Author: Larson Thebe
The semifinal stage has been set at the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League’s COSAFA Qualifiers after the final round of pool matches were played, confirming the Last 4 teams. Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies maintained their perfect record at the ongoing qualifiers, following a 4-0 victory over Mozambique’s Costa Do Sol on Monday afternoon in Durban. Goals from Zanele Nhlapho, Miche Minnes, and a brace from Andisiwe Mgcoyi, were enough for Banyana Ba Style to clinch Group B in brilliant style, securing nine points from the three games played. Coach Jerry Tshabalala’s team will this afternoon (15:30pm) face Zambia’s Green Buffaloes in…
Banyana Banyana have climbed nine spots in the FIFA rankings after reaching the last-16 stage of the recently concluded Women’s World Cup. FIFA has officially announced the latest rankings, which sees Banyana move up to 45th (from 54th) in the world and second in Africa, one behind Nigeria who are ranked 32nd in the world. Desiree Ellis’ charges wrote their name into the history books after becoming the first-ever senior national football team (men or women), to make it out of the group stages of the global showpiece. Banyana reached the last 16 by beating Italy in their last group…
With progress made over the years in women’s sport, major challenges remain, particularly regarding equal pay, professionalisation, training conditions and media coverage. Wage gap is one of the most unconcealed areas of prejudice, as women remain far behind their male counterparts when it comes to being paid in sports. In a trailblazing move, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced equal international-match fees for their men and women players, joining New Zealand and India in bridging the gap across genders. The new match fees will be effective from September when the Protea women tour Pakistan for the first time. The tour,…
And just like that, the curtain has come down on the biggest ever FIFA Women’s World Cup hosted in Australia and New Zealand. After a month-long focus of exciting football, Spain (La Roja as they are affectionately known in the football circle), were crowned 2023 World Champions on Sunday 20 August with a 1-0 win against England to hoist their first ever World Cup title. La Roja went into the encounter as the underdogs against the European champions in front of 75 784 fans at Stadium Australia. The victory by the Spanish women has been celebrated by their male counterparts,…
The new Miss South Africa was announced as Natasha Joubert on Sunday. The 26-year-old fashion designer from Gauteng was selected in the Sunbet Arena at Time Square Casino in Pretoria before Nande Mabala and Bryoni Govender. Joubert takes the reigns from Ndavi Nokeri. Joubert is participating in the pageant for the second time. She finished in second place in 2020 and afterwards represented South Africa at the Miss Universe pageant in 2021.
By Anthony Diala South Africa is changing its marriage law to recognise all types of intimate partnerships – irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, or religious, cultural and other beliefs. The Department of Home Affairs has invited public comment on the Draft Marriage Bill 2022. The bill amends some marriage laws, and prescribes what’s required for marriages to be considered valid, forms of registration, and the property consequences of marriage. As the preamble shows, it seeks to promote liberal values of equality, nondiscrimination, human dignity and freedom of thought. While it is innovative for bringing all forms of intimate partnerships under…
By Olayinka Ajala Hopes are fading for a quick resolution of Niger’s coup or the potential use of force by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) to free Niger President Mohammed Bazoum and restore him to power. Ecowas leaders gave the Nigerien military junta an ultimatum to cede power within seven days of 30 July or face a military intervention. The deadline of 6 August came and went, and the putschists remained. Ecowas meets again on 10 August to discuss the situation in Niger. However, hopes of a Nigeria-led Ecowas military intervention in Niger now appears dim. The…
Banyana Banyana are heading home but they have certainly left an impression at this World Cup. Their players have brought joy with their dancing and singing before and after games, while on the pitch their exciting fast-paced attacking play has entertained fans. And all this despite a dispute with their national association. South Africa’s players will receive $50,000 (£39,000) each from Fifa for reaching the last 16, but nothing from the South Africa Football Association (SAFA). Despite this, they have been a joy to watch with their late win over Italy in their final group game sending them into the knockout stage…
By Nicole Vellios and Corne van Walbeek Throughout the world, governments impose excise taxes on products like alcohol and tobacco to reduce their demand. The South African government has implemented a tax on vaping products for the same reason. Reducing demand is necessary as there is growing evidence that vaping products are not harmless. The new vaping tax has enraged vaping lobby groups and vaping manufacturers. The vaping industry argues that e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes. It also claims that the tax will spawn an illicit industry, that people will go back to smoking traditional cigarettes, and the…
2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup debutants Morocco (Lionesses of Atlas) are the last African team to book their spot in the last 16 of the global showpiece after securing a gutsy 1-0 win over Colombia. The results mean Colombia summits Group H, after finishing ahead on goal difference from two wins. Morocco, who suffered a massive 6-0 defeat in their opening game, bounced back to winning ways by beating South Korea 1-0 and then beat Colombia 1-0 earlier today. Those two wins and Germany’s failure to beat South Korea guaranteed the Lionesses of Atlas a spot in the knockout phase…