Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-17 i Sunday Independent

What began as a university passion project has blossomed into one of South Africa’s most recognisable plant-based food brands. For Antoine van Heerden, founder of ButtaNutt, the path from engineering student to food entrepreneur was shaped by family roots and a love for wholesome, local produce. “My parents started farming full-time when I moved down to Stellenbosch. Holidays were spent harvesting macadamias and litchis or helping out at the farm stall. With my sister studying cooking, I was exposed to the food industry from farm to fork. The pivot to food felt natural” Van Heerden said. Founded in 2013, ButtaNutt began as a stall at local markets, selling handcrafted nut butters. But as the plant-based movement grew globally, so too did the brand’s ambition. By 2020, ButtaNutt had entered the…

We all rely on AI chatbots now, such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot, to handle everything from crafting e-mails to soothing broken hearts. But what happens when this digital helper becomes something more? A confidante, a lifeline… even a spiritual guide? Recently, alarming real-world stories have emerged, like a case reported by The New York Times and WinBuzzer, where a man descended into conspiracy-tinged delusions, homeless and isolated, believing ChatGPT dubbed him “The Flamekeeper”. And for some, that bond is spiralling into something darker. Mental health experts and worried families are warning about a disturbing trend being called “AI psychosis”, a pattern where prolonged conversations with chatbots seem to trigger or intensify delusional thinking. When connection turns to obsession In one widely reported case, a mother watched her ex-husband…

South Africa’s music scene is currently buzzing for reasons that go beyond the beats. Renowned DJs Shimza and Major League have captured attention with their remarkable weight loss transformations, showing that dedication to health can be as impressive as talent behind the decks. Known for their electrifying performances and gruelling touring schedules, both acts have visibly transformed their physiques, leaving fans and fellow artists alike in awe. For years, Shimza, born Ashley Raphala, has been one of the most recognisable faces in house music. Recently, however, fans have spotted a leaner, healthier version of the DJ. Social media posts have sparked conversation about his fitness journey, with fans lauding the results. “The transformation, you put in work! You look great, fam!” wrote Nadia Nakai on Instagram. Zodwa Phiri joined…

UNITED States President Donald J Trump is an unusual artist. The author of Art of the Deal has become notorious for a string of failures in his foreign policy deals. He sold himself as transactional, and everything was up for negotiation. Yet, the clumsiness of his bashfulness has pushed the world onto a precipice of dangerous peril. From the margins of a heated electioneering campaign, panting from running and bothered, no doubt by a profusion of criminal and civil cases, the Donald enlivened the imagination of a fatigued world about the possibility of ending the US/Nato proxy war against Russia in Ukraine. The embattled Republican Presidential candidate was kind enough to remind even the unconverted, that Ukraine is a proxy. And he was determined to end it once and for…

Researchers challenge norms South African researchers are driving innovation and shaping the future in combating the scourge of gender-based violence, with some of their work already informing the country’s policy. These emerging researchers are with the South African Medical Research Council’s (SAMRC) Gender and Health Research Unit (GHRU). Notably, they are all PhD candidates. Nangipha Mnandi, a research technologist, said that the Siyaphambili Youth Project and Stepping Stones Creating Futures+ (SSCF+), which he has worked on, are research initiatives aimed at benefiting young people in resource-strained communities who are at risk of intimate partner violence (IPV), poor mental health, substance misuse, and HIV acquisition driven by several contextual factors. “Through understanding the relationship between these contextual drivers, we designed and developed a scalable intervention that will reduce IPV and poor…

BLACK farmers in South Africa are pleading for assistance after struggling to secure farm leases from the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. They claim that delays in accessing land are hindering their productivity and threatening the country’s food security due to the government’s failure to allocate land. One farmer stated: “I have been farming on about 100ha with stud and commercial herds, and have applied for a farm lease more than five times, to no avail.” He added that the only thing that will help farmers like him is a commercial bank, but livestock cannot serve as collateral. Another farmer expressed frustration with the criteria used by the Land Reform Department, saying, “I would like to know what criteria the Land Reform Department uses to award…

The establishment of the broad-based steering committee to oversee and guide the National Dialogue is expected to be finalised in the next two weeks. The National Dialogue’s first national convention at the University of SA’s main campus in Pretoria on Saturday could not finalise constituting the steering committee. Mandisa Khanyile, a member of the convention organising committee, said some formations or sectors are not yet ready to make a decision regarding who they are going to have as their steering committee nominees “What we have decided to do is that we are going to allow a period of two weeks post this convening for those sectors to make that decision,” she said. Khanyile added that sectors should provide two or three nominees for the steering committee or one of…

