Tennis fever hits Ron Smith Care Centre
On July 11, the recreation centre was transformed into a scene straight out of the All England Club.
Staying true to the Wimbledon tradition, each person received a numbered queuing ticket, just like the ones used to line up for tickets at the real event.
These numbers were later entered into a lucky draw, and Josephine Kew and Beryl O'Donnell were delighted to win prizes.
ALSO READ: Experienced social worker Ulricka Beukman steps up at Ron Smith Care Centre
Residents also learned about Rufus the Hawk, the official pigeon deterrent of Wimbledon, and enjoyed a short video showing him soaring through the stadium each morning to keep the courts bird-free.
The morning sparked fond memories and conversations about past Wimbledon matches and legendary tennis players.
To top it off, everyone savoured the classic Wimbledon treat: strawberries and cream, while watching iconic moments from past tournaments on the big screen.
But the fun didn't end there as residents and staff returned in the afternoon to watch the men's semi-final match between Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz.
The viewing was made even sweeter by delicious shortbread biscuits generously gifted by Pam and Gerald Mills and their daughter, Tracy.
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The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Tennis fever hits Ron Smith Care Centre
Residents and staff at Rand Aid's Ron Smith Care Centre (RSCC) traded their everyday gear for Wimbledon whites. On July 11, the recreation centre was transformed into a scene straight out of the All England Club. Staying true to the Wimbledon tradition, each person received a numbered queuing ticket, just like the ones used to line up for tickets at the real event. These numbers were later entered into a lucky draw, and Josephine Kew and Beryl O'Donnell were delighted to win prizes. ALSO READ: Experienced social worker Ulricka Beukman steps up at Ron Smith Care Centre Residents also learned about Rufus the Hawk, the official pigeon deterrent of Wimbledon, and enjoyed a short video showing him soaring through the stadium each morning to keep the courts bird-free. The morning sparked fond memories and conversations about past Wimbledon matches and legendary tennis players. To top it off, everyone savoured the classic Wimbledon treat: strawberries and cream, while watching iconic moments from past tournaments on the big screen. But the fun didn't end there as residents and staff returned in the afternoon to watch the men's semi-final match between Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz. The viewing was made even sweeter by delicious shortbread biscuits generously gifted by Pam and Gerald Mills and their daughter, Tracy.
IOL News
18-07-2025
- IOL News
Letters: Why would you want to listen to boring old Ramaphosa rattle on when there's thrilling Wimbledon on TV?
How tennis contrasts with corruption What did you do on Sunday evening, watch the exciting match between Sinner and Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final or listen to the same old drivel from President Cyril Ramaphosa? The showdown between Sinner and Alcaraz, world Number 1 and world number 2, was such a big contrast to the woman's final the previous day. Amanda Anisimova was left in tears when she was demolished by Polish star Iga Swiatek in two straight sets in just 57 minutes. The American didn't even win one game. In 114 years Wimbledon had not witnessed such a boring, one- sided game. Nevertheless credit must be given to the ruthless Swiatek who not only won her maiden Wimbledon title but also made history by becoming first Polish to win Wimbledon. But the men's final was a humdinger. Though Alcaraz fought like a matador he was out classed by the cool Italian, Jannik Sinner who held his nerve and won his first Wimbledon trophy. Now with Wimbledon dishing up such a mouth-watering clash who would want to spoil their Sunday evening and listen to the president's insipid address? Haven't we all heard it before? How many commissions, enquiries, dialogues, working committees and meetings must a country have? What's ironical and even annoying is that Ramaphosa is very particular about following correct procedure when it comes to bringing wayward ministers and officials to book yet his government is riven by mismanagement, inefficiency and corruption. How often correct procedure is not followed in the awarding of tenders and procurement? And what about him? Can the corrupt act against another corrupt? The accusations against the Minister of Police re serious and need action, not another long drawn out, expensive commission. Why couldn't he, for once, act decisively, call the two men, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and KZN National Commissioner of Police Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, to his office, let them fight it out and then he, as the referee, dismiss the loser? If he could fire the DA's Deputy Trade Minister Andrew Whitfield for undertaking an unauthorised trip to the US why couldn't he do the same against Mchunu? It would save the country so much money. Now the taxpayer will have to pay two people for the same job, one acting and the other sitting at home twiddling thumbs. But he wants to pass the buck to a commission. It could end up like the Zondo Commission. Not that the Zondo Commission which cost R1 billion was a failure but no one implicated in state capture has yet been charged. What a waste of public money! \What is he a president for if cannot act decisively at crucial times? 