Latest news with #Jordaan
TimesLIVE
03-06-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
‘We have to wait and see': Jordaan dribbles parliament on fourth term at Safa
South African Football Association (Safa) president Danny Jordaan dribbled past some fuming members of parliament's portfolio committee on sports, arts and culture on Tuesday when asked if he will stand for a fourth term in Safa's election next year. Jordaan has been president of Safa since 2013, serving almost three terms in an association that admitted it is battling cash flow issues, presenting a financial year statement for 2023-2024 in its presentation to the committee that showed a loss of R5.4m. Gronie Hluyo, who has been Safa's CFO since 2007, said part of the reason the association reported a deficit is because most of its national teams, especially the juniors, are not attracting sponsors, meaning the cash-strapped association has to fund them from its pockets. The sports ministry had to bail Safa out for R5m towards the end of last year when it failed to pay the bonuses of Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana players. Safa will repay that debt in the next financial year through receiving R1.7m instead of the normal annual grant of R6.7m from the department of sports.
IOL News
03-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
‘You call this leadership?': DA's Liam Jacobs grills SAFA president Danny Jordaan over travel expenses
Democratic Alliance's (DA) member of the portfolio committee on Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, has grilled SAFA president Danny Jordaan on whether he is a responsible leader, over costly travel expenses. Image: Facebook/Liam Jacobs Democratic Alliance (DA) MP and member of the portfolio committee on Sports, Arts and Culture, Liam Jacobs, who's known for his tough line of questioning, grilled SAFA President Danny Jordaan over his leadership and travel expenses. The clash occurred during a briefing on SAFA's 2023/24 annual report, which included audited financial statements and governance issues. Jacobs began his questioning by asking Jordaan, 'Do you believe in the concept of democracy? Can you please put your microphone on when you respond?' Jordaan replied, 'I'm a product of a struggle for democracy...' Jacobs continued, asking whether Jordaan respected the concept of democracy and if he understood the importance of term limits. Jordaan, who appeared caught off guard, said, 'You're asking me a question that is self-evident,' He added, 'I understand it. I was here as a member of Parliament.' Jacobs then pressed Jordaan on his long tenure as SAFA president. 'Are you aware that you are one of the longest-serving presidents of any football association on the planet?' Jordaan responded, 'It's not true,' prompting Jacobs to fire back, 'Twelve years, almost...' As tensions rose, Jordaan interjected, 'I'm still busy with my interrogation here... They must ask the questions and answer. Just order. Now he's engaging me now.' Committee Chairperson Joe McGluva intervened, urging members to allow questions to be asked and responses to follow in an orderly manner. Fellow committee member PA Marlon Daniels objected to Jacobs' conduct, particularly pointing his finger at Jordaan. 'What I witnessed here is not right. It is absolutely rude for a child to have that kind of conduct toward someone old enough to be his father,' Daniels said. McGluva then asked Jacobs to apologise for the gesture if it had occurred. 'I apologise for that,' Jacobs said. Daniels also withdrew the remark calling Jacobs a 'child.' 'I'm terribly sorry. I forgot I'm not at home where I deal with my children like that. So I withdrew...' Meanwhile, Jacobs continued with his line of questioning. 'Do you consider yourself a responsible leader?' Jordaan initially appeared hesitant but ultimately responded, 'The response was yes, Honourable Jacobs.' Jacobs then raised concerns over Jordaan's travel expenses, saying, 'In my hands, as I sit here, I have got something I know you don't think I have.' He mentioned trips, including a R131,000 trip to Ivory Coast and London, two visits to Qatar costing R56,000 and R31,000, and a trip to Vietnam for the Oceania Congress from September 29 to October 3, 2023.' 'What are we as South Africans doing in Vietnam at an Oceania Congress of an organisation that only has 13 members thousands of kilometres away?' Jacobs asked. He also mentioned trips to Cameroon for R105,574 and Morocco for R82,833, questioning the value of such spending amid SAFA's financial strain. However, Jordaan defended the Vietnam trip, saying it was related to South Africa's bid to host the FIFA Women's World Cup. 'You may know, or you may not know, that South Africa made a bid for hosting the Women's World Cup. The CEO was with me. Tumi Tlamini was with me,' Jordaan said. 'Do you have their costs there? Do you have their flight tickets there? This is a campaign.'