WHEN I first heard that PA leader and Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie had repeatedly used the K-word on social media, South Africa’s most vile and violent racial slur, I wasn’t shocked. Instead, I was enraged! Not because I expected any better from him, but because once again, black pain has been put up for public debate, and those responsible are allowed to shrug it off with a smirk and a flimsy excuse. In a country still bleeding from the open wounds of apartheid’s legacy, it should go without saying: the K-word is not a teaching tool, a punchline, or a thought experiment. It is a weapon. A weapon that has been used to subjugate, dehumanise, and discredit Black people — sometimes even including Coloured people — in…

AN accused wife abuser who is alleged to have violently attacked his wife on the day of their ninth wedding anniversary, and faces possible life imprisonment, will remain behind bars after his second attempt for bail was denied by the Western Cape High Court. The 37-year-old father of four was a fisherman in Mossel Bay up until his incarceration in May last year and faces a charge of attempted murder. He sought to appeal against his bail application, which was heard and denied in the Mossel Bay Magistrate’s Court. The lower court found that the man would endanger the life of the complainant, and it was not in the interests of justice to have him released. According to court documents seen by Independent Media, on May 18, last year, the…

The pattern is well-worn. Regardless of the issue or the president in power, if a country refuses to toe the Washington line, accusations of human rights abuses become the weapon of choice. Cuba and Venezuela were targeted primarily because of their economic policies, which diverged from the model preferred by Washington. Iran and China were labelled for achieving successes that rivalled or surpassed Western capabilities. Now the target is South Africa. The offence is that the country dared to take Israel to the International Court of Justice and lay bare evidence of genocidal acts. When pressure failed to deter the government from this principled course, the US released a plethora of destabilising interventions, the most recent being a report alleging that the human rights situation in South Africa had worsened…

Bournemouth captain Adam Smith said he was left shocked and angered after teammate Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused by a fan during the Cherries' 4-2 defeat at Liverpool in the opening game of the Premier League season. The match was briefly halted after half an hour when Semenyo told referee Anthony Taylor of the incident and both managers were informed. A Liverpool fan who had been seen gesturing towards the Ghanaian as he took a throw-in was led away by police at half-time. Semenyo showed remarkable poise to not only continue but go on to score twice in the second half as Bournemouth came within minutes of holding the defending champions to a draw until late strikes by Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah. Premier League Players Take a Stand…

The Cheetahs made life difficult for themselves with ill-discipline yesterday, nearly throwing away a victory against Western Province in their Currie Cup encounter in Bloemfontein. Some desperate defence and excellent lineout steals saved them from embarrassment as they hung on with just 13 players for the final five minutes to seal a crucial 31–24 bonus-point win. The home side scored five tries to Western Province’s three, and with the victory, they claimed top spot on the Currie Cup log with three rounds to go. fter enjoying a 31–10 lead almost halfway through the second half, the Cheetahs should never have found themselves in a position to lose. They had dominated Province up front, and their slick outside backs enjoyed the space created out wide. First-half tries by fullback Cohen Jasper…

Wheelchair tennis Grand Slam champion Kgothatso “KG” Montjane can’t help but wonder where she would have been and what she would have achieved in the sport had she started earlier. It was her steely determination to ensure that the same fate doesn’t befall talented youngsters from similar backgrounds that drove the construction of a multipurpose tennis court at Lethaba Special School in Tzaneen, Limpopo, through her foundation. “It has been an idea that has been lying in the pipeline, not being sure how I would be able to execute it. But having such a great team behind me speaking to some of the sponsors from tennis, we managed to make it a dream come true,” KG told Independent Media Sport exclusively on the sidelines of the project. “This project just…

I’ve spent years battling with earphones and headphones that never quite worked for me. In-ear options would fall out within minutes, and over-ear headphones left my ears painful and red after a while. Only recently did I discover a pair of on-ear headphones that actually fit comfortably and deliver the sound I want. Whether you’re a casual listener, a podcast fan, a remote worker, or a serious audiophile, finding the right headphones can feel overwhelming. With so many styles, features, and price points available, the key is to match your choice to your lifestyle and listening habits. Adriana Wooldridge, from Homemation, distributors of premium audio brands in South Africa, explains: “It’s not just about what you listen to, but how and where you listen. The right headphones should seamlessly integrate…

