Latest news with #CarlingBlackLabel
The Citizen
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Sebokeng youngster in Netherlands for pre-season tour with Chiefs
SEBOKENG.- Naledi Hlongwane is part of the Kaizer Chiefs players involved in the pre-season tour in the Netherlands. This Sebokeng-born youngster has been featuring in some of Chiefs' pre-season matches, and Sedibeng Ster Sport has been told that coach Nasreddine Nabi is impressed with his performance. Hlongwane was promoted to the Chiefs senior team after his impressive performance for the Chiefs DSTV Diski Challenge (DDC) team. He also stunned many when he scored a brace against Magesi in the Carling Black Label exhibition match in December. Much was said and written about Hlongwane after this performance. He was all over the media and social media platforms, with Amakhosi hailing him as a wonderkid on the block – an answer to the club's scoring problems. Not only that, he was rewarded for his outstanding performance with the Man of the Match Award. This is the same performance that caught the attention of Nabi, and Chiefs offered this youngster a professional contract. Hlongwane started his amateur football career playing for the Nale Development Academy in Vanderbijlpark. Before he joined Chiefs' development teams, Nale Development Academy recommended him to the U17 National Technical Team. He was only 14 years of age when he joined the Chiefs' development. Hlongwane was instrumental when the Chiefs were crowned the DDC Champions for 2024/2025. He scored crucial goals for the team. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, a source who is close to the boy at Naturena said Nabi is happy with Hlongwane's performance. 'I do not doubt that the boy is going to be part of the coach's plan come next season. The good thing about the coach is that he believes in the youngsters, and Hlongwane won't struggle to fit in with his plans. We received feedback from the Netherlands that the boy is doing very well for the senior team,' said one of the club's development coaches. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Daily Maverick
08-07-2025
- General
- Daily Maverick
Souper Tuesday: Leek, onion, Zamalek and Obies soup with a Parmesan crouton
When I slid my spoon into this soup and savoured it, I could taste the leeks, onions, cheese and beer, and that touch of sweetness from the sherry. This soup, like many dishes worth making and eating, is all about that balance. Leeks, onions, Zamalek, Parmesan cheese and thyme – oh, and Old Brown Sherry – combine to create an intriguing and wholesome soup that you're likely to want to keep in your winter repertoire. Zamalek? It's the nickname for Carling Black Label beer. And of a top Cairo-based football team that defeated Kaizer Chiefs in May 1993. Zamalek's colours were black, red and white (I think the team's kit design may have changed since that famous match). Though smarting from the defeat, South African soccer fans started calling Carling Black Label 'Zamalek'. The name has a distinctly South African ring to it, despite its Egyptian origins. But every bitter defeat needs a sweetener. In this soup, you need the Obies (Old Brown Sherry, a beloved South African fortified wine) because of the bitterness of the beer. It may not seem bitter when drunk, but in a soup the tongue-curling notes are accentuated. Obies to the rescue… The Parmesan crouton plays an important role too. It's not a tiny crouton of the kind you often find on top of a soup. This is a single round crouton, topped with finely grated Parmesan. It's toasted so that the cheese sticks to the top of the crouton, then it's placed on top of the soup in the bowl. When you tuck in, push the crouton under the surface – drown it, as it were. It will fall apart and become a delicious textural aspect to the soup. Tony's leek, onion and beer soup with Parmesan crouton (Makes 3-4 servings) Ingredients 5 large or 4 medium onions, sliced in half 2 star anise Olive oil, as needed 4 to 6 large leeks, trimmed and sliced thinly 3 thyme sprigs 3 Tbsp butter 100 ml Old Brown Sherry 330 ml Carling Black Label beer 750 ml beef stock 150 ml milk Salt and black pepper to taste 1 to 2 cups grated Parmesan, stirred in before serving Rounds of toast from a large shop-bought sliced wholewheat loaf, 1 slice per serving Method Preheat the oven to 220°C. Peel the onions, slice them in half and put them in a bowl. Add the 2 star anise and a little oil, just enough to coat the onions. Toss them around, transfer them to an oven pan and roast until golden and soft, about half an hour to 40 minutes. Discard the star anise. Let them cool, then slice the onions into thin strips. Reserve. Trim the ends of the leeks, check that there's no soil in the end parts, and slice them thinly. Melt 3 Tbsp butter in a pan and add the leeks and thyme sprigs. Sauté the leeks on a moderate heat, stirring now and then, until very soft. About eight to 20 minutes. Add the Old Brown Sherry (or similar fortified wine), stir, and reduce by two thirds. Add the beer and stir while it releases its bubbles. Simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Add the beef stock, stir, bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Add the onions and the milk, stir and continue cooking gently for 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and add more salt if you think it needs more. Don't