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Seasoned sailor Nqoba Mswazi launches sailing initiative to empower youth in KwaZulu-Natal
Nqoba Mswazi has launched MH Performance Sailing to uplift young sailors in KwaZulu-Natal. Image: Supplied While the MSC Week regatta was underway off the coast of Durban, another significant moment in local sailing was quietly unfolding onshore. Nqoba Mswazi, a seasoned sailor with international experience, returned home not just to race but to launch something much bigger than a single event: MH Performance Sailing. Now based in the Mediterranean as a first mate on a super yacht, Mswazi has made his participation in MSC Week an annual tradition. However, this year, the regatta coincided with the official unveiling of his sailing initiative, which aims to uplift young sailors in KwaZulu-Natal. Standing proudly at the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Mswazi announced the formation of MH Performance Sailing on the eve of the 49th MSC Week which took place recently. 'The sport of sailing has given me so much. It has opened so many doors I never dreamed possible,' he said. 'I am hoping that through MH Performance Sailing, I will be able to give back and open some doors for a few others that share my love for this amazing sport.' His stable currently includes two L26 yachts: Velocity, purchased in 2023, and Element, the former Point Yacht Club Lipton Cup Challenger, which had been in storage since its last campaign. Both boats flew the MH Performance Sailing flag for the first time during MSC Week. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Raised in uMgababa south of Durban, Mswazi was among the first participants in the Sail Africa Foundation, a project launched by the Clipper Round the World sailor Craig Millar. Since then, his journey has taken him across oceans, from the Lipton Cup to the Vasco da Gama Ocean Race and to the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. But even with global experience under his belt, he hasn't lost sight of where it all began. 'Durban is an incubator for amazing talent,' he said. 'I want Durbanites to remain on their local waters and, from our beautiful home base, go and make waves on the international scene.' MH Performance Sailing is designed to serve as a stepping stone for young sailors who have already learned the basics but need support to take the next step. His MSC Week crew was made up entirely of young local sailors: some relatively inexperienced, others who had competed in international events like the Mirror Worlds, but all eager to improve. 'MSC Week was amazing even though there was a lot of pressure on us,' Mswazi said. 'But I'm proud of the guys I selected, and we proved that anything is possible if you believe in it.' The final race proved decisive. 'We were sitting on top of the leaderboard, but equal on points with our toughest competitor, Rainhard Lenz on Grayhard,' he said. 'We had to go out there and sail the race of our lives to win. We pushed the boat like never before, in a breeze that all but evaporated. The conditions were extremely challenging.' They emerged as 2025 L26 National Champions, MH Performance Sailing's first title. 'This is hopefully the first of many,' Mswazi said. His long-term goal is to grow the project into a launchpad for youth aiming for international sailing. 'My vision is to give youth the opportunity to step onto a competitive boat and reach for their stars,' he said. 'To be the best, you have got to beat the best.' Mentorship, he added, has played a vital role in his own development. 'It helped me to stay focused,' he said. 'It is really special having supportive people in your corner wanting to see you succeed in life.' Reflecting on his early days in sailing, Mswazi said he never imagined a career on the water. 'Not at all,' he said. 'But I felt at home on the water and saw an opportunity to make it as a career working on the big boats, so I followed that path. And I love it.' Side by side, MH Performance Sailing teams Element skippered by Nicolene Henkeman and Velocity skippered by Anna Correa head up to the top mark on day five of the MSC Week recently hosted offshore of Durban by Point Yacht Club. MH Performance Sailing, a vision of Nqoba Mswazi, was launched on the eve of the highly competitive regatta. Image: Chris Clark Asked what advice he would give to young people especially from rural KZN, Mswazi said: 'Stay true to yourself and focus on one goal so you can never lose direction. Mainly, be bold, never give up and stay humble.' He has headed back to the Med, leaving MH in the hands of his operations partner, Nicolene Henkeman. 'I need to head back to work to make some money so that I can spend it on the new boats, as well as keep MH Performance Sailing running.' For Mswazi, it's more than just racing. It's building a lasting platform for the next generation. THE MERCURY
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Umgababa sailor launches sailing venture
