Starの 2025-06-13 の目次

PIC, IDC, and DBSA have collectively invested R656 million into the SA Hydrogen Fund (SA-H2), also known as CI3 South Africa South Africa’s plans to accelerate the development of green hydrogen have received a major boost with several initiatives announced on Thurdsay, highlighting the country's commitment to renewable energy. The Public Investment Corporation (PIC), the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC), and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) have collectively invested R656 million into the South African Hydrogen Fund (SA-H2), also known as CI3 South Africa. This fund is pivotal in advancing the country's just energy transition (JET) and reinforcing its status as a global leader in green hydrogen. As part of this intensification of green energy initiatives, the IDC has joined forces with Germany’s KfW Development…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana did not equivocate in this year’s third iteration of the national Budget Speech: government intends to channel long-term domestic savings – particularly pension funds – towards the country’s infrastructure and industrial development priorities. “We are also exploring alternative financing instruments,” he said, “to allow pension funds, commercial banks, development banks and international financial institutions to participate in financing our infrastructure plans.” The idea is not new. Proposals to more actively direct retirement savings into public interest sectors have circulated since the ANC’s 2017 policy conference, where the party raised the possibility of ‘prescribed assets’ to mobilise funding for social infrastructure. With the introduction of the two-pot retirement system, South Africa’s R5.8 trillion pension fund industry, spanning 4 904 registered funds, is well positioned to play an…

The battle for the scrapping of "race laws" in South Africa went a notch up on Thursday as the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) shot down a call to review and drop South Africa's Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policy. This comes as trade union Solidarity and the Free Market Foundation (FMF) on Thursday released a report claiming that B-BBEE has caused serious damage to the country’s economy and to its population while only enriching a small, politically-connected elite. The report draws on data from the B-BBEE Commission, Stats SA, the JSE, and international comparisons to assess the real costs of compliance across the key BEE scorecard elements: ownership, skills development, enterprise and supplier development, management control, and socio-economic development. According to the report, the annual cost of…

Chronos Capital, an early backer of emerging market unicorns Tyme Group and Optasia, is looking to invest in companies deploying artificial intelligence in healthcare as it seeks to capitalise on a technology that’s expected to transform the medical industry. “AI in healthcare is going to have the biggest impact on humanity,” Roger Grobler, a partner at the investment firm said in an interview. “AI in healthcare is probably where fintech in financial services was 30 years ago. All the upside is still to be made.” AI is developed by processing and learning from vast swathes of data, which in healthcare, for example, may enable it summarise and recognise patterns in records, interpret test results and diagnose illnesses. Its potential to address inefficiencies in the global health-care industry, lower costs and…

The stage has been set for an emotionally-charged thrill ride with the release of the trailer for the explosive new local series, Marked. The highly anticipated Netflix drama, which is set to released next month, showcases how desperation can push ordinary people to cross ethical boundaries, all in the name of love and survival. The 6-part series which is produced by Quizzical Pictures, follows the journey of a mother, Babalwa, played by Lerato Mvelase. She’s a dedicated cash-in-transit security guard whose world spirals into chaos after receiving devastating news about her daughter, Palesa played by Blood and Water star, Ama Qamata. The plot thickens when Palesa’s life-threatening illness worsens, and Babalwa finds herself battling against time and a system that leaves little room for hope. As a law-abiding citizen and…

What began as a heartfelt tribute to a fallen friend has turned into a national conversation about grief, boundaries, and respect. Actor Warren Masemola’s emotionally raw speech at the memorial service for fellow actor Presley Chweneyagae has sparked debate over what should – and should not – be said at funerals. Held at the Akasia Community Hall in Pretoria, the service was a sombre farewell to Chweneyagae, beloved for his breakout role in the Oscar-winning film Tsotsi. Friends, family, and industry colleagues gathered to honour the life of the 40-year-old actor, who died last week following a short illness. But Masemola’s speech quickly took centre stage – and not for the reasons many expected. “Presley and I fought a lot,” Masemola told the crowd. “We fought about love, money, families,…

Rescue teams raced yesterday to find possible survivors after heavy rain flooded parts of the Eastern Cape earlier in the week as the death toll rose to 57. Torrential rains and freezing temperatures struck on Monday, causing major flooding and landslides that submerged houses. The severe weather also lashed parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Images on local media showed homes completely under water and rescuers wading through the mud. Power and water supplies have been affected and hundreds have been forced to relocate. “As the water subsides, more bodies are being discovered,” said Caroline Gallant, Eastern Cape manager at the South African Red Cross Society, which has sent assistance to the disaster zone. More than 3 000 houses have been affected, she told AFP, adding it was “the worst ever disaster” recorded…

