The year 2023 in review – July to December
July
Bradley jets off to Florida
July kicked off with the news that Kimberley’s Bradley Pillay, was headed to Kissimmee, Florida, in the United States of America, to take part in the Dart Players of Florida League from August 17-20.
Bradley (28) took up darts at a young age, while accompanying his father and brother to the De Beers Stadium, where they would engage in friendly dart competitions.
The young champion has impressed on the local scene, and was looking forward to the competition in Florida
In the end, Bradley secured an impressive third spot in his singles block.
Burre Burger’s drought relief effort
Also in July, Burre Burger, CEO of Droogtehulp met Burre Burger NPC, issued a heartfelt challenge to the people of the Northern Cape to join him in a charity drive aimed at supporting local farmers who were struggling with the recent drought.
Burger, known for his philanthropic endeavours, took to Facebook to rally support for the cause and pledged to cycle an undisclosed distance himself.
“I don’t know how many kilometres I’m going to cycle, but I’m going to try my best to go as far as possible. I would do anything for our farmers,” Burger said, expressing genuine enthusiasm.
This exciting initiative took place on Saturday July 15 and garnered significant attention from individuals and businesses alike, where cyclists were sponsored with a mere R10 per kilometre.
Memorial boxing tournament paid tribute to Billy Oliver
July also saw the local boxing fraternity celebrating the remarkable coaching legacy left behind by William Edward ‘Billy’ Oliver. The New Champions Boxing Academy hosted a tournament in memory of the late boxing icon at the Kimberley Health and Occupation Centre, Ekapa Mine, located on Molyneux Street.
The tournament was organised to pay tribute to someone who played an instrumental role in the revival of the New Champions Boxing Academy.
And looking back, there was quite a bit to acknowledge as far as Billy Oliver is concerned. A former South African Police Championships boxing champion, Northern Transvaal boxing champion, and Transvaal Welterweight boxing champion, and then on top of it all, Oliver was not only an exceptional boxer but also an inspiring coach who shaped many a career.
August
Young archer impresses at World Archery Tournament
Otniël van Wyk is seen during a practice session at Du Toitspan Primary School. Picture: Danie van der Lith
Otniël van Wyk, a gifted sixth-grade student from Du Toitspan Primary School, accomplished an impressive feat when he competed as part of the Africa Genesis Archery (AGA) South Africa National Development Team. Otniël earned a well-deserved bronze medal at the AGA Federation World Tournament in Limpopo.
During the competition, young Otniël showed his extraordinary talent and commitment to the sport by placing an outstanding 47th out of 219 archers from five different countries. The young archer, who lives in Diamond Park with his grandfather Jan Malat, attributed his interest in archery to his pal Morné. Since being introduced to the sport two years ago, Otniël has been diligently practising to improve his abilities. And it certainly showed during the competition.
Kimberley Girls’ High School emerge as queens of Youth Tournament
The Sol Plaatje university pulled out all the stops and managed to host a successful Youth Development Tournament at the SPU Sport Precinct in August. The tournament featured spirited contests in the Beautiful Game among Under-19 male and female players.
Four teams participated in each Under-19 category, fostering healthy competition and camaraderie among the youth. Notably, Kimberley Girls’ High School (GHS) stood out by showcasing determination and resilience throughout the event.
Local darts sensation claims gold at US Darts Live Event
In a solid display of precision and skill, local prodigy Leané van der Walt secured her place in darts history by clinching the mixed double pairs gold at the prestigious International Darts Live Tournament in Kissimmee.
Van der Walt teamed up with the renowned South African master darts player Devon ‘The African Warrior’ Petersen, and the dynamic duo kept their cool and utilised clever strategies to triumph over their opponents in the nail-biting final.
September
Archery family strikes gold
It was in early September that the DFA told the story of the Diamond 3D Challenge held over the weekend of August 26-27 at Marrick Safaris.
A notable standout in the 3Di archery event was the de Greeff family; Dawid, his wife Annemarie, and their daughter Elrize all clinched gold medals in their respective categories.
The de Greeff family’s journey into archery during the recent pandemic’s gloom has blossomed into a remarkable saga of dedication and passion. Beyond their personal pursuits, they have embraced roles as torchbearers for the sport, tirelessly promoting and expanding its reach.
It was quite an impressive achievement.
Young boxers shine at Postmasburg tournament
Also in September, the Freedom Boxing Club, based in Galeshewe’s Recreation Hall, left a strong impression during a developmental tournament that took place in mid-September.
With great enthusiasm, teams from Kimberley, including the Home Defenders, Freedom Boxing Club, Platinum Boxing Club, and the Northern Cape Academics team, stepped into the ring.
