Latest news with #isiXhosa
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Pandor calls on leaders to be good 'troublemakers' like Madiba
Pandor reflected on Mandela's life, his values, and the kind of world he envisioned. Former International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor delivering the keynote address at the official UN commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day in New York on Friday. Picture: Nelson Mandela Foundation. As South Africans marked Nelson Mandela Day on Friday, former International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor called on world leaders to follow in the steps of Madiba by being 'good troublemakers.' Pandor delivered the keynote address at the official UN commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day in New York on Mandela Day. 'Mandela a troublemaker' Speaking in her role as the chairperson of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Pandor reflected on Mandela's life, his values, and the kind of world he envisioned. 'While we all, with great affection, refer to President Mandela's first name as 'Nelson', the name that he was actually given at birth was 'Rolihlahla'. In isiXhosa, which was Mandela's mother tongue, the colloquial meaning of Rolihlahla is 'troublemaker''. She explained that while 'Rolihlahla' directly meant 'shake the tree', the isiXhosa name given to Madiba was 'troublemaker.' 'Mandela was a troublemaker. The kind of good troublemaker that we need more of in the world today, and the kind that we will continue to need well into the future. The kind of troublemaker that some people did not always love because he pushed for an equality that we should all enjoy and for the overcoming of a system of oppression which was called convenient and profitable to some,' said Pandor. As South Africans marked Nelson Mandela Day on Friday, former International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor called on world leaders to follow in the steps of Madiba by being 'good troublemakers.' #MandelaDay @TheCitizen_News — 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) July 20, 2025 ALSO READ: 'They never stopped' – Naledi Pandor continues to receive threats 'Fierce man' Pandor said Mandela was a fierce man on matters of justice. 'He pushed for a kind of equality and the overcoming of a system of oppression that was convenient and profitable to some, a system that was defeated in South Africa, but which has yet to be eradicated globally.' SA's freedom Pandor told guests, including United Nations (UN) Secretary General António Guterres, about the role the UN played in South Africa's struggle for freedom. 'The United Nations steered us to freedom, stood against apartheid domination not through arms, but through bringing its undeniable moral weight into combat against injustice. That boldness, that courage is needed more and more today, and we hope as we remember and honour President Mandela, we recall his words, 'It is in your hands.' What would Madiba say? Pandor said the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which she now chairs, often gets asked what Mandela would say or do on certain issues if he were alive today. 'We, too, ask this question of ourselves. In the context of my call here today, the question arises – What kind of world would he be prepared to make good trouble for? Drawing on his life and work, and personal reflections, we believe that it would be a just world. 'A world where justice does not kneel to the rich and powerful; where our collective upliftment takes precedence over individual privilege; where the benefits and burdens of our society are equally shared; where our privilege and personal biases do not sway us from being just; and where our like or dislike of someone does not hinder us from doing what is right in relation to them. This is the kind of world that we need to make good trouble for,' Pandor said. ALSO READ: WATCH: 'SA showing world we have embraced constitutional democracy' − Pandor
CAF
6 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Fikile Magama: A Born Winner shining brightest at WAFCON
In a tournament brimming with global and established superstars, South African defender Fikile Magama has found a deserved place among the TotalEnergies WAFCON 2024 Group Stages Best XI as selected by the Technical Study Group. Her name Fikile means "Arrived" in isiXhosa. And arrive she has. Magama has arrived at the continental stage and looks comfortable with the big names. Quiet and very reserved off the pitch, mostly found in a corner minding her own business but overall locked in on the purpose. 'Being in the Best XI means a lot to me. I didn't expect it but looking back at how far I have come, being in the Best XI shows how much work I've done to get to where I am today,' Magama says to CAFOnline in an exclusive interview. 