Latest news with #TeamSouthAfrica
IOL News
12 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
The Homeless World Cup 2025: United by Football, Driven by Change
Team South Africa at the Homeless World Cup in Seoul 2024. Image: Source: Homeless World Cup Norway 2025: Oslo's Anniversary Tournament The 2025 Homeless World Cup marks its 20th anniversary as the tournament returns to Oslo, Norway, from August 23 to 31. With our very own national team competing this year, South Africa's Homeless World Cup squad is a force to be reckoned with as we prepare to send off a formidable team with hopes of not only returning with the trophy but, more importantly, bringing our nation's pride to the tournament's core message: to foster social change by challenging perceptions and addressing the realities of housing insecurity on a global scale. Norway is no stranger to the Homeless World Cup, having successfully hosted the event in 2017. This year's return marks a significant milestone, allowing the world to reflect on the past two decades of the transformative impact made by the competition. Oslo's Rådhusplassen (City Hall Square) prepares this year's stage for yet another thrilling competition. 2025 Homeless World Cup Image: Homeless World Cup Artwork 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Witness the Journey On Sunday, August 21, 2025, our inspiring South African team departs for Oslo. The journey to Norway is more than just competing in a football tournament; it is a life-changing opportunity for the remarkable eight. This year's South African squad includes the following eight individuals: Waseem Jacobs, Gift Valtyn, Marvin Windvogel, Bly Chitja, Simcelile Gxoyiya, Dylan Esau, Niyaaz Adriaanse, and Luthando Sibulelo Fuyani. The invaluable support of OASIS, a dedicated, long-serving non-profit organisation, has made this year's journey to Oslo for Team South Africa possible. Waseem Jacobs Marvin Windvogel Simcelile Gxoyiya Niyaaz Andriaanse Gift Valtyn Bly Chitja Dylan Esau Luthando Fuyani Image source: Africa Experience Africa Experience stands as the main corporate sponsor. OASIS: Nurturing Youth Hope At the core of Team South Africa's journey is the organisation OASIS, which has for decades nurtured hope and provided many pathways to stability. 'Cliffy' Clifford Martinus, a key figure at OASIS, reflected on the organic growth and the purpose that drives their mission. "Whatever you've seen and whatever you've admired since your arrival, we still don't know how it was all knitted together," Martinus told IOL. "So it's not like we sat in a boardroom and plotted and planned this thing." Martinus highlighted the organisation's evolution over the past 25 years, sharing that it has come together in the hands of God. OASIS provides safe and empowering environments, deeply impacting vulnerable youth who face housing insecurity in its many forms. Cliffy Clifford Martinus - Oasis Founder Image: OASIS At OASIS, the environment felt joyous after a week of storms here in Cape Town. And at the time, the children were on school holiday, playing on an extremely well-maintained pitch. The facilities at OASIS underscore the small, yet crucial difference OASIS makes. Martinus affirmed this mission: "When I played in little Sunday league football, we started this club among a few friends. And the football, we were able to invite the clients that I used to work with on the streets in town." Martinus emphasised that OASIS's work is driven by genuine impact, not self-promotion. "We don't want to go and gloat and gloat. Yeah, there's no glorification. People will raise your banner because of what you do. And that's been what it's been. And we need more organisations that are less of self and more of others." He also stressed the preventative role OASIS plays for the youth: "What you see today is because of those investments, those years... this is the simplest and the least we can offer. And it's a safe space." While on-field action is central to the Homeless World Cup's mission, an extension of its initiative is its various off-field activities. These initiatives create an atmosphere around the tournament that evokes a powerful spirit of fair play, mutual respect, and international unity through camaraderie. Oslo 2025 In Oslo, the South African players will not only showcase their footballing talent in the high-energy, rolling-substitution format but will also engage in a range of vital workshops and educational sessions focusing on crucial life skills, health and wellness, and opportunities for personal growth and development. This holistic approach of the Homeless World Cup, designed to build confidence and offer pathways towards long-term integration into society, utilises football as the catalyst, setting the atmosphere that transcends national