IOL News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Zenay Jordaan's return potential game-changer for Springbok Women ahead of Rugby World Cup
Zenay Jordaan Former Springbok Women flyhalf Zenay Jordaan (front) will return to the World Cup in a coaching capacity. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Springbok Women performance coach Swys de Bruin has stressed the importance of utilising the intellectual capital of the likes of player-turned-coach Zenay Jordaan as the Rugby World Cup looms ever larger. The 34-year-old Jordaan can offer the Bok Women's staff valuable insight into the tournament. The former flyhalf was a prominent member of the team that featured at the last World Cup, in New Zealand in 2022. She played her last Test for the Bok Women at Waitakere Stadium in Auckland in 2022, bringing to a close a 36-cap career that was a record at the time. Come England and RWC 2025, Jordaan – who recently completed World Rugby's Level 3 coaching course – will return to the global showpiece with the Springbok Women in a coaching capacity, assisting South Africa's coaching staff as part of World Rugby's Gallagher High Performance Academy programme. She is also the assistant coach for the Bulls Daisies, South Africa's top provincial team. 'We all know what a brilliant player she was, and to have the intellectual property of one of the legends in the women's game around is very positive,' De Bruin said. 'As to her role in the coaching set-up, I am adamant about the development of female coaches, as I believe they are the best way forward in the women's game. 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. 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. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Springbok Women's assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt has made a successful transition from player to coach. Image: SA Rugby 'Zenay is already involved with the best provincial team in the country, and to have her around is a benefit to us all. 'The growth of rugby is about spreading the word, not keeping everything in a secluded group of people.' Incidentally, Bok Women assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt was in a similar role in 2022, but she has since progressed into a full-time coaching position in SA Rugby's High-Performance department. Jordaan joined the Bok Women training camp in Stellenbosch last week as the 'on-field' element of her high-performance course kicked in, much to the delight of the former flyhalf. 'I really enjoyed the online part of the course thus far, and I learned so much from so many experienced coaches in that time,' said Jordaan. 'It certainly added to my knowledge and composure as a coach. 'On the field is where I am at my most happy, so to have this opportunity to come and implement those guidelines was as pleasing. 'The fact that I know those players and played with some others at the last tournament has made life easier for me. 'Also, with Laurian, who walked this journey before me, also here was another bonus. 'She has given me good advice where needed, and I can always check in with her if I am not sure about something." Springbok Women's coach Swys de Bruin supports the development of female coaches, as he feels they are the best way forward in the women's game. Image: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers Saturday marks 90 days to go to the World Cup in England. 'What has struck me thus far is the quality of the coaches they have here and how they manage to bring the message across to the players,' Jordaan observed. 'There is good communication going both ways. 'The players are asking good questions, and what impressed me is the clarity of communication regarding the sessions so far.' Zenay Jordaan will feature in her fourth @RugbyWorldCup later this year, but this time in a new capacity - more here: 👍#MakeItCount — SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) May 21, 2025 The Bok Women are hoping to improve on their previous best finish at the Rugby World Cup (10th in 2010 and 2014) in England, and Jordaan is quietly optimistic about that. 'So far so good – the 100-day countdown has started, but we should not get ahead of ourselves,' she said. 'The most important thing will be to make the most of each training session and get the maximum value out of that. 'It might sound far away, but it will go fast from here on in, so the quality of work at training from here on in will be very important.' The South Africans have also had to focus on preparations for the defence of their Rugby Africa Women's Cup title in Madagascar next month.
Eyewitness News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Zenay Jordaan to return to Rugby World Cup in coaching role
JOHANNESBURG – Former Springbok Women star Zenay Jordaan returns as a coach. The last time the 34-year-old left the pitch at the Rugby World Cup, she was carried off shoulder high by her Springbok Women teammates and England opponents. She retired after the 2022 New Zealand World Cup, bringing to a close a 36-cap career, at the time the most played by any South African player, having represented South Africa in six global tournaments and been named Springbok Player of the Year in 2013. Come England and RWC 2025, Jordaan, who recently completed World Rugby's Level 3 coaching course, will return to the global showpiece with the Springbok Women in a coaching capacity, assisting South Africa's coaching staff as part of World Rugby's Gallagher High Performance Academy programme. 'I really enjoyed the online part of the course thus far and I learned so much from so many experienced coaches in that time. It certainly added to my knowledge and composure as a coach. On the field is where I am at my most happy, so to have this opportunity to come and implement those guidelines were as pleasing,' said Jordaan, who is also assistant coach for the Bulls Daisies, South Africa's top provincial team. She trained to become a firefighter but gave up that career when she was offered one of South Africa's first women's professional contracts.
