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DHL Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok has made his former team rue the day they let him go, but in-form Vodacom Bulls counterpart Johan Goosen is primed and ready to erase that memory when the teams clash in Cape Town on Saturday. After four challenging seasons at Loftus Versfeld, Libbok failed to launch in a short …
Western Province Professional Rugby and Windhoek Draught Griquas/Griqualand-West Rugby Union have signed a strategic player development agreement that harnesses the combined capabilities of WP Rugby and GWR to cultivate talent and establish progression pathways for players. The agreement enables Windhoek Draught Griquas players to ultimately represent the DHL Stormers and also introduces a player loan …
RugbyPassTV, the world’s home of rugby content online, is shining a light on the world of wheelchair rugby from 19 December with the release of a new feature length, all access documentary “Hit Hard”. The film follows the fortunes of Australia, the USA and France in their quest for glory at the International Wheelchair Rugby …
Three weekends of local Vodacom United Rugby Championship derbies will add to the festive cheer for South Africa’s rugby faithful, with all four participating teams in action over the holiday season. The DHL Stormers will host the Vodacom Bulls in Cape Town on Saturday, 23 December, with the Hollywoodbets Sharks travelling to Cape Town a …
Club stalwart, centurion and co-captain Grant Gilchrist has put pen-to-paper on a new deal, keeping him in the capital until at least June 2025. The one-club man – now in his 13th season with Edinburgh Rugby – was named co-captain alongside Ben Vellacott at the start of the new campaign, his fifth year in a …
MAKHANDA: Last year’s unofficial champions of the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Khaya Majola Week, Western Province, is out of the race...
Scottish Rugby’s Performance Director Jim Mallinder has decided to step down from his role in June 2024. Appointed from the RFU in August 2019 Mallinder has overseen a rise in world rankings for both Scotland’s national teams and a strategic focus on investment for Scotland’s two professional teams in Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors. Following …
Edinburgh Rugby today announced its first-ever women’s squad for the upcoming Celtic Challenge. Newly announced Head Coach Claire Cruikshank confirmed the final 30-player group, which is set for its first match as part of an intercity double header – facing Glasgow Warriors at Hive Stadium a week on Saturday (30 December, kick-off 12 noon), before …
There were mixed fortunes for South Africa’s sides in the European competitions over the weekend as the DHL Stormers snatched a valuable home win, while the Vodacom Bulls went down in a heart-breaker in France in the Investec Champions Cup, but there were smiles for the Toyota Cheetahs and Emirates Lions in the EPCR Challenge …
World Rugby has today confirmed the rugby sevens repechage tournament for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will take place in Monaco on 21-23 June, 2024. The prestigious event returns to Stade Louis II, which also hosted final qualification events prior to the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The World Rugby Sevens Repechage represents …
Scottish Rugby’s Chief Medical Officer Dr James Robson MBE is to retire after more than 30 years working in the sport. Dr James will conclude his time with Scottish Rugby at the end of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations. Scottish Rugby will now begin a recruitment process to separately appoint a new Chief Medical Officer …
The Red Disa consortium’s equity deal in securing a controlling shareholding in WP Professional Rugby (Pty Ltd) was this week approved by the South African Competition Commission. DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson delighted in the news, saying: “It felt like Christmas had come early for the players, management, coaches and supporters of rugby in …
Reconciliation is a commitment to creating a united society, says President
President Cyril Ramaphosa says reconciliation is a commitment to creating a society where everyone is valued, where diversity is celebrated and where the scars of the past are transformed into stepping stones towards a brighter and more compassionate future.
“As we mark Reconciliation Day, we are reminded of just how extraordinary our experience was,” President Ramaphosa said.
Speaking at the National Day of Reconciliation at the Thohoyandou Stadium in Limpopo on Saturday, President Ramaphosa said reconciliation is not an act of forgetting or ignoring the wounds of the past.
“Instead, it is a courageous and intentional effort to confront our history, to learn from it and to build bridges of understanding across the chasms of misunderstanding and mistrust,” the President said.
