Kathu Gazette

16/09/2026

OLIFANTSHOEK
Grade 7 girls empowered through wellbeing sessions

On 3 September 2026 the social worker of the non-profit organisation (NPO) All for Education, facilitated an empowering session with grade 7 girls at Maikaelelo Primary School in Olifantshoek, focusing on self-esteem, puberty, emotional wellbeing, healthy relationships, personal boundaries and positive choices.
She explained that growing up comes with many changes, questions and challenges and every girl deserves a safe space where she can learn, ask questions, express herself and feel supported. Through interactive discussions and activities, the girls were encouraged to embrace and understand their changing bodies, build confidence and positive self-esteem, understand and manage their emotions, know their boundaries and speak up when something feels wrong, build healthy friendships and relationships and believe in themselves and their dreams.
The goal is to raise girls who know their worth, understand their rights, protect their wellbeing and who have the confidence to shape their future, because every girl deserves to grow up feeling confident, informed, safe and empowered.
All for Education communication

Photo: The NPO, All for Education, facilitated an empowering session with grade 7 girls at Maikaelelo Primary School.

16/09/2026

KURUMAN
Football club hosts charity outreach

Members of the Divine Ladies Football Club (FC) used their football skills for a greater purpose than just winning trophies, when they hosted a charity outreach in Deerward Village, Kuruman on 29 August 2026.
The event, which combined a ladies football tournament with a community give-back programme, was an initiative of Divine Ladies FC owner Mr Thapelo Kgosiejang, with assistance from Coach Tebogo Hoti. The motive behind the tournament was to give back to the local community and the team visited the homes of vulnerable families in Deerward, spent time with the families and donated essential groceries.
The initiative received strong support from a local business Tshepa Basadi Group, who funded the outreach, while local team, Secret Location Football Club also joined the event to support the initiative and stand with Divine Ladies FC in serving the community.
Speaking on behalf of the club, owner Thapelo Kgosiejang said: “Divine Ladies FC is more than just a football club. We are part of this community. Through this tournament, our ladies wanted to show that football can change lives off the field as well. We thank Tshepa Basadi Group for funding this vision and Secret Location FC for supporting us.”
Coach Tebogo Hoti added that the club aims to make this an annual event and encourage other sporting codes to also give back. Community members of Deerward have praised Divine Ladies FC and Tshepa Basadi Group for remembering the elderly and called for more such initiatives in the Joe Morolong district.
For sponsorships or to support future Divine Ladies FC community programmes, contact Thapelo Kgosiejang at 060 967 4169 or 076 827 1052.
Divine Ladies FC communication

Photo: The team visited vulnerable families and donated essential groceries. Thapelo Kgosiejang (middle) handed over the groceries.

16/09/2026

KATHU
Young professional honoured during Women in Mining awards event
Eveline Kekana

The inaugural Northern Cape (NC) Women in Mining Awards took place on 29 August and was blessed with many incredible women in one room being recognised for the work they do in the mining industry.
This gala event celebrates the outstanding women who are driving progress, leadership and transformation within the Northern Cape mining sector. One such woman is Eveline Kekana, a dedicated and accomplished professional in the mining industry with a remarkable journey marked by resilience and passion.
She entered the mining sector in 2011 through an internship in the Geology department after a successful ten-year career as a Diagnostic Radiographer. Eveline balanced full-time night shifts in a hospital with daytime university studies to finance her geology education, ultimately earning a bursary that enabled her to complete her qualifications on schedule. She holds multiple qualifications, including Diagnostic Radiography, Geology, Geohydrology and Strata Control and is currently advancing her expertise in Rock Mechanics through the Minerals Council South Africa, working towards becoming a qualified Rock Engineer. Her excellence is reflected in her recent appointment as a Strata Control Officer, where she passed her examinations with distinction.
Beyond her technical achievements, Eveline is a passionate advocate for women in mining and STEM fields. She actively mentors young geoscientists and participates in career exhibitions to inspire the next generation, especially young women, to pursue careers in science and engineering. Her leadership roles include serving as the Northern Cape Administrator for the South African National Institute of Rock Engineering (SANIRE) and as an Executive Committee Member of the Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA).
In recognition of her outstanding contributions and professional excellence, Eveline was honoured with the Best Woman in Mining and Woman of the Year awards for the Northern Cape Province during the NC Women in Mining awards event. These accolades celebrate her career progression, multiple qualifications and impactful community engagement, highlighting her as a role model and inspiration for future generations.

