Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-04-20 i Sunday Independent

Youth unemployment is one of South Africa’s most pressing challenges – an epidemic that demands urgent, innovative solutions. The issues are stark, especially when comparing rural areas to urban centres. The latest data from Statistics South Africa shows that the youth unemployment rate, encompassing individuals aged 15-34 years, saw a marginal decline from 45.5% to 44.6% between quarters 3 and 4 of last year. This figure is staggeringly high and paints a bleak picture for a country with a growing youth population. The situation is particularly dire in rural areas, where economic activities are limited and mobility is constrained, rendering opportunities virtually in- accessible. Moreover, the ‘experience dividend’ heavily influences who gets hired. Youth with experience outperform their inexperienced peers by a margin of 4 to 1. In other words,…

It seems like Hollywood’s former stars have discovered a new way to shine, just not on the big screen anymore. Instead, they’re turning to OnlyFans, the subscriber-based platform that’s become a goldmine for celebrities looking to connect with fans (and make serious money). From ex-child stars to retired athletes, everyone seems to be hopping on the OnlyFans train, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. If you’ve been scrolling social media lately, you’ve probably noticed a wave of former big names announcing their arrival on OnlyFans. One of the most recent notable examples is Amanda Bynes, the former Nickelodeon star who recently revealed her new venture on the platform. Best known for her roles in She’s the Man and The Amanda Show, Byne’s career took a backseat after…

Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) and the Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA) military veterans who participated in anti-poaching operations for over 14 years say they were unexpectedly dismissed without compensation, benefits, or the permanent employment they were promised. The veterans were initially deployed in 2010 to combat poaching in marine and coastal areas under an initiative led by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (formerly known as DAFF). The anti-poaching operation was a presidential initiative under President Jacob Zuma. They were tasked with combating poaching, particularly in marine and coastal areas where organised crime syndicates have long exploited the country’s natural resources. “Their commitment and sacrifices have significantly reduced poaching activity, earning them the trust and gratitude of local communities. However, despite their indispensable role, they are now being disregarded…

IN a remarkable display of inter-governmental collaboration, the Department of Employment and Labour delivered a much-needed lifeline to thousands of residents in underserved communities across Gqeberha. From April 7 to 15, more than R525 000 in Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits was processed, directly benefiting about 4 600 clients. This mobile service delivery initiative brought essential government services to areas such as Walmer, West End, Joe Slovo, Motherwell, and Kuyga, ensuring that even the most vulnerable had access to critical social support and employment assistance. “We bring these services to you because we know that you will not always have the resources to go to the nearest Labour Centre, which may be far from you,” Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, told residents seated patiently in queues at the…

AMID rising global trade tensions, the air cargo industry finds itself at a critical juncture, challenged to maintain the flow of goods that underpin economic prosperity. The International Air Transport Association (Iata) this week issued a clarion call for immediate action, emphasising that: “Current trade tensions are deeply concerning. Trade drives prosperity. The more the world trades, the better off we all are,” according to Brendan Sullivan, Iata’s global head of cargo, at the recently concluded 18th World Cargo Symposium (WCS) in Dubai. These tensions are also reshaping global credit conditions, as highlighted in a recent S&P Global Ratings report. “Trade tensions are threatening hitherto favourable credit conditions for most borrowers,” the report warned, citing the US government’s tariff announcements on April 2 and the escalating trade conflict with China.…

In a testament to youth activism and resilience, the Gauta BMX cycling trio continues their journey to inspire, campaign , and raise awareness of serious social ills like gender-based violence that plague the country. This comes after the three young men from Limpopo — Mahlakwane Gauta, 22, Karabo Mokowo, 21, and Ndo Maxwell, 24 — embarked on a two-week journey across several provinces and over 1 700km from their home province to Cape Town Their initiative garnered widespread support from communities, corporations, and individuals across the country, who were inspired by the "power of youth activism in driving social change." After a strenuous journey, the cyclists reached Cape Town on Monday, where they received a warm welcome from government officials among other supporters. “This journey has always been about more…

IN a nation where one in three water supply systems teeters on the brink of collapse, recycled wastewater is quietly making its way into South African taps. With only 23% of drinking water meeting chemical safety standards and nearly 90% of wastewater released untreated or partially treated into rivers and oceans, experts have warned that the country’s crumbling infrastructure has already forced municipalities to turn to desperate measures, including “toilet-to-tap” reuse. But while the technology exists to recycle water safely, accountability and transparency remain dangerously absent. “What makes it unsafe isn’t the concept of recycling water,” said Herman Stoop, governance, risk, and compliance specialist at WWISE, a leading consultancy firm specialising in ISO standards implementation. “It’s poor infrastructure, limited treatment capacity, and the lack of transparency that leaves consumers completely…

