Community News

Sol Plaatje Municipality is conducting a widespread prepaid electricity meter audit to ensure that all STS meter key revision numbers are changed to the required 2-part reset key before the November 2024 deadline for the Token Identifier (TID) roll-over programme. Consumers using STS meters can still purchase electricity. On November 2024, the…

By Karabo Ntanzi The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an entity of the Department of Arts, Sports and Culture, held a road show for the Presidential Employment Stimulus Project (PESP). PESP was introduced four years ago during COVID. The purpose of PESP was to assist artists in invigorating the industry and to create jobs…

By: Siphiwe Ngcongco  The Premier’s Mme Re Ka Thuso trust fund this week hosted a three-day workshop in Magareng for small business enterprises at the Warrenton cultural resort. The small business colloquium was held in collaboration with the Magareng local municipality and other stakeholders. The purpose of the event was to pave a way for…

By Karabo Siyoko  The Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) last week held its annual stakeholder forum on the work done for small enterprises in the last financial (2021/22) year at the Kalahari Lodge. The event had about 40 attendees including the SEDA stakeholders along with their respective partners from the Small Enterprise Finance…

By: Siphiwe Ngcongco The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and members of the South African Democratic Students Movement (SADESMO) conducted a door-to-door prelaunch campaign in the Northern Cape last weekend. Petros Ngubane, the Umzinyathi district mayor in KwaZulu Natal, led the IFP delegation to Kimberley. On Saturday last week, Ngubane…

Sixty eight young, unemployed agriculture candidates on Thursday graduated from the Northern Cape’s Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform’s two-year on-the-job training programme. The programme was supported by the Northern Cape government to the tune of R7.2 million. MEC Mase |Manopole gave the…

By: Siphiwe Ngcongco The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has paid out almost half a billion rands to 114 000 beneficiaries in the Northern Cape according to Commissioner Teboho Maruping who visited Kimberley this week to brief on the fund’s priorities for the current year. Maruping, together with officials from the national Department of…

By: Siphiwe Ngcongco The national strike by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU) continued unabated this week as the union protested against a 3% salary increase and austerity measure introduced by the Government. The union’s Northern Cape chapter also joined in the strike by picketing outside gates of the Robert…

Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Commissioner Teboho Maruping has joined forensic auditors knocking on the doors of employers who benefited from the Covid-19 TERS Relief Scheme in Cape Town as part of Phase Two of the "follow the money" Project. During a visit to Rickard Air Diffusion in Lansdowne, Cape Town, yesterday, the Commissioner had…

By: Siphiwe Ngcongco Local artists will subsequently have the luxury of recording their music here at home, thanks to a sponsorship by the Northern Cape Government which unveiled a state-of-the-art recording studio in Kimberley on 27 February. Premier Dr. Zamani Saul presided over the unveiling of the new studio along with MEC for Sport, Arts…

By: Siphiwe Ngcongco The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has paid out almost half a billion rands to 114 000 beneficiaries in the Northern Cape according to Commissioner Teboho Maruping who visited Kimberley this week to brief on the fund’s priorities for the current year. Maruping, together with officials from the national Department of…

By: Siphiwe Ngcongco  Last Thursday, the Department of Health in the Northern Cape hosted a “Move for Health and Human Papilloma virus” mass mobilisation campaign in Roodepan, Kimberley, to advocate for healthy lifestyles in society. The Roodepan community came out in numbers, from young to old and eagerly participated in aerobics exercises…

The budget in a nutshell as tabled by Minister Enoch Godongwana on 22 February 2023 in Cape Town. Economic outlook  Global : Since the 2022 Budget global growth estimates for 2023 have been revised lower. The International Monetary Fund projects global growth to slow from an estimated 3.4 per cent in 2022 to 2.9 per cent in 2023. Domestic…

By: Siphiwe Ngcongco The Sol Plaatje University (SPU) and the Students Representative Council (SRC) have agreed to find accommodation for registered students and to a new start date for the academic year. This agreement follows student protests at the SPU’s central campus last week related to dissatisfaction with the lack of accommodation,…

By the Department of Employment and Labour Employment and Labour Minister, Thulas Nxesi, has raised the minimum wage of farmworkers and domestic workers by a whopping 9.6%. The increase will take effect from March 01. The increase will also cover workers employed in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), Learnership allowances, the…