Photo: Eveline Kekana received Best Woman in Mining and Woman of the Year awards for the Northern Cape Province during the NC Women in Mining awards event.

16/09/2026

KATHU
Bekende akteurs kuier by plaaslike toneelfees

Die GVS Makelaars Kalahari Toneelfees het op Dinsdag 25 Augustus 2026 begin en op Vrydagaand 28 Augustus op ’n hoë noot geëindig by Laerskool Kathu se Meerkat teater.
Dit was die vierde Kalahari toneelfees en vir die eerste keer was daar tydens die Vrydag ook ’n aantal oggendvertonings. Altesaam 27 produksies was op die planke te sien. Veteraanakteur Albert Maritz het hom hierdie jaar by die beoordelaarspan aangesluit saam met sy seun Viljé Maritz en plaaslike beoordelaars Lizél Saaiman en Kudu Smit.
Die produksies was ’n wonderlike mengelmoes van fantasie, sprokies, komedie, drama en selfs ’n tikkie absurditeit. Die beoordelaars kon sien dat die jong akteurs en aktrises hulle behoorlik uitgeleef het en hulself gate uit geniet het op die verhoog. Die fees was waarlik ’n viering van jong talent en die volgende produksies het trofees ontvang: Beste laerskoolproduksie aan Laerskool Kathu se Die Mystic Boer, beste junior akteur aan Laerskool Kathu se Daniël Pretorius in Sonde met die bure, beste junior aktrise aan Laerskool Kathu se Sarah-Faye Lubbe in Die Mystic Boer, beste junior manlike byspeler aan Laerskool Kathu se Sion Pretorius in Sonde met die bure, beste junior vroulike byspeler aan Laerskool Kathu se Marlené O’Connell in Ou soek ’n vrou, beste hoërskoolproduksie aan Hoërskool Kalahari se Bomskok, beste senior akteur aan Hoërskool Kalahari se Phillip Adamson in Bomskok, beste senior aktrise aan Hoërskool Martin Oosthuizen se Lize-Marie van Rooyen in Vinkel en Koljander, beste senior manlike byspeler aan Hoërskool Keimoes se Donté Beukes in Half drie, beste senior vroulike byspeler aan Hoërskool Keimoes se Kaylee Bezuidenhout in Half drie, beste tegniese versorging aan Hoërskool Martin Oosthuizen se Vinkel en Koljander, beste dekor/rekwisiete aan Hoërskool Martin Oosthuizen se Vinkel en Koljander, beste ensemblespel aan Hoërskool Keimoes se Half drie, beste nuutgeskrewe teks aan Hoërskool Kalahari se Bomskok, beste regie aan Hoërskool Kalahari se Bomskok en die beoordelaarstoekenning is toegeken aan Sprout Academy span vir hul spel in Die (nie so) dapper muis.
Die feeskomitee sien reeds uit na volgende jaar wanneer die Kalahari Toneelfees 5 jaar oud is.
Laerskool Kathu kommunikasie

Foto: Die ervare beoordelaarspan bestaande uit Viljé Maritz, Kudu Smit, Lizél Saaiman en Albert Maritz.
Foto: Phillip Adamson van Hoërskool Kalahari in Bomskok wat met verskeie pryse bekroon is.
Foto: Beoordelaar Viljé Maritz saam met van die lede van die GVS Makelaars Kalahari Toneelfees se feeskomitee.