WHILE Durban's coastline hosted fierce competition during the 49th MSC Week regatta, which wrapped up on July 11, Umgababa sailor Nqoba Mswazi stole the spotlight with the launch of his sailing venture, MH Performance Sailing. Also read: Umgababa sailing ace clinches second place On the eve of the regatta at the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Mswazi proudly introduced his fleet of two L26 yachts, Velocity and Element, marking a significant milestone in his sailing journey. Mswazi, affectionately known in sailing circles as 'The Machine', has travelled an extraordinary journey from the shores of uMgababa to international waters. He cut his teeth in the sport through the Sail Africa Foundation, later going on to represent SA in the Lipton Cup, the Vasco da Gama Ocean Race, and the gruelling Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Speaking at the launch, Mswazi said sailing has given him more opportunities than he ever thought possible. 'I am hoping that through the MH Performance Sailing, I will be able to give back and open some doors for a few others that share my love for this amazing sport,' he said. His newly formed team did not disappoint. Element, skippered by Mswazi, clinched the L26 national championship, edging out rivals by the narrowest of margins in a nail-biting final race. Going into the last day, Element was neck-and-neck with Rainhard Lenz's Grayhard, with everything to sail for in the challenging, light-wind conditions. With the MSC Week concluded, he returns to his post as first mate on a superyacht in the Mediterranean, while his sailing project will continue under the stewardship of Nicolene Henkeman. 'I'm going back to earn more so I can invest it in the boats and the team back home. This win is just the beginning for MH Performance Sailing,' he said. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
News18
15-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Pakistan's New Punjab Blueprint: Golden Temple At The Heart Of ISI's Hybrid War Plan
Intelligence inputs accessed on July 14, 2025, reveal a renewed push to use the sacred site as both a shield and a trigger. A sinister new blueprint by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), accessed by CNN-News18, aims to destabilise Punjab using a hybrid warfare model that mixes terrorism, psychological operations, digital propaganda, and religious manipulation. Intelligence agencies have confirmed that ISI is reviving tactics reminiscent of the 1980s insurgency period — this time with advanced tools and global collaboration — to trigger unrest centered around the Golden Temple. Golden Temple: Symbol, Shield, and Target The core of the new operational blueprint is the tactical and symbolic exploitation of the Golden Temple. Intelligence inputs accessed on July 14, 2025, reveal a renewed push to use the sacred site as both a shield and a trigger. The recent bomb threat email received by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), referencing RDX, points to coordinated efforts by ISI-backed groups to provoke mass outrage through calculated targeting of religious sensitivities. Officials warn that any miscalculated action near the shrine could lead to a nationwide standoff, comparable to the events of 1984. The Golden Temple's sanctity makes it difficult to fully police, thereby creating security blind spots that ISI intends to exploit for arms dumps, propaganda filming, and sheltering operatives. The convergence of religious emotion, political symbolism, and lack of surveillance provides ISI with a potent recipe for unrest. Tech, Terror, and Trauma: Tools of Psychological Warfare Social media platforms, encrypted messaging apps such as Threema and Element, and diaspora-driven campaigns are being weaponised to incite separatist sentiment. Unofficial Khalistan referendums have been inflated with false participation claims — 127,000 in San Francisco, 55,000 in Calgary, and 37,000 in New Zealand — used not only for propaganda but also as fundraising tools through NGO fronts. Gangster-Terror Nexus and Cross-Border Logistics Pakistan's strategy leans heavily on the deepening nexus between gangsters and Khalistani terror outfits. Operatives like Goldy Brar have claimed responsibility for killings in Russia and California, showcasing a chilling international reach. The assassination attempt on Shiromani Akali Dal's Sukhbir Badal near the Golden Temple by Chaura, a Pakistan-trained Babbar Khalsa terrorist, is another example of targeted violence backed by decades-old terror linkages. Drone incursions continue to be a critical conduit for cross-border smuggling. In 2024 alone, Punjab recorded 286 such instances involving AK rifles, heroin, IEDs, and even satellite phones. Border districts like Tarn Taran and Ferozepur have emerged as key nodes for these operations. Digital Insurgency and Diaspora Involvement Key figures like Gurpatwant Singh Pannun have escalated their rhetoric, threatening events such as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and invoking terror tactics similar to Hamas. From prison, Amritpal Singh has announced the launch of a political party, pledging to declare Khalistan within a year if elected — further blurring the lines between secessionist ideology and democratic posturing. The use of psychological tactics is relentless. The 19 fake threats to Air India in three days during 2024, later traced to SFJ's digital disruption campaigns, underscore the new era of 'keyboard insurgency." Posters glorifying Bhindranwale, calls for embassy attacks, and AI-generated narratives about injustice against Sikhs continue to flood diaspora and domestic spaces. Crackdown and Countermeasures Indian agencies have responded with intensified crackdowns. In 2024, 66 terrorists were arrested, 12 active modules were neutralised, and 1,099 kg of heroin was seized. The NIA blocked over 7,500 radical URLs, seized Rs 73 crore from terror-linked scams, and invoked the UAPA to target SFJ operatives' digital and financial assets. Courts have denied bail in key cases, signalling a firm judicial stance. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hamilton Spectator
