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| PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA WELCOMES R2 BILLION CLUB MED INVESTMENT |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the opening of South Africa’s first Club Med resort, describing the more than R2 billion development as a vote of confidence in the country’s tourism industry, businesses and people. |
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Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille delivered the President’s address on his behalf at the official opening of the resort in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
The President said the development represents the largest hospitality investment in South Africa and the broader Southern African Development Community (SADC) since Sun City opened in the 1970s.
“This mega-development is a vote of confidence in South African enterprise, in the capabilities of our people and in the future of our tourism industry,” President Ramaphosa said.
He said the development was proudly South African-funded and backed by an investment consortium committed to advancing broad-based black economic empowerment.
The investment has also created employment and skills opportunities, particularly for communities surrounding the resort.
“I am encouraged to hear that during construction more than 2300 direct and indirect jobs were created.
“In addition, 600 permanent direct jobs have been created, and a further 500 indirect jobs are being supported across local suppliers and related industries,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President said 84% of employees at the Beach Resort are South Africans, while all employees at the Vikela Safari Lodge are from surrounding communities.
Tourism growth
President Ramaphosa said the opening comes at a positive time for the tourism sector, which has continued to record growth in international arrivals.
“For this calendar year until the end of July 2026, South Africa’s tourism sector continued its strong growth trajectory. The growth in international tourist arrivals between January 2026 and July 2026 to 6.5 million is phenomenal.
“This represents growth of 12.4% compared to the same period last year.
“The opening of this new jewel in the North Coast comes at the right time as the tourist industry is getting ready to welcome guests for the festive season. I am confident that the official opening of this jewel will entice more visitors to our shores,” he said.
Opportunities for local businesses
President Ramaphosa said the resort’s operations would create opportunities for small, micro and medium enterprises through demand for fresh produce, maintenance, transport and other services.
He welcomed Club Med’s efforts to partner with local businesses, noting that local procurement, fair access to supplier opportunities and partnerships with smaller tourism operators would help ensure that the benefits of the investment are more widely shared.
“That is how tourism investment can contribute to the prosperity of a nation,” he said.
The President also acknowledged the construction workers, artisans and contractors who helped bring the development to life, saying the experience gained from working on a project of this scale would benefit them in future projects.
He said employees working at the resort would also play an important role in shaping visitors’ experiences of South Africa.
“Their professionalism and hospitality will help shape how they remember our country,” he said.
Public-private partnership
President Ramaphosa said the project demonstrates the value of collaboration between government, business and communities.
He said government has a responsibility to create conditions that allow investments to succeed through reliable infrastructure, responsive public services, efficient administration and safe communities.
“Business has a responsibility to invest for the long term, develop its workforce and build meaningful relationships with the communities around it.
“When these responsibilities come together, public and private partnership becomes something people can see in their daily lives.
“People see new job opportunities, businesses growing, the youth obtaining the necessary qualifications and communities becoming partners.
“That is the kind of cooperation we must deepen across South Africa,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President emphasised the importance of protecting the natural heritage that underpins the tourism industry, including through responsible use of water and energy, reducing waste and caring for the surrounding environment.
“Responsible use of water and energy, less waste and care for the surrounding environment must remain part of the everyday work of tourism,” he said.
The President thanked Club Med and its partners for their investment in South Africa and welcomed international guests to the new resort.
“To our international guests, welcome. Enjoy this resort and take time to discover the people, places and stories beyond it,” President Ramaphosa said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| MINISTER LAMOLA REAFFIRMS SOUTH AFRICA’S COMMITMENT TO THE UN CHARTER AT UNGA81 |
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| International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola is in New York for the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), taking part in a programme of high-level diplomatic engagements during the UN High-Level Week. |
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UNGA81, taking place from 22 to 28 September 2026 under the theme Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All, provides an important platform for Member States to advance dialogue and cooperation on issues of shared global concern.
On 21 September 2026, Minister Lamola addressed a celebration of the United Nations Charter at Riverside Church in New York at the beginning of UN High-Level Week. The Minister was introduced by United States Senator and activist Bernie Sanders.
In his address, Minister Lamola reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, including the sovereign equality of nations, the right to self-determination and dialogue as a means of achieving lasting peace.
