Author: Larson Thebe
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…
Banyana Banyana have written history at the 2023 FIFA World Cup, as they not only won their first World Cup match but also advanced to the last 16 following a hard-fought 3-2 win over Italy on Wednesday. The African champions went into the game as the underdogs – ranked 38 places lower than Le Azzurre – needed a win to progress into the knockout stages, while Italy needed a draw. A goal and second-half strikes from Hildah “The Breadwinner” Magaia and Thembi Kgatlana ensured they beat the Italians after going to the break level at 1-all. Magaia walked away with…
Nigerian afrobeats musician, Wizkid, is the first African artist to receive the BRIT Billion Award which recognises artists who’ve achieved over one billion digital streams in the UK. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the BRIT Awards said they presented the gong to Wizkid after his recent performance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday. Since making his debut in 2011, Wizkid has become known for a plethora of hits like Essence, Ojuelegba and Joro. Some of his famous collaborations include artists from Beyoncé and Drake to fellow Nigerian star Tems and Skepta to name a few.…
As letters of the alphabet go, there is one that punches well above its weight. Out of a total of 308,000 entries in the Oxford English Dictionary, just 366 words begin with the letter “x”, and very few of those make it into most people’s vocabulary. Yet despite this aloofness – or perhaps because of it – x is perhaps the most powerful and alluring letter we have. X-Files, X-Factor, X-Men, Generation X, X-rays, X-rated, Planet X… the letter is embraced in popular culture and by brands as shorthand for something unknown, futuristic or provocative. Its shape can signify everything…