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
Element to Announce Q2 2025 Results and Host Conference Call on August 7, 2025
TORONTO, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Element Fleet Management Corp. (TSX: EFN) ('Element' or the 'Company'), the largest publicly traded, pure-play automotive fleet manager in the world, will hold its Q2 2025 results conference call and webcast for investors and analysts on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Element's financial results for the period will be issued after market close on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 and will be available on the Company's website at . The conference call and webcast can be accessed as follows: Call Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025 Call Time: 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) A taped recording of the conference call may be accessed through September 7, 2025, by dialing 1-855-669-9658 (Canada/U.S. Toll Free) or 1-412-317-0088 (International Toll) and entering the access code 3828575. About Element Fleet Management Corp. Element Fleet Management (TSX: EFN) is the largest publicly traded pure-play automotive fleet manager in the world. As a Purpose-driven company, we provide a full range of sustainable and intelligent mobility solutions to optimize and enhance fleet performance for our clients across North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Our services address every aspect of our clients' fleet requirements, from vehicle acquisition, maintenance, route optimization, risk management, and remarketing, to advising on decarbonization efforts, integration of electric vehicles and managing the complexity of gradual fleet electrification. Clients benefit from Element's expertise as one of the largest fleet solutions providers in its markets, offering economies of scale and insight used to reduce operating costs and enhance efficiency and performance. At Element, we maximize our clients' fleet so they can focus on growing their business. For more information, please visit:
Finextra
09-07-2025
- Business
- Finextra
Alipay Tap: How Alipay's New NFC Experience Is Redefining Offline Payments in China: By Galong Yao
When we think about contactless payments, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and EMV-based NFC cards often come to mind. But in China, a new and uniquely local solution is emerging—one that bridges the gap between barcode payments and hardware-intensive NFC wallets. Meet Alipay's 'Alipay Tap'—a smart, simple, and surprisingly elegant solution to streamline offline payments and services using NFC reader mode. What Is 'Alipay Tap'? Launched officially in mid-2024, Alipay's 'Tap to Interact' allows users to complete a payment or trigger a service flow simply by tapping their smartphone on a merchant's NFC tag or terminal—no QR scanning, no typing, no swiping. At a technical level, it's built on NFC Reader/Writer Mode, not Secure Element (SE) or card emulation. The user's phone acts as an NFC reader that reads a lightweight tag or link from the merchant, and then opens the corresponding payment page in the Alipay app. No card data is stored or transmitted. Instead, the user confirms the transaction through the familiar Alipay interface—fast, secure, and deeply integrated into their digital life. How Is It Different from Traditional NFC (e.g., Apple Pay)? Unlike card emulation methods that require hardware security modules and bank tokens, Alipay's solution avoids dependency on the banking infrastructure, making it faster to deploy, easier to scale, and ideal for Alipay's merchant ecosystem. Why Is This a Big Deal? One tap, done: Removes the 3-step QR flow (open app → scan → confirm) with a single NFC interaction. Beyond payment: Can also trigger ordering, check-ins, parcel pickup, government services, etc. Cross-device reach: Works with most Android phones and partially on iOS (with confirmation). Low merchant barrier: Merchants only need an NFC tag or tablet—no POS upgrade required. Built-in protection: Comes with a 'You Tap, We Cover' fraud liability policy to reassure users. Real-World Impact By April 2025, over 10 million merchants across 400+ cities had adopted the solution, enabling 300+ interaction scenarios from retail checkout to smart lockers and public services. Alipay isn't just digitizing payments—it's creating an interaction layer for the physical world. What Comes Next? 'Tap to Interact' may not replace QR codes or EMV NFC in the short term, but it introduces a lightweight, extensible, and user-friendly method to bring digital engagement into physical spaces—especially in markets where app ecosystems dominate over card networks. For tech providers and payment innovators, this shows how reader-mode NFC can unlock new experiences without the heavy regulatory and infrastructure baggage of card emulation. Alipay Tap exemplifies how payment innovation, when tailored to local needs and technology realities, can redefine the way we interact with the physical world.