Reflecting on South Africa’s history, Minister Lamola also recalled the significance of Riverside Church in the country’s liberation struggle. He noted that former President Nelson Mandela had addressed a gathering at the church shortly after his release from prison, expressing gratitude to those who had supported the anti-apartheid struggle and calling for continued international pressure on the apartheid regime.
South Africa’s participation at UNGA81 forms part of the country’s ongoing engagement in multilateral diplomacy and its commitment to strengthening the multilateral system and the role of the UN in addressing global challenges.
– Source: DIRCO Public Diplomacy Platforms |
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| INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION MINISTER RONALD LAMOLA IS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON A WORKING VISIT AHEAD OF THE 81ST SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (UNGA81) IN NEW YORK |
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| The Minister’s programme in Washington, DC, includes engagements with US lawmakers and other key stakeholders on South Africa–US relations, economic diplomacy and broader international relations matters. On 17 September 2026, Minister Lamola paid a courtesy call on Congressman Jonathan Jackson, while on 18 September 2026, he met with US Representative Gregory Meeks of New York’s 5th Congressional District. |
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Minister Lamola also participated in the African Diaspora Forum, hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation as part of its Annual Legislative Conference. The forum brings together policymakers, legislators, advocates and other stakeholders to discuss issues affecting black communities in the United States and across the global African diaspora.
Participating in a High-Level Forum on Trade, Aid and Immigration, Minister Lamola highlighted South Africa’s position on migration and reiterated the government’s condemnation of attacks against foreign nationals. South Africa’s position is that immigration laws must be enforced by the relevant authorities and that no one should take the law into their own hands.
The Washington engagements form the first leg of the Minister’s working visit to the United States. He will subsequently travel to New York to lead South Africa’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, where South Africa will participate in discussions on key global and multilateral issues.
– Source: Public Diplomacy Platforms |
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| DEPUTY MINISTER MORAKA ADVANCES SOUTH AFRICA–SINGAPORE ENGAGEMENT THROUGH DIGITAL ECONOMY DIALOGUE |
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| Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Thandi Moraka is participating in South Africa Focus Week in Singapore (SAFWS) 2026, taking place from 21 to 26 September 2026. |
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On 22 September 2026, Deputy Minister Moraka participated in a panel discussion titled “Reimagining Singapore-Africa Partnerships in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Building Future Economics, Future Jobs and Future Talent” at Changi Business Park Central in Singapore.
Now in its fourth edition, South Africa Focus Week aims to strengthen bilateral relations between South Africa and Singapore by promoting trade and investment, tourism, cultural exchange and people-to-people connections.
The 2026 edition focuses on the digital economy, using economic and cultural diplomacy to promote innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth between the two countries.
The programme brings together businesses, investors and other stakeholders through business forums, networking opportunities, expert presentations and market briefings, highlighting opportunities for strategic partnerships between South Africa and Singapore.
Singapore’s position as a leading financial and business hub in Asia, together with South Africa’s industrial, manufacturing, services, innovation and fintech capabilities, provides opportunities to deepen economic cooperation and strengthen connections between the two markets.
– Source: DIRCO Public Diplomacy Platforms |
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| SOUTH AFRICA PUSHES FOR PERMANENT AFRICAN REPRESENTATION ON UN SECURITY COUNCIL |
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| South Africa is pushing for greater African representation on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), with the country using ongoing intergovernmental negotiations on United Nations (UN) reform to advance the African Union’s position for permanent representation. |
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This is according to South Africa’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Ambassador Mxolisi Sizo Nkosi, who spoke to SANews ahead of the start of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
Nkosi said the reform of the Security Council remains an important part of South Africa’s agenda at the 81st UN General Assembly, as Pretoria seeks to build support for the African position contained in the Ezulwini Consensus.
The Security Council currently comprises 15 members, five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.
“In terms of the steps that need to be taken to advance this agenda, we need to accelerate the debate in the UN. Currently, we have a debate. The item is on the agenda. There are what we call intergovernmental negotiations (IGN) that are taking place in the UN, and these are focused on the reform of the UN, with a specific focus on the expansion of the Security Council,” Nkosi said.
