In the gloom, two South Africans bring global glory
South African artist and painter, Marlene Dumas and Rayno Nel in action during the World's Strongest Man competition in Sacramento, California. Pictures: Instagram and Robyn Beck/AFP
Amid the weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth which seems to be present-day South Africa, it is good to know that our supposedly traumatised country can still produce world-beaters.
There were two of them this week who rose to the highest heights in their respective fields. SA-born Artist Marlene Dumas set a global auction record for the most expensive painting sold by a living female artist.
This after her 1997 painting Miss January sold for a staggering $13.7 million (more than R245 million) at Christie's 21st Century Evening Sale auction in the United States.
Fair enough, Dumas, 72, has lived in Amsterdam since 1976… but we'll still call her ours.
ALSO READ: SA-born artist Marlene Dumas breaks global record with over R245 million painting sale [PICS]
Someone who hasn't left and has his feet still solidly on local ground is newly crowned strongman world champion Rayno Nel, a former Cheetahs rugby player who has won the World's Strongest Man championship in California.
He was the first athlete from Africa to take the title in the 48-year history of the event.
The achievement was even more notable because Nel only took up the strongman sport two years ago, after retiring from rugby and then focusing on his career as an electrical engineer.
Fly, the Beloved Country…
ALSO READ: Rayno Nel eager to keep improving after winning strongman world title
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Bayanda Walaza wins Universiade 100m crown on profitable day for SA
Bayanda Walaza became the third South African to win the World Student Games 100m crown as he claimed South Africa's third gold medal of the 2025 showpiece in Germany on Tuesday night. The world junior champion crossed the line in 10.16sec as he downed Puripol Boonson of Thailand, the same man he beat at the under-20 global competition in Peru last year. Anaso Jobodwana was the first South African to win this crown in 2013 and Akani Simbine followed in 2015 — and now there's 19-year-old Walaza, who has added the Universiade title to his age-group crowns and Olympic 4x100m silver medal. But it wasn't all plain sailing for the Tshwane University of Technology student, who survived anxious moments in the semifinals. Walaza escaped a false start after one of his rivals twitched in his blocks before his own indiscretion. Then the field was called back for a faulty start and when they finally got under way for real at the third firing of the gun, Walaza didn't get away as cleanly as normal. But he did enough to win his heat by one-hundredth of a second. He made no mistake in the final to cap a profitable day for South Africa with no fewer than four medals on the day. In the women's 100m Gabriella Marais ended third in 10.51, seven-hundredths of a second behind Australia winner Georgia Harris. Colette Uys took bronze in the women's shot put with a heave of 17.34m, just 1cm in front of compatriot Mine de Klerk. Olivia Nel landed her third medal of the gala as she claimed bronze in the women's 50m backstroke in 27.91sec, breaking her own African record set earlier in the competition. Then she won the first semifinal heat of the women's 50m freestyle, clocking 24.96, the second-fastest time of the evening. Nel's podium finish added to the two bronze medals claimed in relay races, one of which she won alongside twin Georgia, in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay.
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
RIP Ozzy Osbourne: Black Sabbath frontman dies just weeks after farewell gig to fans
Prince of Darkness: Ozzy Osbourne pioneered heavy metal with Black Sabbath before carving out a highly successful solo career. Heavy metal group Black Sabbath lead singer Ozzy Osbourne poses for pictures as he arrives for the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) in Glasgow, Scotland. Picture: AFP Legendary heavy metal star Ozzy Osbourne has passed away at the age of 76 just two weeks after he reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates on stage at Villa Park, in his home city Birmingham. In a statement on Tuesday, his family said: 'It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. 'He was with his family and surrounded by love.' British singer Ozzy Osbourne performs during the closing ceremony for the Commonwealth Games at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, central England, in 2022. Picture: AFP The Prince of Darkness: Ozzy Osbourne's farewell concert… For his epic farewell concert, Osbourne performed in front of a 40 000-strong crowd from a throne at Villa Park. 'It's the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,' the hell-raising lead singer, who had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, told emotional fans after finishing the set with Paranoid – the band's most famous song. The concert also featured performances from some of the 76-year-old iconic performer's favourite acts, including Metallica and Guns'n'Roses. Ozzy Osbourne: Pioneering heavy metal Born John Michael Osbourne on 3 December 1948 in Birmingham, he left school at 15 and did odd jobs including factory work before teaming up with school friend Geezer Butler in several bands. Nicknamed the 'Prince of Darkness', Osbourne pioneered heavy metal with Black Sabbath before going on to have huge success in his own right, as well as becoming a reality TV star on The Osbournes. The Grammy Award-winning musician was known for iconic heavy metal hits, including Iron Man, Paranoid, War Pigs, Crazy Train and Changes – both with the band and as a solo star. 🖤 Rest in power, Ozzy Osbourne. The godfather of heavy metal. His legacy echoes through the halls of MI, from the students he inspired, to the artists and clinicians who followed in his path. A true original. Thank you, Ozzy. 🤘 #RIPOzzy July 22, 2025
The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
French-based star waiting for Kaizer Chiefs bosses
Kaizer Chiefs could very well add depth and quality to coach Nasreddine Nabi's 2025/26 Betway Premiership squad. ADVERTISEMENT Phiri, who previously played for clubs in France, Denmark, and Turkey, is one of several high-profile names being linked to Amakhosi. His technical ability and experience in Europe make him an appealing target for a Kaizer Chiefs side that has already made several key additions. While nothing has been finalised, Phiri has confirmed that discussions had taken place with Amakhosi before the club's pre-season tour. Amakhosi update: More new signings Kaizer Chiefs target Lebogang Phiri in action for EA Guingamp in France's Ligue 1. Image: lebophiri_6/Instagram With Thabo Cele, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, and Samkelo Zwane as the available options in the number six role, the 30-year-old Phiri would add unquestionable value. ADVERTISEMENT Kaizer Chiefs news: Flavio Antonio da Silva 'We had small talks with them, but I think it was the time they were going for a pre-season training camp abroad [in the Netherlands],' said Phiri via Soccer Beat. 'So, those [the negotiations] were stalled a bit. Hopefully, in the upcoming days, we will come up with something; if not, we will respect everybody who shows interest in me, whether it is locally or abroad,' the Johannesburg-born star concluded. Lebogang Phiri's Previous Clubs: ADVERTISEMENT Bidvest Wits Juniors Brondby U19s (Denmark) Brondby (Denmark) Guingamp (France) Rizespor (Turkey) Paris FC (France) Guingamp (France). In the meantime, Phiri's contract with Guingamp expired last month and no new deal has been tabled. SHOULD AMAKHOSI SIGN LEBOGANG PHIRI? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