IN her essay Patriarchy and Women’s Subordination: A Theoretical Analysis, Abeda Sultana observes that women today occupy positions of power and have made notable gains in various spheres. Yet, she argues, this progress does not alter the fundamental reality: the system remains male-dominated. Women are often accommodated rather than empowered — permitted entry, but not granted equal authority. At the heart of this imbalance, Sultana identifies patriarchy as the primary barrier to women’s true advancement. Despite variations in its expression, the core principle persists: men remain in control. While patriarchy undeniably obstructs women’s ascent to leadership and influence, a troubling irony emerges: the system often finds its most effective allies among women themselves. As Anna Mokgokong compellingly argues in her piece Women Are Their Own Worst Enemies, women frequently fail…

ECONOMIST Dr Séan Mfundza Muller has issued a stark warning about the growing power of South Africa’s ultra-wealthy, spotlighting Michiel le Roux, co-founder of Capitec Bank, and his alleged behind-the-scenes influence on media, politics, and civil society through strategic funding, raising questions about accountability, transparency, and the integrity of democratic institutions. Speaking on Ntsiki Mazwai’s Moya podcast, Muller said: “Another South African billionaire, who I think is very interesting, is Michiel le Roux, who is one of the people behind Capitec. Now, as far as I know — and I heard this both from a private source and then I also came across a public source of this information — Le Roux is behind a trust called the Millennium Trust.” Muller explained that, according to his research and private discussions,…

IN THE grand theatre of global economics, protectionism and Trump’s Economic Nationalism, which have reshaped global trade, India has once again demonstrated why it remains one of the most adaptive players in the Global South and BRICS+ nations. The recent tariff shocks unleashed by the Trump administration, which have been boisterous, sudden, and strategically disruptive, have sent weaker economies into a spiral of retaliatory rhetoric or defensive stagnation. But India, true to form, responded with the quiet pragmatism of a nation that understands the oldest rule of economic survival: adapt or perish. As the Greek philosopher Heraclitus once declared: “The only constant in life is change.” India, a cornerstone of the BRICS Plus bloc, seems to have internalised this wisdom better than most. While Washington’s nationalist and protectionist trade policies…

A rape suspect will get paid R350 000 by the Police Ministry following a high court order in which the man sought relief for his wrongful arrest. This comes after police effected the warrantless arrest of the man on mere suspicion nearly a year after the incident occurred, and in the absence of further evidence, which had eventually been added after his arrest. In the High Court of South Africa at the Gauteng Division, Johannesburg, Judge Stuart Wilson had harsh words for the Minister of Police - a respondent in the matter - after the rape suspect proved to the court that he was wrongfully arrested. The man was arrested on suspicion in August 2018, having been accused of raping a nine-year-old girl. The incident allegedly occurred a year prior,…

The State told the Durban Magistrate's Court that it has video footage of the killing of Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) regional manager Jacob Khoaele, and it intends to lead evidence with it at trial. This was revealed during the bail application of twins who are traditional healers, Vukani and Vukile Mchunu. The twins, together with Sandile Sakhile Ngcobo and Mthandeni Cele, are charged with the murder of Khoaele. The twins, from uMlazi's Ngonyameni were denied bail on Friday. The State alleges that Khoaele was killed because he did not want the twins to get payment for the unsatisfying work they did for Prasa. A previous manager reportedly resigned over the same issue. In an affidavit of the investigating officer, Sergeant Nkosinathi Madonsela, which was read by senior…

Abahlali Basemjondolo has vowed to utilise the National Dialogue to disrupt the country’s status quo, which suppresses the voices of the people on the ground. The group’s general secretary, Thapelo Mohapi, said the group would ensure that the government does not have an upper hand in conducting the dialogue across the country. The civic society, which lobbies for the better lives of informal settlement dwellers, participated in the two-day National Convention at the University of South Africa (Unisa) on Friday and Saturday. The convention was to draft a roadmap for the discussions to find a way of dealing with the country’s challenges. The last day of the convention on Saturday at Unisa’s ZK Matthews Hall was expected to give direction on how the dialogues would be convened in all spheres…

