Latest news with #EastRand
Mail & Guardian
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
The spiritual hustle of Young Stunna
Channeling sound: Young Stunna comes from the streets of Daveyton and his music has taken him to the world, but he remains grounded in humility, his roots and his beliefs. In a time when algorithm-driven trends can snatch the spotlight, Young Stunna is a refreshing blend of street-bred honesty, spiritual grounding and artistic finesse. His music doesn't beg to become viral. It doesn't chase gimmicks. Instead, it lingers. Like the taste of your mother's dombolo or an old hymn. It's music that stays. It carries the perfume of home, dusted with gold from the grind. When Young Stunna, born Sandile Msimango, speaks, it's with the cadence of someone who's lived many lives in one, an East Rand prophet cloaked in tracksuits and township slang, his verses emerging from joy, pain, faith and youthful stubbornness. The connection with Swayvee (Nigerian singer Ezekiel Georgewill), for instance, wasn't some boardroom strategy or a forced vibe. It was born of what his generation now calls digital divinity, Instagram DMs. 'It was casual,' he says, 'but it got deep fast.' The remix of Us was never done in a shared booth or with chest-thumping announcements. It was born in virtual silence but pulsed with a loud energy. Remote, yet not removed. Why does Us sound different? Why does it hit you where your emotions are softest? Young Stunna answers not with industry jargon, but with heart: 'The song is about love, but I wanted to show how work takes us away from our people. I'm always busy, flying, recording, performing … but the love never fades.' There's a sadness and a celebration in that answer, a duality he navigates with the ease of someone raised in the paradox of township life. He knows what it means to not have enough, and still make space for joy. He says this remix wasn't about dropping bars or trying to impress the streets. It was fun. 'I just wanted people to fall in love more.' And that's the Young Stunna blueprint right there: make music that reminds us of our humanity. Still, if you listen closely, there's a spiritual labour happening in his sound. You hear it in how he balances kasi edge with ancestral softness. 'When the beat needs me to go street, I go street,' he says. 'When it needs spirit, I channel that too.' It's not about code-switching, it's a shapeshifting rooted in emotional fluency, cultivated by a life raised among elders and churchgoers. What guides this process? Prayer before the session? No. 'I pray when I wake up,' he says. The rest of it? Vibes. Real-life inspiration? 'I don't have a routine,' he says. 'I just get in and work. Stop playing.' It's raw, unscripted, led by feeling and guided not by trends, but by truth. Young Stunna's next sonic wave is already brewing. Think nineties nostalgia, but refracted through new-age soul. 'It's another spiritual journey,' he says. 'Just listen with your heart — the rest shall follow.' That sentence alone feels like a mantra. Something you might paint on a wall in Daveyton for dreamers walking to school with dust on their shoes and music in their bones. Fame hasn't changed him. If anything, it's taught him to be quieter. 'Keep your mouth shut,' he offers when asked about his biggest lesson from the limelight. Not out of fear but because when your music speaks this loud, your mouth doesn't need to. Although Amapiano carries him from township corners to international stages, Stunna remains rooted. 'We don't forget where we come from,' he says. 'We just add sounds to make it better. But we can always go back.' He's not just referencing home geographically, he's talking about soul, community, the origin of rhythm. And it's that depth that's unexpected from someone who wears the name 'Young Stunna'. His maturity didn't come from books or studios. It came from growing up in a home steeped in hlonipha (respect). 'Everyone who comes out of my house is respectful,' he says. 'So, I make music that doesn't disturb the peace. It's beautiful music, led by guidance from legends.' When it comes to collaboration, he isn't chasing clout. He's chasing connections. 'We don't just make music. We love making music,' he explains about the culture at Piano Hub. It's a sentiment that mirrors the spiritual work of music-making, each beat treated as an offering. And then there's his dream team: Aymos, Focalistic, Murumba Pitch, with Scorpion Kings and Vigro Deep on production. 'Different cultures, one rhythm.' You can almost hear the future dancing its way through that lineup, music not just for radio, but for weddings, taverns and church halls. What does he want to leave behind? 'Nothing. I just want people to carry on changing the world.' That's it. No grand ambition to be remembered as a pioneer or a king. Just someone who gave everything and left space for others to do it 10 times better. And if he wasn't doing music? Fashion. Styling. 'I love clooooothes.' The origin story of Young Stunna is no fairy tale. Daveyton wasn't soft. 'It's either you fall for the corner, or you discipline yourself and get out.' He talks about schools, dedicated teachers and church services held in sitting rooms. The moment he knew music was it? Grade 5, stomping feet with his friend Tumelo in a school bus, making beats with nothing but rhythm and imagination. 'Paid for our first studio session that same year,' he says, 'and my life changed.' That image of two kids turning a bus ride into a jam session seems the most accurate metaphor for Young Stunna's music: movement, laughter, struggle, community, spirit and noise turned into art. There's no pretence in him. No mask. Just a man doing what he's born to do. And in doing that, he reminds us that even in the chaos, we can find rhythm. We can still fall in love. We can remember home. And we can sing our stories loud enough for the world to hear, but quiet enough to stay grounded in who we are. And for Young Stunna, that's more than enough.