South Africa maintains that the UNSC must be expanded to make its composition more representative of the contemporary international system, particularly by addressing Africa’s absence from the permanent category.
“We firmly believe, as a country, that in line with the Ezulwini Consensus, which is the African Union position, the Security Council has to be expanded,” Nkosi told SAnews.
Africa currently has representation among the UNSC's elected members, but no permanent seat. The UN Charter provides for five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members, with the latter elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.
Nkosi said Africa’s case for a permanent role was grounded in the continent’s demographic, economic and geopolitical significance, as well as its direct stake in questions of international peace and security.
“Africa is one of the regions that are not represented in the Security Council in the permanent category. It's important that Africa should be represented in the UN. We've got a significant population of over one billion people on the African continent.
“We have a significant economy with a significant role to play in international politics. If you look at it from a security point of view, the majority of conflicts that are taking place in the world today, both intrastate and interstate, are in Africa; hence, we believe that we have to be represented,” Nkosi emphasised.
He said South Africa would continue advancing the Ezulwini Consensus through the IGN process, with the question of the form that African representation should take to be addressed once agreement on Council expansion is reached.
The Security Council has primary responsibility under the UN Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security, making its composition and decision-making structures a central issue in broader debates about UN reform. The UN says the intergovernmental negotiations on Council reform address questions, including equitable representation and an increase in membership.
South Africa’s push for reform forms part of its broader call for a multilateral system that is more representative and responsive to current global challenges.
Nkosi said the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, who is leading the South African delegation to UNGA81, will outline the country’s positions on a range of international issues during the General Debate.
He said the reform of the United Nations, along with peace and security, the global economy, climate change, artificial intelligence governance and the selection of a new UN Secretary-General, would feature in South Africa’s engagements during the high-level week.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| SOUTH AFRICA AND VIET NAM REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP |
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| Deputy Minister in The Presidency Kenny Morolong represented the South African Government at a reception marking the 81st anniversary of the Independence Day of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on 21 September 2026. |
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In his address, Deputy Minister Morolong highlighted the longstanding friendship between South Africa and Viet Nam, noting that the foundations of cooperation between the two countries date back to the 1955 Bandung Conference. Formal diplomatic relations were established on 22 December 1993.
He reflected on the significant progress made in bilateral relations, including the establishment of the Inter-Governmental Partnership Forum in 2004 and the conclusion of various bilateral agreements covering areas of mutual interest.
Deputy Minister Morolong further highlighted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State Visit to Viet Nam in October 2025, during which South Africa and Viet Nam agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership. The development has strengthened political dialogue and economic and sectoral cooperation, while providing for more structured mechanisms for engagement.
He also emphasised Viet Nam’s growing importance to South Africa’s engagement with the ASEAN region, as well as shared interests in strengthening South–South cooperation and reforming global governance through platforms such as BRICS.
Deputy Minister Morolong expressed confidence that relations between South Africa and Viet Nam would continue to deepen, to the mutual benefit of both countries and their respective regions.
– Source: www.gov.za
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| WYNBERG TEEN SELECTED FOR GLOBAL YOUTH FELLOWSHIP |
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| Wynberg Boys’ High School pupil Zac Lewis has been selected for a global youth fellowship, which he hopes will show him how young leaders across the world have tackled challenges in their own communities and give him fresh ideas to bring back home. |
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The desire to meet young people from diverse cultures has opened the door to an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for 17-year-old Zac Lewis.
During a conversation with his mother, the Wynberg Boys’ High School pupil learned about T4 Education’s new Global Youth Council fellowship, a programme designed for 16- to 18-year-olds worldwide. Now, he has been selected as its very first announced Fellow.
According to Cassandra Pillay, Communications Manager at T4 Education, the fellowship brings together youth from around the world to learn from global experts, exchange ideas, and explore ways to create public impact.
The selection process required written questions, a video submission, and an interview. Zac noted that the video gave him a chance to showcase his personality, while his involvement in the Junior City Council (JCC) demonstrated his leadership and community drive.
“What interested me was the opportunity to learn from people with completely different backgrounds from me. I also liked the idea of being able to bring what I learn back to South Africa,” Zac said.