blend this soup; it is all about the texture of the leeks and onions in it, and also about the Parmesan croutons. Talking of which… Lay a slice of bread on a clean surface. Using a small, sharp knife, carefully cut rounds out of them in the way that you cut a disc for your windscreen when your licence expires. Toast one side of these in an air fryer; it takes only 4 to 5 minutes at 200°C. Grate the Parmesan and take a few pinches of it to drop onto the bread rounds. Put these back in the air fryer and grill at 200°C for 3 or 4 minutes until the cheese has melted and turned slightly golden. Reheat the soup and spoon into deep bowls (shallow bowls won't work for this soup as the croutons need to descend and then become a part of the soup). Place a crouton on top of each serving and scatter a few thyme leaves over. When eating this soup, push the croutons under with your spoon so that it melds and each mouthful gives you the full flavour spectrum. DM
Daily Maverick
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Elevating the game: Carling Black Label connects local fans to the world's biggest stage
In South Africa, football goes beyond sport –it has become a source of unity, identity and pride. An inheritance passed down through generations, played in backyards, watched on township screens and argued about on taxi rides and in local bars. Its energy is in the chants on the stands, the pride in the jersey and the belief that the fan is as much a part of the match as the players on the pitch. From the Soweto Derby to midweek Premier Soccer League (PSL) clashes under flickering floodlights, local football is stitched into the national fabric. It's messy, passionate and unfiltered, and it is where talent is spotted barefoot, where coaches become uncles, and fans become part of the experience. Now, as South Africa's domestic champions step onto the global stage at the FIFA Club World Cup, another story is being written, one that centres on the teams and the people behind them – the fans. The ones who've stayed loyal through seasons of near misses and moments of glory. As part of South African Breweries' 130-year legacy, the brand has pioneered a uniquely fan-first approach that continues to redefine what sponsorship means. This journey is now taking a global turn as Carling Black Label partners with the Mamelodi Sundowns in the FIFA Club World Cup under the powerful banner: Champions to the World. Carling Black Label has had an enduring relationship with the game and an ongoing, deepening commitment to empowering local voices. It has long recognised that its true strength lies in the people who stand behind the sport, the passionate, knowledgeable and deeply invested fans. More than 91% of the brand's core audience follow local football and now Carling Black Label has responded by giving them real influence. Through groundbreaking initiatives like the Carling Cup, fans have been empowered to pick teams, call the shots and experience the game from the technical bench. What started as an opportunity to coach Soweto's giants has evolved into the reimagined Carling Cup and the birth of the Carling All Stars, an entire team selected by fans alone. This evolution speaks to SAB's commitment to remain freshly consistent when it comes to innovation: never standing still, always listening, and always building on what fans value the most. In the lead-up to the FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament which brings together 32 of the best teams from around the world, Carling Black Label has introduced the Score Predictor. It's a digital platform which allows fans to forecast match results, recognising and rewarding the discerning knowledge of the Champion Fans. One of the biggest of these is an all-expenses-paid trip to watch the team that will be crowned the winners of the Fifa Club World Cup at their home stadium. The Score Predictor is a smart move for the brand. It celebrates the importance of fans in sport. And it validates their passion and expertise by giving them the opportunity to make predictions across 64 games. It's a clever digital tool that acknowledges the extraordinary amount of local knowledge and community commitment in South Africa and puts it on the global stage. The campaign isn't only about global access, however, it is also focused on local impact as Carling Black Label becomes a vehicle for a deeper social purpose. The brand understands its role and responsibility in shaping positive narratives, leaning into its market and celebrating positive masculinity which is anchored in respect, responsibility and leadership. Over the years, this focus has translated into programmes that have had significant influence and impact. In collaboration with the PSL, Carling Black Label commits to use Soccer as an influence for good through offering tools and mentorship for Players and soccer fans. efforts are grounded in the belief that there is gold in every bottle and in every man who chooses to lead with purpose. And through the SAB Sharp programme, this message is backed by a commitment to responsible drinking and ethical conduct. Through fan-first innovation and a purposeful brand vision, Carling Black Label has entertained and empowered, bringing Champion Fans closer to the game, providing platforms for their voices, and challenging the world to see South African football and masculinity through a different lens. The Champions of the World campaign is a culmination of over a decade of building trust, igniting pride and delivering value beyond the pitch. By blending consistent fan access with innovative experiences, the brand remains committed to pushing boundaries and creating platforms which reflect the power of sport as a force for good. DM