THE proposed amendments to the Labour Relations Act (LRA) and Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), currently being finalised at NEDLAC, are not neutral adjustments to outdated legislation. They are a direct and deliberate attack on the historical gains of the working class in South Africa. Dressed up as necessary reforms to create jobs and “modernise” our labour regime, these changes represent a shift away from the democratic ethos that informed post-apartheid labour law. They are designed to weaken unions, fragment worker power and tilt the balance decisively in favour of capital. As labour movements, we must sound the alarm — not only for our members in our respective trade unions, but for the labour movement at large and for every working-class household in this country. One of the most…

Leeds and Burnley moved to the brink of promotion to the Premier League on Friday as they maintained a five-point lead over third-placed Sheffield United at the top of the Championship. Burnley came from behind to win 2-1 at Watford with goals from Zian Flemming and Josh Brownhill. The Clarets equalled a club record of 30 league games without defeat. Scott Parker's men know that victory over Sheffield United at Turf Moor on Monday will guarantee promotion. "I'm immensely proud of this group and what we have done this year. We are very close now," said Parker. "On Monday night we can get this done. Hopefully we can go and get the result." Leeds moved back to the top of the table on goal difference after grinding out a 1-0…

The Lions looked punch-drunk in all but surrendering their slim United Rugby Championship play-off hopes with a tame 42-31 defeat against Bennetton at Ellis Park on Saturday. They looked, and played, like a team that can’t wait for the end of the season. Mercifully for Lions fans that is only likely to last another three matches. It seemed far-fetched to expect the Lions to magically bounce back from a rotten run of form where they have now lost five matches in a row across the Challenge Cup and URC. And just like in the last four matches, they looked disjointed, short of ideas on attack and extremely error prone. Even a slew of yellow cards for the visitors in the second half could not give the Joburg side the impetus…

Jurgen Klopp is "very happy" in his current post at Red Bull despite rumours linking him to a return to management with Real Madrid, his agent said Friday. The former Liverpool manager became Red Bull's Global Head of Soccer in January, taking care of a stable of clubs including RB Leipzig, the New York Red Bulls and Bragantino in Brazil. Real Madrid's quarter-final elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Arsenal this week has led to speculation manager Carlo Ancelotti is headed for the exit at the end of the season. German media reported that Klopp was one of the names that the Spanish giants want to take over in the Bernabeu dugout. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.…

Women's Champions League holders Barcelona have dominated the competition in recent years but show signs of losing their edge as they face Chelsea in the semi-finals for the third consecutive season. Barcelona, who have lifted the trophy in three of the last four editions, are determined to prolong their era of success as they host Chelsea today in the first leg. However Pere Romeu's side are not yet the unstoppable force they were under his predecessor Jonatan Giraldez, and Chelsea have taken a step forward with former Lyon coach Sonia Bompastor at the helm. Barcelona edged the Blues 2-1 on aggregate in each of the last two seasons at this stage, but this year Chelsea have reasons to believe they can earn revenge. Barcelona still possess plenty of stars, including…

After dismantling Royal Challengers Bengaluru at their home turf on Friday, a high-flying Punjab Kings unit will look to complete a season double when the two teams clash again in Match 37 of the IPL 2025 today in New Chandigarh. It’s been a swift turnaround for RCB, who have barely had time to recover from the hammering they received at home. In Friday’s rain-curtailed encounter in Bengaluru, their batting line-up fell apart ridiculously. Reduced to a 14-overs-per-side affair, RCB could only muster 95 for 9 - with Tim David’s gritty 50 not out being the lone bright spot. The likes of Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar and Liam Livingstone failed to adapt to a two-paced pitch. Captain Patidar admitted after the match that quick wickets and lack of partnerships…

In a move set to transform the burgeoning iGaming landscape of South Africa, VeliTech, a premier turnkey iGaming technology provider, has officially launched operations in the region. As the local market experiences remarkable growth, VeliTech’s cutting- edge technology and all-in-one platform promise to set a new standard for operators and enhance player experiences. According to data from Statista, South Africa’s iGaming industry is projected to reach a staggering $431 million (about R8 billion) this year, with an impressive annual revenue growth rate of 4.71%, anticipated to surge to $ 518m by 2029. This rapid expansion signals a ripe environment for innovation and competition. “South Africa is on the brink of an iGaming metamorphosis, and VeliTech is here to fuel the momentum,” comments Petro Magos, VeliTech’s South Africa Regional Representative. “With…

