Kathu Gazette

14/11/2025

12/11/2025

Dove, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) have joined forces to launch the powerful campaign on International Day of the Girl Child celebrated on 11 October 2025. The campaign urges all South Africans to celebrate girls for who they are and what they do, not just how they look. By expressing sentiments like You are beautiful AND courageous or You are intelligent, we can foster a generation that recognises their intrinsic worth beyond just physical appearance.
Dove communication

12/11/2025

KURUMAN / OLIFANTSHOEK
Guardian angel spoils the elderly
Erika Viljoen

As the festive season draws closer, Charlottha Payne, CEO of the organisation Helping each other NC, with other members, embarked on their annual journey to fulfil the calling of service and goodwill.
This guardian angel, from farm Wandrag near Kuruman, holds a special place in her heart for senior citizens and organises an annual outreach to old age homes in the area. On 16 October 2025 they visited the residents at Mimosahof old age home in Kuruman where everyone received a care package filled with sanitary products, reading material and biscuits. A total of 34 gift packs was distributed. On 23 October 2025 they extended their kindness to the residents at Bergenrus old age home in Olifantshoek where 38 care packages filled with sanitary products, reading material and biscuits were handed out to the delighted seniors.
“It is such a privilege to serve the seniors of our community and I want to remind the readers to keep them in their prayers, especially during Christmas and New Year, when many are alone and forgotten by their families. It is our responsibility as a community to recognise their worth and honour their needs with empathy through upliftment projects and friendliness.”
Charlottha also thanked each and every one who donated towards this special project.

Photo 1: Charlottha handed out gift packs to the senior citizens.
Photo 2: Fltr Charlottha Payne, Rozaan Arlow, Harry Payne and Jean Arlow.

12/11/2025

KATHU
School celebrates 10th birthday

From 21 through 23 October 2025 the learners of Curro Kathu opened a time capsule and showcased 10 years of excellence since the school first opened its doors in Kathu in 2015, being the first Curro school in the Northern Cape.
This celebration concert was a spectacular journey through time. From dazzling performances by the talented learners and dedicated teachers to the flawless ex*****on of the time capsule theme by the incredible production team. Every moment was captivating, inspiring and pure magic.
Kathu Gazette wishes Curro Kathu a very happy tenth birthday and continued blessings for the next ten years.
Kathu Gazette communication

Photo: The learners showcased their talents.

12/11/2025

POSTMASBURG
Reimagining entrepreneurship from waste to worth

When refuse trucks stopped collecting household waste in Boichoko Postmasburg, residents had no choice but to burn the rubbish, causing severe smoke contamination.
For the then 11-year-old Lesedi Monnanyane, the pollution from the dumpsites ignited a lifelong pursuit of transforming waste into opportunities. “There was something fundamentally wrong with us burning all this waste,” he recalls. “We were destroying value and harming our own health at the same time.”
Lesedi’s entrepreneurial journey began long before he understood the term sustainability. At just 11, he earned pocket money by cleaning neighbours’ yards. His aunt, who collected bottles for recycling, taught him that waste could hold worth. By 15, he had officially registered Sky-High Kaila Enterprise, starting with simple waste collection. Using prize money from school science and entrepreneurship fairs, he began to bootstrap his business and look for ways to pivot into different innovation and technology spaces.
Everything changed when Lesedi discovered Anglo American’s Zimele’s enterprise-development programme in Postmasburg, where he gained mentorship, business training and eventually a R1.3 million loan to expand his operations. With that support, Sky High, expanded their workforce and invested in chemical mixer equipment that makes eco-friendly liquid products as well as a rapid composting system machine that transforms food waste into fertiliser within 24 hours. Within three years, he had fully repaid the loan, proving that investing in young entrepreneurs from rural and township communities is not a risk, but an opportunity. It also demonstrated that youth-owned enterprises in Postmasburg can partner successfully with multinational companies. “Lesedi represents the transformative power of combining entrepreneurial drive with structured support,” says Larisha Naidoo, Head of Anglo American Zimele.
Today, Lesedi’s work extends beyond entrepreneurship. Through the Sky-High ecosystem of ventures, he is developing modular bioenergy hub frameworks that convert alien invasive biomass, organic waste and h**p into different products such as h**p bricks, synthetic fuels, biochar and energy pellets. These hubs are designed not only to produce clean energy, but also to restore soils, save water and generate environmental credits, turning waste streams into economic value. Lesedi strongly believes that development will come from regenerative mining and industrialising to a just low carbon economy. He is currently completing his postgraduate studies in Sustainable Development at Stellenbosch University to realise that vision.
Lesedi’s work has already earned international recognition. He was named among The Earthshot Prize’s Top 100 Young Climate Leaders in Africa in 2024 and again shortlisted as a 2025 Earthshot Prize Nominee. “I see myself as a pracademic - someone who learns by doing and testing ideas in real contexts,” he says.
For young entrepreneurs, his advice is simple: “Just start. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Clarity comes through action. Every step teaches you something new.”
From the village of Groenwater-Stasie in Postmasburg to postgraduate halls in Stellenbosch, Lesedi Monnanyane is proving that regeneration is more than a theory, it is a practice. Guided by the belief that we should leave things and people better than we found them, he is shaping an economy that replaces waste with worth, restores dignity through enterprise and transforms places that were left behind into landscapes of possibility.
By Designs communications

Photo: Lesedi Monnanyane has already earned international recognition for his groundbreaking work.