differences. For the South African team, going there and raising our nation's flag is the beginning of a powerful message which speaks for South Africans' global progress within an economic crisis, and a housing crisis that has directly affected a large majority of South African individuals facing housing insecurity. Coach Bobo: From Player to Mentor Former South African Homeless World Cup player and the captain of the 2012 Homeless World Cup Team in Mexico, Coach Bongani "Bobo" Mathiso spoke about how the World Cup is most transformative and restorative, in powerful justice. His experience in Mexico was "great, an eye-opener," he reminisced. He emphasised the tournament's commitment to personal development: "HWC is another world... there's life skills involved. "There's a discussion everywhere. There are forums. People, alongside the matches, speak. You get to have the people who are watching talk to the players, to hear their life stories." Coach Bongani Mathiso Image: OASIS REACH FOR YOUR DREAMS Coach Bobo further explained that for the journey experienced by the players, from local selection to the global stage. "You're not just picked up from the street. You are being educated, you are being given life skills. You are being given tools in life." He underscored that the selection process goes beyond footballing ability, focusing on individuals who truly desire change. Coach Bobo further elaborated on the complex realities often overlooked for many South African youth who experience conditions of not having a "home". "You will find out that a boy stays in an informal settlement, for example, or he stays in a township, a shack; one needs to go on a home visit to see if luxuries are lying between the well-being of the child who sees the sunrise, and may not even come home. But when you go to his house, you always find out the parents are saying he's not at home... So if you can check that, or you can look at it with a broader mind, it shows you that the house or the home has become like a shelter." The Rules, the Format, the Fun: Let's play some four-a-side soccer Homeless World Cup matches feature four players from participating nations competing four-a-side, with each nation's squad comprising eight players for depth and flexibility. The players play matches over two seven-minute halves, guaranteeing high energy and constant, intense engagement. Rolling substitutions create a unique style of play, unlike the limited substitutions in traditional football. Teams rotate their players freely and consistently throughout, allowing for strategic rotations and ensuring that every member of the eight-person squad gains playing time and experiences what the World Cup has to offer. Coach Bobo described the format as "a lot of fun" but stressed its dual purpose, indicating that alongside the enjoyment, there was "a lot of learning" involved for the players. He noted the strategic nature of the quick games: "It's just the game has to be quick, it has to be intense... within that 14 minutes, you have to do what you have to do." This format, he explained, keeps the players constantly engaged and demands quick thinking. Homeless World Cup Returns to Oslo for its 20th Anniversary Image: Source: Daniel Lipinski / Homeless World Cup Oslo 2025 Send-Off As August approaches, Oslo prepares to highlight how a simple game can contribute to profound human dignity and social inclusion. The competition is a life-changing chapter for the remarkable eight travelling to Norway. This year's competition gains further exposure, directly benefiting each player, with FIFA's involvement contributing to the competition being streamed. "I think with the involvement of FIFA, they signed a memorandum of understanding," coach Bongani Mathiso said, with the matches being available on FIFA Plus. This greatly improves the access fans have to watch their nations compete for Homeless World Cup glory. The journey to Norway is deeply personal for each player. "For each player on the team, there will be a unique experience, a unique challenge," Coach Bongani Mathiso told IOL. "They each have a unique something they want to come out of it for themselves. The doors of opportunity that it can open are truly amazing." The team departs for Oslo, Norway, on Sunday, August 17, 2025, from Cape Town International Airport at 7pm. The team's send-off event will take place on August 17 at 4pm at UWC before going to Cape Town International Airport, with Best Choice Catering providing support, and Viva Con Agua, a dedicated friend to OASIS's 'Reach for Your Dreams' initiative. Cliffy Martinus and Coach Bobo have invited South Africans to show their support and give the team a proper send-off. "When they go to the airport, we want people to come and show their appreciation for the players."
