Latest news with #HoërskoolNelspruit
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Parents alarmed as Instagram accounts target Mbombela learners
The recent activation of a number of Instagram accounts has left parents fearing for their children's well-being and lives. According to Lowvelder, the first account, called Exposing Nelspruit, became active on the evening of July 21, when a Grade 10 learner of Hoërskool Nelspruit came across disturbing content shared about fellow learners. The account uses Instagram stories to spread rumours and publicly shame learners from various local high schools. Learners targeted online It appears to target learners from Hoërskool Nelspruit and Hoërskool Bergvlam in particular, often posting unverified claims about their alleged sexual activity and insulting their character. A concerned parent, who asked to remain anonymous to protect her child's identity, told Lowvelder: 'I'm afraid my child might decide to take his own life based on lies.' The group is most active between 17:00 and 21:00, during which time followers submit rumours that are then shared anonymously by the account. The original account was banned after a wave of reports from followers. However, second and third accounts — called Exposing Nelspruit 2 and Nelspruit se Drama — have since been created. Schools respond The targeted schools both shared their views on the matter. Principal Willie van der Merwe of Hoërskool Nelspruit said: 'The school condemns any form of bullying, victimisation and discrimination of any kind, including on online platforms. The school remains proactive in addressing these challenges through awareness campaigns, partnerships and clear policies that prioritise student protection. We also urge learners and parents to use the current systems and mechanisms to report incidences where the school can support them. The school-based support team is available to provide advice and guidance.' Principal Deon Visser of Hoërskool Bergvlam added: 'The school condemns any form of unlawful activity and emphasises that such behaviour will not be tolerated. We believe in upholding the law and ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals. Bergvlam hopes that the perpetrator(s) will be brought to justice and that the relevant authorities will take the necessary actions to address the situation.' Legal expert weighs in Media law specialist Helene Viljoen expressed serious concern about the social media activity and the wider issue of cyberbullying. 'We all have the right to freedom of speech, but it is legally limited,' she said. 'If someone makes allegations without evidence, they are unlawfully defaming someone and could be sued for up to R500 000. Making statements that amount to personal insults and violate someone's dignity constitutes crimen injuria — a crime punishable by law.' Viljoen also warned that electronic communications may lead to charges of harassment and intimidation. 'Comments must be true and in the public interest before being posted publicly,' she added. Viljoen urged affected parents to visit the magistrate's court with their children to apply for a protection order, which would allow the SAPS to investigate the matter. Court orders Meta to co-operate She highlighted a recent legal development: 'A court recently ordered Meta to grant SAPS access to user data linked to harmful anonymous messages sent via WhatsApp or Instagram. This enables investigations and arrests.' The order was handed down by the Johannesburg High Court in mid-July, following legal action led by Emma Sadleir of the Digital Law Company. 'If you think anonymity protects you from consequences, you're mistaken,' Viljoen concluded. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
The South African
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Grey College get yet another Springbok old boy
Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe, and Neethling Fouche will all make their Springbok debuts against Georgia in Nelspruit on Saturday. The trio will become Springboks #950, #951 and #952. Kick-off is at 17:10. Meanwhile, double Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi returns from injury to take over the captaincy for first time this season in an exciting squad named by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus for the final Incoming Series match at the Mbombela Stadium. Venter, who was called up to the squad in June as injury cover at prop, will start in completely new front row with fellow prop Fouche and hooker Van der Merwe, who both had their first taste of Springbok rugby in the team's 54-7 victory against the Barbarians, while Kolisi features in a loose trio with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cobus Wiese after missing the last three matches due to niggles. The three uncapped front rankers will increase the number of newly capped players this season to seven after Vincent Tshituka (flanker), Wiese, Asenathi Ntlabakanye (prop), and Ethan Hooker (utility back) all made their Test debuts against Italy. Erasmus's team features only five players who started last week, and eight in total from the match-23 that defeated Italy 45-0 in Gqeberha. The inclusion of Kolisi and Venter in the squad, meanwhile, increases the size of the group used by Erasmus so far this season to 46 players, with the matchday squad featuring 15 Rugby World Cup winners. The five players who retained their places in the starting line-up are Edwill van der Merwe (wing), Canan Moodie (utility back), Grant Williams (scrumhalf), Du Toit, and Ruan Nortje (lock), while Conus Wiese and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (flyhalf) are promoted from the bench to starting team, with Thomas du Toit (prop) starting among the replacements. Edwill van der Merwe, who scored two tries in his second match in the green and gold last week, has been named in a playmaking back three with Kurt-Lee Arendse and Aphelele Fassi, while Moodie joins forces with Damian de Allende in the midfield, and Williams pairs up with Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback. Up-front, apart from a new-look front row and rejigged loose trio, Eben Etzebeth will link up with Ruan Nortje in the engine room. Erasmus named a five-three split in favour of the forwards on the replacements bench, where Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch (both props) and Bongi Mbonambi (hooker) will serve as the impact front row, along with RG Snyman (lock) and Kwagga Smith (loose forward). Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf), Handre Pollard, and Damian Willemse (both utility backs), in turn, will provide backline cover. Neethling Fouche's inclusion will give Grey College their 49th Springbok of all time as the look to close the gap on Paul Roos who lead the way with 56 Springbok old boys. Meanwhile, the Test will have extra significance for Marnus van der Merwe who was born in Mbombela and attended Hoërskool Nelspruit. He will become Hoërskool Nelspruit's sixth Springbok after Nico Wegner, Schutte Bekker, Duane Vermeulen, Marnitz Boshoff and team-mate on Saturday, Faf de Klerk, although De Klerk didn't matriculate from the school, but rather moved to Waterkloof. Finally, Boan Venter was schooled at Hoërskool De Aar and will become the Northern Cape school's first ever Springbok. Rank School Players 1 Paul Roos Gymnasium 56 2 Grey College 48 3 Diocesan College (Bishops) 43 4 SACS 32 5 Paarl Gimnasium 31 6 Paarl Boys High 26 7 Kimberley Boys' High 23 8 Rondebosch 21 T9 Grey High School 17 T9 Maritzburg College 17 11 Wynberg Boys High 15 12 Dale College 13 13 St Andrews, Grahamstown 12 T14 Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool 11 T14 Hottentots-Holland 11 Below, a full list of all the SCHOOLS the Springbok squad for Saturday attended: Position Player School 15 Aphelele Fassi Dale College 14 Edwill van der Merwe Paul Roos 13 Canan Moodie Boland Landbou 12 Damian de Allende Milnerton 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse Paulus Joubert 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu Bishops 9 Grant Williams Paarl Gimnasium 8 Cobus Wiese Upington 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit Swartland 6 Siya Kolisi Grey High 5 Ruan Nortje Wonderboom 4 Eben Etzebeth Tygerberg 3 Neethling Fouche Grey College 2 Marnus van der Merwe Nelspruit 1 Boan Venter De Aar Reserves 16 Bongi Mbonambi Voortrekker 17 Thomas du Toit Paarl Boys' High 18 Vincent Koch Hugenote 19 RG Snyman Affies 20 Kwagga Smith HTS Middelburg 21 Faf de Klerk Waterkloof 22 Handre Pollard Paarl Gimnasium 23 Damian Willemse Paul Roos Paul Roos and Paarl Gimnasium lead the way with two players apiece. Such is the diverse nature of rugby played across South Africa, no other school has more than one player. 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.
The Citizen
26-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Marnus van der Merwe makes Lowveld history with Springbok call-up
Marnus van der Merwe, a former Laerskool Laeveld and Hoërskool Nelspruit learner, has been included in the Springbok squad for the Barbarians clash on June 28, making history for his old primary school in the process. Van der Merwe (28) will be on the bench for the Springboks in jersey number 16 during the match against the Barbarians at DHL Stadium in Cape Town. In receiving what is believed by many to believe a long-overdue Bok call-up, Van der Merwe will become the first former Laerskool Laeveld learner to don the green and gold come Saturday. He will also be the sixth (if one includes sevens rugby) Nellies alumnus to achieve the feat. He finished Grade Seven at Laeveld in 2010, going on to attend Hoërskool Nelspruit from which he matriculated in 2015. After matriculating he made the move to Bloemfontein where he joined the Toyota Cheetahs Academy, earning his way up the ranks and appearing for the Cheetahs at U19 and U21 levels. After breaking into the senior set-up he played more than 70 games for the Free Staters before he departed in July 2024, having made his debut in the defunct Pro14 Championship in 2018. He was also part of the victorious 2023 Currie Cup winning team. Van der Merwe, a hooker by trade now after playing as a loose forward in high school, traded the plains of the Free State for the cold and wet countryside in Wales by joining the Scarlets in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. ALSO READ: Springboks to face Georgia at Mbombela Stadium Since making his move to west Wales, Van der Merwe has been in the form of his life, playing outstanding rugby that has seen him voted the Scarlets' Supporters' Player of the Season and named in the BKT URC Elite XV for 2024/25. Only JC Pretorius and Sam Lousi won more turnovers than Van der Merwe over the course of the URC. While 2024/25 has undoubtedly been his breakout season, Van der Merwe first attracted the attention of those in the Springbok coaching room last year when he was included in a 43-player squad for a Springbok alignment camp in early 2024. He didn't make the cut then, but that didn't stop his momentum and he has been unstoppable on his mission to earning a Bok call-up. This hard work paid off when he was included in Rassie Erasmus' squad for the upcoming 2025 tests last month. He has stiff competition in the hooker position, but his work ethic has helped him stand out in Erasmus' eyes. He is one of four uncapped players in the side that will take on the Baa-Baas – along with Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Vincent Tshituka and Neethling Fouché. Commenting on the four uncapped players in the 23-man match day squad, Erasmus said: 'They have all slotted into our systems really well and have a good understanding of what we want to do in this match … Asenathi, Vincent, Neethling, and Marnus have all been impressive at training and for their respective franchises this season, and we hope to see them replicate those quality performances in this match.' Van der Merwe won't be the only former Lowvelder in action on Saturday though, as old Lydenburger Kwagga Smith was also named on the bench for the encounter. While not included in the side for this Saturday, former Laerskool Bergland and NHS learner Faf de Klerk is in the larger squad for the series, along with former Airlink Pumas player Vincent Koch. Rugby fans in the Lowveld will be itching to see their boys in action, especially when the Springboks return to Mbombela Stadium to take on Georgia on July 19. Tickets are available for the clash and you best make sure you get yours at At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