09 February 2023 The Frances Baard District stations namely Galeshewe, Kagisho and Kimberley and Crime Intelligence in conjunction with the Northern Cape Gambling Board and Home Affairs, executed an intelligence driven operation in the Solplatjie local municipal area on Wednesday , 08 February 2023. The team led by Brigadier Charlotte Makgari…

By: Siphiwe Ngcongco The Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) hosted the inaugural provincial arts indaba at the Horseshoe Inn last week in Kimberley to identify challenges and resolve issues such as policy and advocacy, funding, skills development and training including community art centres. Hundred and fifty…

By the Dept of Health Pregnancy Awareness Week is commemorated in February this year from 10-19. The aim is to strengthen pregnancy education, highlighting important issues that will promote a healthy pregnancy, safe motherhood and early booking at a health facility. The theme for this year is: “Equalise to Eliminate Sexually Transmitted…

Picture: Karabo Siyoko By Karabo Siyoko Retlameleng Special School situated in Galeshewe, is a school for learners with physical disabilities, visual and hearing impairments was erected in 1993 with funds donated by the Lions Club, an organisation for people with physical disabilities. The school can accommodate 200 leaners with…

Picture: Supplied By: Siphiwe Ngcongco The 12th edition of World Radio Day (WRD) was celebrated on 13 February under the theme: "Radio and Peace." According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the objective of WRD is to promote the importance of radio and inspire those in positions of…

5 February 2023  The police in Galeshewe are investigating a murder case following the death of a 44 year old male in Robert Mangaliso Sobukhwe Hospital in Kimberley on Saturday 23 July 2022. Preliminary investigations indicates that the deceased was allegedly assaulted by 3 unknown assailants who were driving a white "bakkie" in Masupha…

The Executive Members of Sol Plaatjie Masters Football League! Standing from the back: Chicco Bikwa (competition member), Nzwandile "Zon" Flatela(Head of the competition), Kagisho Kwanampe (treasurer), Seabata Makhele(Chairperson) and Richard Thomas (Competition member) Sitting in front: Tshepo Seboko (Deputy Sec), Papie Dibeco(Secretary) and…

The water levels at Newton and Riverton have now reached full capacity, therefore the nightly shutdowns are now suspended. However, residents are encouraged to continue using water sparingly. The Sol Plaatje Municipality thanks the community for your patience and understanding during these interruptions.

By Karabo Siyoko Floors No2 High School in Galeshewe suffered severe vandalism during the festive holidays. Criminals gained access to the school premises and damaged the electrical infrastructure forcing the school to function without electricity. Criminals forcibly removed burglar bars from classroom windows. All light bulbs and switches…

By Karabo Siyoko As part of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) towards contributing to the herd immunity of the Northern Cape Community and the well-being of learners in schools, the Northern Cape Health MEC, Maruping Lekwene and MEC for Basic Education,Zolile Monakali conducted an oversight visit at Roodepan and St Peters Primary…

Picture: Supplied. Sensei Lawrence Booi and two karateka of the Kyokushin Sako Juku dojo seen here during a practice session at the Galeshewe Open Air Arena preparing for the world championship due to take place in Thailand from 25 -29 August this year. Left to right : Thato Booi (14), sensei Lawrence Booi and pupil Xolani Sokoyi (16).

2023 STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS By Neville Motlhabakwe This is the shortened version of president Cyril Ramapahosa’s “State of the Nation” address delivered at the opening of the South African parliament on 9 February 2023. New jobs:  Between the third quarters of 2021 and 2022, around one and a half million new jobs were created in our…

By Karabo Siyoko Kimberley based visual artists led by renowned painter Janine Peters-Titus splashed AR Abass stadium with anti-drug abuse and anti-Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) messages. The project was funded for R350 000 by the National Arts Council (NAC) as part of the presidential employment stimulus programme. The funds were…

On 03 February 2023,  Sandile Vaaiboom (35) was handed down three life sentences in the  Kimberley High Court  for 3 counts of murder and 5 years each for 2 counts of malicious damage to property. The accused was on trial for fatally stabbing and killing 3 family members namely  Petrus Vaaiboom (64), Kerileng Kgatlane (54) and Vuyisile Vaaiboom…

From the Department of Labou This was said at a two days' training scheduled for Organised Labour representatives by the Compensation Fund which is focusing on Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) and Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Act compliance in the work place. Its main objectives are to provide the…

By: Siphiwe Ngcongco Kimberley - The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) in the Northern Cape is disappointed at the low provincial percentage matriculation mark achieved in 2023, a slight progress of 2% compared to the previous year. The comment follows a joint statement issued by the Northern Cape Premier, Dr. Zamani Saul and…