'The WAFCON is an amazing experience. As someone attending for the first time, I am truly impressed by the community's enthusiasm and knowledge. The sessions have been great, and the chance to connect with others is excellent within Banyana Banyana. What has stood up for me the most is fighting for one another on the field even when I make a mistake my teammate is there to motivate me and that has kept me going and made me want to give my all,' the 23-year-old defender adds. From Gugulethu to the World Magama started playing football at the tender age of seven. Her passion for the beautiful game was supported by her lovely grandmother who took her to Cape Town Roses where her skills were harnessed until she was 15 when she moved to Dangerous Heroes in Philippi still in the Mother City. Then she joined Phuhla FC (a boys' team). As a young girl with dreams of gaining further education, Magama joined the University of Western Cape. UWC as they are commonly known have a solid football platform for young ladies and for Magama, this was the perfect fit. Enrolled into the Sport Recreation Exercise Sciences, Magama is focusing on achieving both her dreams – education and football. Playing under Thinasonke Mbuli at UWC at club level has seen her grow her game whilst also winning titles including the Women's Varsity Football title in 2021. Mbuli is also the assistant coach of the Banyana Banyana. This growth in leaps and bounds earned her more recognition from the national junior coaches including former South African captain cum head coach of the U17 and later the U20 national team at the time – Simphiwe Dludlu. 'When I first met her, she was very shy but could speak up. She didn't impress me on the position she played at first in camp, but I remember her asking me to play a totally different position because she could kick with her left foot. I never regretted keeping her in the team because she ended up being a key player at the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in 2018 in Uruguay and beyond,' Dludlu reminisces. Dludlu, who is working as a broadcast commentator at the WAFCON in Morocco and commentated South Africa's first two games – against Ghana and Tanzania, reveals that, 'Her insight of the game has drastically improved, and she has been tactically versatile. She has so far executed her role as a defender pretty well against different opposition. She was good with 1v1 in defense and covering her other defenders. Her transition from defense to attack has been a marvel to watch. She almost scored against Tanzania. I saw confidence shine through.' Praises galore Banyana Banyana head coach Dr Desiree Ellis who has selected her to start in all three of South Africa's Group C fixtures against Ghana, Tanzania and Mali is singing her praises. 'For a very long time, Lebohang Ramalepe has been the right back for Banyana Banyana but the qualities that Fikile has, we realized that we could utilize them at right back and the qualities that Ramalepe has, we could utilize them further up field. She played all three games in the group stages. It shows the quality that she has had. She has grown and she has matured so, so much. She offers us so much going forward as well. She could have scored against Mali but defensively she is very sound,' Ellis says with such enthusiasm about Magama. 'She has played 90+ minutes in all these matches. She has also got the experience of going to the U17 World Cup and that experience is second to none. She was part of our squad at the 2023 World Cup [in Australia and New Zealand]. It just shows how she has grown and how she has matured. In some of our games, she has even played left back. She is that versatile.' 'I think she is a huge part of the defense and why we have only conceded one goal in the tournament, and she is going to be on top of her game in the next game. We trust her and we have faith in her. At the club [UWC], she has matured as well. I think having coach Thina there has really helped her grow and develop but she has really showed that she is up there and can battle it out there with the best that the continent can offer. I just hope that she continues in this reign because she has really matured and grown and gotten better.' 'She also has got the experience of playing at the CAF Women's Champions League (CAFWCL) and the COSAFA in an unfamiliar role. I think she played at left back. It shows the strength and the quality that she has. All those experiences put together are now coming through. It is showing in the way that she performs, in the way that she adds value to the team and she has been one of the pillars of the team at this tournament.' Magama played a key role in inspiring UWC to finishing second in the topflight league in South Africa which earned them a place in the CAFWCL COSAFA Qualifiers reaching the final and winning 9-8 on penalties following a 1-1 after extra time against Botswana's Gaborone United. Magama scored one of the penalties that earned the university side a place at the continent's biggest inter-club competition that took place in Morocco. Quarterfinal test This is the first time that the Banyana Banyana are at the WAFCON as defending champions. Winners in 2022, South Africa have one goal – to defend their title. But in front of them is a very ambitious Senegal side that are desperate to return to the last eight for a second consecutive edition. The Teranga Lionesses will face their biggest test at the competition. And to stop Senegal, Magama and her teammates will have to once again dig deep into their experience of winning the last edition and playing at back-to-back World Cups. 'We want to win against Senegal in the quarterfinals. Our team will need to focus on several key areas; strong defence, clinical finishing, midfield control, teamwork and strategy, physical and mental preparation and lastly adaptability,' Magama predicts. This quarterfinal matchup between South Africa and Senegal will be the first time the two teams are meeting in the knockout stages of the TotalEnergies WAFCON. With Banyana Banyana playing all their three Group C matches at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, it has become a home for them at this competition. Magama and her teammates will be hoping to use that to their advantage against Senegal on Saturday at 8pm (local time).