In a digital age marked by transparency, a recent TikTok exposé has left consumers questioning the true value of luxury goods. Worldwide, netizens are scrutinising the hefty price tags associated with high-end brands following revelations from Chinese manufacturers that they provide much of the labour behind these sought-after products. The creator, known as Wang Sen, has stirred a notable frenzy online, revealing that more than 80% of luxury bags are produced in China. In a viral video, Sen elaborated on the practices behind these luxury labels, claiming that brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, and Hermès mislead consumers by attaching extravagant labels while keeping production costs exceptionally low. “Some say, as long as there is a tag saying ‘Made in China’, the bag can never be luxury. However, more…

IN contemporary Western society, we see high mobility and a fracturing of sacred barriers, along with a relativisation of what was once considered permanent. The closing of traditional familial ties has resulted in a disconnection from centuries of cultural knowledge and values. Instead of despairing over the past, we should recognise the resilience inherent in our cultural traditions. While insights from Western contexts resonate here, South African cultural heritage faces significant challenges, evident in the erosion of foundational values. For cultural practices, beliefs, and values to be passed down through generations, stability in society and families is essential. Unfortunate disruptions throughout history have compromised family structures and cultural continuity among South African communities. Many are unaware that past events continue to shape contemporary lives, leading to social disintegration. Additionally, many…

THE SA Bureau of Standards (SABS) has defended itself as the entity faces an independent investigation into its affairs. The probe is expected to be completed at the end of next month. Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau commissioned the investigation following serious allegations of deteriorating standards at the entity for which his department is responsible. The SABS this week explained that its management has been instrumental in investigating instances of malfeasance and corruption. "This has been evidenced by the numerous investigation reports and status updates provided by management to the investigators," the entity explained. DA MP Toby Chance said the SABS is the custodian of the country's quality systems. "That means that products from cement to car parts to electronic appliances all have to be certified for use…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has come under scrutiny following the diversion of R38.3 million from the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) budget to finance legal expenses associated with the case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The decision arises from a prior expenditure incurred by Dirco, which totalled R38 381 031.63. This amount covered essential legal fees, as well as costs for travel and accommodation for Dirco while awaiting approval from the National Treasury. Godongwana had previously confirmed that the budget reprioritisation was made without the an official request or sanction of the National Treasury as mandated under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). In a latest development, ActionSA MP Alan Beesley wrote to Godongwana asking the specific provisions of the PFMA used by Dirco…

ABOUT 7 million girls and women in South Africa lack access to menstrual products. Period poverty, the lack of access to affordable sanitary hygiene products, adversely impacts females, who comprise more than half (51.35%) of the entire population. Sanitary hygiene products are an essential feature for every female in the world. Yet why is this fundamentally basic requirement still being so arduously fought for in our modern, post democratic nation? Period poverty is not only rooted in the physical products that are required during menstruation, it is also directly linked to the stigmatisation of women in our society, and the insufficiency with which menstruation has been dealt with across our society. Socially, politically, culturally, religiously, and institutionally, there has been a widespread undermining of the challenges around menstruation and the…

IN a landmark move set to transform health service delivery across South Sudan, the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed the health systems strengthening output agreement under the Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP). This pivotal development marks the beginning of a new era aimed at enhancing healthcare access, quality, and efficiency for millions of South Sudanese citizens. South Sudan faces immense health challenges, exacerbated by years of conflict, inadequate infrastructure, and the growing impacts of climate change. According to WHO estimates, the maternal mortality rate has surged over the past decade, reaching an alarming global high of 1 223 deaths per 100 000 live births. Newborn and child mortality rates remain distressingly high at 64 and 99 deaths per 1 000 live births, respectively,…

THE decision by the US to implement a 90-day pause on most tariffs, excluding China, sent mixed signals through the global markets. While the move was widely welcomed as temporary relief, experts have warned of potential ripple effects on South Africa’s property sector, with economic instability posing risks to investor confidence and market growth. Adrian Goslett, regional director and the chief executive of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, highlighted the intricate link between global trade dynamics and local real estate. “While the 90-day tariff pause offers a momentary respite, the broader implications of global trade policies on South Africa’s property market remain complex,” Goslett said. “Global trade policies significantly influence South Africa’s economy. Tariffs and trade tensions can affect the cost of goods, employment rates, and overall economic growth.” He explained…