Zac’s willingness to step outside his comfort zone has long shaped his approach to life. He is already balancing civic leadership with first-team sport, competitive boxing and music. He serves on the Junior City Council and is a first-team basketball and rugby player, competitive boxer and musician. He has earned full colours playing marimba and also plays the saxophone.
“I’ve never wanted to be a master of one thing. I’d rather try different things, even if I’m not the best at all of them, because you learn something from every experience.”
He recognises that he has been fortunate to have access to opportunities including a good school and various extracurriculars and is passionate about addressing unequal access to opportunities in South Africa, particularly in education.
“There is so much potential in South Africa. So many young people have incredible talent, ideas, and the ability to make a difference, but not everyone gets the same chance to show what they can do,” he said.
“If we could make education and other opportunities more accessible, we could unlock a huge amount of that potential.”
He hopes the fellowship will show him how young leaders elsewhere have tackled challenges in their own communities, giving him fresh ideas to bring back home.
“I’m really curious to learn about who these young people are, where they come from and what their experiences have been,” he says.
Zac is also looking forward to meeting the programme’s mentors and developing his communication and leadership skills, as he’d like to one day be in a position to be a positive influence on other people too.
Although he does not yet consider himself a role model, Zac believes people should share knowledge and experience that could help others. For him, the fellowship is ultimately about turning what he learns into action. As he puts it:
“If your words don’t hold action, then what’s the point of your words? I want to take what I learn from the Global Youth Council and actually use it to make a difference in South Africa.”
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| TABLE MOUNTAIN FEATURED ON 2026 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE COIN |
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| Table Mountain is set to take on a rather different form in 2026 — not towering over Cape Town but sitting in the palm of your hand. |
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The iconic mountain has been chosen as the centrepiece of the latest United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Series coin from France’s Monnaie de Paris, with the design also paying tribute to the extraordinary plant life of the Cape Floral Region, as News24 reported.
French engraver Joaquín Jimenez, the Monnaie de Paris’ Chief Engraver and Director of Artistic Creation, was tasked with turning one of Cape Town’s most recognisable landscapes into a piece of engraved metal. The result brings together the sheer scale of Table Mountain with the intricate world of fynbos surrounding it.
Rather than relying on colour to create depth, Jimenez uses the physical relief of the coin itself. Raised and recessed sections of metal give the mountain, vegetation and landscape different textures, allowing light to reveal details as the coin is moved.
At the front of the composition is the King Protea, one of South Africa’s most recognisable flowers. The botanical detail provides a sharp contrast to the solid form of Table Mountain behind it, placing the Cape’s plant life almost on equal footing with the landscape that has become synonymous with the city.
The choice is particularly fitting given the extraordinary biodiversity of the Cape Floral Region. UNESCO added the Cape Floral Region Protected Areas to its World Heritage List in 2004, recognising the area for its exceptional plant diversity and the ecological processes that have shaped the fynbos biome.
SANParks describes the Cape Floral Region as the smallest of the world’s six floral kingdoms, yet one of the richest. It contains around 8 200 plant species, with roughly 80% classified as fynbos, while many species are found nowhere else on Earth.
That biodiversity is an important part of what Jimenez wanted the coin to capture. The design was developed in Paris using research into the Cape’s geology and botany, despite the engraver not having visited South Africa while working on the composition.
For Jimenez, the challenge was not simply to produce a recognisable image of Table Mountain. The intention was to create something that could make people stop and look, while conveying the feeling of standing on the edge of the African continent and taking in the landscape.
There is also a more personal Cape Town experience still waiting for the engraver.
Jimenez has said that when he eventually visits the city, he wants to see the famous “tablecloth” cloud settle across the mountain and experience the scent of wild fynbos for himself.
The finished coin is therefore being positioned as more than a collector’s item. Its designers see it as a miniature reminder of a landscape whose value extends far beyond its famous skyline.
The Monnaie de Paris has listed several versions of the 2026 Table Mountain release, including a €10 silver proof coin and gold editions with face values of €250, €500 and €1,000. The €250 gold version has a limited mintage of 150 pieces and is scheduled to become available on 20 October 2026.