16/09/2026

KATHU
Kommando vier 50 jaar

Op 15 Augustus 2026 het Kathu Kommando met groot trots sy 50ste bestaansjaar herdenk.
Dit was ’n besondere geleentheid waar 64 gaste saam staaltjies uit die verlede tot in die hede gedeel het en teruggekyk op ’n ongelooflike reis. Foto’s uit die verlede het herinner waar die kommando vandaan kom en hoe dit deur die jare gegroei en ontwikkel het. Die spoggeleentheid was gevul met mooi herinneringe, stories, kameraadskap en trots. Kathu Kommando wil almal wat oor die jare deel was van die kommando bedank vir hul bydrae, lojaliteit en ondersteuning.
Die Noord-Kaap Toekenningsaand is ook tydens die geleentheid aangebied en die President Verkenners (PV) en Hoofleierswag (PW) voortrekkers is vereer vir hulle jarelange lidmaatskap. Die kommando is baie trots op elke offisier wat ‘n toekenning of medalje ontvang het. Hulle harde werk, toewyding en diens word raakgesien en waardeer.
Op 6 September 2026 het Kathu Kommando ‘n Voorspoed kerkdiens gehou vir die 6 Graad 7 jeuglede wat hul Voorslag toetsing aflê by Bodemvas Barkly-Wes van 11 tot 13 September 2026. Dit is ‘n afronding van hulle Penkop en Drawwertjie (PD) loopbaan waartydens hulle wys wat hulle deur die jare geleer en bemeester het. Sommige lede van hierdie Swaeltjie span kom al van Graad R af saam as ‘n span. Die Kommando en in besonder, Nig Endri, wens die Swaeltjies baie sterkte toe en weet dat hulle sal koers hou en uitblink tydens hierdie afrondings fase.
Kathu Kommando kommunikasie

Foto: Kathu Kommando het met groot trots sy 50ste bestaansjaar herdenk.
Foto: Die Swaeltjies (vlnr) Hayden Jardim, Roux-Basson v/d Merwe, Josua Van Vuuren, Nig Endri, Heinrico Heunis, Menandi Swiegers en El-Danè Pretorius.

16/09/2026

HOTAZEL
From the running leagues to national championship

Hotazel College is incredibly proud of their Grade 11 learner, Lanelle Maritz, who has earned her place at the National Cross Country Championships later this year.
Lanelle’s dedication and discipline on the sporting front as well as academically is truly an inspiration and deserves to be celebrated. The learners, teachers and Hotazel community are incredibly proud of Lanelle and wish her all the best for the upcoming national championships.
Hotazel College communication

Photo: Lanelle in action during a Cross Country event.

16/09/2026

KATHU
Women of JTG Cricket celebrate victory

On 29 August 2026 the JTG Cricket Association concluded Women’s Month with a full day of fast-paced women’s T10 cricket.
The Eagles, Royals, Supernovas and Trailblazers teams competed on this action-packed day consisting of 6 matches. It was a wonderful day of cricket, laughter, friendship and unforgettable moments and the ladies brought incredible energy, enthusiasm and competitive spirit to the field, making the Women’s Month celebration truly special.
The JTG Cricket Association wants to thank every player who participated and congratulates the Supernovas on a fantastic tournament and a well-deserved victory. The association also wants to congratulate Tshepang Kilelo who was named Top Run Scorer and Boitumelo Seikaneng who was named Top Wicket Taker of the day. It also extends its gratitude to the sponsors for their generous contributions and for helping to create a memorable experience for the ladies. The association appreciates and values all the talented women who bring so much passion and joy to the beautiful game of cricket.
JTG Cricket Association communication

Photo: The Supernovas had a fantastic tournament which ended in a well-deserved victory.

16/09/2026

KATHU
Event raises funds for children’s academic growth
On 29 August 2026 the non-profit organisation Cares4Gamagara, in partnership with CRC Cares hosted their first Run for Me event in Kathu where participants could enter to run 5 km or 10 km to show their support.
From 7:30, over a 100 people gathered at Cawood Avenue in Bestwood, Kathu, for a cause much bigger than themselves. The goal of the event was to support personalised after-school AI education designed to boost children’s learning and academic growth.
Cares4Gamagara and CRC Cares would like to extend their gratitude to all the volunteers, sponsors, supporters, runners as well as everyone who played a part in making the day such a great success. The funds raised through Run for Me will go directly towards this initiative, helping give children the tools, support and opportunities they need to grow, learn and reach their full potential. Every step, every contribution and every person who showed up contributed to ensure a brighter future for the children.
Cares4Gamagara communication

Photo:
Over a 100 people gathered at Cawood Avenue in Bestwood Kathu, for a cause much bigger than themselves.
Photo:
Every person who showed up contributed to ensure a brighter future for the children.

15/09/2026

15/09/2026

KATHU
DA launches Local Government Elections
campaign billboard
On 08 September 2026 the DA in Gamagara local municipality proudly unveiled the massive Local Government Elections campaign billboard located in Frikkie Meyer Street, Kathu. The one side depicts the 9 candidates contesting for wards and pro-portional representation, while the other side reflects a quotation by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the DA’s campaign slogan. Both sides of the billboard are depicted on this photograph with all the candidates present at this launch.