The South African
27-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
Sundowns launch campaign with 'African champion'
After recently wrapping up their eighth successive league title, Sundowns – who are hoping to lift the CAF Champions League trophy this weekend – have now made another big announcement. At a special launch event on Tuesday, Carling Black Label – Africa's 'Champion Beer' – was not only officially named the South African beer sponsor for the FIFA Club World Cup, but also confirmed their official backing of Mamelodi Sundowns. The announcement also revealed a score predictor campaign, inviting fans to log their predictions for each of the tournament's matches at or via USSD by dialling * 120* 660#. This campaign will launch formally on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, and will enable supporters to unlock a chance to win a share of more than R1 million in prizes, airtime rewards, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch the Champions of the FIFA Club World Cup at their next home game. This announcement comes hot on the heels of several other major announcements made by Mamelodi Sundowns in recent weeks, which have included partnerships with vehicle sponsor Chery South Africa, supplements partner Biogen and mobile partner Huawei. The deal with Carling – made in partnership with Roc Nation Sports International – is another indication of Sundowns' commercial success off the field, which mirrors the club's on-field achievements. Steve Komphela , Senior Coach at Mamelodi Sundowns FC, reflected on the synergy between the club and the brand: 'This partnership is a meeting of champions — grounded in aligned values, backed by performance, and driven by the people. Carling Black Label understands the heartbeat of South African football. They've stood by fans and supporters for decades, and now they're standing with Mamelodi Sundowns as we take African excellence to the world. We are proud to have an award-winning brand backing us on this journey.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Champion moms raising new order of champions
'We bought him so many shoes. But there were always holes in them,' said Mduduzi's mom. Mduduzi Shabalala's mom is proud that his son is living his dream at Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix Carling Black Label has paid tribute to the women who raised champions — the mothers behind South Africa's most promising footballers. Released across the brand's digital platforms during one of the country's most high-profile football moments, a new video message turned the spotlight away from match results and onto the real foundation of greatness: family. ALSO READ: Chiefs midfielder yet to discuss new Amakhosi deal As part of its ongoing Champion Moms initiative, the brand collaborated with two players from the Soweto Giants — Mduduzi Shabalala and Thalente Mbatha — to honour the women who raised, believed in, and inspired them. Before Mduduzi wore the Amakhosi jersey, he was a young boy with a ball and a dream. His mother remembers how that dream first began to show itself. 'We bought him so many shoes. But there were always holes in them,' she recalls. 'That's how we knew — wherever he was, he was playing football. That's where it all began.' For Thalente's mother, her son's journey was marked by a name that carried meaning from the very beginning. 'When they asked me what I would name him, I just said Thalente,' she says. 'I don't know why. I think it was my way of manifesting that he would be talented.' These reflections form part of a heartfelt digital tribute that blends quiet, personal moments with words that resonate across generations. In one scene, Mduduzi surprises his mother at home: 'What are you doing here?' she asks. 'I came to visit you,' he replies. Her response is brief, but full of history: 'Thank you so much for everything you have done for the family. I love you.' 'I love you very much,' Mduduzi answers. A similar moment unfolds between Thalente and his mother. 'Is it really you?' she asks with disbelief. 'I am very proud of you and the person you have become.' To which he replies: 'You are my champion too, Ma. I love you.' The content piece is part of the broader #ChampionWords campaign, which invites South Africans to reflect on the most impactful advice or encouragement they've received from their mothers. Throughout the week, selected messages from fans will appear on digital billboards across the country — turning everyday public spaces into living love letters. Kerryn Greenleaf, Brand Director for Carling Black Label, explains the campaign's purpose: 'We live in a country where mothers are the first teachers, the first believers, the first protectors. This campaign isn't about football glory — it's about the unseen work of mothering, and the words that keep us going long after we leave home.' In the final moments of the video, respected commentator Baba Mthethwa delivers a closing line that echoes well beyond the screen: 'A mother's love is unrivalled. End of the story.'