The Citizen
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Pillay bags 400m gold in Germany
Brentwood Park resident Lythe Pillay delivered a golden performance for South Africa at the Rhine Ruhr FISU World University Games in Germany, storming to victory in the men's 400m final with a season's best time of 44.84 seconds. The 22-year-old sprinter followed up his individual success by helping Team South Africa secure silver in the 4x400m mixed relay. He anchored the team to a podium finish, capping off a standout performance at the multi-sport event. 'It was a good feeling. I came into the champs hoping to save the season, especially by securing qualification for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo,' said Pillay. 'The heats gave me time to rediscover my race and stride in the build-up to the final. The final went really well. I'm chuffed with the time. Winning the medal for my university and country was a big bonus.' Pillay's impressive showing at the Universiade qualified him for the Tokyo World Championships in the individual 400m, having already secured qualification in the relay events. 'Honestly, I do feel like I messed up my exchange in the relay. But I'm glad I was able to put us back into the silver medal position. The vibe was great, the chemistry was cool, and we had a great team. We all supported each other.' After a rollercoaster season that included injury setbacks, the 2022 World U20 400m champion found the FISU Games to be the perfect platform to rediscover his form. His 44.84 finish was the fifth fastest of his career and the quickest since the 44.58 he ran at the Monaco Diamond League in 2023. The Arbor Primary alum said the performance was a major step forward in his Tokyo preparations. 'It was a massive confidence booster. It helped me rediscover my racing again and find that sweet spot, as well as my strengths and weaknesses. It was nice to find that fifth gear, go back to training and further refine our approach heading into Tokyo,' said Pillay. Now that qualification for Tokyo is secured, the 2024 national 400m champion will shift focus to training and may compete in a few events before jetting off to the World Championships, which take place from September 13 to 21 at the Japan National Stadium. 'We're glad to be back running times my coach and I know I'm capable of. We're looking forward to the champs and doing damage in both the individual and relay events.' Also Read: Pillay and team earn gold at world relays Also Read: WATCH: Pillay on course to defend title at nationals
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Young judoka pushes through injury to make a podium finish at Region 5 Youth Games
For most teenagers, winning a gold medal would be the highlight of their lives, but for 16-year-old Maxx Mackenzie, it was just the beginning. Fresh off his victory at the Africa Cup in Pretoria, the rising judo talent powered through pain and pressure to earn a hard-fought bronze medal at the Region 5 Youth Games, representing South Africa with remarkable resilience. The games brought together nearly 200 athletes from 10 southern African countries, including Botswana, Zambia, Angola, and host nation Namibia. Competing in the U20 division, Maxx was one of the youngest judokas on the mat, facing opponents up to four years his senior. 'Being only 16 and fighting in the U20 category was definitely my biggest challenge, but I was ready. I upped my training, added more cardio, boxing, and weight sessions. Sensei Basil arranged extra judo sessions to make sure I was mentally and physically prepared.' Also read: Bryanston Sports Club pits their best potjies forward Maxx trains at the Tatami Judo Academy under the mentorship of Sensei Basil Smith, who he credits for instilling values like perseverance, respect, and sportsmanship. His weekly routine includes evening dojo training and early-morning workouts, balanced with his love for swimming and rugby, but it was the bronze medal bout that would test, not just Maxx's skill, but his stamina and willpower as well. 'I got my opponent into a choke hold, and then an arm lock, but he just wouldn't give up,' said Maxx. 'I was two points ahead when I felt something tear in my knee. I had to hold my balance for the last 10 seconds. It was all or nothing. When the final whistle blew, and I heard people shouting my name, it was an incredible moment.' The win came at a cost. Maxx later learned he had torn a ligament in his knee, forcing him to withdraw from the upcoming African Championships in Angola. While the news was disappointing, he remains undeterred. 'It was tough hearing I needed surgery, but I'm staying positive and focusing on recovery. I'll be supporting Team South Africa all the way and working hard to return stronger next year.' Also read: Redhill's golden goalkeeper leads team to historic Aitken Cup promotion Maxx's long-term goals include qualifying for future African Championships and one day competing in the Olympics, a dream he approaches with steady focus and gratitude. When asked what advice he has for younger athletes, he repeated a mantra from his coach. 'Believe in yourself and have fun while doing it. And as Sensei Basil always says: 'Trust the process. '' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
IOL News
20-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Welcome to Prosper Nation, a weekly column reshaping the narrative about SA's potential