The City of Johannesburg’s Arts Gallery (JAG) looks set to be rejuvenated following years of neglect. The municipality’s agreement for the temporary relocation of JAG comes after JAG proposed its reimagining with the hope of discussing new business models for JAG next month. "Agreements for the temporary relocation are on track. To be finalised by 30 April 2025. Updates will follow once logistics are confirmed," the municipality noted this week. It said this was part of integration with inner city interventions. "JAG's proposed works are part of broader inner-city revitalisation efforts, including the Jack Mencer taxi rank and Joubert Park," reads the proposal. According to the city, its current activities have been allocated funds for restoring 24 water-damaged artworks. According to the municipality, progress on the JAG rejuvenation project now…

IN a U-turn that will have a place of pride in the history books and make Robert Mugabe turn in his grave, the government of Zimbabwe has disbursed the first batch of payment – US$3.1 million (R558.5 billion) – to a bunch of former white commercial farmers who were dispossessed of their land during the controversial fast-track land reform programme (FLRP) in the early 2000s. The payment is part of the 2024 Farmers Compensation Agreement, which is a revised version of the original Global Compensation Deed (GCD) signed by the Zimbabwean government and former white farmers, represented by the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) and the Southern African Farmers Alliance in 2020. About 4 600 former commercial farmers who were victims of haphazard and often violent land grabs 25 years ago…

Mamelodi Sundowns have secured Themba Zwane's future with a new contract that will keep him at Chloorkop until the end of the 2025/26 season. The club announced the 35-year-old has signed a new deal, extending his tenure beyond the previously scheduled expiry of June 2025. The brief Sundowns statement read: "Mshishi is here to stay! Captain Themba Zwane has penned a contract extension, keeping him at the club beyond the 2024/25 season!" Zwane’s contract negotiations had initially stalled as the club monitored his recovery from an Achilles injury sustained while on international duty with Bafana Bafana in October. The club’s management took a cautious approach, keen to ensure that the influential midfielder returned to full fitness and performance levels before committing to a new deal. After undergoing surgery in…

Liverpool manager Arne Slot believes maintaining the squad that is romping towards the Premier League title is more important than major new signings. The Reds' plans for next season have been boosted by Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk signing new deals to remain at Anfield over the past week. Trent Alexander-Arnold is still reportedly set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer when his deal expires at the end of the season. Van Dijk said ahead of agreeing his new contract that he expects a "big summer" in the transfer market from the Reds. Slot's only signing in his first year in charge was Federico Chiesa, who has played a peripheral role. But with Liverpool 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League, the Dutchman is…

There are likely not many cricketers who modelled their bowling action after former Proteas player Jacques Rudolph, who was more renowned for his top-order batting skills. However, that’s the case for South African women’s cricketer Sune Luus. Rudolph, now 43 years old, played 94 matches for South Africa across all three formats. Although he took only four wickets during that period, he was much more successful with the bat, scoring an impressive 3802 runs. Rudolph’s rise to the Proteas followed his success at the Titans at SuperSport Park in Centurion, where Luus spent a significant part of her childhood. Luus, now primarily bowling off-spinners, reminisces about those formative days of her career. Luus Reflects on Inspirational Leg Spin Journey “I started as a leg spinner in my career. I looked…

Akani Simbine won’t be running in the South African championships next week, but he will have a bigger fish to fry in the Diamond League. The 2024 Paris Olympic silver medallist in the 4x100m relay won’t be in the 100m line-up at the national event at the NWU McArthur Stadium in Potchefstroom, which will take place from April 24-26 – next Thursday to Saturday. But the 31-year-old – who ran a blisteringly quick 2025 world lead of 9.90 seconds in Botswana last weekend – will strut his stuff on the big stage at the opening Diamond League meeting in Xiamen, south-east China next Saturday, April 26. Simbine’s coach, Werner Prinsloo, confirmed to Independent Media on Saturday that the South African star will spend another week in China to participate in…

South Africa’s energy crisis might have just shifted from reliability to affordability for South African consumers. While load shedding may be a thing of the past, as 79% citizens now rely on prepaid electricity, loading only what they can afford. This was according to the latest Debt Rescue survey, which was conducted to better understand the socioeconomic challenges facing South African consumers and how they are dealing with them. CEO of Debt Rescue, Neil Roets said that the results paint a grim picture of a cold, dark winter ahead for most households. Data from the survey revealed that, ahead of the April electricity tariff increase, 86% of people could already no longer afford the cost of electricity, and have been cutting back on essentials such as groceries or transport, just…