This year the Reconciliation Month is being commemorated under the theme: “Strengthening unity and social cohesion in a healing nation”.
President Ramaphosa said many believed it was not possible for the former oppressor and the oppressed to make peace and reconcile and they did so.
“Our national days, our flag, the national anthem and our national symbols stand as testament to a new, unique nation that emerged from a difficult and bitter past. These are no mere symbols or gestures. They serve as important reminders of what we have been able to build within a relatively short period of time.
“Our democracy will soon be 30 years old. Some of the world’s oldest democracies are still grappling with racial and ethnic tensions among their people,” the President said.
He said South Africa, despite its many challenges, has not slid into the morass of bigotry, racism and tribalism that is prevalent many other societies.
“This year we bore witness to the power of reconciliation when our national rugby team the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup in France.
“To have seen so many South Africans of all races and all ages rallying behind the team, showing their support so passionately and joining in the victory celebrations reminded us that, despite our many challenges, we are a united nation, proud of who we are and proud of how far we have come.
“The proud and resilient South African spirit has carried us through the many difficulties of the past and it will continue to do so well into the future.
“We came together and rallied behind the national effort to contain COVID-19. We all played our part to keep ourselves and others safe,” President Ramaphosa said.
South Africans must confront the uncomfortable truths, learn from them and work together to create a society where everyone can thrive, regardless of their background or identity.
“Inequality is the greatest challenge to meaningful and lasting reconciliation in our country. Central to the advancement of reconciliation must therefore be a concerted effort to end poverty and unemployment and meaningfully reduce inequality.
“We have undertaken a massive redistribution of resources towards mainly black South Africans through the provision of basic services, subsidised housing, improved education and health care, and social grants,” the President said.
The National Day of Reconciliation aims to promote national unity, social cohesion, constitutional democracy, human rights, and equality by highlighting and advancing the constitutional values and principles that bind together all South Africans.
The day also serves as a call to action to individuals to take responsibility to fight racism, discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
In 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law three pieces of legislation to strengthen the criminal justice system, promote accountability across the state and support survivors of various forms of abuse or infringements of rights. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sat, 12/16/2023 - 13:25
Celebrating South Africa's sports stars
South Africans will celebrate South Africa’s sports achievements and the Springboks World Cup victory on Friday, after President Cyril Ramaphosa declared 15 December a public holiday.
The Boks clinched a hard fought and historic victory during a tough encounter against New Zealand in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final held in Paris in October.
The Boks are the only national team who have won the Rugby World Cup four times.
In an address to nation shortly after the win and following public calls for a public holiday to celebrate the victory and sports achievements in true South African style, President Ramaphosa said the holiday would only be held after the matric final exams.
“In celebration of the Springboks’ momentous achievement and the achievements of all our other sports men and women, and as a tribute to the resolve of our united nation, I am declaring Friday the 15th of December 2023 as a public holiday.
“We declare this to be a day of hope, a day of celebration and unity. Our sports men and women have shown us what is possible. We will succeed and we will ensure that we leave no one behind,” President Ramaphosa said.
The year 2023 has been a glittering year for South African sports and its stars. Notable achievements include:
Earlier this week in his newsletter to the nation, the President urged South Africans to come together to “remind ourselves of everything that we love about South Africa”.
The President called on South Africans to mark a special public holiday to celebrate the historic victory of the Springboks in the Rugby World Cup.
“Their victory, alongside many other achievements by South Africans on the global stage, is a reminder of our country’s tremendous strengths and the promise that it holds.
“Let us come together on Friday to remind ourselves of everything that we love about South Africa. Let it be a day of hope, celebration and unity. I wish all South Africans a safe, peaceful and restful festive season as we all prepare for a successful new year,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 12/14/2023 - 11:50
Sport for change
With the holiday period almost in full swing, many of us can’t wait to see the back of the office in exchange for time to unwind with family and friends, after all it has indeed been an exhausting year for most.
I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling that the years after the horrible chapter of the COVID-19 pandemic have been difficult. Oddly, at times it felt as if two years had been crammed into a single calendar year.
