year, by 19th July a total of 97 522 people has been vaccinated in the province. This includes the Sisonke Access Programme for health care workers in Phase 1, Phase 2 of Pfizer for the over 35s and people working in Basic Education and South African Police…

By Olebogeng Molale The South African National Blood Services (SANBS) in the Northern Cape is calling on young people to be champions of change by donating blood to save lives. The organisation held an awareness drive at their center and at the Northern Cape Mall to observe World Blood Donor Day, which takes place on 14 June each year. SANBS…

By Olebogeng Molale An elderly woman from Promised Land was agitated after her pension money was stolen in what is believed to be an ongoing scam in Kimberley. Joyce Busang could not withdraw money using her SASSA card at the Kimberly post office on 7 July. Upon inquiry, she was informed that there were no funds in her account. Busang says…

By Karabo Ntanzi Thugs broke into Tlhabologo Disability Day Care at Helen Joseph Center during the early hours of Monday morning. According to the center's Caretaker, Kinston Sailos, the incident occurred between 3 and 4 am because he made his rounds at 2 am and went to sleep. Sailos, discovered the break-in when he was doing the last…

By Karabo Ntanzi First Lady of Northern Cape Province Tapsy Saul, Mosimanegape Mocomo, Merrisa Meyer and Mark Kotze the visionary of Mark My Words, a reality public speaking competition, traveled the province under difficult conditions to identify suitable candidates for the competition. It took three months for the four judges to conduct…

By Staff Reporter In an effort to restore the Recreation Hall and the Social Centre in Galeshewe to their former glory, teams within the Sol Plaatje Municipality are cleaning and refurbishing the facilities. The Recreation hall, which was vandalised during the 2018 community uprising, will soon open its doors to the public. Sol Plaatje…

The Acting ZF Mgcawu District Commander, Brig Johnny Besnaar commended the ZF Mgcawu District Team who executed drug operations during the early hours of 04 June 2021 in Augrabries and Kakamas targeting drug dealers. The collective team comprising of ZF Mgcawu District office, Upington K9, Upington Crime Intelligence and Kakamas detectives…

An intelligence-driven take-down action was operationalised on Wednesday, 9 June 2021 and netted five adults for dealing in drugs and dagga. The Frances Baard District Detective Team, Hartswater K9 unit, Hartswater Crime Intelligence, Kimberley and Hartswater Highway Patrol pounced on the suspects at 2 am after a series of transactions were…

By Staff Reporter Sol Plaatje University hosted its 6th Graduation Ceremony on 1 May. The virtual ceremony was streamed live across various online platforms such as KimberleyTV, YouTube, Facebook, Zoom and MS Teams. Over 900 people logged in to watch Professor Andrew Crouch, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, preside over his first graduation…

The Acting  Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Major General Johan Bean welcomes the life sentence that was handed down to a 50 year old step father in the Kuruman Regional Court on 03 June 2021. On the 4 June 2017 the step father lured his 12 year old step daughter into the room with promises to play a game. The girl was left in the…

Written by Professor Karen Haire, School of Humanities, Sol Plaatje University. With thanks to Lorenco Pinto, School of Humanities, SPU, for his generous assistance. With growing calls to reopen the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital and facing a rising third wave of COVID-19 infections it is an opportune moment in history to reflect on what the…

Ka Olebogeng Molale Lefapha la thuto mono Kapa Bokone le rotloetsa batsadi go ka kwadisa bana ba bone fa paka ya ikwadiso etlabe e simolola gotloga fa kgwedi ya Seetebosigo etlebe e rogwa go fitlha eya kwa bokhutlhong. Lefapha leare fa batsadi ba kwadisa bana ba bone go santse go nale nako seo se thusa mo goreng ba neelwe manno nako e sale…

By Staff Reporter As part of the strategy to manage the resurgence of COVID-19 in the Province, the MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene, again appealed to all community members to adhere to non-pharmaceutical measures to curb the viral transmissions in the Province. In terms of comparative analysis, statistics indicate that the Province is in a…

By Staff Reporter The MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Ms. Mase Manopole, wishes to inform the community members not to panic over the passing flyers of brown locusts in our residential areas. The Department received calls from the public after locusts were spotted in households and playing areas…

By Staff Reporter Deputy Minister of Trade Industry and Economic Development, Nomalungelo Gina said the Northern Cape coastal town of Port Nolloth has the potential to become the beehive of economic activities it once was if all stakeholders work together to implement the nine-point socio-economic development plan produced for the Namakwa…

By Staff Reporter Sol Plaatje University hosted its 6th Graduation Ceremony on 1 May. The virtual ceremony was streamed live across various online platforms such as KimberleyTV, YouTube, Facebook, Zoom and MS Teams. Over 900 people logged in to watch Professor Andrew Crouch, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, preside over his first graduation…

By Staff Reporter In response to an advert placed in December by the Department of Agriculture, 412 applications were received. Eighty unemployed agricultural graduates have been chosen and placed at various farms in the Northern Cape. The MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Mase Manopole, welcomed…