Hands of Hope is a development project aimed at breaking the cycle of crime by providing ex-offenders with skills training and employment opportunities after their release from Pollsmoor Prison. The project was founded in 2012 by Hansie Elcock, who volunteered to teach women how to make banners. However, she soon recognised the greater need for sustainable, skills-based employment to help reduce recidivism. Hands of Hope operates under Hope Prison Ministry, an internationally recognised NGO founded by Jonathan and Jenny Clayton 25 years ago. The ministry has a 22-year track record of working with Pollsmoor Prison, supporting incarcerated people, their communities, and the Department of Correctional Services – one of its goals is recidivism reduction. According to Dr Casper LÖtter, a conflict criminologist affiliated with North-West University’s School of Philosophy,…

The City of Tshwane’s council Speaker, Mcedi Ndzwanana, has hit back at the DA’s attempt to oust him through a motion of no confidence. The motion, set to be debated on June 26, accuses Ndzwanana of being delinquent in his duties and stifling debate in council. Ndzwanana yesterday dismissed the DA’s accusations as “baseless and without merit”, saying he is guided by the rules, not emotions. His party, the African Transformation Movement (ATM), has also vowed to back him, threatening court action if they have to. “My rulings in all council sittings are not based on emotions, but are guided strictly by the Rules and Orders By-law,” he said. The DA’s caucus whip, Ofentse Madzebatela, alleged that Ndzwanana makes his rulings based on emotion, rather than logic or the rules…

The odds of winning Lotto are one in 20 million, while PowerBall’s odds are one in 42 million – statistically speaking, more people are struck by lightning than win the big jackpot. And yet, the weekly allure of the possibility of a softer life, away from the daily grind to make ends meet and feed their families, sees many South Africans consider the lottery as a sound financial plan. In fact, according to a dated study commissioned by the National Lottery Commission (NLC), National Lottery Participation and Attitudes Survey, over 70% of players believe winning the lottery is their best shot at achieving financial freedom. The NLC further reports that over 80% of South African adults have played Lotto at least once, with many participating on a weekly basis. In…

Given the brunt of poverty, inequality and unemployment that young people perpetually face in this country, it is legitimate to ask what it is that we are expecting an increasingly impoverished and disenfranchised youth to celebrate this Youth Month. Are we merely paying lip service to the legacy of the class of ‘76, or are we genuinely committed to addressing the systemic challenges that young people are currently facing? As we commemorate the sacrifices of the class of ‘76, we must equally ask ourselves: What are WE celebrating? Is it merely the bravery of the past, or are we also acknowledging the failures of the present? It’s been 49 years since the brave students of 1976 stood up against the apartheid regime’s attempt to impose Afrikaans as the language…

The Townlands Social Housing Project is a significant milestone in our quest to provide affordable housing solutions within Tshwane. This initiative is not merely about constructing buildings, but it is a transformative effort aimed at creating healthier, sustainable and inclusive communities. By offering subsidised rental fees, Townlands provides a critical lifeline for individuals and families within the income band of between R1 850 and R22 000 per month, enabling them to access housing that is both affordable and conveniently located near the city centre. The importance of this project cannot be overstated. As urbanisation continues to rise, so does the demand for affordable housing in urban centres. The Townlands Social Housing Project responds directly to this need, granting residents the opportunity to live close to their places of work and…

LONDON: The entire motivation behind the World Test Championship is for the values of the five-day game to be preserved and cherished. In its purest form, that means highly-skilled bowlers and batters constantly testing each other. It is understood that without one, the other will cease to exist. Tell that to the capacity crowds that have been utterly enthralled on two consecutive days of this pulsating World Test Championship final between the Proteas and Australia that is stuck in overdrive. Fourteen wickets fell on Wednesday’s opening day, and it was perfectly matched on Thursday in the British capital. But it was the five sticks that fell between tea and drinks in 14 intoxicating overs that was spellbinding. Ridiculed from all quarters for his listless performance in the first innings, Lungi…

Proteas Women opening batter Tazmin Brits was disappointed with her team’s performance against the West Indies in Barbados on Wednesday, despite putting up a decent half-century. Brits, who opened the batting for the Proteas with captain Laura Wolvaardt, got the team off to a positive start during the first 10 overs of the game. The pair pushed toward their 50-run partnership, which came in the 11th over, but Wolvaardt lost her wicket cheaply shortly after with a run out. From there on, the Proteas batting line-up were shaky, and looked far off from the team that put over 300 runs on the board a couple months ago against Sri Lanka and India. The Proteas ended up losing Wednesday’s game by four wickets via the DLS method. One of the major…