Dr Nik Eberl is the Founder & Executive Chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event) .He will be writing a regular column in Business Report. Welcome to Prosper Nation, a weekly column dedicated to reshaping the narrative about South Africa's potential - and charting a new path to sustainable prosperity. This platform is born out of a belief that our greatest national resource is not mineral wealth or coastal beauty but our people and our untapped collective ambition. Each week, I will unpack the ideas, strategies, and stories that hold the power to turn South Africa into one of the Top 10 most prosperous nations on earth. Why Prosper Nation and Why Now? South Africa is brimming with potential. Yet we stand at a crossroads: high youth unemployment, structural inequality, and political fatigue have made many South Africans lose faith in our collective future. But I've seen what's possible when belief is restored. In 2010, I had the honour of developing and leading South Africa's Brand Ambassador Campaign for the FIFA World Cup™ - a campaign that would go on to earn the highest visitor brand score in the history of the tournament. We achieved that by doing something profound: uniting South Africans behind a shared story of excellence and possibility. We told the world we were ready - and then proved it. That campaign taught me that prosperity is not just GDP or job statistics. Prosperity is belief in action. When people believe in their country, their leaders, and their role in the future, they build with conviction. The 2010 Leadership ROI Hosted by South Africa, the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ was a shining example of what can be achieved when all members of a team, in this case the entire country, pull together behind a single vision and a common goal. It was none other than Nelson Mandela who had initiated the 2010 vision of 'hosting the most successful World Cup ever' (as pronounced by President Thabo Mbeki) when he travelled, against his doctors' advice, all the way to Zurich to address the FIFA World Cup Committee and lifted the World Cup trophy as South Africa was announced the host of the 2010 edition. For the following six years, it was almost miraculous to watch how all the stakeholders of Team South Africa, from government to business, civic society and even the churches, came together to deliver what CNN called 'the most memorable World Cup of all time'. And visitors did rate 2010 the best World Cup ever, as South Africa achieved a 92% Net Promoter Score (still the highest to date) and FIFA rated the country's service delivery for the World Cup 9 out of 10. Following the 2010 World Cup, South Africa's leisure tourism grew 30% year-on-year (and business tourism more than 39%) – and the exchange rate went all the way up to R7/$ in July 2010. Such is the power of leadership alignment. What You can expect from this column In the coming weeks and months, Prosper Nation will explore the foundational drivers of prosperity through five lenses: The Future of Jobs: Drawing from the national conversation sparked by our recent Future of Jobs Summit , we'll examine the high-potential industries poised to reshape our economy—from digital services and green energy to advanced manufacturing and agritech. Drawing from the national conversation sparked by our recent , we'll examine the high-potential industries poised to reshape our economy—from digital services and green energy to advanced manufacturing and agritech. Leadership That Builds: Over the past ten years, I have interviewed more than 500 business and public sector leaders across the country. These conversations offer a goldmine of insight - about what works, what doesn't, and what South African leadership needs to look like in the decade ahead. Over the past ten years, I have interviewed more than 500 business and public sector leaders across the country. These conversations offer a goldmine of insight - about what works, what doesn't, and what South African leadership needs to look like in the decade ahead. Spotlighting Hidden Champions: South Africa is already home to dozens of companies leading their niche globally—but too few know their names. We will tell their stories and share the strategies that can be scaled across sectors. South Africa is already home to dozens of companies leading their niche globally—but too few know their names. We will tell their stories and share the strategies that can be scaled across sectors. Unlocking Human Capital: We will explore how to transform South Africa into a global talent hub, capable of retaining its brightest minds and attracting the world's top innovators, developers, and creators. We will explore how to transform South Africa into a global talent hub, capable of retaining its brightest minds and attracting the world's top innovators, developers, and creators. Benchmarking Global Best Practice: We will regularly refer to tools like the Global Prosperity Index to measure where we stand - and where we must improve - across education, health, governance, social capital, and business conditions. From Insights to Action The Inaugural Future of Jobs Summit revealed something vital: South Africans aren't short on ideas - they're short on aligned action. We need platforms where business, government, educators, and entrepreneurs can co-create new solutions, not just exchange complaints. That's what this column will be: a bridge between vision and execution. We'll translate ideas into policy suggestions, citizen initiatives, and enterprise strategies. And we'll invite everyone - especially young South Africans - to see themselves as architects of the future, not just observers. Building Our Prosper Nation - Together In 2010, we reminded the world that South Africa could do the impossible. Now, it's time to do it again - but this time, not just for a tournament, but for our people. I believe South Africa has what it takes to become one of the most innovative, inclusive, and prosperous nations of the 21st century. And I invite you to join me on this journey - not just as a reader, but as a partner in building a future we can all believe in.