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Promising young hockey player dreams big
At only 14 years old, Megan Reid is making a name for herself as one of the East Rand's most promising young goalkeepers. Representing Hoërskool Oosterlig's U14 A hockey team, Megan's sharp reflexes, unwavering dedication, and fierce determination have already earned her opportunities beyond her years. From provincial trials to international team selections, her journey is a testament to talent backed by hard work, and she is only getting started. Tell us about your hockey journey. When and how did you become interested in hockey? I started playing hockey in Grade One at Laerskool Baanbreker. In 2021, I became the goalie for the U10 team. I could not finish the 2022 tryouts because of illness. However, I returned stronger in 2024 and reclaimed my position. That same year, I joined the Backstixxx Hockey Club for extra training. The Eastern Gauteng Quaggas approached me to join them for the PSI Nationals in Cape Town. What do you enjoy most about being a goalkeeper? Not having to run the whole field. But in all honesty, it's where I feel most at peace. It's the place where I can turn my fears and frustrations into determination and focus on winning the game. Being a goalie has lit a fire inside me – the fire to prove to all the doubters that I can do anything I set my mind to. What does a typical week of training look like for you? • Monday: School training (14:30 to15:45), Backstixxx Hockey Club (16:00 to17:00) • Tuesday: School training (14:30 to 16:00) • Wednesday: School training (14:30 to 16:00), specialised goalie training at Backstixxx (18:00 to20:00) • Thursday: School training (14:30 to 16:00) • Friday: If needed, school training (14:00 to 15:30), Backstixxx (16:00 to17:00) • Weekends: Game days, depending on fixtures, either for Hoërskool Oosterlig or Backstixxx Galaxies • Holidays: Backstixxx Club training and solo skills/stamina practice at home. What was it like being selected for the Knights U19 team for the Netherlands International Hockey Tournament? I was shocked when they chose me. I never imagined there would be so many opportunities available to me. Unfortunately, my family and I had to decline the opportunity because of financial constraints. Your team recently placed third at the NWU Tournament. How did that feel? I'm proud of my team and, of course, myself. We had some tough matches, but with great coaching and the support of our families, we pushed through and succeeded. You were the only goalie from the East Rand to reach the final round of the Bokkieweek trials. What did that mean to you? I was honoured to be the only goalie chosen for the Eastern Gauteng High Performance Squad and Bokkieweek. I did not make the final team for Easterns, but just training with them was a privilege. I'm proud to represent the Oos-Transvaal U14 Bokkieweek team, which recently won gold. It's been a dream to play for such a prestigious association that creates opportunities for Afrikaans sportspeople. Have you faced any challenges or setbacks on your journey? The main challenges I've faced have been financial. My parents have sacrificed a lot to ensure I have the opportunities and equipment I need to grow. I'm grateful for everything they have done to support me. What are your short-term and long-term goals in hockey? In the short term, I want to be the best goalie for my school and the Backstixxx Hockey Club. Long-term, I hope to earn a university bursary and, of course, represent my country. How do you stay motivated and focused, especially during tough games? I hype myself up with upbeat music before matches — I even sing and dance on the field sometimes! My parents and younger sister are my rocks. If I miss a save, they're there cheering me on and reminding me that mistakes happen. Mistakes mean I'm trying, and that keeps me going. What would sponsorship mean to you and your family right now? It would mean the world. My parents do everything they can, but goalie gear isn't cheap. To play your best, you need the best. My dream is to own an OBO Robo high-rebound goalie kit. Right now, I'm using a mismatched kit that was bought with love, and I'm grateful for it. Sponsorships would help me attend more tournaments and grow further. It's hard to keep asking for donations, although kind people have helped along the way. Sponsorship would ease the pressure and open up more doors. Those who wish to assist Megan may send an email to [email protected] Also Read: Hockey a lifelong love for Bryan Also Read: Northerns invites you to hockey clinic on Youth Day At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Herald
13-07-2025
- General
- The Herald
'Now I can do it myself': Gogos learn to use smartphones in 'Gogos with Vuma' digital skills training programme