They were joined by competitors from the Kuruman and Tsantsabane Boxing Clubs. The day of intense boxing featured a total of 15 bouts, covering a range of categories including schoolboys, juniors, youth, and elite divisions.
The results of the tournament spoke volumes about the talent nurtured within the Freedom Boxing Club. Raymond Mothobi, chairman, and coach of the Freedom Boxing Club noted that the school boys and juniors particularly shone, attributing their success to meticulous preparation leading up to the event. “Their dedication and hard work paid off, as they triumphantly secured six gold medals and one silver medal.”
Hoërskool Diamantveld to make cricket history
One of the biggest events in national schoolboy cricket also happened in September when Kimberley’s Diamantveld High School, in collaboration with the Northern Cape Cricket Union, announced the inaugural top-tier high school cricket tournament set to take place at the Kimberley Diamond Oval.
This groundbreaking event was a big deal because it would mark the first school cricket tournament to be held on an international cricket field, with broadcasting rights secured by SuperSport Schools.
Nine elite schools from across the country were set to participate in this tournament and be part of history.
The line-up included esteemed institutions such as Grey College Bloemfontein, Saint Andrew’s Bloemfontein, Paarl Boys’ High, Potchefstroom Volkskool, Hoërskool Noord-Kaap, Hoërskool Kalahari, Noord-Kaap HUB Team, Carlton van Heerden, and the hosting school, Hoërskool Diamantveld.
Tour de Ghaap
The sleepy town of Ulco, hidden away just 80 kilometres northwest of Kimberley along the R31, underwent a remarkable metamorphosis in September when it evolved into an adrenaline-charged utopia for mountain biking fanatics.
The 19th Tour de Ghaap Ultra Mountain Bike Race produced two action-packed days of heart-pounding thrills and spills for those brave enough to venture into the heart of this mountain biking marvel.
The Tour de Ghaap pushes riders to their limits whilst showcasing the rugged beauty of the Northern Cape. This year, the event introduced new routes that had riders buzzing with excitement. On day one, a gruelling 75-kilometre circular route tested the mettle of participants, emphasising speed and endurance. On day two, a challenging 47-kilometre circuit awaited the racers, with technical sections and thrilling Jeep tracks demanding precision and skill.
Both routes provided riders with essential water and energy points along the way, ensuring they stayed fueled and hydrated throughout their daring journeys. Meanwhile, back at the base camp, participants were treated to sumptuous meals and refreshing drinks from Friday evening until Sunday lunch.
The behind-the-scenes hero of the Kimberley Diamond Oval
While Hoërskool Diamantveld was set to make history with their big cricket tournament at the Diamond Oval, behind all the ‘skop, skiet and skills’ of cricket matches at the Oval stood an unsung, and often unseen, hero.
Gerrie Janse van Rensburg, fondly known as ‘Oom Kat’ may not be wielding a cricket bat, bowling or fielding, but his dedication to Northern Cape Cricket and the art of maintaining the hallowed grounds of the Diamond Oval are unmatched.
Years of dedication and learning under the experienced and talented Uncle Ben Neetling, a former Stadium manager, culminated in Oom Kat’s appointment as the head groundsman of the Diamond Oval – a position he has held with pride for a decade.
NC Under-30 bowlers best in the country ... again
September also saw the Northern Cape flexing its sporting muscle again when the Province’s Under-30 Bowls team brushed aside some stiff competition on their way to claiming their second Bowls South Africa Under-30 Inter-Districts Championship title.
Northern Cape Bowls had first claimed the title back in 2018, when current team members Charles Peter Mathewson and Driaan van Niekerk were part of the triumphant squad.
As things turned out, the final match proved to be an epic battle, with the NC Under-30s team starting off slowly. Their opponents from Port Natal built up a lead early on, threatening to pull away and put the contest beyond the Northern Cape.
However, the Northern Cape were not at the Inder-Districts to just make up the numbers. The NC players showcased remarkable resilience and heart, mounting a breathtaking comeback to reel in their opponents and secure a brilliant victory.
October
Pieter Koortzen, NCC’s new Brand Ambassador
In October, Northern Cape Cricket welcomed a new ambassador and selector to shape the future of the organisation. Pieter Koortzen, a man whose passion for cricket was ignited in the shade of a backyard tree, told the DFA about his inspiring journey and shared his vision for the sport's development in the region.
City’s Olympian ready to grind
Boipelo Awuah, Kimberley’s Olympian, was ready to compete in her first event since her aborted attempt to do so in Tokyo earlier in 2023.