The mining industry in South Africa continued to face bleak prospects after output plunged more than expected in April, signalling the continued sinking of the productive sectors of the economy. According to data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Thursday, mining production slipped by 7.7% year on year in April following a revised 2.5% decline in March. This April reading was more than an expected 4.3% decline and pointed to the sixth consecutive month of downturn in the country's sector. Jean-Pierre Terblanche, principal service statistician at Stats SA, said the decline was led by a fall in the production of platinum group metals (PGM) which contracted by 24.1% from a decline of 9.9% in March. “Nickel, copper, gold and coal also performed poorly in April,” Terblanche said. “On the…

The gross domestic product (GDP) figures released by Statistics South Africa also indicated that the economy grew by 0.1% in the first quarter of 2025 following a downwardly revised increase of 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2024. During a post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said the government was now working to fine-tune the country’s industrial policy. “Cabinet remains concerned about the decline in the manufacturing industry, more so when the government has prioritised boosting local manufacturing and thus awaits the finalisation of the revised Industrial Policy,” Ntshavheni said. “The government understands the impact of the challenges within freight and logistics that continues to impact the growth of the mining industry, and we are maintaining a razor-sharp focus on the work of Operation Vulindlela…

Shuka Minerals said on Thursday it had received final regulatory approval for the acquisition of Leopard Exploration and Mining (LEM), the Zambian company that owns the Kabwe Zinc Mine, marking a key step in the UK-listed firm’s African growth strategy. Shuka Minerals is a UK-based exploration and development company focused on mining opportunities across Africa. It has a secondary listing on the JSE. The approval from Zambia’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) clears the last regulatory hurdle for the 100% acquisition of LEM, first announced in December 2024. Shuka said it has also agreed terms for a £1.5 million (R37m) unsecured, non-dilutive funding facility to cover the remaining $1.35 million (R24m) cash consideration owed to LEM’s vendors. The facility is subject to final due diligence and the execution of…

It has been a busy week in the entertainment world. From lavish celebrity weddings and joyous pregnancy reveals to ongoing developments in the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial, here is your latest celeb fix. 1Ntando Duma reveals details of her wedding day After months of online speculation, the local actress and TV personality has finally shared intimate details of her wedding day. Duma tied the knot with Unarine Rambani, affectionately known as Una Rams, in 2024. Fans were given a glimpse into the couple’s love story when they shared their wedding photos this week. They recounted how, five months into dating, Una initiated the lobola process following their chance encounter at the Royal Heritage Festival. 2Jesse Kriel’s language skills leaves fans impressed In a captivating TikTok video, Springboks star Jesse Kriel…

The world has become increasingly more concerned about environmental sustainability, food security, and ethical sourcing, making lab-grown or cultivated meat a promising solution. Among the latest innovations in this space is lab-grown salmon, a product that replicates the taste, texture, and nutritional profile of traditional salmon, without the need to harvest a single fish from the ocean. Lab-grown salmon, also known as cultivated salmon, is real salmon meat produced from fish cells, rather than being caught or farmed. It involves cultivating salmon cells in a controlled environment, allowing them to grow into edible muscle tissue that can be prepared and consumed just like conventional fish. Lab-grown salmon is biologically identical to the salmon you’d buy at the seafood counter. The process of creating lab-grown salmon begins by taking a small…

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has removed its president, Vuyolwethu Zungula, and reinstated party founder and Spiritual Leader Caesar Nongqunga as party leader. While the party has framed the leadership change as a strategic reorganisation ahead of the 2026 local government and 2029 general elections, internal sources paint a more contentious picture – one marked by factionalism, resistance to political mergers, and fears over Zungula’s growing influence. Multiple insiders allege that Zungula’s ousting was less about strategy and more about silencing dissent. According to senior figures within the party, Zungula had grown increasingly vocal in opposing a full-scale merger with the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, led by President Jacob Zuma. While ATM and MK have announced plans to collaborate in future, Zungula remained adamant that the ATM must retain its…