IOL News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Noah Lyles may be running scared of SA star Akani Simbine at Atlanta City Games as Wayde van Niekerk gets back on track
Akani Simbine SA star Akani Simbine (centre) will run in Atlanta on Saturday. Photo: AFP Image: AFP After a lengthy indoor season, a few Diamond League wins and World Relays gold medal, you would think Akani Simbine would take a breather back home. But instead of enjoying the celebrations with the Team South Africa relay squad at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg this week, Simbine travelled in another direction. The 31-year-old SA sprint star left China and headed to the United States to take part in Saturday's adidas Atlanta City Games. Simbine has been in red-hot form, earning a bronze medal at the 60m indoor world championships in China in March in his first ever campaign in that arena. Then he ran a 2025 100m world-lead of 9.90 seconds at the Botswana Grand Prix in Gaborone, before winning consecutive Diamond League races in China. He didn't slow down on his busy start to the year, anchoring SA to the 4x100m gold medal at the World Relays in Guangzhou, China last weekend with an astonishing finish to edge out USA's Brandon Hicklin, who boasts the second-fastest 100m time this year of 9.93. Clearly Simbine is the man to beat in Atlanta – so does that mean 100m Olympic champion Noah Lyles is running scared of the South African? Lyles, who pulled off an incredible triple-gold-medal haul at the 2023 world championships in Budapest in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, will also be competing at Piedmont Park – but in the 150m event. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading He is chasing Usain Bolt's world best time of 14.35, having run 14.41 in last year's corresponding meeting. But Lyles is seemingly holding his fire for now with regards to Simbine, with the September world championships in Tokyo the main goal for this season. Nevertheless, Simbine will hope to maintain his unbeaten 100m streak for this year, but will be up against a formidable field in Atlanta. Jamaican Oblique Seville is at the top of that list, as he boasts a personal best of 9.81 – which is slightly quicker than Simbine's SA record of 9.82. Seville finished eighth in the fastest-ever 100m Olympic final last year – running 9.91, with Simbine fourth in 9.82. Other notable competitors in Atlanta are Americans Erriyon Knighton (200m world championship silver medallist in 2023 and bronze in 2022) and Cravont Charleston (100m personal best of 9.90), as well as US-based Nigerian Udodi Onwuzurike (9.92 PB). The other South African taking part at the Atlanta City Games will be 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk. The 32-year-old was scheduled to participate at the national championships in Potchefstroom in late April, but withdrew following the birth of his second son. Now Van Niekerk will hope to finally get his 2025 season going, having returned to South Africa on a fulltime basis after leaving his US-based coach Lance Brauman's training squad. Van Niekerk will be running in the 200m event, which indicates that the half-lap event will be his main distance in 2025 again, having reached the semi-finals at last year's Paris Olympics. But he will have to produce some excellent times over the next few months to push for a place in the SA team, with the likes of Sinesipho Dambile (20.01), Bayanda Walaza (20.08), Naeem Jack (20.13) and Abduraghmaan Karriem (20.15) having already breached the 20.16 qualifying mark. Van Niekerk's fastest time in 2024 was his 20.29 effort in Madrid last June. Meanwhile, another member of the SA 4x100m relay team that won silver at the Paris Olympics, Shaun Maswanganyi, will be back on the track in Friday's Diamond League meeting in Doha, Qatar. Maswanganyi will be squaring off with 200m Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo in the half-lap event, and will hope to run the 20.16 world championship qualifying time.