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Day after day, body bags are stacking higher as they methodically dismantle an entire people, house by house, school by school, life by 'self-defence' looks like this: Children butchered with shrapnel. Babies baked alive in incubators turned coffins. Elderly people shot in the face while surrendering. What defence needs to kill 15 000 children? What security requires bombing hospitals full of patients? What is happening in Gaza cannot be explained away with speeches or softened with political language, because there is nothing complex about dropping bombs on starving children, nothing confusing about blowing up hospitals, schools, and bakeries filled with families who have nowhere else to run, and nothing justifiable about destroying an entire population while claiming it is for security. In Rafah, Israeli bombs hit a tent camp filled with families who fled there because the Israeli Defence Forces told them it was 'safe'. The fire melted children alive. Rescue workers found babies cooked inside their mothers' arms, their tiny bodies fused together by the heat. This happened on May 26 last year. And all our leaders did was sanitise the bloodshed with press conference smiles. ' At Al-Shifa Hospital, doctors performed C-sections on dead women because the bombs came too fast to save them. In Jabalia, Israeli tanks rolled over wounded civilians begging for help, crushing them into the dirt like cockroaches. In Khan Younis, Israeli tanks bulldozed through residential blocks, crushing entire families as if they were debris. When survivors dug through the rubble days later, they found a mother clutching her three children, their bodies crushed together so tightly that rescuers had to bury them in a single grave. The world's hypocrisy stinks worse than Gaza's overflowing morgues. The same politicians who cried over Ukrainian children now justify Palestinian children's deaths. The same outlets that blast Kashmir's resistance are silent when Israel starves babies. This isn't deception – it's the open slaughter of equality, where racism decides which children get to dream and which ones get buried. Yumna Zahid Ali l Pakistan Dumping: cleaning up rivers not enough MANDELA Day is a time when individuals, companies, and institutions commit themselves to making a difference, often by dedicating 67 minutes to good deeds that benefit others. For the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), this day is an opportunity to take action through its annual Clear River Campaign, which mobilises efforts to clean rivers across the is the most valuable resource we have as humans; without it, we would not exist. It is crucial to keep our rivers and streams clear of pollutants and rubbish, as this has an adverse effect on the towns downstream. The Department of Water and Sanitation embarks on the Clear River Campaign annually to clean rivers but more importantly, to educate communities about not polluting the water resources. The campaign has been running for years, but it seems that annually, the same rivers that were cleaned the year prior still remain polluted by the nearby communities. While DWS continues to engage in public participation and awareness drives, the outcomes suggest that the message is not landing where it matters most. Community members frequently cite the failure of municipal waste collection services as a major reason for illegal dumping. If there is no accessible or consistent refuse removal, people feel they have no other option. The prescribed solution is for all spheres of government and communities to work together with the goal of ending pollution of rivers and streams. If dumping continues, the cost of cleaning polluted water places a heavy financial burden on water services providers, especially municipalities. Preventing pollution is not only more sustainable but also far more affordable than dealing with its consequences. Behaviours once learned are hard to unlearn. But progress is possible when we commit to consistent effort and collaboration. The Department of Water and Sanitation remains committed to the cause. It may not happen overnight, but with persistence and a shared vision, lasting change is within reach. | Larry Crisp Free State Department of Water and Sanitation DAILY NEWS
The South African
17-07-2025
- The South African
Lloyiso, Shekhinah and more electrify Stella Artois Soirée
Johannesburg turned into the ultimate playground of sound and style as the Stella Artois Soirée: Tennis Edition lit up Saturday. With Wimbledon in full swing, the Tennis Edition brought fashion, flavour, and live music together for an unforgettable cultural celebration. Lloyiso's vocals soared, Shekhinah surprised the crowd, and fans danced courtside in a festival that felt proudly South African. While London had Centre Court, Joburg had its moment at James & Ethel Gray Park, and it came with vocals. From the start, the Stella Artois Soirée was more than an event; it became the pulse of the weekend. Lloyiso opened with soul-shaking emotion, drawing a crowd hungry for something intimate but electric, cool but filled with heart. Ami Faku followed, her honeyed vocals flowing through the crowd like a summer breeze across the lawn. Manana took the mic and magic followed, 'It felt like performing for a city that wanted to celebrate itself,' he said. Azana's set turned unforgettable when Big Zulu joined her, causing the crowd to erupt into cheers and grab their phones. The day hit a sonic peak with Shekhinah's unannounced appearance, proving why she's one of the country's most acclaimed performers. Every set found the sweet spot between cool grooves and soul-stirring moments that had fans dancing and swaying in sync. 'This edition of The Soirée captured everything we love about Joburg right now, its creativity, its elegance, its expressive edge,' said Estee Burger, Marketing Manager at Stella Artois. 'And with the Wimbledon Finals as our backdrop, it gave tennis culture a distinctly South African twist as a moment worth more,' she said, The music was on fire-but the style? Pure fashion grand slam with Joburg's trendsetters going bold and unapologetically expressive. Creative force Keneilwe Mothoa dropped a limited tennis-inspired capsule that turned heads and celebrated everyday street couture with flair. Her looks didn't whisper—they shouted self-expression, giving guests permission to go all in with elevated sports-luxe confidence. Everywhere you turned, there was a look: bold prints, visor chic, crisp whites, and metallic accents owning the park runway. Fashion wasn't a sideshow; it stood equal with the beats, the vibe, the culture, and the Stella in hand. WHICH PERFORMANCE FROM THE STELLA ARTOIS SOIRÉE WAS YOUR FAVOURITE, AND WHO WOULD YOU LOVE TO SEE NEXT YEAR? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