The Cabinet has, with immediate effect, banned the import of the toxic chemical rodenticide Terbufos, commonly referred to as “halephirimi,” following its alleged link to the deaths of six children in Naledi, Soweto, last year. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced the decision during a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday. She said the ban aims to prevent future public health crises related to food contamination. The decision comes after the Cabinet reviewed a report from the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Food-Borne Illnesses, which focused on the use of organophosphate pesticides in South Africa. The IMC was advised by the Ministerial Advisory Council (MAC) on food-borne illnesses, appointed by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi. “The MAC, which comprises health experts from multiple disciplines, found that Terbufos, a highly hazardous chemical, was…

In a viral video making the rounds on social media, a South African-born woman living in the US claimed that a family of Afrikaner ‘‘refugees’’ are going without food, money, and cellphones in a hotel. “They were of the understanding that they were going to be arriving here to assistance. “People thought they were going to be arriving at a house, a job, and medical insurance. It isn’t that way at all,” the woman claimed. However, the founder of Amerikaners (an organisation that assists South Africans who want to accept the refugee offer), Sam Busa, dismissed the claims that the ‘‘refugees’’ may be in dire straits, with some allegedly living in hotels. “We expected there would be some administrative issues for the pilot group, which is exactly why the pilot…

The Red Meat Abattoir Association (RMAA) has urged stronger cooperation between the industry and government to tackle the worsening foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. It warns that traceability, biosecurity, and vaccine availability gaps could undermine the sector’s credibility and long-term growth. Speaking at the opening of the RMAA’s annual conference yesterday, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen acknowledged the seriousness of the outbreak and said the government was acting urgently. “The South African government has procured 900 000 vaccine doses from the Botswana Vaccine Institute for R42 million,” he said. “Vaccination will begin in disease management areas and feedlots, especially in Potchefstroom, where the outbreak has already disrupted economic activity.” While vaccine procurement is a short-term solution, Steenhuisen said efforts were underway through the Agricultural Research Council to develop local vaccine manufacturing capacity.…

A Beijing auction house has sold a four-foot-tall sculpture of a viral plush toy character for more than $150,000 (R2.6 million), as global demand for the Chinese-designed Labubu dolls reaches fever pitch. The rabbit-like figures sporting mischievous grins began as a character created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung and are made by Beijing-based toy brand Pop Mart. They have been endorsed by celebrities such as Rihanna and Dua Lipa, and fans have queued overnight outside stores hoping to snag one, with analysts pointing to the phenomenon as evidence of China’s growing soft power. On Tuesday, a teal sculpture depicting a Labubu character with a furry body and head fetched an eye-watering 1.08 million yuan ($150,260) at an auction held in Beijing, according to the auction house’s app. The sculpture…

South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has summoned major mobile network operators; Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom, and Rain were due to appear before it today. This oversight session is part of Parliament’s constitutional responsibility to balance government oversight with industry evaluation, especially in relation to pressing national priorities. The committee’s mandate is twofold: to oversee the MNOs’ adherence to South African legislation, policy, and regulatory frameworks, and to assess how the evolving telecommunications landscape supports investment and economic growth. As the nation grapples with various socio-political challenges and rapid technological advancements, the focus will be on drawing recommendations to foster a conducive environment for progress. During the session, the MNOs are expected to brief the committee on their progress in addressing critical challenges faced by the…

SA Canegrowers is pleased to announce the re-election of Higgins Mdluli as the chairman of the organisation, following its Annual General Meeting and board meeting held this week in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal. As a sugarcane grower in Mpumalanga, Mdluli brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to advancing the interests of the 24 000 small-scale and 1 200 large-scale growers represented by SA Canegrowers. Mdluli said: “It is an honour to be re-elected to serve as chair of the SA Canegrowers board at such a critical time for our industry. I look forward to continuing to work closely with our growers, partners, and stakeholders to build a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient sugar sector that supports rural livelihoods and drives agricultural and economic growth in South Africa.” But Mdluli also…

The Bulls will be just as desperate, if not more than their opponents Leinster, to win Saturday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) final in Dublin. Playing in their third final, director of rugby Jake White knows just how important the clash at Croke Park (6pm SA time start) will be as they look to claim a maiden URC title after failing with their two attempts in South Africa. White, at this stage of the season, was in the fortunate position of making only one forced change to his starting side on Thursday, with Springbok Marcell Coetzee taking over the No 8 jersey after the injury to Cameron Hanekom. World Cup winner Marco van Staden will start at openside flank as Coetzee makes a positional switch from the side of the scrum.…