Despite the doom and gloom of all our varying individual circumstances, South Africa’s sporting men and women this year gave us the ray of sunshine we all needed.
They not only brought smiles to our faces, but they gave much-needed hope and pride to the nation.
Think of the wonderful performance of Banyana Banyana who made history becoming the first senior South African football team to qualify for the knockout round of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. While not reaching the finals, the SPAR Proteas team made the country proud in their performance at the Netball World Cup that South Africa hosted in July and early August.
To add to the magic made on the sporting field, the men’s national cricket team, the Proteas, made the country proud at the 2023 Cricket World Cup reaching the semi-finals of the tournament in November.
This as the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis trophy for a record fourth time since South Africa became a democracy in 1994. Their win at the Rugby World Cup in France and the performance of the other sporting codes did much for the mood of a country bedevilled by various challenges such as unemployment, gender-based violence and corruption.
We even glossed over the stress associated with being a sports fan. I mean what is a little bit of yelling at the television in frustration because the team wouldn’t listen to our armchair advice or walking away from it without watching the match to the end because it’s just too stressful?
South Africans also withstood the dreaded bouts of load shedding that led to the missing of matches if one did not make alternative arrangements to catch the game somewhere else.
We have since put all that behind us. After all, we all know that being a fan of any sporting code is not always easy!
Sport supporters and part-time supporters who got caught up in the fever pitch of it all supported our teams. We are not called a sporting nation for nothing.
South Africans rallied behind their national teams so much so that President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the 15th of December 2023 as a public holiday in celebration of the Springboks’ momentous achievement.
And yes, I completely understand that for some, social cohesion is an airy-fairy concept or government initiative that bears no weight in everyday-life situations where racism and inequality are very much part of life in Mzansi.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture defines social cohesion as “the degree of social integration and inclusion in communities and society at large, and the extent to which mutual solidarity finds expression itself among individuals and communities”.
In President Cyril Ramaphosa’s words the Boks’ win has “united South African people.” I mean who can forget the viral clip of Springboks winger Makazole Mapimpi being cheered on by customers and store staff whilst out grocery shopping, and Eben ‘Elizabedi’ Etzebeth and RG Snyman dancing with South African fans near the Eiffel Tower in Paris?
The win showed that while challenges remain, the country has come a long way in its journey of democracy that involved the transformation of a country that only worked for a minority to a country that embraces all of her people.
The victories on the sporting field have a far greater meaning for South Africans. These victories result in disadvantaged little ones and teenagers seeing themselves reaching and even exceeding the heights reached by the sporting heroes.
Sport is more than just sport; it unites us; it inspires us; gives us hope - and is often a ticket to a better life.
And while we all scoffed at the President for making the holiday only in December because we all needed one sooner rather than later, the time has finally arrived.
As a loyal sports fan, you have earned it, now enjoy it! -SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Thu, 12/14/2023 - 12:11
Two groups of 23 players have been invited to attend Under-20 alignment camps in Stellenbosch and Pretoria in January to kickstart the preparations for the SA Rugby Academy and Junior Springbok season. The first camp, which includes Vodacom Bulls, Toyota Cheetahs, Sharks, and DHL Western Province players, will be hosted at the Stellenbosch Academy of …
On 13 December, Chery South Africa and Lions Rugby Company once again picked up the charity ball and drove over the try line, when they handed out gifts to children with life threatening illnesses at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital’s children’s ward. This beautiful effort by the two iconic South African brands, one from the …
The South African teams will be targeting another strong weekend of action in round two of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup after starting the respective competitions with an impressive win record of four out of five last week. Both Investec Champions Cup teams will be in action on Saturday with the DHL …
Strengthening unity and social cohesion in a healing nation
By Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa
Following the record-breaking fourth Rugby World Cup title win by the Springboks, South Africa’s national men’s rugby team, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared 15 December 2023 a public holiday to celebrate the team’s momentous achievement. It is fitting that this celebratory holiday occurs during Reconciliation Month and a day before Reconciliation Day, which is dedicated to fostering reconciliation and strengthen unity in the country.