She was set to compete in Pretoria for the first time since sustaining a pelvic fracture in an accident during training just days before making her Olympic debut.
Boipelo's father Baffour Awuah confirmed that her coming back home to South Africa helped her recovery immensely. He said she completed her treatment under specialist care in no time. “Within a short time she was healed,” he said.
Natalie Bramley going for gold
Meanwhile, also on the skate scene, Natalie Bramley, a skillful and determined skateboarder from Kimberley has emerged as a force to be reckoned with; someone who is defying gender stereotypes as she sets her sights on representing her country at the Olympic level.
Natalie's journey into the world of skateboarding began in 2014, when her older brother first introduced her to the sport. At that time, there were few female skateboarders for her to look up to. Her source of inspiration came from watching her brother and his friends take on gravity-defying tricks.
The spark of passion ignited for her when she was a spectator at the Maloof Money Cup in 2012, an international skateboarding event that unveiled the vibrant skateboarding culture and competitive scene.
November
NC Heat kick off CSA 4-Day Series with a ‘winning draw’
The Northern Cape Heat came agonisingly close to clinching their first win of the CSA 4-day series when they put on a powerful display with ball, bat and out in the field against the visiting Eastern Storm.
The game ultimately ended in a rain-induced draw, but it was a contest filled with remarkable performances, exciting moments. But as the hosts seemed to be heading towards a convincing victory on the final day, a sudden twist of fate derailed their plans.
Rain stopped play with the Eastern Storm at 230/6 – with another 172 runs to get, and only four wickets in hand – leaving the match drawn, much to the disappointment of the Heat and their supporters.
“Pity rain intervened and stopped us from getting the win,” NC Heat coach Mark Charlton said.
Yet, despite the weather-induced disappointment for the hosts, the match was a true spectacle of the gentleman’s game, showcasing the talent, sportsmanship and determination of both teams.
Culture
The dance community was buzzing with excitement in November, after Culture, an 11-member hip-hop dance ensemble from Kimberley, returned from the Hip-Hop Unite World Championships in Obidos, Portugal, held between October 23 and 29.
The dance ensemble, under the leadership of Noleen and Liam Abrahams, symbolises the essence of hip-hop and reflects the spirit of unity and resilience that brings pride to Kimberley.
Training at the Noleen Andrews School of Dance, a local studio in the city, the group secured their place on the global platform after securing third place at the South African sport aerobics, fitness, and hip-hop championships in Cape Town in June.
Aztecs crowned 2023 Masters League champions
Who can forget that heart-stopping finale in November that left spectators on the edge of their seats? Aztec Masters managed to clinch the 2023 Sol Plaatje Masters League title, despite losing to Juventus Masters in the second leg of the final.
Aztecs won the title the same way that had fallen short last year – on the away goal rule, when they went down to Saps Masters in the 2022 final.
This year, the final produced an electrifying showdown at the Galeshewe Stadium, spectators witnessed an intense clash of skill and determination that will be etched in local football history and the memories of those who witnessed the game for years to come.
December
Tiny titan ignites oval track
In December the DFA ventured near to the heart-pounding realm of oval track racing, where a budding sensation from Newton Primary School is racing real cars that use real petrol and drive on real tracks.
Luhan Swanepoel, an eight-year-old with a resolute determination to make a name for himself on the race track, and with a cheerful demeanour and an insatiable hunger for speed, was burning up the racetrack, sharpening his skills and honing his reflexes as he practises ardently with a fervent aspiration to someday stand atop the champion’s podium one day.
Cycling team going the extra mile in fight against rare form of Cancer
Earlier in December we also featured the Skema 2 Sea team who had set themselves the objective to conquer an impressive 450-kilometre cycling challenge … within a single day. So, on January 8 next year, the 10-strong peloton of riders will leave Hartswater with their sights firmly set on reaching Clarence – just a stone’s throw from the Eswatini border – within the 24-hour limit they have set for themselves.
Just the ride alone would have been impressive and newsworthy; but that’s not the most amazing thing about this particular test of endurance.
The 24-hour trek to Clarence is part of a mission of mercy in support of 18-year-old Jan Roux; a young man bravely battling myoepithelial carcinoma (MECA), a rare form of cancer.
As the Skema 2 Sea team gears up for this monumental cycling challenge, their efforts serve as a beacon of hope and determination, uniting communities in the fight against MECA and showing steadfast support for Jan Roux and others facing this rare form of cancer.
To make a donation, you can transfer funds directly to the following bank account:
Bank: Absa Bank
Account Name: Skema 2 Sea
Account Type: Cheque Account
Account Number: 4110178244
Reference: Jan Roux Skenking