SHOW me a Black-owned system that controls the land, banks, mines, courts, and laws of this country. You cannot, because it does not exist. A Black person cannot be racist toward another oppressed group under a white supremacist system that still defines South Africa today. That is a historical fact, not a matter of debate. Let us be clear: racism is not about someone’s opinion or personal dislike. Racism is about power. It is a system that governs who has access to land, wealth, safety, education, and dignity and who does not. Steve Biko once said: “The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.” That weapon has worked overtime in South Africa to the point where we now confuse our own prejudices…

The issue of undocumented migrants in South Africa has caused a stir across various sectors. While some call for their immediate deportation because they deplete the country’s resources at the expense of the nationals, others – including some NGOs – plead on their behalf. They even invoke certain clauses of the Freedom Charter and sections of the country’s Constitution to strengthen their argument on why these undocumented migrants should be allowed to stay in this country. The main question that begs for attention is: Where does one draw the line between addressing the challenge of undocumented migrants and upholding human rights? Another question is: Should the rights of these undocumented migrants supersede those of South African citizens? These are very critical questions. To answer them properly, one must cogently interpret…

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is hosting its 45th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government today in Antananarivo, Madagascar. This year’s gathering will be held under the theme, “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC”. Malagasy President Andriy Rajoelina will assume the rotational position of chairperson from the Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has chaired the organisation since August. Mnangagwa’s chairmanship faced its challenging moments, including the violence and instability in Mozambique following the holding of general elections in October 2024 and the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Both issues, which have far-reaching implications on regional stability, were not satisfactorily handled. According to the Human Rights Watch (HRW), about 300 protesters lost their lives and hundreds more were injured…

Fine margins can shape an entire season, and few teams know this better than Kaizer Chiefs after navigating a challenging couple of campaigns. This season has begun on a positive note, with two wins from their opening two fixtures. The side still appears to be a work in progress, but they have shown not only marked improvement, but also a renewed hunger to get as close as possible to some of their previous best standards. Achieving that will require sustained effort. While the season will be a marathon, winning the smaller “sprints” along the way is just as important — and so far, so good. Adding to their domestic responsibilities, Amakhosi will return to continental competition this season. Their Nedbank Cup triumph last term secured a place in the CAF…

With the 2024/25 season about to kick-off in Europe's top footballing nations, we take a a look at those likely to be lifting the trophy come the season's end, celebrating continental football qualification and the ones likely to be crying into their beer mugs in the English Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A, and Bundesliga. 1 English Premier League 1.1 Likely champions After masterminding a shock triumph without major transfer moves last season, Arne Slot and Liverpool have enjoyed a bumper transfer window so far, and are not done yet. This, coupled with a dominant display last season, has made them favourites to defend their title. The only question for Slot may be the time it will take for the new arrivals to bed in with the rest…

As the rugby world looks forward to the mini-World Cup that is the looming series between the Springboks and All Blacks in New Zealand, it is perhaps a good omen that the only Bok team to win at Eden Park “warmed up” with two Tests against Australia. We are talking about the 1937 Springboks, who were unquestionably the greatest Springbok side until Siya Kolisi’s double World Cup winners. Philip Nel, the Martizburg College old boy, captained a side dubbed The Greatest Team to leave New Zealand’s shores after winning 27 of 29 matches in Australia and New Zealand. Nel’s team lost their first match, to New South Wales, when they had yet to gain their “land legs” after over a month at sea. The only other match they lost…

When US President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs earlier this year, the move was likened to an economic tsunami, a force capable of shaking global trade foundations. Yet, much like the massive earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula that triggered Pacific tsunami warnings but caused minimal damage, the initial economic shock has not yet unleashed the devastation many feared. “It is too soon to tell, but so far economic activity inside and outside the US has held up surprisingly well,” said Izak Odendaal, Old Mutual Wealth Investment Strategist. “Global equity markets are on track for a decent year despite the considerable uncertainty,” Odendaal said. Global resilience has been buoyed by factors such as stockpiling ahead of tariff deadlines, rate cuts by central banks outside the US, and a weaker dollar…

Labubu toys, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and sold by Chinese toymaker Pop Mart, have become a viral and profitable sensation around the world. Labubu dolls have taken over the globe, with many people wanting to get their hands on the squishy plush toy. The demand has opened a door for counterfeit products to flood the market. In May, retailer Pop Mart suspended in-store sales of Labubu toys amid rising concerns over public safety and staff threats, following reports of global thefts and queue violence tied to the sought-after collectables. Many of the fake Labubu’s flooding the market have been deemed unsafe, according to Britain’s Chartered Trading Standards Institute. “Counterfeit Labubu dolls are poorly made and unsafe. Many contain small, detachable parts such as eyes, hands and feet,…

