Latest news with #Simoné
The Citizen
14-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Jo-Lee's power punch earns Gauteng call-up
Jo-Lee van Tonder, a young boxer from Vikings Boxing Academy, has been selected to represent Gauteng at the upcoming South African Championships. • Also read: Vikings Boxing Club ready to conquer the West Rand Public Relations Officer at the club, Simoné Louw, stated that this is a significant milestone in Jo-Lee's sporting journey and a proud moment for the club. 'Jo-Lee Tonder began boxing at the age of 12 and was initially drawn to the sport as a means of self-defence after experiencing bullying, where she quickly developed a passion for the discipline and competitiveness that boxing demands,' Simoné said. Jo-Lee added that what started out as self-defence quickly evolved into something she loved. She wasn't just pursuing fitness, she was building a stronger version of herself. Jo-Lee works full-time and trains after hours. Boxing has become a permanent part of her life. 'Training has become such a natural part of my routine that it doesn't feel like something I have to fit in anymore. When I miss a session, it feels like something's missing,' she explained. She describes herself as a strategic counter-boxer who relies more on precision and timing than brute strength. My mindset is my strongest weapon. I stay calm and focused under pressure, which helps me make smart decisions in the ring,' she added. Simoné continued that her selection to the Gauteng team is not just a personal victory but a moment of pride for her coach and the club as a whole. Coach Phillip du Randt, head coach at Vikings Boxing Academy, spoke highly of her character and work ethic. 'Jo-Lee sets herself apart with her winning attitude and personality. She never complains, and she always rises to the challenge. She's a beast that puts a lot of other people in the backseat,' he believes. Phillip also noted the broader impact of her selection to the Gauteng team, which opens doors for more female boxers, not just at club level but also provincially and nationally, making the club proud. Jo-Lee acknowledged that she has faced her fair share of stereotyping in the sport. People often say I'm too petite or pretty to be a boxer, but that's exactly why I keep showing up. You don't have to look a certain way to be strong,' she asserted. She stated that her training in preparation for the SA Championships includes both physical conditioning and mental preparation, where she is pushing harder than ever and reminding herself of how far she has come. 'Behind every fight are sore muscles, sacrifices and moments of self-doubt. But I've stayed committed,' she said. Phillip believes Jo-Lee has the potential to turn professional, and if she chooses to compete professionally, he foresees only good things ahead, both in boxing and in life. Jo-Lee concluded that she draws inspiration from world champion Katie Taylor and credits her mother as a constant source of strength and support. Her message to other young women considering the sport is clear: do not be afraid to try, as boxing teaches you more than how to fight. It teaches you how to believe in yourself. She is set to compete at the South African Championships at the beginning of July and is currently seeking sponsorship to support her journey. She will be competing in the Women's Elite Bantamweight Category (51kg – 54kg). If you are interested in assisting her, you can contact her coach, Phillip du Randt, on 081 212 9143. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Lights, camera, baby! Simoné Pretorius welcomes her third child with Andries Levi Pretorius
Simoné Pretorius and husband Andries have welcomed their third child, joining siblings Harper and James. Image: Instagram South African actress and filmmaker Simoné Pretorius and her husband, Andries Levi Pretorius, have welcomed their third child into the world. The couple, who married in 2019, are already proud parents to daughter Harper and son James. In a 2023 interview with "Showmax Stories", Simoné revealed that she was expecting her second child in January 2024. Simoné shared the heart-warming news on Instagram, posting a photo captioned: How it started versus how it's going. The post reflects her journey from anticipation to the arrival of their newest family member. Known for her roles in "Vir die Voëls" and "Hotel". Simoné has often spoken about the challenges and joys of motherhood. In a 2021 interview, she discussed balancing her acting career with parenting, noting the bittersweet experience of returning to work while missing her young children. Beyond her acting career, Simoné is also a director and screenwriter. Her 2024 directorial debut, "Som van Twee" garnered critical acclaim, winning multiple awards at the Silwerskerm Festival. As Simoné and Andries embrace this new chapter with their growing family, fans and followers have flooded her social media with messages of love and congratulations. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Simoné isn't alone in this new chapter of motherhood. Former Miss South Africa and medical doctor Tamaryn Green is also basking in the glow of new motherhood. The model announced her pregnancy in August last year. She and her husband, Ze Nxumalo, welcomed their baby girl on January 28. Sharing a photo of herself cradling her baby, Green wrote, "In my arms, I hold the world. 🙂Every late night, every tear, every smile, this journey of motherhood has been the most incredible chapter of my life. I've grown, I've stumbled, I've soared, and I wouldn't trade a moment of it. This is a love like no other." Together, these two powerhouse women remind us that motherhood, whether it's baby number one or three, is a personal, transformative, and at times messy journey.
