Latest news with #Rustenburg
News24
03-07-2025
- Business
- News24
How SA youth are rising with Anglo American Zimele
From the quiet streets of Limpopo, Rustenburg, and the Northern Cape to the dazzling coastlines of the Caribbean and Europe, a powerful new story is unfolding. It is one of transformation, mobility, and second chances. Dozens of unemployed youth from disadvantaged backgrounds are being trained in international hospitality and placed into life-changing work opportunities aboard luxury cruise ships. And they're not just travelling; they're thriving. 'This is a great milestone for the programme and youth development in our host communities,' says Larisha Naidoo, Head of Anglo American Zimele. 'Youth unemployment remains one of the major challenges that South Africa is facing, and this partnership is one of the ways we are contributing to reducing unemployment and poverty through impactful skilling.' The programme combines hospitality training, personal development, and international placement to provide young people with the tools, mindset, and opportunity to succeed beyond borders. From no opportunities to global experiences For many participants, this is their first formal job, their first flight, and their first time leaving South Africa. But more than anything, it's their first real encounter with dignity and possibility. 'This is not just about employment. It's about reclaiming identity,' shares one of the programme leads. 'These young people left behind communities where poverty had swallowed hope. Now, they're earning international salaries, learning new cultures, and believing in themselves in ways that once felt out of reach.' Some have used their income to build homes. Others are supporting entire households. Many are saving to start businesses of their own. The financial impact is real, but the personal growth is where the magic lives. 'I never thought I'd make it out' Behind every uniform and passport stamp is a story. A young woman who once dropped out of school due to finances is now working in Europe and supporting her siblings. A young man who had never seen the ocean is now docking in cities across the Mediterranean, learning languages, and sending money home to his grandmother. 'I never thought I'd make it out,' says one participant stationed in Italy. 'I used to wake up every day wondering if life would ever change. Now, I wake up in a new country with a sense of purpose and pride I've never felt before.' 'Coming from Kutullo Village in Steelpoort, Limpopo, I never imagined I'd be travelling across the world,'says Monica Madere, one of the programme beneficiaries. 'This opportunity didn't just change my location — it changed my mindset. I believe I can build a future now.' They speak about the discipline they've developed, the friendships they've formed across cultures, and the way this experience has redefined what they believe is possible. Beyond jobs: Building personal brands and future leaders The transformation doesn't stop at sea. As part of the programme's reintegration phase, returned beneficiaries are being supported through personal branding and career development workshops, ensuring their global experience becomes a launchpad for greater opportunities. Masterclasses have begun across provinces, starting with Limpopo, where returned seafarers are now learning to articulate their stories, update their CVs, and position themselves for long-term career growth. They are no longer just 'former cruise workers.' They are global citizens, future business owners, community role models, and storytellers of resilience. A model for youth empowerment done right As Youth Month comes to a close, this initiative offers more than inspiration. It presents a b lueprint for measurable impact. It proves what happens when intentional investment meets real opportunity. Back home, families are hopeful. Communities are inspired. And a generation that once felt forgotten is finally being seen, supported, and celebrated. This isn't just youth development. This is nation-building. Because when we dare to believe in the potential of our young people, they show us exactly what they're capable of and the world, quite literally, becomes their stage.