WE ALL know about anorexia and bulimia, two well-known eating disorders where people are scared of gaining weight or eat a lot and then make themselves vomit. But, there’s a new concern on the rise that many of us might not have heard about. It’s called orthorexia. This term was first coined in 1997 by a doctor to talk about how he was fixated on eating only “pure” foods. Orthorexia is when people become so obsessed with the idea of eating only what they consider healthy or “clean” foods that it starts to take over their lives. Nutritionists and doctors are starting to notice more and more people who are falling into this trap. They are not eating a variety of foods because they’re avoiding anything they think is unhealthy.…

UKRAINIAN President Volodymyr Zelensky’s scheduled official state visit to South Africa next week is fraught with huge geopolitical repercussions for Pretoria. Since the announcement in recent times that President Zelensky would be landing on our shores on April 24, I’ve been grappling with the wisdom behind his visit. In all honesty, and without a shred of bias, I could find no good reason, or logic, behind President Cyril Ramaphosa’s preparedness to lay the red carpet for his beleaguered counterpart. Now, before emotions get the better of anyone, it is vital to analyse South Africa’s foreign policy of non-alignment. At face value, non-alignment would mean that in any situation in global relations, Pretoria takes no sides. Additionally, Pretoria holds very sacred the country’s sense of sovereignty that guarantees the country’s independence…

FROM the tenure of the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump, there are so many political lessons to be learnt. Perhaps these lessons have always been prevalent in one form of emphasis or context, but whose imperatives and sociological importance may have been allowed to fade and waste away in the din of a world forever in conflict. One of the lessons which even the Donald himself should heed is that after the singularly impactful style of the Führer in Germany in the 1930s, no democratically elected leader has ever defined their tenure. To an appreciable degree, he may bring colour, temperament and pace. But it is the “moths-of-the-flame”, the unelected executives that populate the spokes of his political wheel that would influence the fate of his tenure.…

A Limpopo magistrate, who acquitted an accused without a proper hearing, is facing the prospect of being booted out of the public office. This comes after the Magistrate’s Commission has recommended to Parliament the removal of the magistrate after the conclusion of a disciplinary process. The Magistrate’s Commission has formally tabled its report to the select committee on security and justice, asking to approve their recommendation. The commission’s ethics committee chairperson Naome Manaka said the complaint against the female magistrate arose from special review judges in the high court that looked into one of the cases she had over at Lenyenye Magistrate’s Court in 2018. Manaka said the judgement found the 59-year-old magistrate was dishonest, her behaviour inappropriate and brought the name of the magistracy into disrepute. She said the…

THE Eastern Cape and North West provinces are drowning in financial chaos and service delivery failures, according to damning findings presented to Parliament by the Auditor-General of SA (Agsa) and the National Treasury. The reports, delivered during a National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Finance Committee briefing on April 8, revealed a disturbing pattern of regression, mismanagement, and neglect in critical sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure, among others. At first glance, the Eastern Cape appeared to be making progress, with nine clean audits in the 2023/24 financial year. However, beneath the surface lay a province in distress. Three government departments received qualified audits, indicating serious discrepancies in their financial statements. Key institutions, including the Office of the Premier and the Provincial Legislature, regressed, while sectors such as sports, arts,…

THE contemporary global economy is at a crossroads. As US President Donald Trump engages in political gimmicks, a significant reality emerges: there is an “unintended collision,” as patent lawyer Alexander D Georges terms it, between intellectual property (IP) rights and tariffs. In today’s global trade environment, particularly following the Trump administration’s tariff measures, safeguarding and managing IP has become increasingly complex. Tariffs, intended to protect domestic industries, have introduced new challenges for businesses in managing their IP assets. The resulting higher costs, fractured collaborations, and elevated infringement risks suggest that Trump is undermining the United States’ intrinsic value and strategic economic dominance. This situation reveals a fundamental reality: while IP rights and corporate branding have traditionally formed the bedrock of Western economic power, the actual production of the goods generating…