By: Siphiwe Ngcongco Pictures by: Tshepang Gatane The Democratic Alliance in the Northern Cape (DA) The Democratic Alliance party conducted a picket against load-shedding “Power To The People” in Kimberley on Wednesday, 25 January, blaming the African National Congress (ANC) led government for the spike in electricity tariffs. Picketers…

By the Departments of Labour and Agriculture Pictures sourced The Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi, has warned farmers in the Northern Cape that food security will be affected if preservation of livelihood of farmworkers is not prioritised. On Monday, 23 January 2023, the Minister, together with the Northern Cape MEC for…

By: Karabo Siyoko Pictures By Reboane Prophy To open the 2023 academic year, government officials visited schools in Galeshewe and parts of the Northern Cape. The Northern Cape Department of Education (NCDOE) earlier issued a notice to media houses proclaiming that learning and teaching would commence on the first day. Preparations…

Stanfly is a passionate educator who taught at various institutions including the then RC Elliot Technical College, Moremogolo FET where she served for 17years. Her last employment was at Kimberley Boys High. “Serving at this level is almost the ultimate for me, it’s like a dream come true”, said the mother of two.

From the Department of Employment and Labour The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has processed and paid out over R1 billion in benefits to a total of 225 646 beneficiaries during December 2022 to ensure that clients and their loved ones meet their financial obligations during and after the festive season. The R1 billion benefit pay out can…

By Karabo Siyoko Pictures by:  Rebaone Prophy The Northern Cape registered 13 831 full-time candidates for the 2022 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination, “the biggest cohort of candidates to have registered compared to the previous years,” said Northern Cape premier Dr. Zamani Saul. The Premier and MEC for Education Zolile Monakali…

By: Siphiwe Ngcongco Galeshewe – The deterioration of the Mayibuye Multi-Purpose Centre infrastructure has raised widespread concerns on Social Media platforms by Galeshewe residents about safety, quality of life and the impact on Kimberley’s economic growth. The then state-of-the-art center in Hulana Street, Galeshewe, was launched in…

By Karabo Ntanzi Logo: Supplied The rising crime levels across many neighborhoods prompted residents in Sobantu, Galeshewe, to launch a neighborhood watch in December 2022. It incorporates Ikageleng, Matankwana-Tyala Street and the newly established Mosata Square shanties located in the old City United Football Club grounds. Sobantu…

By Karabo Siyoko Mlab places great importance on driving social and economic impact within the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector and empowering youth to partake in the digital economy, said Facilitator Kabelo Gaotlhaelwe. MLab is a non-profit organisation (NPO) founded in 2012 in Gauteng and opened for business in…

By Karabo Siyoko The police in Galeshewe have identified the decomposing body of a female found near the “Goga pump” station along the Barkley West R31 road on Friday, 23 December. On 6 January, the police requested the public's assistance in identifying the deceased. The deceased was estimated to be in her early sixties. She had two teeth…

Article supplied by: Dept of Employment and Labour It is once again that time of the year when all designated employers need to submit their annual 2022 employment equity (EE) reports.   The deadline for employers to submit their annual 2022 employment equity (EE) reports is 15 January 2023 at midnight. The Employment Equity reporting…

The Department of Health and its entities have been monitoring developments about Covid-19 globally since we uplifted all restrictions in June 2022. Genomic Surveillance has also continued under the Network for Genomic Surveillance of South Africa, based at Stellenbosch University. In December, there was a global increase of 25% (14.5m) in new…

Water Update: 11 January 2023 The Municipality observed a dropping in water levels on Sunday, 8 January. The technicians discovered that one of the high lift pumps was tripping at Riverton. The setting on the pump was continuously tripping when the water levels at the reservoir were at 50%. This was not supposed to happen. The pumps are set…

By: Siphiwe Ngcongco Medical services in the Northern Cape province got a boost in the arm when the department of Health welcomed 236 new medical interns, including Community Service Professionals, over the festive period. This follows the national health department’s successful completion of allocating about 10 000 medical interns to…

By: Siphiwe Ngcongco Irate community members from Ward 12 demolished several ghost shacks in the Chabalala street informal settlement, alleging that they are used as storage for stolen goods. These community members were accompanied by the ward councilor, Ruiter Isaac. Councillor Isaac said this drastic action taken by the community…

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…