In the end, the coin reduces one of Cape Town’s biggest natural landmarks to just millimetres of metal, but its subject remains much larger than the object itself.
Table Mountain, the King Protea and the fynbos together tell the story of a place where geology, biodiversity and Cape Town’s identity meet, a landscape now being carried far beyond South Africa through one of the world’s oldest mints.
– Source: www.capetownetc.com |
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| FERRARI WIRE CARS: FROM THE KAROO TO THE WORLD STAGE |
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| Two handmade wire cars — intricate Ferrari replicas — have travelled thousands of kilometres from the heart of the Karoo to the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest, where they were personally presented to Scuderia Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. |
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Crafted in Philipstown by artisans from the Philipstown WireCar Foundation, the journey formed part of a Shell South Africa initiative connected to the broader Shell V-Power partnership, bringing the story of Philipstown's wire car tradition to the global Formula 1 stage.
Following the Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix on Saturday, 12 September 2026, and ahead of Heritage Day on 24 September, the story offers a powerful reminder that some of South Africa's most valuable assets are not found in boardrooms or major cities, but in communities where creativity, ingenuity and resilience continue to thrive despite significant challenges.
Philipstown lies within the Renosterberg Local Municipality, where economic opportunities remain limited and the community continues to face significant socioeconomic challenges. Yet for more than 14 years, Philipstown has nurtured a tradition of building and racing draadkars (wire cars).
Each year, children build intricate draadkars using discarded wire, scrap metal and recycled materials before racing them along a three-kilometre course through the town during the annual WireCar Grand Prix in September 2026. What began as a community activity has evolved into a source of pride, creativity and inspiration.
The success of the event led to the establishment of the Philipstown WireCar Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to using the wire car programme as a platform for education, skills development and economic opportunity within the community.
Today, the wire car has become far more than a handmade toy. It is a symbol of ingenuity, resourcefulness and the potential that exists within communities too often overlooked.
As part of the initiative, actress and humanitarian Nomzamo Mbatha was approached by Shell South Africa to embark on a mission to Philipstown to meet the wire car makers, learn about the Foundation's work and personally deliver two handcrafted wire Ferrari cars to Budapest, where they would be presented to Hamilton and Leclerc.
"At Shell, we believe extraordinary potential can be found in the most unexpected places. The Philipstown WireCar Foundation embodies creativity, resilience and innovation, values that align closely with our longstanding association with motorsport.
"Through this initiative, we wanted to help create a platform that celebrates South African talent and shares a uniquely local story with a global audience," says Monica Sithole, marketing manager at Shell South Africa.
Extraordinary things
Part of our goal is to show that extraordinary things can come from a small place like Philipstown, explains Alistair King, vice chair of the Philipstown WireCar Foundation.
"These wire cars are more than toys; they are ideas brought to life by young people with their own hands. We’ve made Philipstown the Wire Car capital of the world, and now we want to build on that by giving our young people access to computers and practical digital skills that can open doors to their future."
For Nomzamo Mbatha, the experience underlined the importance of creating pathways for local stories to reach international audiences.
"I was simply the bridge," she reflected following the handover.
Those words perhaps best capture the significance of the moment. The world did not create Philipstown's talent. It simply had the opportunity to see it.
Creating meaningful impact through partnership
While the presentation of the wire cars on the Formula 1 stage created a memorable moment, the deeper purpose of the activation was to highlight the work of the Philipstown WireCar Foundation and the role heritage, creativity and skills development can play in community upliftment.
By bringing international visibility to the Foundation and its artisans, Shell South Africa sought to help create awareness for a programme that continues to empower young people through practical skills, creativity and entrepreneurship.
– Source: www.bizcommunity.com |
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| CAPE TOWN’S PINK LADY RANKS IN 50 BEST HOTELS FOR 2026 |
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| The Mount Nelson Hotel lands 34th place in a global ranking of the 50 best hotels for this year, and a South African-born hotelier claims a special award. |
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The Mount Nelson – affectionately called Cape Town’s Pink Lady or the Nellie – has been named No. 34 in the fourth edition of The 50 Best Hotels 2026.
