Latest news with #KZN
The Citizen
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Durban prodigy wins SA Open Chess Championship
SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Amrienta Gabriels is already a household name in the chess game for having amassed a number of accolades, including her KZN colours, a cabinet full of trophies, medals and certificates, indicating that she is making all the right moves. Her most recent achievement is claiming first place in the U8 division at the 2025 SA Open Chess Championship at the University of Johannesburg from June 28 to July 5. She achieved this feat on her seventh birthday, July 5, after finishing the tournament with a perfect score of five out of five. 'It felt exciting to win the tournament,' said Amrienta as she told of how she celebrated her big win. 'I went out for supper with my friends, and I had breakfast with my cousin. It was also my birthday.' The young North Beach resident and Grade One learner at Oceanview Montessori School in Durban North began learning chess with her father, Amro, at home. From there, with the support of her parents, Amrienta developed a love for sport. She entered formal tournaments in mid-2024, where she quickly made her mark — qualifying for Team KZN at the eThekwini Trials and placing in the top three at the Mzansi Interprovincial Youth Chess Championship. Earlier this year she secured a top five finish at the SA Junior Closed Chess Championship in Cape Town, earning her a spot on the SA team for the Africa Youth Chess Championship in Zimbabwe this December. She said, 'I love playing chess because it's fun and it makes my brain smart. I love it, and losing makes me learn from mistakes and I get better, and then win all my matches and get trophies.' Also Read: Manor Gardens prodigy shines at prestigious music competition Seeing her passion and love for chess, her parents Amro Gabriels and Shienta Maharaj, enlisted the help of coaches Minenhle and Sri Ram. 'I practise every day. I love to play Lichess (chess app) matches and do puzzles, because they help me to get better,' said Amrienta. Describing Amrienta as a vibrant all-rounder who enjoys reading, drawing, and exploring nature, her proud parents said she also participates in soccer, swimming, and gymnastics. They said, 'We're incredibly proud of the hard work and determination she puts in every day. No matter the result, she always maintains such a positive spirit. It's been amazing to see how chess has helped shape the confident, kind young lady she's becoming. Her sportsmanship truly stands out; she never hesitates to congratulate her opponents and let them know they played well. That humility and grace are what mean the most to us.' Following her big win at the Open, Amrienta is already strategising her next big move where she is looking to capture the Africa Youth Chess Championship title. The tournament will bring all the great minds from the continent to Zimbabwe in December. 'I'm really excited for this tournament. I get to fly in the aeroplane, and see the clouds. I also like to stay in the hotel, and I like playing against other chess kids and making new friends. I would also like to win a trophy or get a medal,' said Amrienta. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
WATCH: Exciting opening of revamped uMhlathuze soccer stadium
City of uMhlathuze Mayor Cllr Xolani Ngewzi this morning officially opened the upgraded uMhlathuze Stadium, in the presence of councillors, officials and a host of KZN and local media and football dignitaries. ALSO READ: WATCH: PSL officials inspect uMhlathuze stadium Emphasis was on the tangible benefits the R200-million investment will bring to the city and district, beginning this weekend when the KZN Premier's Cup will be hosted at the stadium. Excited football fanatic Innocent Khanyile is among the many who can't wait for visiting teams to enter 'The Slaughterhouse'. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Real Housewives of Durban wins at KZN film and TV awards
Doig was not in attendance on the night, and the awards were accepted by the series director of Real Housewives of Durban. The popular reality TV show 'Real Housewives of Durban' won two awards on Saturday night at the Simon Mahube Sabela KZN Film and TV Awards. The show won the Best TV Production and Best Use of Cinematography awards, with the latter going to Lee Thomas Doig for his work on the fourth season. Doig was not in attendance on the night, and the awards were accepted by the series director of Real Housewives of Durban, Boitumelo Modise. 'Thank you for loving the show so much, showing so much support…for watching it, every episode that comes out,' said Modise, thanking the province. The wins are for the fourth season of the reality TV show. The 12th edition of the awards was held at the Durban ICC on Saturday evening. Celebration of KZN talent The night started off with the singing of the national anthem, followed by a performance by Phuzekhemisi and the Clermont Choir. The awards are named after legendary South African actor and filmmaker, Simon Mabhunu Sabela. Sabela is South Africa's first black film director. He directed films like Ikati Elimnyama, a renowned South African comedy film, and Ngaka, which starred Somizi Mhlongo's father, Ndaba Mhlongo. 'We'd like to thank the Simon Sabela Awards for this beautiful award, but also for celebrating KZN talent,' said Modise. 'There is so much talent in this province and I'm so glad there's a platform that celebrates it and uplifts it and gives us more opportunities to make more work,' said Modise. 