Korea Herald
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Sicona Signs Transformational Licensing Agreement with Himadri to Scale SiCx® Production
AU$15M investment to accelerate global commercialisation of SiCx® anode technology SYDNEY, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sicona, a leading innovator in next-generation battery materials, today announced a landmark strategic partnership and technology licensing agreement with Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd (BSE: 500184 | NSE: HSCL), one of the foremost specialty chemical conglomerates in India. The deal includes AU$15 million cornerstone investment by Himadri and marks a pivotal milestone in the commercialisation of Sicona's flagship Silicon Carbon anode material, SiCx ®. The proceeds will be used to expand Sicona's pilot plant operations in Australia and scale up production to meet surging demand for sampling materials from major global cell manufacturers who service the electric vehicle (EV), 3C (consumer electronics, communications and computers), defence and space industries, who are actively qualifying SiCx ® for next-generation battery platforms. Licensing Deal Overview: Accelerating Global Production Under the agreement, Himadri will licence the full suite of intellectual property required to establish and operate a SiCx® production facility in India. The plant, which will be fully funded by Himadri, is being fast-tracked to meet rising global demand. Sales from the facility will be targeted primarily in the automotive sector—positioning Himadri and Sicona at the centre of global EV supply chains. "This deal is transformative for Sicona," said Christiaan Jordaan, CEO and Co-Founder of Sicona. "This partnership enables us to commercialise SiCx® at an unprecedented speed and scale, without shouldering the burden of the first-of-a-kind (FOAK) facility funding alone." Himadri's manufacturing pedigree and global reach make them the ideal partner." Strategic Benefits: Cost-Effective Global Commercialisation For Sicona, this licensing model offers a capital-light pathway to revenue generation, accelerating its timeline to commercial scale production. Royalties from SiCx ® sales in India will provide a steady income stream, while Sicona focuses on delivering its own large-scale facilities—cementing Sicona's position as a global leader in Silicon Carbon (Si/C) anode materials. "This partnership proves that early-stage climate tech startups can overcome the challenges of FOAK commercialisation with the right partners," Jordaan added. "We're now laser-focused on delivering the facilities in India and the USA." SiCx® Technology Edge Sicona's SiCx ® is a non-silane, mechanical Silicon Carbon material that delivers industry-leading electrochemical performance. Unlike silane-based products, which rely on expensive, volatile and emissions-intensive gas processes, Sicona's proprietary method uses inert and safe raw materials, allowing for location-agnostic manufacturing and competitive pricing. Furthermore, SiCx® makes no compromise in key specifications and performance. SiCx ® has been engineered to directly tackle two major barriers to EV adoption: limited range and long charge times. When blended with graphite (typically in proportions of 5–20%+), SiCx ® boosts energy density by over 20% and cuts charge times by more than 40%, all while maintaining compatibility with today's lithium-ion battery manufacturing lines. These improvements contribute meaningfully to reducing carbon emissions in transport, while also diversifying the critical minerals supply chain away from high-risk, concentrated regions and inputs. Himadri: A World-Class Manufacturing Partner With over 30 years of manufacturing excellence, Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd brings deep experience, robust infrastructure and global distribution capabilities to the partnership. Operating eight zero-liquid discharge pitch facilities and with product availability in around 56 countries, Himadri has established itself as a key player in the advanced materials value chain. "This collaboration marks a turning point in the world's advanced battery materials journey," said Mr. Anurag Choudhary, Chairman, Managing Director and CEO of Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd. "Sicona's SiCx ® delivers two core advantages—higher energy density for longer driving range, and faster charging capability that dramatically reduces wait time for EV users." "By integrating Sicona's technological might with Himadri's global scale and operational excellence, we are creating a blueprint for innovation-led clean energy leadership. We are throwing all our resources behind this project to get it operational on an accelerated timeline." Global Impact: From Pilot Plant to Global Leader This agreement is the latest in a string of strategic milestones for Sicona, which recently announced plans to build a 6,500tpa commercial production facility in the southeastern United States with long-term plans to expand capacity there to 26,500 tpa on a single site. With demand from EV manufacturers continuing to surge, Sicona is now positioned to scale rapidly across three continents—leveraging both direct operations and high-value partnerships to drive global impact. "We thank Himadri for their unwavering belief in our team, our technology, and our mission," said Jordaan. "Despite challenging capital markets, we are forging ahead, delivering on our goal to be the largest global producer of Si/C materials. This is how we win in climate tech, through smart partnerships, fast execution, and solutions that scale globally." About Sicona Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Wollongong, Australia, Sicona is a next-generation battery materials company developing and commercializing advanced Silicon Carbon (Si/C) anode materials. SiCx®, Sicona's flagship product, delivers breakthrough energy density and charging speed for lithium-ion batteries at industry leading cost and scale. Sicona's mission is delivering high-performance battery materials at mass-market scale, aiming to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. About Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd is a global speciality chemical conglomerate with a strong focus on research and development (R&D), innovation and sustainability. As pioneer in the production of lithium-ion battery materials in India, it continuously develops and innovates raw materials of lithium-ion battery value chain. It's diverse product portfolio includes speciality carbon black, coal tar pitch, refined naphthalene, advance materials, SNF, speciality oils, clean power, etc. catering to various industries such as lithium-ion batteries, paints, plastics, tyres, technical rubber goods, aluminium, graphite electrodes, agrochemicals, defence and construction chemicals. Himadri operates in both domestic and international markets, with its products available in around 56 countries across the globe. With a strong commitment to corporate governance, safety and sustainability, it has 8 zero-liquid discharge manufacturing facilities and utilizes in-house clean power for 100% of its electrical energy needs. Himadri is a people first organization and is making a positive impact on the industry, both in India and globally through its focus on innovation fuelled by extensive R&D, new business opportunities and sustainability.