The Mount Nelson is the only South African hotel to make the international list, and one of two African hotels included in the ranking – Marrakech’s Royal Masour scooped 26th place on the list. The announcement was made at an official awards ceremony held at the Les Salles du Carrousel in Paris. |
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The 50 Best Hotels is decided by an academy of more than 800 voters from across the hotel and travel industries around the world. Voting panels include hoteliers, travel journalists, educators, business travellers and experienced travellers. Members vote anonymously for hotels they have personally stayed at during the three-year voting period.
The people behind The 50 Best Hotels and its sponsors do not get a say in the results. Voting is kept confidential, and Deloitte independently checks the process to make sure everything is above board.
“To be recognised among The 50 Best Hotels means a great deal to us at Mount Nelson,” says General Manager Patrick Fisher. “The Nellie is always moving forward, and over the past year we’ve brought to life exciting new projects across culture, design, and gastronomy, while staying true to what people have always loved about the hotel. None of it happens without our incredible team, who bring so much care and energy to Mount Nelson every day. To see an institution with more than 125 years of history continue to be curious and relevant is something we’re very proud of. We’re thrilled to be recognised among the world’s best.”
The Mount Nelson was not the only South African name to receive recognition at the awards ceremony.
James McBride, South African-born hotelier and co-founder and CEO of Nihi Hotels, was voted by the academy as the winner of the SevenRooms Icon Award. McBride is recognised for more than three decades in international luxury hospitality. Nihi Hotels is the hospitality group behind Indonesia’s Nihi Sumba, which claimed 35th place on the list, just after Mount Nelson.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| SOUTH AFRICA’S DEAF RUGBY TEAM SETS SIGHTS ON TOKYO MEDAL |
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| After finishing fourth at the 2023 World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championships, the team heads to Tokyo with three more years of experience behind it. |
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| There is no shortage of communication on a rugby field, but South Africa’s Deaf Rugby Sevens team has developed its own way of making sure everyone is on the same page. Without hearing aids or cochlear implants during matches, the players rely heavily on visual communication, spatial awareness, trust and teamwork. |
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Now, after narrowly missing out on a medal at the 2023 World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championships in Argentina, Team South Africa is heading to Tokyo with unfinished business.
The 2026 tournament takes place from 31 October to 3 November 2026, with South Africa set to face teams from around the world, including defending champions Wales. Coach Roelof Kotze believes the three years since Argentina have made a significant difference.
“We’ve had three years to prepare for this moment, and we’re going to Japan as a very different team from the one that arrived in Argentina in 2023. Back then, we were going in completely blind. None of us had ever competed internationally before, so we didn’t really know what to expect at that level. Despite that, we came incredibly close to a medal.”
Since then, the squad has gained international experience, including hosting another tournament on home soil in 2024. For some players, Tokyo will be their third international tournament. The team will be captained by Marnus Dercksen, who was also part of the 2023 side.
Dercksen remembers just how close South Africa came last time and says that memory has helped fuel the team’s preparations.
“Having captained South Africa at the 2023 World Deaf Rugby Sevens in Argentina, I know how close we came to bringing home a medal.”
Alongside Dercksen, the squad includes Riemerd Spreeth, Johan Liebenberg, Enrico Abrahams, Admar Claassen, Lucien Famer, Rodwin Beyers, Leon Willemans, Marchello Petro, Patrick Motothwa, Boitshepo Motlhala and Gregory Adelaar.
For the players, being deaf does not mean being removed from competitive rugby. Many of them play regularly for hearing clubs around South Africa, bringing that experience into the national team environment.
“For the players earning their first cap, they aren’t new to competitive rugby. They play week in and week out for hearing clubs across South Africa, so they understand the level of preparation, physicality, and commitment required to compete against the best,” Kotze said.
SADRA Vice President Lauren Terras says players develop an exceptional awareness of movement and positioning because of the way they communicate and process what is happening around them.
“We see our players as superheroes with extraordinary abilities. When one sense is absent, other senses can become more finely tuned.”
Managing Director Yolanden Moodley says the focus should remain on what the athletes bring to the field.
“When you watch our South African Deaf Rugby players compete, what strikes you isn’t what they can’t do; it’s the absolute commitment, the skill, the hunger to compete on the world stage, and the way they read the game differently.”