In a step towards digital inclusion, 49 elderly residents from Katlehong graduated on Friday from a digital skills training programme aimed at empowering senior citizens with essential tech knowledge. Hosted by VumaTel in partnership with goGOGOgo (NPC) at Matsediso Primary School in Katlehong on the East Rand, the programme equipped the participants, many of whom had little or no prior experience with technology, with vital digital skills. It covered fundamental skills such as using smartphones, navigating the internet, sending emails, using social media, accessing online services and practising digital safety. One of the graduates, Phinet Lekau, 88, speaking at the graduation ceremony, said he was grateful to have been part of the course as he now knew how to use the internet, order supplies from shops and speak to his friends with ease. 'I knew nothing about the internet before this course. My grandchildren would simply call me holding the phone, telling me what to do. But this course has opened my eyes. I can now do all of those things on my own,' said Lekau. Agnes Letsoge, 82, said she can now use her smartphone. 'I am very happy to have been part of this programme, because the phone was being used by my grandchildren and they would constantly finish my money and airtime. Since I've been taught how to use it by myself, I can finally enjoy my pension money,' Letsoge said. Before doing the course she couldn't even load airtime, she said. 'Now I can do it myself, they can no longer rob me,' she said. Vumatel CSI co-ordinator Thando Mokoena said with most NGOs focusing on the youth and children, they identified a gap for training for the elderly. 'We know that almost 40% of children in South Africa are living with grandparents. We want to revive that thing that they are still here, we still care and we see that they matter. The course we put them through is a standard ICT course, learning how to browse the internet, and how to use a smartphone, as most of them used or knew how to use small phones,' Mokoena said. The programme, which was part of Vumatel's ongoing commitment to community upliftment and digital inclusion, also fostered intergenerational learning, with younger facilitators helping to mentor the elderly participants throughout their training. Jane Simmonds, founder and executive director for goGOGOgo (NPC), an NGO aimed at building capacity in elderly people raising grandchildren, Simmonds explained that with 9.7-million children in South Africa essentially living in multigenerational households with grandparents playing an important part in their upbringing, the organisation is working to strengthen the role of the older people to build their footprint and amplify their voices. This is to ultimately give them knowledge, information and modern-day practices to navigate raising children in the digital age. 'Many of these older people are also raising fourth generation, so they raise their children, their grandchildren and are now looking after their great-grandchildren. We are working at strengthening the role of these women and men, building their footprint, their voice, amplifying their voices, giving the knowledge, information about modern-day practices. When raising children with internet and wi-fi, social media, violence, GBV, so many things that these elderly people have to address when raising children. We provide programmes where we strengthen the role of grandparents raising grandchildren and recognise the importance of this vulnerable, marginalised, often excluded population of people who are the heroes of South Africa,' she said. Simmonds said the initiative, which started during the Covid-19 lockdown, has funded more than 10 programmes with about 400 beneficiaries. She said the grandparents are identified through local schools and organisations. TimesLIVE
News24
08-07-2025
- Business
- News24
Biochar boom? SA bets on super charcoal for green jobs
The country's coal jobs on the line. Biochar is seen as a green job creator. Scarce data on biochar poses a challenge. Sithandekile Nyathi confidently hoists herself into the compact loader, lowers the metal caging around the vehicle and drives towards large mounds of wood timber chips. The chips eventually go up a conveyer belt into a converter, where they are heated and turned into a type of 'biochar' called activated carbon, a charcoal that stores carbon and could help to cut planet-heating carbon dioxide emissions. 'I used to be a maid, I never thought I would work in an industry that also helps lives and helps the environment,' said Nyathi, a controller at the plant in Brakpan on the East Rand. It is owned by Adsorb, an SA manufacturer of activated carbon. Said Nyathi: SA is a coal-rich country but has been the poster child for international efforts to shift towards cleaner energy and industries. But funding challenges, high unemployment rate and a political divide have stalled these efforts, raising questions about how this transition should happen. Darryl Phipps, a chemical engineer and the manager of the Adsorb plant where Nyathi works, believed the plant was the first of its kind globally. This is because it uses self-sustaining energy – the heat in the converter – to turn wood chips directly into activated charcoal or steam-activated biochar, which allows for greater binding of organic molecules to its surface and has clean flue gas as its only byproduct. Statista / Kim Harrisberg Some proponents see the biochar sector as one answer to both job creation and carbon capture, but the young industry