Day two saw 14 wickets fall at Lord’s in the World Test Championship final between the Proteas and Australia. Ongama Gcwabe highlights Plays of the Day... Positive intent For a side that had vowed to take the positive approach with the bat since coach Shukri Conrad took over two years ago, recording 43/4 in 22 overs on the opening day was certainly contrary. However, when Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham took to the middle on day two, they showed positive intent, taking full advantage when opportunities came. Bavuma’s pull shot for six off Pat Cummins was the only six in the match, a feat that shows just how positive the Proteas batters were on day two. Game-changer After a poor performance with the ball on the opening day, Lungi Ngidi…

Chippa United have announced the appointment of Sinethemba Badela as their new head coach. The club expressed confidence in his abilities as he takes over from Thabo September, who parted ways with Chippa following an underwhelming 11th-place finish last season. Badela, who hails from the Eastern Cape, steps into the leadership role as a promising emerging coaching talent in South African football. He is a former Mamelodi Sundowns DStv Diski Challenge mentor, and has an eye for untapped talent. “This appointment at Chippa United marks his first appointment as a head coach in the Premier Soccer League. It is a moment of pride not just for him, but for us as a club,” Chippa United’s statement read. “We strive to be more than a club. We are a symbol of…

Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has reaffirmed that the South African red meat industry must adhere to strict traceability systems and underpinned by a relentless focus on quality, transparency, and food safety. This comes as the country continues to grapple with the outbreak of the foot-and-mouth diseases (FMD). Underlining the significance of biosecurity, the Minister pointed out that abattoirs serve as essential checkpoints for public health and animal welfare. "If there are gaps in how we operate abattoirs, whether in hygiene, record-keeping, carcass classification, or worker safety, then we expose not only our markets but our communities," Steenhuisen said at the Red Meat Abattoir Association Conference in Cape Town on Thursday. "This is why, under my leadership, the Department of Agriculture is intensifying its inspection systems, modernising legislation, and…

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has adopted a cautious stance following the recent passage of Budget 3.0, even as economists have largely welcomed the budget's provisions. On Wednesday, the budget, which outlines fiscal frameworks and revenue proposals for the 2025/26 financial year, was adopted by Parliament, marking a critical moment for South Africa’s economic management amid fiscal challenges. While Cosatu acknowledged certain important allocations, including the government's decision to retract a proposed VAT increase, which the union believed would have placed undue pressure on workers grappling with rising living costs, concerns linger over whether the budget will provide the economic stimulation required during this precarious time. “Cosatu cannot support tax hikes upon the working class and the poor, who are already highly indebted,” said the union federation…

Southern Palladium said on Thursday it had raised A$8 million (R93m) in a share placement to accelerate development of its Bengwenyama platinum group metals (PGM) project in South Africa. The company issued 16 million new shares at A$0.50 apiece, matching its last closing price on June 6 and representing a 10.5% premium to its 10-day volume-weighted average price (VWAP). No options were attached to the placement. One of the company's largest shareholders provided A$4.6m as a cornerstone investment, with the remainder backed by new and existing institutional investors. Southern Palladium said the funds would support the next phase of its Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) and staged mine development at Bengwenyama, following recent environmental approval for a Mining Right. "This strategic placement provides the group with targeted funding support at an…

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) announced on Thursday that the residential property price index (RPPI) rose by 0.4% month-on-month in January 2025. This growth underscores a broader trend, with annual national residential property price inflation recording a 5.2% increase in January 2025, slightly up from a revised 5.1% in December 2024. The RPPI aims to provide insights into the fluctuations in residential property prices across households over time, supported by primary data sourced from the Office of the Chief Registrar of Deeds. This comprehensive measure offers insights at national, provincial, and metropolitan municipality levels and highlights critical regional differences that impact property values. According to Stats SA, the primary contributors driving the national inflation rate included the Western Cape, which saw a robust inflation of 8.7%, contributing an impressive 3.3…

Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivered a firm commitment in Parliament: the new government will return the land to the people – and ensure they don’t lose it again to banks. Answering questions in the National Assembly yesterday, Mashatile said the government was determined to protect land reform beneficiaries from being trapped by commercial debt. “Our role as a new government is to return the land to the people and do it in such a way that we protect them from the commercial banks,” he said. “We don’t want a situation where they lose land again because of loans.” The questions about land ownership were asked by the DA MP, Willie Aucamp and MK Party MP, Andile Mngxitama. Mashatile also explained that most land-related funding currently comes from state institutions like…