The theme for 2023 Reconciliation Month is “Strengthening Unity and Social Cohesion in a Healing Nation”. This theme acknowledges South Africa’s continuing journey of healing from past injustices and overcoming current challenges. The theme also underscores the important role of Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in fostering national unity and social cohesion. South Africa’s creatives, cultural practitioners, and athletes play an important role in uniting the country and sharing with the world the essence of South Africa as a country that values unity and social cohesion. This has been clear to see in 2023, in what has been a significant year for South African sport, arts and culture.
The year began with the Proteas Women’s national cricket team reaching the Women’s Cricket T20 World Cup for the first time on home soil and has been heightened by the Springboks’ record-breaking Rugby World Cup victory. South Africa has also hosted several mega-events such as the Netball World Cup and the World Rowing Regatta. Also, Banyana Banyana made the country proud by reaching the FIFA Women’s World Cup Round of 16, the first time a senior South African national football team – men or women – progressed from the FIFA World Cup group stages. The Proteas Men’s national cricket also made the nation proud by reaching the semifinals of the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
It has also been an eventful year on the creative and artistic front. South African amputee dancer, Musa Motha brought judges and crowds to tears with breakthrough performances in the Britain's Got Talent competition. Opera singer Pretty Yende continued to raise the country’s flag high on the world’s operatic stages and performed at the coronation of the United Kingdom’s King Charles III. South Africa’s Amapiano musicians have taken the genre to even greater heights internationally. Musicians Zakes Bantwini, Wouter Kellerman and Nomcebo Zikode won a Grammy Award this year, while Trevor Noah, Tyla, Just 6 and Musa Keys all received nominations for the 2024 Grammy Awards. Grammy Award-winning DJ and producer Black Coffee also made history when he performed at Madison Square Gardens in New York, becoming the first South African DJ or producer to achieve such a feat. Dr John Kani, who has received countless awards, was the fifth recipient of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s Van Toeka Af Living Legends series, and received further recognition internationally this year.
South Africa’s creative artists and athletes inspire and unite communities, giving expression to a winning nation. We have seen this in the way creative artists incorporate the country’s diverse cultures in their craft, and how South Africans and international audiences embrace and celebrate our diverse culture and creative talent. Our athletes also inspire unity with their excellence and unity. The most vivid example is that of the Springboks, who not only show how far South African sport has come in being representative of the country’s diverse population, but also enjoy great support across all backgrounds and generations in the country.
Government has been working hard to deepen the role of sport, arts, and culture to build national unity and to foster social cohesion in communities. One of the priorities has been to develop sport at grassroots level through the building of multipurpose sports facilities in rural and township schools and staging summer and winter school sport festivals. This year, we also convened a national school sport indaba to unify country’s school sport sector and establish a blueprint for school sport. Our community art centres also provide a space for communities to practice and showcase their creative art talent.
As we mark Reconciliation Month, let us continue to remember how far we have come as a country to unite in our rich diversity. Let us continue to use sport and the creative sector to strengthen unity and social cohesion. I call on all sport federations, clubs, and community art centres to take sports and the arts to communities.
The late former President Nelson Mandela said that sport unites people in ways little else can. Madiba would be proud to see the impact of sport and arts in building unity in the country. As South Africa continues its healing journey, let us use sport and the creative arts to help us on this journey to build the united and cohesive South Africa we desire. This momentum is especially important as we enter 30 years since the dawn of South Africa’s democracy.
*This message was first published in Public Sector Manager magazine: https://www.gcis.gov.za/content/resource_centre/news_and_mags/public_sector_magazine
Janine
Thu, 12/14/2023 - 11:28
Jonathan Thomas has left the Wales coaching team to seek new and different opportunities in rugby after his contract has reached its natural end. Thomas joined Warren Gatland’s coaching team when he took over at the helm in 2023 as a contact area coach and leaves the role on positive terms. “I have decided to …
Scotland international centre James Lang has penned a new two-year deal with Edinburgh Rugby. Lang, 28 – now in his third season in the Scottish capital – has been an impressive and consistent performer since joining from Harlequins ahead of the 2021/22 season, scoring two tries in 42 appearances. Lang – capped six times by …
Seeds for a better 2024 have been sown – President Ramaphosa
Although South Africa continues to face challenges from various quarters, the ground work for a better 2024 has been laid.
