Latest news with #Amanzimtoti
IOL News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Interclub league fever begins
The women's divisions will gather at a single venue per round, all with eyes on the full 12-point haul. In the men's leagues, eight divisions will see clubs squaring off at different venues every week. First and second division clubs will be aiming to scoop a maximum of 17 points per round, while clubs in divisions three to eight can score up to 12 points. Kicking off this Saturday, clubs across the district will be hitting the road weekly in pursuit of glory: whether it's to earn promotion, avoid relegation or simply make their mark on what promises to be a gripping season. The 2025 Inter Club Leagues have arrived — and with them, the excitement and spirited competition that make the district leagues one of the most closely followed events on the PNB calendar. Among the favourites this season is Westville Bowling Club, 2024 men's champions. After finishing a commanding 18.5 points clear of their nearest rival last year, they might have been forgiven for stepping into 2025 with an air of confidence. But speaking to club President, Matthew Mayo, it's clear that complacency is not on the agenda. 'The league is never a cut and dried situation,' Mayo says. 'Westville BC will approach each game respecting the ability of our opposition. Every club in first division has strength and could pull off a win.' This season, Westville has introduced new strategies aimed at maintaining consistency and building unity within their ranks. A notable change: only players who committed to all seven league matches were considered for the club's first side — a move designed to ensure reliability across their campaign. With a surge of new members in recent months, Mayo explains that depth is not an issue, but commitment and perseverance to play and practice were key selection factors. The selection panel was expanded to five members, offering a broader perspective on team composition. In a bold move, skips were selected first, and then, in consultation with selectors, allowed to build their sides. 'It took some time, especially when two skips wanted the same bowler,' Mayo admits, 'but consensus was reached and we are happy that the best of Westville BC will represent us.' Their opening clash this weekend is against Amanzimtoti, newly promoted to the top division. Toti's representative, Greg McLeod, remains upbeat about their chances. 'We know it's going to be tough,' he says, 'but we're sticking to the formula that worked last year — we focused on compatibility between bowlers. That chemistry carried all our sides last season.' In the women's leagues, Amanzimtoti's ladies, fresh off their 2024 first division triumph, will take on Mount Edgecombe, new to the division. Skip Susan Nel remains focused but unfazed. 'No dramatic changes this year,' Nel says. 'We'll defend our position with the same spirit and unity that worked for us in 2024.' Mount Edgecombe's Heather Wright brings a touch of honesty to the encounter: 'It's natural we're nervous in this new arena,' she says. 'But we'll meet every game with determination and do what we do best – play bowls.' With bold strategies, respectful rivalries and a clear love for the game, the 2025 Interclub Leagues are off to a spirited start. Let the bowls roll!
The Citizen
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Amanzimtoti lad to compete overseas
COUNTLESS hours of practise and fierce discipline have paid off for Amanzimtoti canoeist Jimmy Papadopoulos, 18, after he was selected to represent South Africa at the the Auronzo International Sprint Regatta in Italy this month, and at the International Canoe Federation Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships in Portugal from July 23 to 27. Also read: First race of canoe series done and dusted Jimmy began his canoeing journey at the age of eight under the guidance of his first coach, Brent Chiazzari of the Toti Canoe Club. Currently he is coached by Olympian paddler Tiffany Koch. 'When I saw the official announcement that I had been selected for the South African team to compete in Portugal, I was absolutely over the moon. I couldn't stop smiling the entire afternoon. I immediately started messaging all my friends and family, although most of them already knew, as my mother had proudly shared the news the moment it was released,' said Jimmy. This will be his first time representing South Africa on the world stage, and he is deeply honoured. He is in peak physical condition, having trained around 10 hours per week. 'Four of those hours are in the gym early in the mornings before school, and the remaining six are spent on the water, putting in focused paddling sessions. Mentally, I've been watching as many race videos as I can from previous events held in Portugal on the same course. This helps me visualise the environment so that it feels familiar when I finally get there to compete,' he said. Also read: Warnadoone lifesavers achieve podiums at national sports event Canoeing gives Jimmy the opportunity to challenge himself and push his limits. He said what he loves the most is being able to measure his progress each year at the South African sprint championships, where he races against some of the fastest boys in the country. 'I'm incredibly fortunate to be sponsored for both international trips. For the Italy tour, my parents created a Back-a-Buddy campaign, and I'm immensely grateful to the Toti Canoe Club and all my friends and family who supported me through that. For the Portugal World Championships, I'm fortunate enough to say that KZN Canoeing has sourced funding, and I'm very thankful for their support,' he said. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