Protests over hardline immigration tactics ignited across the US Wednesday after days of demonstrations in Los Angeles, as California prepared for a legal showdown over President Donald Trump’s deployment of the military. Over 1 000 people massed in America’s second biggest city for a sixth day of protests, with the crowd peaceful as they marched through the streets. A second night of curfew was in place as city leaders try to get a handle on the after-dark vandalism and looting that scarred a few city blocks. “I would say for the most part everything is hunky dory right here at Ground Zero,” protester Lynn Sturgis, 66, a retired school teacher, told AFP. “Our city is not at all on fire.., as our terrible leader is trying to tell you.” The…

Former Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein has been found guilty of one count of sexual assault in a closely watched retrial in New York. This verdict is being seen as an important moment for survivors of sexual violence and the ongoing fight for justice within the #MeToo movement. The jury found Weinstein guilty of a criminal sexual act in the first degree for assaulting former production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006. However, he was found not guilty on another charge involving aspiring actress Kaja Sokola. Jurors could not reach a decision on a third charge related to actress Jessica Mann, who says Weinstein raped her in a hotel room in 2013. The jury will continue to deliberate on that charge. This trial came after Weinstein’s 2020 conviction in New York…

In March 2025, the DA revealed that the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) squandered over R34 million on preliminary planning for the Tembisa Rehabilitation Facility without starting construction, leaving many young people trapped in addiction without access to proper care. Moreover, the DA highlighted the government’s decision to reduce nearly half of its inpatient drug rehabilitation capacity by withdrawing funding from five rehabilitation centres, resulting in the loss of 246 treatment beds. This has resulted in limited access to essential services and highlights the failure of Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s administration to decisively address the issue of substance abuse, despite repeated promises. The shortage of inpatient and outpatient facilities, particularly in underserved and rural communities, means many affected youths lack access to treatment, thereby perpetuating addiction and deepening the crisis.…

WHEN Lungi Ngidi burst onto the international scene, naturally, the whole country was filled with excitement. There was a young 1.93-metre-tall black African fast bowler, one who had express pace, accuracy and skill. A couple of years prior, the country had welcomed Kagiso Rabada, and with Ngidi coming onto the scene, the cricket-loving nation could already foresee the two ripping through every Test batting unit in the world. In 2018, on his Test debut, Ngidi took a six-for against India at SuperSport Park in Centurion and was the Player of the Match, an achievement that further gave the country hope of a bright future for him and the national team. A year later, he was leading the attack alongside Rabada in the ICC 2019 ODI World Cup in the United…

Orbit College will now shift their focus to Premiership outfit Cape Town City following their goalless opening encounter against Casric Stars in the Premier Soccer League promotion-relegation playoffs opener on Wednesday. The Rustenburg-based club, making their debut in the promotional playoffs after finishing second behind league winners Durban City, might feel they missed a chance to take full control of the mini-tournament. After the stalemate, they now face a challenging trip to the Mother City, where they will meet a Cape Town City side eager to begin their fight to retain top-flight status. The match is scheduled for Saturday at Cape Town Stadium, with kickoff set for 3pm. Both Orbit and Casric Stars are determined to claim the Cape side’s spot in the Premiership. Reflecting on the tight contest against…

Akker van der Merwe will celebrate his 34th birthday next Tuesday, and enjoying the moment with the United Rugby Championship trophy would be a nice touch. In fact, the word enjoyment was the theme in many of the Bulls hooker’s answers when addressing the media this week ahead of Saturday’s URC final against Leinster in Dublin. That was in stark contrast to one of his nicknames, ‘Angry Warthog’, which describes his usually aggressive, confrontational style of play. Perhaps turning 34 next week has made him a bit more philosophical, but Van der Merwe – first name Armand, and older brother of Scotland wing Duhan – stated that the Bulls must avoid getting caught up in the occasion of the ‘Grand Final’ at Croke Park. There might be over 50,000 Leinster…

Kennedy Mweene will complete a full circle in his career when he returns to the Fifa Club World Cup in the United States as Mamelodi Sundowns’ goalkeeper coach. Such is the depth that he has at his disposal, the 40-year-old is adamant that he’ll have a nice selection headache as well. Mweene was one of the goalkeepers – alongside Denis Onyango and Wayne Sandilands – who were part of the Sundowns team at the 2016 Club World Cup in Japan. He built on the experience that he garnered from that event as he played a key role in the Brazilians’ dominance of South African football. The Afcon-winning goalkeeper with Zambia hung up his gloves two seasons ago, trading standing between the sticks to being a deputy goalkeeper coach at Sundowns.…