is struggling with a lack of SA data and funding support, experts say. Globally, the industry was valued $600 million (R10.6 billion) in 2023, up 97% from 2021, according to the International Biochar Initiative (IBI). Biochar and activated carbon have been praised by some researchers, farmers and industry experts for improving soil quality and water retention, absorbing toxins and capturing carbon. When used as a fertiliser, biochar improves water-holding capacity, which helps plants survive drought conditions, according to research published in the Frontiers journal. Initial studies into SA's agricultural sector have shown that biochar improved both maize yield and soil health, but researchers have called for further, long-term research, according to the University of Venda. The department of forestry, fisheries and the environment did not respond to requests for comment on the size and prospects for the country's biochar sector. But workers such as Nyathi are hopeful. 'If the company grows, I grow with the company,' she said. Carbon capture and job creation SA's high unemployment rates, funding cuts and size of the coal industry have slowed down the move towards clean energy and green jobs. Phipps said Adsorb's converter could be replicable in other parts of the country and the world. Adsorb uses wood chips from pallet repair centres that originally come from responsibly managed forests. When the wood is heated at 1 000°C, the gas generated first makes biochar and then activated charcoal. Activated charcoal has more adsorption capacity than biochar and can also be used as industrial pollutant removal, according to the academic journal Science of the Total Environment. The gas generated is then incinerated to create clean thermal energy and Adsorb is looking to recover this into electricity, said Phipps. Adsorb captured about 750 tons of CO₂ last year and supplies activated charcoal to fertiliser, animal feed and cosmetic industries and has eyes on water treatment, mine rehabilitation and cleaning mercury out of coal gas. 'Processing centres could be established in areas where there were previously mines or coal plants. This could involve communities generating biomass and supplying it to these processing centres. If enough plants are rolled out it could eventually create jobs in the tens of thousands. Darryl Phipps Data and funding needs Despite the enthusiasm, experts said data on biochar is scarce and estimates on the size of the market in SA vary widely, potentially due to different classifications of what constitutes biochar. Romain Pirard, an environmental economist from the School for Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University, said to his knowledge there is 'no centralisation of information or any sort of policy specific to biochar'. Finding willing customers is also a challenge for the promotion of biochar, said Phipps. Farmers are extremely cost-sensitive and if there's anything that increases the cost, it damages the sales potential. Darryl Phipps Pirard said subsidies to incentivise farmers 'to use biochar in place of chemical fertilisers' – and using invasive, alien trees as a form of biomass – could help biochar 'take off'. The department of environmental affairs said in a 2015 report that 'consideration could be given by government to subsidising' small biochar businesses. The department did not immediately respond to the Thomson Reuters Foundation's request for a comment. Despite showing potential as a green job creator, attempts to create a biochar association to centralise data and information on initiatives have not led anywhere and the feasibility of the sector 'remains to be demonstrated', Pirard said. But Phipps is adamant they are on to something big – if more funding is made available. 'From my children's perspective, I want to leave behind a legacy, something positive that gave back rather than just extracted wealth from the world,' he said. – Thomson Reuters Foundation
The Herald
28-06-2025
- The Herald
Kidnap victim rescued and two arrests made
The police national anti-kidnapping task team rescued a 30-year-old kidnap victim on Friday and arrested two suspects during an operation in Germiston on the East Rand. According to police spokesperson Lt-Col Amanda van Wyk, the victim's vehicle was reportedly found abandoned in Dawnpark. 'Further investigation revealed that the owner of the vehicle had been kidnapped and was being held against his will,' Van Wyk said. Within 24 hours, intelligence directed the task team to an identified address in Germiston. With support from a tactical unit, the team entered the premises and rescued the victim. 'Two suspects were arrested at the scene, while others managed to flee during a shoot-out with police. The rescued victim confirmed he had been kidnapped on Thursday' Last week police traced a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to an apartment block in Fourways, Johannesburg. The suspect, linked to several kidnappings, was fatally wounded in a shoot-out with police. 'The SAPS remains resolute in its commitment to dismantling kidnapping syndicates and bringing perpetrators to justice,' Van Wyk said. TimesLIVE