'On behalf of the cast and the crew and of course the gorgeous ladies that opened up their lives and showed us intimate, vulnerable moments of their lives,' concluded the series director. ALSO READ: 'I won't be shaken': Londie London, on THAT Minnie Ntuli incident on Real Housewives of Durban Jojo's heartfelt letter Earlier this week, Jojo Robinson broke her silence after an emotional fallout with fellow cast member and former bestie Nonku Williams. Jojo posted a heartfelt tribute and farewell note on Instagram that's got fans talking. In what's being called the most emotionally charged season yet, The Real Housewives of Durban has delivered on drama, but for fans of the 'Joku' friendship between Jojo Robinson and Nonku Williams, the final episodes were more heartbreaking than entertaining. 'The way I've avoided this post…,' Jojo began. 'But it's gotten to the point where I just want to address it.' NOW READ: 'I'm sorry we let you down': RHOD's Jojo Robinson pens emotional letter to ex bestie Nonku Williams
News24
5 days ago
- News24
Woman, baby ‘locked' in home die in blaze as fire tears through Durban settlement
Nonhle Mbangwa and 18-month-old Niphiwe Zulu died in a shack, which was allegedly locked, during a midnight fire. The blaze destroyed 100 dwellings at Kennedy Road informal settlement, displacing 150 residents. The fire, which was eventually extinguished, may have originated from open flames, possibly due to an unattended stove. A 25-year-old woman and an 18-month-old baby boy died in a fire that ravaged about 100 dwellings at the Kennedy Road informal settlement in Durban in the early hours of Saturday morning. eThekwini fire department division commander Sifiso Mtshali said the suspected cause of the fire appeared to be open flames, potentially due to an unattended stove. READ | Nine die in KZN fire-related incidents, residents urged to be vigilant He said the fire, which broke out around midnight, had left about 150 people displaced. He said it took firefighters several hours to extinguish the blaze, which had managed to spread rapidly within an hour. 'We had a team of 19 firefighters, with five trucks having responded to the scene. The fire was put out using three rescue appliances, we also had two water carriers on scene.' According to residents who spoke to News24 on Saturday, the woman who died, Nonhle Mbangwa, had allegedly been locked in from the outside of her boyfriend's shack with the 18-month-old boy, and was unable to escape. Nonhle's mother, Sindiswa Mbanga, said the toddler, Niphiwe Zulu, was not her grandson, but was the child of Nonhle's friend. 'No one seems to know who locked her in from the outside. Neighbours heard the cries of the child from inside. Nonhle had only been here for two days; she had been home in the Eastern Cape for two months. If she wasn't locked in, she might have been able to escape,' said Mbanga. She said they had all been sitting around a fire on Friday night when Nonhle and the child's mother left for the shack. 'The child's mother left the child asleep with Nonhle and came back to sit around the fire with us.' Gift of the Givers arrived at the scene around 04:30 to assist residents. Bilall Jeewa, from the organisation, said: 'We have managed to get some tea and sandwiches for now because they have been up all night with children outside.' Resident Vusi Doncobe said he lost everything in the fire. 'At first we tried to put out the fire ourselves, fetching water from communal taps using buckets but it was spreading too quickly.' Last month, about 70 residents had to be rescued from the same informal settlement after a fire broke out at night. Around 40 shacks were destroyed in the blaze.
The Herald
6 days ago
- The Herald
Number of SAPS trainee applications for 5,500 posts top 900,000
As the closing date approaches, the number of police trainee applications has surpassed 900,000. The SA Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that its Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP) application window will close in less than 24 hours. After the deadline, no further applications will be accepted. The SAPS received more than 67,774 applications within the first 24 hours of opening the application window. Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said by Thursday, they had received more than 927,000 applications. She said female applicants continue to lead in terms of numbers, with 527,673 young women having submitted applications so far. Male applicants have submitted 400,204 applications thus far. 'Gauteng has brought in the most number of applications with more than 240,000, followed by KZN with more than 179,000. Limpopo is sitting at more than 102,000, with the Eastern Cape at more than 93,000 and Mpumalanga at more than 89,000. The Western Cape is sitting at number six in terms of the most applications received with more than 76,000, followed by the Free State with more than 64,000. North West is second last with more than 57,000 applications and the Northern Cape with more than 22,000 bringing in the least number of applications ,' Mathe said. She said 261,255 applicants have valid drivers' licences. 'It should be noted that not everyone will make it to the selection process due to limited space availability on the training programme with only 5,500 spaces available,' she said. She said successful candidates would be called to undergo various assessments, including psychometric and integrity, physical and medical evaluations and interviews. TimesLIVE