Zawya
03-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Anglo American Zimele opens global doors for South Africa's youth
From rural South Africa to luxury cruise liners, a new generation is rising confident, skilled, and globally connected. From the quiet streets of Limpopo and Rustenburg to the dazzling coastlines of the Caribbean and Europe, a powerful new story is unfolding, one of transformation, mobility, and second chances. Through a visionary partnership between Anglo American Zimele, Summit, and Silversea, dozens of unemployed youth from disadvantaged backgrounds are being trained in international hospitality and placed into life-changing work opportunities aboard luxury cruise ships. And they're not just travelling; they're thriving. "This is a great milestone for the programme and youth development in our host communities," says Larisha Naidoo, head of Anglo American Zimele. "Youth unemployment remains one of the major challenges that South Africa is facing, and this partnership is one of the ways we are contributing to reducing unemployment and poverty in the areas where we operate through impactful skilling." The programme combines hospitality training, personal development, and international placement to provide young people with the tools, mindset, and opportunity to succeed beyond borders. From no opportunities to global experiences For many participants, this is their first formal job, their first flight, and their first time leaving South Africa. But more than anything, it's their first real encounter with dignity and possibility. 'This is not just about employment. It's about reclaiming identity,' shares one of the programme leads from Summit. 'These young people left behind communities where poverty had swallowed hope. Now, they're earning international salaries, learning new cultures, and believing in themselves in ways that once felt out of reach.' And the numbers tell only part of the story. Some have used their income to build homes. Others are supporting their entire households. Many are saving to start businesses of their own. The financial impact is real, but the personal growth is where the magic lives. 'I never thought I'd make it out' Behind every uniform and passport stamp is a story. A young woman who once dropped out of school due to finances is now working in Europe and supporting her siblings. A young man who had never seen the ocean, now docking in cities across the Mediterranean, learning languages, and sending money home to his grandmother. 'I never thought I'd make it out,' says one participant stationed in Italy. "I used to wake up every day wondering if life would ever change. Now, I wake up in a new country with a sense of purpose and pride I've never felt before." They speak about the discipline they've developed, the friendships they've formed across cultures, and the way this experience has redefined what they believe is possible. Beyond jobs: Building personal brands and future leaders The transformation doesn't stop at the sea. As part of the programme's aftercare and reintegration phase, returned beneficiaries are now being supported through personal branding and career development workshops, ensuring their global experience becomes a launchpad for even greater opportunities. Masterclasses have begun across provinces, starting with Limpopo, where returned seafarers are now learning to articulate their stories, update their CVs, and position themselves for long-term career growth, whether in hospitality, entrepreneurship, or beyond. They are no longer just "former cruise workers." They are global citizens, future business owners, community role models, and storytellers of resilience. A model for youth empowerment done right As Youth Month comes to a close, this partnership offers more than inspiration; it presents a blueprint for real, measurable impact. It proves what happens when corporate responsibility meets intentional investment, and when community-rooted initiatives are paired with global-scale opportunity. Back home, families are hopeful. Communities are inspired. And a generation that once felt forgotten is finally being seen, supported, and celebrated. This isn't just youth development - it's nation-building. Because when we dare to believe in the potential of our young people, they show us exactly what they're capable of, and the world, quite literally, becomes their stage.
News24
25-06-2025
- Sport
- News24
Little-known Orbit College FC seal dream promotion to PSL top flight as CT City relegated
Orbit College FC have made history, earning promotion to South Africa's top flight after a 1-0 win over Cape Town City in Rustenburg. The victory not only marks their rise from the ABC Motsepe League to the Premiership in just two seasons but also ends the North West Province's seven-year absence from the elite division. Letsie Koapeng's second-half strike sealed the result, sparking emotional scenes as Orbit now prepare to join SA football's biggest names in 2025/26. Orbit College FC sealed a historic promotion to the Premier Soccer League top flight on Thursday, defeating Cape Town City FC 1-0 in front of a capacity crowd at Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg. The victory marks a watershed moment for the North West Province, which will be represented in the Betway Premiership for the first time since Platinum Stars were relegated to the National First Division in 2018. Following their drop, Stars sold their PSL status to Cape Umoya United, leaving a void Orbit will now proudly fill. The 2024/25 PSL Promotion/Relegation Playoffs began with three consecutive stalemates, a cagey theme Orbit shattered last Saturday with a late winner against Casric Stars that catapulted them to the top of the mini-league standings. Then came the arrival of City, owned by John Comitis, to the North West. For Orbit, defeating a club resurrected just nine years ago after acquiring the PSL status of Mpumalanga Black Aces and rebranding entirely was more than just a result, it was the kind of footballing tale usually reserved for fiction. The opening 20 minutes revealed a clear contrast between the two sides. City displayed better technical quality in possession but struggled to make it count, while Orbit showed relentless desire, throwing bodies on the line to preserve their clean sheet. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲-𝐨𝐟𝐟 - 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓: Orbit College make it back-to-back wins in the promotion play-offs as they win against Cape Town City. — Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) June 25, 2025 Hashim Domingo – a two-time Premiership winner with Mamelodi Sundowns – was influential in the No. 10 role, dictating play in pockets of space. He came close to breaking the deadlock after a sharp counterattack found him on the edge of the box, but goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane reacted superbly, producing a textbook save to deny him. Despite the match's high tempo, it lacked composure in the final third. Still, the atmosphere continued to build. The crowd was buzzing, and the stadium steadily filled, with cars pouring in and fans arriving in waves, even as the first half neared its end. Everyone wanted to witness what could become a historic moment: Orbit's push for a place in the Premiership. Three minutes after the restart, those who arrived late were met with the roar of celebration – a goal that shifted the momentum and electrified the atmosphere. City's defence switched off at the worst possible moment, both out wide and through the middle. Gomolemo Khoto exploited the space with a pinpoint low cross across the face of the goal, and Letsie Koapeng timed his run to perfection. He redirected the ball beyond a stranded Darren Keet with the faintest touches, sparking jubilation in the Orbit camp and among their swelling support in the stands. The remainder of the match turned into a tense tug-of-war, with Orbit holding on with the kind of grip teams dream of in moments like these. They refused to let it slip, fuelled by raw determination and a roaring Olympia Park crowd that sang every pass, tackle, and clearance into existence. When the final whistle blew, a dream was realised. Orbit had crossed the finish line into the Premiership. On the opposite end of the field, though, it was heartbreak. City, after nine years in South Africa's top flight, were officially relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, their fall sealed in silence despite one last playoff against Casric remaining on Monday, which is now confirmed as a dead rubber. For Orbit's head coach, Pogiso Makhoye, there were tears. 'With the glory of God, I am here,' he said, pausing as emotion overcame him. Then he thanked the people who had supported him and his team along the way: 'They believed in me.' Having spent the better part of a decade in the ABC Motsepe League, Orbit College FC only earned promotion to the National First Division two seasons ago. Since then, their rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Now, they've completed the climb, breaking into the stratosphere of South African football. In the coming 2025/26 season, Orbit will share the stage with the country's elite, going toe-to-toe with giants like Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns. Their story is a beacon for the underdog, a symbol of resurgence for the province, and a fresh heartbeat in South African football. Now, the real journey begins.
News24
25-06-2025
- Sport
- News24
Orbit one foot into SA top flight ahead of City clash
Orbit College face Cape Town City in a decisive playoff match on Wednesday. A win would guarantee their historic promotion and bring a financial windfall of R2.5 million stipend per month Cape Town City must win to avoid their first relegation from the top flight. Orbit College will play their biggest match in their short professional history when they faceoff with Cape Town City on Wednesday afternoon at the Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg. The clash could decide the final spot in the 2025/26 Betway Premiership. Promoted from the ABC Motsepe League just two years ago, Orbit currently sit atop of the PSL promotion/relegation playoff table with five points from three matches. A win against City would guarantee their historic promotion to the top flight. The stakes could not be higher. Promotion would see Orbit join SA's top 16 clubs and receive a monthly grant of R2.5 million, a significant step up from the R500 000 they currently receive in the NFD. Such a windfall would significantly transform both the club and the lives of its players. For City, however, the equation is simple: win or risk relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship for the first time in their history. The Citizens have collected just two points from their first two playoff matches, leaving them with no room for error in their final two fixtures. Although City are known for late-season surges, this campaign has been overshadowed by inconsistency and multiple coaching changes. Interim coach Roger de Sá will need to galvanise his squad to rescue their premiership status. Orbit have impressed with their solid defensive structure and counter-attacking ability. City may look to inject youthful energy by giving more minutes to exciting talents such as Emile Witbooi, Shakeel April and Jody Ah Shene, all of whom impressed in their last outing against Casric Stars. The pressure arguably falls more on Orbit on their final playoff match. A win will seal promotion; anything less hands City the chance to overtake them. With both teams desperate for points, an open, high-stakes contest is expected.
The Herald
19-06-2025
- The Herald
North West road rage suspects arrested after murder of elderly couple
North West police have arrested two suspects who allegedly shot and fatally wounded an elderly couple at a shopping centre in Rustenburg in a road rage incident on Saturday. The suspects are expected to appear in the Rustenburg magistrate's court on Thursday, facing two counts of murder. The arrests also led to the recovery of a vehicle and a firearm connected to the shooting. 'The arrest of the two suspects, aged 29 and 41, is a result of crime intelligence work in identifying, locating and tracking the vehicle used to flee from the crime scene,' police spokesperson Col Adele Myburgh said. 'The vehicle was traced, found and seized at Ndamoyi, Boitekong.' Upon being questioned by the police, the first suspect conceded that on that day he was travelling in and driving the Kia Rio car identified and he was with his friend, who was the one who allegedly shot the couple before they fled the scene. Myburgh said he later took the police to Rustenburg East, where his accomplice lived. 'The police, upon arrival, found the second person who showed them a pistol. The suspect was placed under arrest and the firearm was seized.' North West acting police commissioner Maj-Gen Patrick Asaneng said the swift arrests should send a strong message to those who commit crime that the police will track them down and they will have no place to hide. TimesLIVE