12/11/2025

Movember is an annual month-long campaign that encourages men to grow moustaches (or Mo’s) during the month of November to raise awareness about men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men's su***de. Men can start clean-shaven on 1 November and grow a moustache all month long to show their support for men's health.
Movember foundation communication

12/11/2025

SIYATHEMBA
State-of-the-art youth centre launched

Kumba Iron Ore, a subsidiary of Anglo American, launched a state-of-the-art youth centre in Siyathemba, Northern Cape.
The centre, which was officially handed over to the community on 31 October 2025, offers a range of facilities, including a multipurpose astro turf field, a training room, a computer centre as well as counselling rooms.
The youth centre is part of Kumba's broader community development initiative, aimed at providing young people with access to sport, cultural and learning activities. The centre will accommodate up to 55 youths at a time and will be managed by Imvuzo Consulting. The programmes will be run by the Community Foundation of Liberty.
The launch event featured various sporting activities, showcasing the community's enthusiasm for sports development. Kumba Iron Ore Sustainability and Land Access, Displacement and Resettlement (LADAR) Specialist Mr Itumeleng Lute , the Socio-Economic Development (SED) Specialist Mr Walter Khumo under the leadership of the Head of Department public Affairs Adri Slambert and the Gamagara Municipality Mayor Councillor Roman emphasised the importance of investing in youth development, stating, "By giving children and young people access to sporting, cultural and learning facilities, we will give them the opportunities they deserve." Also in attendance was the SAPS, Tsantsabane Alcohol and Drug Services (TADS), Post Resettlement Working Group (PRWG) and Willtech NC.
Kumba planted 10 trees and the SIOC-CDT (Community Development Trust) provided mobile clinics where health check-ups were made available to community members. This initiative further substantiates Anglo American's commitment to community development and youth empowerment in South Africa.
Kumba Iron Ore communication

Photo: SIOC-CDT provided mobile clinics where health check-ups were made available to community members.

12/11/2025

KURUMAN
Caregivers receive palliative care training
Victor Mulangisi
About twenty caregivers received five-day palliative care training from October 20-24, 2025, facilitated by Ms Dikeledi Taunyane, a seasoned nurse who works under the auspices of the Association of Palliative Care Centres, an association for hospice and organisations offering palliative care in the country.
Ms Taunyane said there is a distinction between caregivers and palliative carers, and that this distinction is very important. She said that palliative care is specialised care for people with serious, life-threatening conditions and that, as such, every word from the carer must always carry hope.
The carer must focus on relieving pain and other associated symptoms. A palliative carer also provides emotional, psychological and spiritual support. They also coordinate with doctors in the provision of medication, offer counselling and give hope to family members.
Caregivers help patients daily with feeding, bathing and dressing routines. They provide practical and emotional support to patients who cannot care for themselves due to a range of conditions, such as age, disability and illness. They are usually family members, friends or aides who work daily to ensure normalcy at all times.
Participants drawn from the region welcomed the training and expressed that it empowered them to treat patients in a very specific manner, thereby avoiding worsening their pain due to a lack of skills to handle different conditions. They conceded that the region and in particular hospitals and clinics, need more trained personnel in palliative care because it requires a very sensitive approach.
Ms Taunyane, who is based at Hospice Matlosana in the North West, said that the national association runs training programmes as and when called upon to equip interested organisations. She advised trainees to avoid questions that invoke despair in patients, as it can lead to a low self-esteem, when the main aim is to restore it.

Photo Introductory palliative care training in session with Ms Taunyane, the facilitator, drilling participants.

12/11/2025

DANIëLSKUIL
Municipality hosts a pink walk

Kgatelopele Local Municipality (LM) in Daniëlskuil concluded Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a Pink Walk led by the mayor and councillors.
The initiative aimed to promote awareness, unity and support for those affected by breast cancer. Sister Price from Emeroc Clinic and councillor Sebelego both delivered messages of support, while the mayor had a health talk emphasising the importance of early detection, regular screening and overall wellness. In attendance were employees from Kgatelopele LM, stakeholders from various organisations and community members. All united wearing pink and white to show solidarity with those affected by breast cancer.
Kgatelopele LM would like to extend their sincere appreciation to their sponsors Therapist and Lesedi Solar Park, for their generous contribution of water and Powerade during the event.
Kgatelopele LM communication

Photo: Employees, stakeholders and community members joined in the Pink Walk

12/11/2025

KATHU
Martial arts club dominates Nationals

Konoha Martial Arts made their presence felt at the Ring Contact Fighting Art (RCFA) Nationals – Jungle Wars XIII SA Open, held from 24 to 26 October 2025 in Vanderbijlpark.
With a team consisting of 9 determined competitors from Konoha who qualified for the provincial team, they dominated the event, earning an astounding 41 medals and contributing 314 points to the Northern Cape’s impressive 854 total points. This remarkable performance brings the students one step closer to be included in the SA Protea team that will compete at the RCFA World Championships during April 2026.
Competitors showcased exceptional skill across six intense divisions comprised of the High Kick Contact, Low Kick Contact, Sport Boxing, Close Combat (MMA/Grappling), Supreme Fighting Arts and Combat Weapons, with Supreme Fighting Arts being one of the most demanding multi-discipline categories of the tournament.
Coach Rainer Jacobs praised the team for their grit and determination: “Konoha unequivocally proved the point that skill, discipline and heart win battles. Every competitor gave it their everything and the results speak for itself. Congratulations to the entire Konoha Martial Arts team for delivering an incredible performance.”
Konoha Martial Arts communication

Photo: Back fltr: Estienne Scholtz (1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze), Sabata Lempe (4 silver, 1 bronze), Kyle Barendse (2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze), Harmony Evans (2 gold, 3 silver), SJ Everts (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze).
Photo fltr: Dewald van Huyssteen (3 silver, 1 bronze), Dihan van Huyssteen (3 silver, 1 bronze), Rolandi Ellis (2 silver), Molemo Lempe (4 silver, 3 bronze, SA Development). Not on photo Riekert Cilliers (1 bronze).