BBC News
30-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Olorato Mongale: Suspect in South Africa student's murder killed in police shootout
A suspect wanted for the murder of a South African university student has been killed in a shootout with the police. Olorato Mongale's body was found on Sunday in Lombardy, north of Johannesburg, about two hours after she was reported missing having gone on a the early hours of Friday morning, police officers found the main suspect hiding at a residential complex in the coastal town of Amanzimtoti, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe suspect, who has not been named by the police, shot at the officers, who returned fire and killed him, Brigadier Mathe added. Ms Mongale's death has sparked a fierce debate about the levels of violence faced by women in South Africa. You may also be interested in: Chris Brown concert shines spotlight on violence against women in South AfricaSexual violence in South Africa: 'I was raped, now I fear for my daughters'Tears and heartbreak over tragic story of South African girl sold by her mother Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
The Herald
30-05-2025
- General
- The Herald
Main suspect in Olorato Mongale's murder dies in shootout with cops
The main suspect in the murder of Wits postgraduate student Olorato Mongale has been fatally shot by police in KwaZulu-Natal. Without naming him, national police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said he was found by police hiding out in a residential complex in Amanzimtoti. "When police announced their arrival, he shot at them. Police returned fire and he was fatally wounded," she said at 4am on Friday, adding provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is at the scene. Mkhwanazi told eNCA the suspect had gone to the apartment to rent a car from someone living there on Thursday morning. The rental person declined to do so due to his high profile after wanted notices were issued by police. He stayed there for the day. According to the resident, he confessed to the murder and displayed signs of being suicidal. Mongale was last seen leaving her apartment in northern Johannesburg for a date with a man who called himself John on Sunday afternoon. Her body was discovered in Lombardy near Alexandra. The white VW Polo used to pick up Mongale was found at a panel-beating workshop in Phoenix in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday. The owner of the vehicle, an elderly man, was arrested and police identified Philangenkosi Makhanya and Fezile Ngubane as people of interest in the murder. On Thursday morning, police identified a third man, Bongani Mthimkhulu, who is a friend of Makhanya, as an additional suspect. Mathe disclosed later on Thursday that Makhanya and Mthimkhulu were out on bail after their arrest in Brakpan last month for kidnapping and robbing a woman. After a court appearance, they were released from custody on April 26. The parents of one of the three suspects are in custody. Police said: "The father is the owner of the VW polo while the mother is believed to have tipped off the son that police were at the parents' house looking for him. The action by the mother enabled the son to evade arrest on Wednesday night. When police arrived in Inanda where he stays, he had left." Mathe urged anyone who spots the other two suspects to immediately contact Brig Edwin Nama on 082-778-9035. TimesLIVE
News24
30-05-2025
- General
- News24
Olorato Mongale murder suspect killed during shootout with police in KZN
The main suspect wanted for the murder of Olorato Mongale has been killed in a shootout with police in the early hours of Friday morning. According to police, a takedown operation was put into action after they received information that one of the suspects was hiding in a residential complex in Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said when police announced their arrival, the man shot at the officers, who then returned fire and he was fatally wounded. Police have not yet disclosed the name of the suspect, but it is understood to be the man Mongale initially met for a date on the day she was murdered. Police previously identified Bongani Mthimkhulu, Philangenkosi Makhanya and Fezile Ngubane as suspects sought in connection with the murder of 30-year-old Mongale, whose body was discovered next to Cambridge Road outside of a car workshop in Lombardy West in Johannesburg on Sunday. While police continue the search for the two remaining suspects, they have taken in the parents of one of the wanted men for questioning. The mother was taken after she allegedly tipped off her son about the police's interest in his whereabouts, which enabled him to evade arrest on Wednesday. It is also believed that the suspect's father is the owner of the vehicle thought to have been used during Mongale's murder.
