The president of the South African Football Association, Dr. Danny Jordaan, has commended the national under-17 team for its historic performance at the FIFA World Cup. The squad, known as Amajimbos, advanced to the tournament's knockout stage for the first time by finishing second in its group.
Coach Vela Khumalo's team earned four points in the group phase, which included an inaugural victory in its opening match. Jordaan praised the team's quality and growth, noting that international observers had been impressed with its style of play. He highlighted the importance of structured youth development programs in achieving this success, while also acknowledging the developmental gap between South African players and their European...
Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari is recuperating after a successful shoulder operation. The 26-year-old Rwandan international, who sustained the injury during a national team match, is expected to be sidelined for approximately two months.
The surgery addresses an injury he suffered while playing for Rwanda in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Ntwari, his country's primary goalkeeper, will now begin a rehabilitation program supervised by the club's medical staff. His absence presents a challenge for Kaizer Chiefs, where he has been a consistent starter this season.
The club confirmed the procedure was successful and anticipates his full recovery. Supporters and teammates have expressed their wishes for his swift return to the...
Helman Mkhalele, an assistant coach for the South African national football team, has enrolled in a program to obtain his CAF A Coaching Licence. The Orlando Pirates legend is taking this step alongside former international teammate David Nyathi and ex-striker Mpho Maleka. The course will be held in Maseru, Lesotho.
This qualification would make Mkhalele eligible to assume the head coach position for Bafana Bafana, a role for which his current credentials are insufficient. His pursuit of the license follows direct encouragement from the incumbent manager, Hugo Broos, whose contract concludes after the upcoming World Cup. The move is seen as strengthening Mkhalele's position as a potential successor.
The CAF A Licence is the highest...
Orlando Pirates midfielder Mbekezeli Mbokazi has earned the club's Goal of the Month honor for October. The 22-year-old won the fan-voted award for his decisive strike in a Carling Knockout Cup match against Siwelele FC. His powerful shot broke a deadlock and secured his team's advancement to the tournament's quarter-finals.
The accolade underscores Mbokazi's increasing influence at the club, where his creative play and versatility have been noted. The player, who is also a member of the South African national team, is considered a key figure for the Buccaneers.
The winning goal was selected from a shortlist of contenders in a poll sponsored by Suzuki. Supporters celebrated the announcement on social media, with many highlighting the...
The National Director of Public Prosecutions, Shamila Batohi, has declared that the National Prosecuting Authority will not tolerate criminal conduct within its own ranks. Appearing before a parliamentary committee, Batohi stated she would formally request that the national police commissioner provide the names of any prosecutors allegedly involved in wrongdoing. This follows public allegations from a provincial police commissioner that some prosecutors have assisted criminal groups.
Batohi confirmed that one prosecutor linked to organized crime has already been suspended. She defended her refusal to publicly identify this individual during the hearing, explaining that such a disclosure could compromise an ongoing investigation. She...
The first national survey on early-grade reading in South Africa has revealed that a majority of children in the first three grades of school cannot read properly. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced the Funda Uphumelele National Survey results, which indicate that seventy percent of learners are unable to recognize letters or read words with sufficient speed for comprehension.
The study found that pupils taught in their home languages significantly outperform those who are not. Minister Gwarube emphasized that African languages are a vital asset for literacy development, not a barrier to learning. She called for a greater focus on mother-tongue instruction to address the crisis.
The survey, a six-year initiative...
A private citizen, Stuart James Scharnick, has initiated criminal complaints against Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo. Scharnick accuses the senior police official of committing perjury and defaming his character during testimony at the Madlanga Commission.
The legal action, registered at a Pretoria police station, directly challenges Khumalo's commission statements regarding Scharnick's alleged criminal record and his association with a suspended deputy police commissioner. Scharnick firmly denies these assertions.
This development introduces a new legal dimension to the ongoing commission investigating police corruption. The case could potentially affect the proceedings by scrutinizing the accuracy of...
The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has appointed Dr. Mugwena Maluleke as the interim chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme board. This follows the resignation of the former chairperson, Dr. Karen Stander, who reportedly cited a difficult governance environment. The ministry stated that the board continues to function normally despite the leadership change.
Dr. Maluleke, who currently serves as the general secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers' Union, is expected to provide stability during this transitional period. Minister Manamela is simultaneously pursuing a court application to regularize the board's appointment process. The ministry has reassured students that the scheme's...
A retired deputy chief from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department has testified that Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi promoted himself to acting chief and made dozens of irregular appointments. Revo Spies told the Madlanga Commission that Mkhwanazi subsequently obstructed a criminal vetting process, preventing the screening of his specialized unit.
Spies stated that a prior audit of officers revealed hundreds with criminal records or pending trials, including for serious charges like murder. He alleged that the unit under Mkhwanazi's command was involved in activities including murder, kidnapping, and extortion, creating a climate of fear and factionalism within the police service. These claims contributed to Mkhwanazi's immediate...
