Latest news with #CapeTownInternationalAirport
eNCA
a day ago
- eNCA
Port of entry task teams launched
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa is already known for a high crime rate and now concern about human trafficking is rising. Wednesday is World Day against Trafficking in Persons. The Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel, will host a stakeholder engagement tomorrow at Cape Town International Airport to mark the day.
Eyewitness News
7 days ago
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Last batch of BT Football Academy players who were stranded in Portugal land in Cape Town
CAPE TOWN - The last batch of 15 young football players and one of the coaches, who were left stranded in Europe after a botched football tour, have landed at Cape Town International Airport. Thirty-four young footballers and four coaches flew to Spain earlier in July for a football tour arranged by BT Football Academy. The academy failed to book return flights despite participants paying R50,000 each for the trip. Nineteen players and three coaches have since returned to Cape Town safely, with the rest of the squad having just landed on Thursday afternoon. ALSO READ: • Teen footballer says group's stranding in Portugal 'was very traumatic' • Teen duo relieved to be back home in CT after football tour group left stranded in Portugal The mother of one of the 15 young footballers said she'd had sleepless nights since hearing her son was stranded in Spain. Zukiswa Dlelembe from Mowbray said that she could not wait to see her son, Anathi. "I'm so excited. I couldn't sleep last night. I think it's because of excitement and because we've been through hell in the last few days. I was not sleeping even, not having appetite. But now I'm very excited, I can't wait to see my son." The young players who are from areas across Cape Town were split into three groups, with at least one coach accompanying them for each trip.
Eyewitness News
7 days ago
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Jubilation and tears as last batch of BT Football Academy players who were stranded in Europe welcomed home
Carlo Petersen 24 July 2025 | 14:57 BT Football Academy Cape Town (3) Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) Family members and friends of the final batch of BT Football Academy players and coaches who were stranded in Europe wait for their arrival at the Cape Town International Airport on 24 July 2025. Picture: Cailyn Pretorius/EWN CAPE TOWN - Cries of jubilation echoed through the international arrivals section of Cape Town International Airport on Thursday, as the last batch of young footballers and coaches who were stranded in Europe after a botched tour arrived on home soil. Thirty-four young footballers and four coaches flew to Spain earlier in July for a football tour arranged by BT Football Academy. The academy failed to book return flights despite participants paying R50,000 each for the trip, leaving the entire squad standing for more than a week. ALSO READ: • Teen footballer says group's stranding in Portugal 'was very traumatic' • Teen duo relieved to be back home in CT after football tour group left stranded in Portugal Tears flowed at Cape Town International Airport on Thursday as Cindy Griqua, mother to 17-year-old goalkeeper Josea, welcomed her son home after his ordeal in Europe. "I'm actually excited and sad at the same time. The joy... the tears of joy just flew down." Josea recounted his experience of the tour. "I had a wonderful experience. It was quite amazing, but, unfortunately, the time I had to come home... I can't complain. The only complaint is when we had to come home." The families of the young footballers have indicated they would like a full investigation into what led to the children being stranded in Spain. 'THE REAL HEROES' One of the coaches, who has been hailed as a hero for ensuring the 34 young footballers and three other coaches made it back home safely, said it was a team effort. Coach Jesse Julius, who arrived in Cape Town on Thursday with the last batch of young footballers, said the heroes were the people who made donations. Julius organised travelling and accommodation for the players and coaches after they were left stranded in Spain by BT Football Academy. "The real heroes are the journalists who have been following and writing the stories. The real heroes are Tracey Lange, Charl Dias, Abongile, the flight center, Melissa, everyone else. Those are the real heroes." Julius said that the other coaches also deserved applause for their efforts to ensure the children arrived back home safely.
IOL News
7 days ago
- IOL News
'I just want to hug him': Mother's joy as son returns from stranded soccer trip in Spain
FAMILY and friends celebrate the return of the BT Football Academy soccer team at the Cape Town International Airport. Image: Ian Landsberg/Independent Newspapers A mother has shared her excitement of finally seeing her son on Thursday who is among the 25 aspiring soccer stars left stranded in Spain. Dominique Charles from Bellville told the Cape Argus her son, Michael Duminy, 17, is expected to land on South African soil on Thursday afternoon, She has not seen him since July 6. Charles said her son was one of the teenagers who helped the coaches with supervising the others. 'I cannot wait, I do not know how to describe it. It is just a matter of seeing him and wanting to hug him,' she said. 'I cannot thank everyone enough, whether it was through prayer, financial, emotional or mental support, it was a tough time. 'Thank God for making it happen.' Charles said she managed to raise the R48 500 for her son after he was selected to be part of the Donosti Cup 2025 and that she was horrified when she learnt her son and others were stranded. She also managed to secure another R15 000 a week ago. Return flights for the group were apparently not booked after BT Academy claimed their visa appointments were delayed and prices of the tickets increased. 'I was told there isn't enough money and that another R15 000 was needed,' she said. 'That was last Thursday. "I had to borrow the money from different people because what bank is going to give you that kind of money immediately? I still need to pay that back. "This has been a learning curve for everyone. 'I just want to thank the people of Spain also for their hospitality, if it had not been for Tracey Lange and everyone who helped, I don't know what we would have done. According to travel experts, the visa and ticket oversight should have been flagged during the departure process. Most countries, including South Africa, require proof of onward or return travel as a condition of entry and departure - especially when minors are involved. An issued flight ticket refers to a paid, confirmed airline booking that includes all details of the journey. However, an issued one-way ticket cannot be used as a return ticket, unless specifically purchased as a round-trip fare with both outbound and inbound segments. Without such proof, passengers risk being denied entry or even deported from foreign countries. Local radio personality Tracy Lange stepped in to help. She contacted travel agent Melisha Moodley of Travel Direct, who in turn teamed up with Ceu Dia, another travel consultant. Together, they launched a rescue mission to bring the children home through emergency fundraising and donations. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
Eyewitness News
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Teen duo relieved to be back home in CT after football tour group left stranded in Portugal
CAPE TOWN - Two of the 25 young football players and one of the coaches, who were stuck in Portugal after a botched football tour, were met with cheers of jubilation on Wednesday when they arrived at Cape Town International Airport. Thirty-four young footballers and four coaches flew to Spain earlier in July for a football tournament arranged by BT Football Academy. The academy failed to book return flights despite participants paying R50,000 each for the trip.