Three years after coming within touching distance of a medal, they are heading to Japan with more experience, more preparation and a chance to show exactly how far South African Deaf Rugby has come.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| TEAM SOUTH AFRICA MAKES PERFECT START AT CHESS OLYMPIAD |
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| Team South Africa has wasted no time making its presence felt at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Both the Open and Women’s teams got their campaigns off to a flying start, recording 4-0 victories in their opening-round matches. |
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The teams are led by captains Kenny Solomon and Henry Steel, with Dr Shaun Levitan serving as Head of Delegation as South Africa takes on one of the biggest events on the international chess calendar.
But the South African presence at the Olympiad extends beyond the players sitting behind the boards. Gunther van den Bergh is serving as Deputy Chief Arbiter, while Ronald King is a Match Arbiter, giving South Africa representation among the officials responsible for ensuring the competition runs fairly and smoothly.
Their roles require plenty of experience and an extremely sharp eye for detail, with every move, decision and match needing to be handled according to the rules.
And while the players are busy calculating their next moves, the officials are making sure everything around them is just as precise.
For the South African teams, however, the focus now shifts to building on that perfect opening round as the Olympiad continues.
A 4-0 start for both the Open and Women’s teams is certainly one way to introduce yourself to the tournament and Team South Africa will be hoping there are plenty more wins to come.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| SOUTH AFRICAN PICKLEBALL EYES NEXT GENERATION AFTER WORLD CUP EXPERIENCE |
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| Five years into its local journey, pickleball is already competing internationally, with South Africa now looking to turn early momentum into a lasting sporting pathway. |
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South African pickleball is still in its infancy, but the sport’s rapid rise has already taken it onto the international stage, and the Pickleball Federation of South Africa (PFEDSA) believes the best is yet to come.
South Africa recently competed at the Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam, with two teams representing the country in the Open and 50+ categories.
The 10-player Open team progressed through the group stages and reached the Round of 32, where they came up against top seeds Vietnam. The eight-player 50+ side went one step further, reaching the Round of 16 before their campaign ended against Brazil, who went on to win the tournament.
For PFEDSA chairperson Lehan Botha, however, the results were only part of the story.
“The feedback that we received from the players that were there was that it was a life-changing experience to be a part of.”
With pickleball having only really established itself in South Africa over the past five years, the World Cup provided local players with an opportunity to test themselves against countries where the sport is far more established.
Botha says South Africa is still catching up with the leading pickleball nations, but believes the country’s players are already capable of competing at a high level.
“We can compete. We’re maybe not on the top of the pile, but we’re definitely competing.”
South Africa’s teams also featured a mix of locally based players and South Africans living abroad, following a selection process designed to give players from both groups an opportunity to represent the country.
One of the tournament highlights was a spectacular point from Shane du Bois, one of South Africa’s leading locally based players, showcasing the athleticism and speed that have helped attract new audiences to the sport.
But the federation’s ambitions extend well beyond international competition.
PFEDSA is just a year old and has already established provincial structures, while it is working towards introducing pickleball to more young players across the country.
Botha’s biggest priority is building a strong junior pathway, with the federation aiming to introduce thousands of schoolchildren to the sport each year.
“If it was up to me, I would put it into primary schools as a league tomorrow.”
He believes the accessibility of pickleball could be one of its biggest advantages in attracting young players.
“It’s a very, very easy sport to get into. It’s not a fencing thing. It doesn’t require so much skill in the beginning. You have time to develop those skills.”
The next opportunity to see South Africa’s emerging talent comes at the SA Pickleball National Championships, taking place from 24 to 27 September 2026 in Roodepoort, Johannesburg.
Now the players returning from Vietnam have brought something arguably just as valuable as results, and that’s international experience that can be shared with the next generation of South African pickleball players.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| DANIELLA COWDEN COMPLETES SIX IRONMANS ACROSS SIX CONTINENTS IN SIX MONTHS |
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| After six gruelling races across six continents, Cowden crossed the finish line in Japan to complete her record-breaking challenge. |
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Daniella Cowden has completed a seriously impressive six-month challenge. That’s six full-distance Ironmans across six continents, ending with a Guinness World Record in South Hokkaido, Japan.