EUROPE’s perpetual reliance on the US in global affairs was bound to implode at a certain point. The increasing isolation of Europe from the US-led efforts to broker a peace deal with Russia to end the Ukraine conflict shines a light on an age-old truism, which goes as follows: “In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests.” Until recently, Europe fell for Washington’s foreign policy during the tenure of former Democratic President Joe Biden hook, line, and sinker. Now, under the Republican incumbent President Donald Trump, the previous collective pro-war Europe hell-bent on Russophobia looks at sixes and sevens. During the Biden administration, Europe acted self-assuredly, taking turns lambasting President Putin and working hard to isolate Russia in international affairs. Led by Biden’s White House, Europe…

Sithembiso Zungu, newly appointed MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services, has firmly rejected corruption allegations related to his tenure as Ward 12 Councillor and his association with Citydev Construction. Presenting a detailed rebuttal, Zungu insists the accusations lack credible evidence and are politically driven. Responding to claims that he received illegal payments, Zungu stated unequivocally: “There is no credible, publicly available evidence that confirms I never received any payments from Citydev Construction during my tenure as Ward 12 Councillor in Lehae Phase 3.” He emphasised that official records, including those from the Department of Correctional Services, “have no record of me being held at their facility in relation to the Lehae community housing project case”. On accusations of demanding facilitation fees from contractors involved in community housing projects and…

THE struggle was fought, and it was won through the grace of God. Too much blood was spilt for the liberation of this country. Too many people died fighting for our Great Azania. There are many freedom fighters who died and never got to witness the fruits of their struggle. There are many children who were born as orphans, who never saw their fathers. Many of those brave young liberators, and many of their bodies, have not had the befitting dignity of being repatriated to their home soil for burial. Even during the time when many were returning, there were relatives who waited, with bated breath, for their loved ones to be among those body bags. Unfortunately, they waited in vain, and their sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers…

The Constitutional Court of South Africa stands as a potent symbol of hard-won freedom, a gleaming architectural and jurisprudential rebuke to apartheid’s tyranny. Its rulings on socio-economic rights, dignity, and equality promised a rupture from a past where the state — the colonial and apartheid corpus — stood irrevocably alienated from, and hostile to, the Black majority; the demos. However, the very foundation supporting this beacon exposes a troubling continuity: its heavy reliance on private, mostly foreign funding, routed through the Constitutional Court Trust (CCT). Although originating from post-1994 necessity and cloaked in noble intent, this private funding model acts as a sophisticated agent of recolonisation. The model sustains “assisted justice” and promotes “directed justice,” favouring elite and external interests while systematically excluding the Black majority from genuine control of…

Despite disagreements displayed publicly at the start of the National Dialogue's first national convention, President Cyril Ramaphosa appeared hopeful that the gathering would achieve its objectives. Ramaphosa officially opened the convention at the University of South Africa's (Unisa's) main campus in Pretoria on Friday. At the start of proceedings, organisers, some of whom are members of the preparatory committee, remonstrated on the main stage shortly after Unisa vice-chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula delivered her welcoming address. Instead of Ramaphosa delivering the keynote speech, a panel discussion on challenges facing South Africans, such as joblessness and the importance of solid leadership, among others, was held. When he finally spoke, Ramaphosa said he undertook to lower the costs of the National Dialogue from R740 million. "We can have this dialogue much cheaper; much…

People with disabilities on Saturday complained bitterly about being ignored and not fully represented at the first national convention of the National Dialogue at the University of SA’s main campus in Pretoria. Members of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Presidential Working Group on Disability expressed their unhappiness about the exclusion of representatives of the sector from gathering. In letter read during the plenary, the working group stated that while it commended the vision behind the dialogue to foster unity, social cohesion and a renewed social compact, it was disheartened that voices from the disability sector appear to have been excluded from the process. “We, the members of the Presidential Working Group on Disability, write to express our deep concerns regarding the lack of meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities in the planning…