This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who addressed the nation through his weekly newsletter.
The President acknowledged that 2023 has been a testing year for the country – with intense load shedding, Transnet’s challenges and a sluggish economy being just some of the worst challenges faced.
“Our economy has been weighed down by international events, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and instability in the global economy. Like many across the world, South Africans have faced a substantial rise in the cost of our living. Our post-COVID recovery has been held back by continuing load shedding and inefficiency at our ports and railways.
“Yet, even in these circumstances, companies have continued to invest in our economy. At the fifth South Africa Investment Conference earlier this year, we surpassed our target for new investment commitments over five years. Our economy has grown, albeit too slowly and far below its potential. The number of people in employment has returned to pre-COVID levels, but jobs are still not being created fast enough to reduce levels of our unemployment,” he said.
President Ramaphosa conceded that the electricity crisis is “currently the main threat to our country’s progress”.
However, the work of the Energy Action Plan – launched in July 2022 – is beginning to show results, “giving us greater confidence that we will bring load shedding to an end”.
“While we experienced some of the worst load shedding ever in the first few months of the year, there has been a measurable and steady decline in the severity of load shedding over the last few months.
“Although electricity supply is still not stable, as we experienced in the last few weeks, the overall trend is towards less severe load shedding. Damaged units at the Kusile power station have been returned to service ahead of schedule and plant maintenance has received close attention.
“What gives us hope for even further improvements is the progress that has been made in bringing new electricity generation online. Regulatory reforms we have initiated have enabled a massive increase in private investment in electricity generation, with over 12 000 MW of confirmed projects in development. Following the introduction of tax incentives and financing mechanisms, the amount of installed rooftop solar has more than doubled to over 4 500 MW in the last year,” he said.
Tackling challenges
President Ramaphosa listed several interventions and measures that have been taken to address the country’s challenges including:
On employment, President Ramaphosa said the Presidential Employment Stimulus has created work and livelihood opportunities for some 1.2 million people.
He added that breakthroughs have been made in combatting crime with governance improvements also recorded.
“The SAPS’ economic infrastructure task teams have made important breakthroughs and arrests for illegal mining, cash-in-transit hikes, cable theft, drug smuggling and similar crimes. We have recruited and trained thousands of new police personnel to further strengthen the fight against crime.
“We are implementing legislation to build a more professional, ethical and capable public service. There has been important progress in other areas, including towards the introduction of a National Health Insurance to ensure greater equity in the provision of health care,” he said.
The President said that while “times are still tough” much progress has been made but there is “still some way to go”.
“What is most important is that we have done much of the ground work needed to put our economy on a path of faster growth and job creation. By working together, by staying the course, we have used the last year to lay the basis for a better 2024.
“On Friday this week, we will mark a special public holiday to celebrate the historic victory of the Springboks in the Rugby World Cup. Their victory, alongside many other achievements by South Africans on the global stage, is a reminder of our country’s tremendous strengths and the promise that it holds.
“Let us come together on Friday to remind ourselves of everything that we love about South Africa. Let it be a day of hope, celebration and unity. I wish all South Africans a safe, peaceful and restful festive season as we all prepare for a successful new year,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Tue, 12/12/2023 - 11:14
PROTEC, a national NPO that has been building successful STEM careers in South Africa since 1982, is closing the year with exciting plans and strategies for expanding the geographic reach, the number of teachers and learners to be impacted, and the range of programmes in PROTEC’s portfolio in forthcoming years. Balan Moodley, CEO of PROTEC, …
Three of the most talented young Scottish Rugby players in the men’s game have been given the opportunity of a lifetime to follow in the footsteps of internationalists and embark on a playing experience in South Africa early next year. Ben White, Joss Arnold and Jack Craig have been awarded the coveted John Macphail Rugby …