The sparkle and the spill: Why Kimberley’s brand story is at war with reality

Opinion|Published

OPINION: The government’s glowing portrayal of Kimberley as a “sparkling city” clashes with the lived reality of water cuts, sewage spills, collapsing infrastructure, and a public tired of paying for decay – a plea for honesty, accountability, and ta…

Still picking on the weak: why bullying never graduates

Lance Fredericks|Published

Bullying in schools still haunts South Africa. This column reflects on initiation rituals, power abuse and how cruelty toward the weak defines our society’s moral ...

Hero one day, villain the next

Lance Fredericks|Published

From rescuing wandering ‘doggos’ to not noticing a runaway toddler, this personal story explores how attention, kindness, and awareness could shape our everyday ...

LETTER: Frustrated traffic trainee feels betrayed

Supplied Letter|Published

LETTER: A former Northern Cape traffic trainee writes that 32 graduates are still unemployed despite paying out of pocket for a remedial course they were allegedly ...

Sol Plaatje’s crisis of competence laid bare

Opinion|Published

OPINION: Sol Plaatje Municipality’s crisis of competence has been laid bare — and the SAHRC didn’t mince words. From “feeble excuses” to “living like animals”, Kimberley’s ...

Same Bags, Different Day: Sol Plaatje’s clean-up is still rubbish

Opinion|Published

OPINION: The municipality’s clean-up campaign sounds impressive on paper — shame the garbage didn’t get the memo.

No rest for the wicked … nor the newshound

Lance Fredericks|Published

What started as a quick drive to avoid work ended with lessons about gratitude, kindness and a reminder of what really matters.

Dr Google got you worried? Ask your pharmacist instead!

Marlene Minopetros|Published

Your pharmacist is a trusted healthcare professional who can provide accurate and personalised advice on various health matters, making them a reliable alternative ...

Granny crammed for the finals

Lance Fredericks|Published

A personal reflection on why books matter – the thrill of reading, discovering new worlds, and keeping the love of stories alive.

Struggle stalwart and Black Consciousness cleric dies aged 79

Morgan Morgan|Published

Reverend Isaac Pule Drake Tshenkeng, a 79-year-old Anglican cleric and revered Black Consciousness stalwart who served as vice-president of the Black People’s Convention ...

In an age of noise, Kimberley still needs real news

DFA Editorial|Published

On World News Day, the DFA reaffirms its mission to deliver Kimberley and the Northern Cape trustworthy, fact-based journalism — holding authorities accountable, ...

‘Krebbing’ my way out of messaging overload

Lance Fredericks|Published

Once upon a time, an SMS cost nearly a rand and capped you at 160 characters. Every word counted. Then came WhatsApp and Signal – endless, free, and often cluttered ...

Our Northern Cape heritage is being dug up and sold

Morgan Morgan|Published

On Heritage Day, with two more people arrested in a bakkie full of endangered plants, the Northern Cape is forced to confront a painful question: what does it mean ...

The Currie Cup comes home — just in time for Heritage Day

DFA Editorial|Published

Just ahead of Heritage Day, Kimberley shook off 55 years of waiting as the Griquas silenced the Lions to reclaim the Currie Cup, returning South African rugby’s ...

Barney proved that greed causes extinction

Lance Fredericks|Published

From Barney the Dinosaur’s faux pax to fake online shopping sites posing as trusted brands, the lesson is the same: don’t be fooled. With the festive rush already ...

Mike is alive and well, and everywhere

Lance Fredericks|Published

A reflection on lifelong “head woes” takes a quirky turn into the tale of Mike the Headless Chicken, using his bizarre survival story to poke fun at everyday absurdities ...

Africa’s literacy crisis - unlocking the power of mother-tongue reading at ECD level

Supplied|Published

South Africa’s literacy crisis, where most young learners cannot read for meaning, highlights the urgent need for early interventions and daily home-language reading, ...

How mathematics homework stopped a ninja

Lance Fredericks|Published

As a child, homework felt like punishment and maths seemed pointless – especially for an aspiring ninja. Decades later, the irony hit: mathematics wasn’t about numbers, ...

Is that a bandit in my bathroom mirror?

Lance Fredericks|Published

From jaywalking to using our smartphone while driving, many of us bend small rules daily without a second thought. They may seem harmless, but they reveal how casually ...

OPINION: Where is the support for our future sporting stars?

Danie van der Lith|Published

A personal column highlighting how South African youth athletes struggle without government support, citing soccer players on sand pitches and self-funded skateboarders, ...