IN what can be described as a scathing condemnation of what it has described as “deplorable, racist utterances”, ActionSA this week welcomed the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) confirmation to investigate Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie’s inflammatory social media posts — with a prima facie finding that his remarks violate South Africa’s equality laws. The party lodged a formal complaint after McKenzie allegedly used “hateful slurs from the apartheid era” and other “offensive references that served to degrade and dehumanise black South Africans”. Now, with the SAHRC’s preliminary ruling backing their claims, ActionSA is demanding immediate consequences. Alan Beesley, ActionSA Member of Parliament, minced no words: “We maintain that South Africa cannot have a sitting Cabinet Minister who holds such views, whether past or present, without being held…

After sealing Gaza off from international reporters and blocking the world’s eyes from its genocide, Israel has moved to the next phase of its blackout strategy – hunting down Palestinian journalists inside Gaza. The goal is obvious: silence the last independent witnesses so that the genocide and starvation of an entire people proceed unseen, unrecorded and unchecked by the global community. The latest murder of two of Gaza’s most prominent TV correspondents, Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, as well as four other reporters, in a tent housing journalists outside a Gaza hospital brings the number of Palestinian media workers killed by Israel to more than 230, the highest number killed in any world conflict. This is not just in Gaza.Let us not forget Israel’s cold-blooded murder of American-Palestinian journalist Shireen…

Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to keep digging for gold as they prepare to start their latest bid for a first Premier League title since 2004 against revamped Manchester United on Sunday. Arteta's side have finished as Premier League runners-up for the last three seasons, sparking criticism of their failure to get over the line in the title race. Arsenal blew significant leads when Manchester City pipped them to the trophy in 2023 and 2024 before Liverpool left the injury-plagued north Londoners trailing in their wake last season. Arsenal's title frustrations are mounting, with fans questioning whether Arteta is the right man to end their drought after winning only the 2020 FA Cup since he took charge in December 2019. But the Gunners showed their potential last season with a…

Australia’s T20 skipper Mitchell Marsh was full of praise for seasoned player Glenn Maxwell, after he returned to his well-known best during the third and final T20I against South Africa on Saturday, sealing a 2-1 series victory. Chasing 173 for victory, Australia looked in trouble at 122/6 before the big-hitting Maxwell took charge with an unbeaten 62 off 36 balls, laced with eight fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 172.22. He held his nerve to strike the winning runs off the penultimate ball of the chase and roared in delight after conjuring up a remarkable rescue act. “Obviously, it's always nice to win the close ones in T20 cricket, and it was a little bit unorthodox, but I'm very thankful that Max got us over the line.…

Three weeks before the 2019 World Cup, the Springboks’ preparations received a jolt when attack coach Swys de Bruin resigned from the management team. The popular coach cited personal reasons that he later disclosed to be stress-related. De Bruin withdrew from coaching for some time and worked as a television analyst, but a year later, he was tempted into a return to coaching when he was offered the different challenge of heading the Springbok Women’s team. It has been a marriage made in heaven — if that is the correct terminology — with De Bruin loving his new lease on life and the Bok Women improving hugely over the last 12 months. De Bruin, speaking hours before taking his team to the Women’s World Cup in England, was honest about…

Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi is eager to see football grow—not only for his own side but across the entire KwaZulu-Natal province. Returning to the place where much of his success began, Mngqithi will lead Arrows into his first full season since rejoining the club in the middle of the last campaign after a lengthy spell with Mamelodi Sundowns, where he served as both assistant and head coach. With two matches played already this season, the 54-year-old managed to bounce back from a disappointing 3-1 opening loss to Siwelele FC with a hard-fought 1-0 KZN derby win over Richards Bay on Wednesday. Another derby awaits when league action resumes after the MTN8 break this weekend, with Abafana Bes’thende set to face a Gavin Hunt-led Durban City. As things stand, City…

Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki oozes confidence that his side can still qualify for the CHAN quarter-finals, despite their mixed performances in the group stage so far. Bafana will face Uganda in their final Group C match at the Mandela National Stadium in Uganda tomorrow afternoon (6pm kick-off). Ntseki’s men are second in the group with five points – one behind the Cranes – after drawing with Algeria, beating Equatorial Guinea, and drawing with Niger. With the top three teams in the group – Uganda, Algeria, and Bafana – all playing their final matches tomorrow, qualification for the next round will be decided then. Ntseki made a bold claim before the Niger game that their fate was in their own hands – a sentiment he still holds despite dropping points.…