IN a pivotal meeting convened by the NCOP Agriculture, Land Reform, and Mineral Resources Committee, South Africa’s energy giants Eskom and Necsa faced intense questioning from legislators over their financial performance, operational challenges, and future strategies. The session, chaired by the ANC’s Mpho Modise, revealed both commendable progress and lingering concerns about accountability, environmental compliance, and municipal debt crises that continue to threaten the nation’s energy stability. Necsa — the SA Nuclear Energy Corporation — emerged as a beacon of hope amid the chaos. Group chief financial officer Precious Hawadi delivered a presentation highlighting Necsa’s remarkable audit turnaround. “Currently, all entities within the Necsa Group have achieved a minimum audit outcome of ‘unqualified’, with two subsidiaries attaining clean audits,” she announced. This shift — from disclaimed positions to unqualified opinions…

THERE have been mixed reactions to the re-opening of Chief Albert Luthuli and Griffiths Mlungisi Mxenge’s inquest. On Monday, April 14, the High Court in Pietermaritzburg listened to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which promised to present new evidence that would necessitate that the previous finding on this matter which dismissed any wrongdoing by anyone be overturned. Parallel to this inquest is another one concerning Griffiths Mxenge, a human rights lawyer who was stabbed to death in uMlazi, south of Durban. He brutally lost his life at the hands of the apartheid death squad which was led by Dirk Coetzee. Mxenge was stabbed 45 times. To make matters worse, his throat was cut. The Mxenge matter was postponed to June 17. This postponement was occasioned by the SAPS’s request that…

IN an era of shifting geopolitics and global climate imperatives, India and Russia stand at the forefront of a nuclear energy revolution. New Delhi has announced that it is planning to build five indigenously manufactured small modular reactors (SMR) – named Bharat nuclear reactors – in the next few years with the help of private participation. The ambitious plan to generate 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2047 is functional with a 170% increase in the nuclear energy budget in the last decade. The country’s federal budget for the 2025 financial year has laid the groundwork for a nuclear renaissance. This includes a substantial 200 billion rupees (R43.3 billion) allocation for SMR development – India aims to operationalise at least five indigenous SMRs by 2033, the document states. The budget also proposed…

Magesi FC have been on an upward curve in the second half of the Betway Premiership season, and their journey to protect their top-flight status will continue when they welcome highflyers TS Galaxy at the Seshego Stadium on Sunday (3pm kick-off). Dikwena tsa Meetse launched themselves in the PSL in fine style - winning the Carling Knockout competition earlier this season with a come-from-behind 2-1 win against Mamelodi Sundowns at the Free State Stadium. Since then, things took a turn for the worse, with Clinton Larsen leaving the side, and results begun to dry up. Everything was pointing in the direction of the side making an immediate return back to the NFD Motsepe Foundation Championship, as they spent a large part of the first half of the season rooted at…

There will be no shortage of game intelligence as Stellenbosch FC and Tanzanian giants Simba SC prepare for Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup semi-final first-leg clash in Zanzibar (3pm kick-off). Stellenbosch’s Steve Barker and Simba’s Fadlu Davids have crossed paths many times in the Premier Soccer League, working as coaches. The same could be said about assistant coaches Wesley Sergel (Stellenbosch) and Darian Wilken (Simba), who have worked for various PSL clubs and know each other well. None are waging a prediction except that a South African will prevail in the final. In the build-up to the match, the coaching teams have been complimentary. However, the clash of the two sideline strategists will thrust the spotlight on the capabilities of South African coaches, who seldom feature in the later rounds of…

Johannesburg-born rally driver Saood Variawa is cognizant of the opportunity that’s presenting itself to the South African motorsports landscape with the World Rally Raid Championship coming up next month. For the first time since its inception in 2022, South Africa will host the third round of the W2RC from May 18 to 24. The 19-year-old racer, who has been behind the wheel of a car since he was a toddler, is ecstatic to race in front of a home crowd for the first time. Sun City in the North West Province will be the base camp for the duration of the South African leg, and will see drivers cover around 400 km everyday. Variawa races for team Toyota Gazoo Racing and will be driving his 3.5 litre twin turbo Hilux…

After Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) approved the decision to rename Divecha Pavilion Level 3 as the 'Rohit Sharma Stand', the Indian skipper said he had ever dreamt of an honour of this level. Sharma has been a stalwart of Mumbai cricket and has successfully captained India to successive ICC trophies with the T20 World Cup 2024 and Champions Trophy 2025 triumphs. Sharma was named the brand ambassador of the T20 Mumbai League, which was launched on Friday. The 2025 edition of the Mumbai Premier League is scheduled to begin on May 26 While speaking at a press conference at which he was announced as the brand ambassador of MPL, Sharma said: “Never dreamt something like this when I was starting out playing cricket. I remember those days when I wanted…