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- The Citizen
Armed robbers strike Boundary Street home in Carletonville
A terrifying home invasion took place on the eastern side of Carletonville in the early hours of Wednesday, July 3. At approximately 01:45, a 27-year-old resident of Boundary Street, near Kaolin Street, awoke and went to the bathroom—only to come face-to-face with a group of masked intruders already inside his home. One of the robbers, who reportedly spoke isiZulu and isiXhosa, was armed, escalating the danger. The thugs also woke up the victim's cousin, who was sleeping in the house at the time. The intruders tied up both residents before ransacking the property. They fled the scene with a variety of stolen items, including cash, cellphones, laptops, clothing, and even bedding. The victims were left traumatised, but fortunately no serious injuries were reported. Police are investigating the matter, and anyone with information is urged to come forward. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Daily Maverick
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Tears and laughter — Springbok Women inspire Zwide pupils in touching homecoming visit
The Springbok Women's team visited Ndzondelelo High in Zwide, inspiring young players. Local stars Byrhandrè Dolf and Sanelisiwe Charlie returned home, sharing their journeys from township dreams to national pride – proving to pupils that greatness can rise from familiar ground. The spirit of rugby and resilience hung in the air at Ndzondelelo High School in Zwide on Wednesday morning as the Springbok Women's team paid a visit to the school, before their Test against Canada in Gqeberha. The national side was greeted with a powerful display of amagwijo (isiXhosa celebratory songs) sung by the school's rugby teams, including 50 female players. Among the songs was Intliziyo yam iyabekezela ('My heart endures and never gives up'), echoing the perseverance and dreams embodied by the visiting athletes. Pupils formed a guard of honour, welcoming the Springboks with cheers, handshakes and hugs. There was laughter, a few tears and impromptu games as the national players took the field to connect with the pupils not just as stars, but as sisters, mentors and role models. Among them was 22-year-old Byrhandrè Dolf from Kariega, who joined the national team in 2022. Reflecting on her journey, Dolf said she once had no matches to play at school and had to find opportunities outside the classroom. 'It was a dream come true when I was selected to be part of the team,' she said. 'In 2023, I played my first Test match against Canada. I was on the field for only seven minutes, but for me it was like, tho, finally man. I still pinch myself sometimes.' This weekend, Dolf faces Canada once again, but this time, in front of her home crowd. 'My family will be watching me in the green and gold for the first time. I'm excited and nervous, but the nerves won't get to me. The spirit of sisterhood in our team is so strong, and that bond keeps us going.' For teammate Sanelisiwe Charlie, the visit to Ndzondelelo was more than just a stop on the itinerary – it was a homecoming. A former pupil of the school and a native of Joe Slovo, Charlie was visibly emotional as she returned to the very classrooms and fields where her dream began. 'It really feels good to be here, because the purpose is bigger than me,' she said. 'I know I represent something these girls never thought possible for them. Seeing someone who looks like them, who walked these same corridors – it means they can do it too.' Breaking away from the field for a moment, Charlie visited some of her old classrooms, receiving hugs from her former teachers and excited pupils. 'Our teachers play such an important role in our lives,' she said. 'They really help us believe in ourselves, no matter what circumstances we come from.' Those circumstances were not easy. Her mother, Lulama Charlie, recounted the long walks Sanelisiwe made from Joe Slovo to Zwide – nearly 15km – to attend school. 'After their father died, it was hard. But I'm so proud of how far God has taken her,' Lulama said, emotion in her voice. She added that her faith in God and constant prayer are what she has always offered her children, in place of material wealth. 'Sanelisiwe is generous, she takes care of the family. Her siblings aren't employed yet, but she really fills that gap.' As she spoke, several players stopped mid-activity just to greet and hug Lulama, a quiet acknowledgement of the foundation she laid. 'She had an injury recently,' Lulama added softly, 'but I hold her up in prayer. My little last-born baby. God is doing marvellous work through her.' With amagwijo still echoing through the halls of Ndzondelelo, the Springbok Women's visit was more than a community event – it was a living lesson in courage, community and the power of coming home. DM
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Igwijo unleashed: Siya Kolisi and Jesse Kriel's viral musical moment
Video of Springboks stars Siya Kolisi and Jesse Kriel singing igwijo breaks the internet. It is a force so captivating that even South African professional rugby player Jesse André Kriel has been swept up by it. Nothing compares to the power of igwijo! Given that Kriel is fluent in isiXhosa, it's no surprise he's embraced igwijo - a vibrant form of traditional Xhosa vocal music. Over the weekend, the rugby star once again stepped into Siya Kolisi's shoes to lead the Springboks against Italy at Loftus, with the Boks triumphing 42-24. In a recent playful TikTok clip, Kolisi gave fans a glimpse of Kriel belting out another igwijo tune. Supporters were thrilled to see Kriel joining Kolisi in song. 'Jesse's smile gets me every time,' one fan gushed. 'Jesse seems to be vibes,' added another. A third remarked: 'Proud of Jesse - he's learning Xhosa more and more, with Bhuti Siya right by his side. Back-to-back champs!'