Her journey began with the Ironman South Africa in April 2026 before taking her to Brazil, Cairns in Australia, Vitoria-Gasteiz in Spain, Ottawa in Canada and finally Japan. And while the achievement sounds almost impossible on paper, Cowden’s final race showed just how much can happen between the start line and the finish. |
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The swim in Japan was the perfect beginning. With calm conditions and water that was “like glass”, Cowden settled into the race and enjoyed a smooth opening section.
The bike was a different story.
The first 60 kilometres were tough, with her back becoming sore and tight much earlier than she was used to. At one point, she was wondering how she was going to get through the rest of the race.
Then she spotted her parents and Diana cheering from the side of the course, giving her a much-needed burst of energy.
By the time she reached 120km, Cowden was feeling considerably better. She also shifted her focus to the smaller things she enjoyed along the route, looking forward to the tunnel and the fast downhill sections instead of worrying about how much racing was still ahead.
The final 45 minutes were particularly challenging. It was dark, the route had moved into a more rural area and there were far fewer spectators around. But with just three km to go, she knew the finish was within reach.
Cowden emptied the tank and made her way towards the line, where the enormity of what she had just completed finally caught up with her. It was an emotional finish, with Cowden unable to hold back the tears before sharing a special hug with her parents.
“I couldn’t hold back the tears,” she said, grateful that they had been there to experience the final race with her.
After the race, Cowden took part in a local tradition where cold water is thrown over athletes to mark their achievement. After six full-distance Ironmans, the icy shower was one final shock to the system.
Cowden says the past six months have probably been the toughest of her life. But they have also taken her from South Africa to Brazil, Australia, Spain, Canada and Japan, with an Ironman on each continent along the way.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| KYALAMI LANDS AFRICA’S FIRST 24H ENDURANCE RACE AS MICHELIN SERIES MOVES TO SOUTH AFRICA IN 2027 |
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| Formula One (F1) may still be out of reach, but South Africa will host a motorsport milestone in 2027 – Kyalami’s first-ever 24-hour endurance race, bringing the world‑renowned Michelin 24H Series to African soil. |
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The international endurance racing championship has confirmed that the inaugural 24-hour race will take place at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand from 8 to 10 January 2027.
Michelin 24-hour
Endurance racing promoter Creventic, based in Gennep, Netherlands, will bring its renowned Michelin 24H Series to Africa for the first time in the championship’s history.
The iconic Michelin 24H Dubai will relocate to Kyalami, marking South Africa’s debut as host of an international 24-hour race under the series banner.
Racing calendar
The decision follows ongoing uncertainty in the Gulf region, with logistical and operational costs prompting Creventic to adjust its winter calendar. In consultation with venue partners, Kyalami was identified as the ideal destination to stage one of endurance racing’s most celebrated events.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s finest motorsport facilities, Kyalami’s inclusion on the Michelin 24H Series calendar also signals the return of premium endurance racing to Midrand for the first time since 2023.
Race welcomed
Creventic hailed the move: “Kyalami is an exceptional motorsport destination, and we are delighted by the warm reception we have received from the entire team. The circuit, facilities and professionalism of the organisation make it a natural fit for the Michelin 24H Series, and we are excited to bring our competitors and fans to South Africa for this landmark event.”
Sports, Art and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has welcomed the race being held at Kyalami.
“Congratulations to Kyalami on landing the Michelin 24H Kyalami, 8-10 January 2027. It will be South Africa’s first international 24-hour race and the 24H Series’ first visit to Africa. World-class endurance racing is coming to Midrand, and we are only too ready for it.”
Kyalami
Known for its demanding layout – dramatic elevation changes, blind crests and fast-flowing corners – Kyalami will test drivers and thrill spectators.
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With 40 secure pit garages, premium hospitality facilities, and South Africa’s passionate motorsport community, the stage is set for a memorable race weekend.
The Michelin 24H Series’ arrival further strengthens Kyalami’s position as a leading international motorsport venue and underscores South Africa’s growing appeal as a host for major global events.
– Source: www.citizen.co.za |
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