Latest news with #EyewitnessNews
Eyewitness News
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Teen pentathlete Kari Hillebrand wins Bronze for SA on World stage
Palesa Manaleng 23 July 2025 | 15:00 Kari Hillebrand Pentathlon Relay Johan Schoeman Pentathlete Kari Hillebrand competing in the obstacle course for South Africa at the U19 mixed relay event at the U19 World Pentathlon Relay Championships in Egypt. Picture: JOHANNESBURG - South African pentathlete Kari Hillebrand and her teammate Johan Schoeman have clinched a bronze medal at the U19 World Pentathlon Relay Championships in Egypt, a historic podium finish in a demanding sport that combines fencing, obstacle course racing, swimming and the laser run. 'I feel really proud of myself, as it is always a huge challenge to achieve on an international stage. It gives me hope when I think of what I can achieve in the years to come. My fencing did not start off great, but my partner, Johan Schoeman, motivated me and we had a great team spirit. Our Lazer Run, the last discipline, was really excellent, and helped us to keep our third position. We were both so happy and amazed when we finished, because we knew it was a long shot to go for a podium,' said Hillebrand. Pentathlete Kari Hillebrand and her teammate Johan Schoeman (in front) won a bronze medal for South Africa at the U19 mixed relay event at the U19 World Pentathlon Relay Championships in Egypt. Picture: The July event was a dress rehearsal for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, which will be the first to feature the new-look Modern Pentathlon with obstacle making its debut and Fencing held according to the Direct Elimination system. Talking to Eyewitness News , Hillebrand said the Pentathlon Relay follows the same sequence as a normal Pentathlon which is fencing, obstacle course racing, swimming, laser run(a combination of running and shooting with a laser pistol). The difference being that in Pentathlon Relays one has a partner and both participate in each discipline, but for swimming and running each athlete does half the distance. Pentathlete Kari Hillebrand is swimming for South Africa at the U19 mixed relay event at the U19 World Pentathlon Relay Championships in Egypt. Picture: 'My favourite sport is the Lazer Run. I have come a long way with this discipline, since I previously competed in the Biathle and Triathle World Championships (Triathle contains a laser run and swimming), which are development sports for Modern Pentathlon.' Hillebrand also shared the risky side of the sport a well as the mental health struggles she experienced after suffering a hip injury. 'About a year ago, I suffered a serious hip injury, and could not train running for 8 months. I missed it so much, and actually felt quite depressed. This year, my hip recovered, and I started to become fit and strong again, and could push much harder. It made me feel so much more determined, and I enjoy training again. Running has a very good psychological effect on me.' Pentathlete Kari Hillebrand competing in the obstacle course for South Africa at the U19 mixed relay event at the U19 World Pentathlon Relay Championships in Egypt. Picture: The grade 11 pupil from Elkanah House, Cape Town, said her next goal is to achieve Protea Colours in Biathle and Triathle as the World Champs for these disciplines will be in South Africa for the first time in history this year. 'I actually would love more South Africans to participate in the development of sports, and for the sport to grow. Modern Pentathlon is still in its infancy in South Africa, but we have the athletes to produce Olympians in the sport in the future.' The 17-year-old balances school and sport by planning ahead and completing schoolwork ahead of time. 'I am a bit of a perfectionist. The key is to be organised - It has made it easier for me to fit schoolwork into a busy schedule. I stay on track with all work assignments and plan far ahead for everything, in order to complete it all in time. In school, I always want to do my ultimate best, so I work very hard to get good marks, while still doing the sports that I love. I often do homework during breaks at school or attend extra classes.'
Eyewitness News
9 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Family of slain Ekurhuleni auditor Mpho Mafole shocked to learn of his alleged killer's history of violence
JOHANNESBURG - The family of a murdered senior forensic auditor from the City of Ekurhuleni said it was devastating to learn that his accused killer had a history of violent crimes. Thabani Ntshalintshali appeared for the first time in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court on Wednesday, in connection with the murder of Mpho Mafole. Eyewitness News previously reported that Mafole had just wrapped up an investigation into the disappearance of R2 billion before he was killed. During court proceedings, it was revealed that Ntshalintshali was out on R5,000 bail for a separate murder case allegedly committed in September 2024. Mafole's family was visibly disturbed when the prosecution revealed that Ntshalintshali was facing another murder case in the very same court. Audible gasps and sighs of shock could be heard from the public gallery, which was packed with community activists. Kiki Mafole, the slain auditor's father, said he had yet to come to terms with his son's murder. "These are the important questions: why was he killed? I want to give the police and those who are investigating space so that they can do their job." The alleged killer will remain in custody until his next court appearance in August.
Eyewitness News
15 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Man arrested in connection with Mpho Mafole's murder due in court
JOHANNESBURG - The man arrested in connection with the murder of Ekurhuleni's senior auditor Mpho Mafole is expected to make his first appearance in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court. Mafole was shot on the East Rand while driving home from work earlier in July. The 40-year-old suspect was arrested on Sunday. Earlier this month, Eyewitness News reported that Mafole had been investigating a massive electricity meter fraud scandal that cost the city more than R2 billion. Mafole had just filed a detailed report and charge sheet identifying those involved in the fraud and exposing the extent of the financial damage. He was shot on the same day he submitted the report, on his way home from a work-related meeting. As the one suspect is due to appear in court, police are searching for another person who is suspected to be involved in the murder. A warrant of arrest has been issued, but it remains unclear if police know the suspect's whereabouts. ALSO READ: Gauteng ANC wants comprehensive report into murders of several municipal officials
Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
DA's Msimanga says he'll give his 'left kidney' if Lilian Ngoyi Street repairs completed by end of August
JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng said it doubted that repairs to Lilian Ngoyi Street in the Johannesburg CBD will be finished by the end of August. The street was severely damaged by an underground gas explosion exactly two years ago. Repair work is underway, with the city promising the road will be opened to the public on 31 August. The DA visited the site to assess the progress of the ongoing repairs. With just over a month remaining before the City of Johannesburg plans to reopen Lilian Ngoyi Street, doubts have emerged about the metro will meet its own deadline. When Eyewitness News visited the site earlier this year, the city was busy installing new underground pipes and laying concrete slabs to reinforce the road. Construction teams are currently working on the road's foundation, but there are no indications that asphalt will be applied anytime soon. DA Gauteng leader, Solly Msimanga, said he did not expect the road to be open to the public by the end of August. "By August, if anything is completed here, I will give you my left kidney. We have now been told that over R200 million has been spent to fix this but nothing has been fixed." The city said it would provide an official update on their progress later on Tuesday.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA's TRACERS mission to unlock mysteries of Earth's magnetic shield
A new NASA mission is set to launch that will study the effects of Earth's magnetic field on us. NASA and SpaceX are set to launch the TRACERS mission from California later this month to study Earth's magnetosphere. The mission will involve a Falcon 9 rocket carrying two satellites into Earth's polar orbit. These satellites will focus on measuring the effects of magnetic explosions that send solar wind particles into Earth's atmosphere, which can impact both life on Earth and astronaut safety. Project leaders have emphasized the importance of understanding how these magnetic explosions affect people on Earth. The data collected could help make life on Earth safer and improve conditions for astronauts working in space. Channel 9 will continue to monitor the mission and provide updates on Eyewitness News. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Solve the daily Crossword
