Latest news with #MiddelburgObserver
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- General
- The Citizen
Hewige teenkanting teen beoogde steenkoolmyn by Vaalrivier
Jana Boshoff Jana works as a senior support specialist for Caxton digital. Before that she was a journalist at the Middelburg Observer 15 years where she won numerous awards including Sanlam's Up and Coming Journalist, Caxton Multimedia Journalist of the Year, and several investigative awards. She is passionate about people and the stories untold.
The Citizen
a day ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
3 000 athletes flock to GTR 2025
The Greatest Train Race 2025 is back and bigger than ever with 3 000 athletes participating since the popular race was suspended by Covid-19. Runners took off this morning at 07:00 to complete the three distances including at 21.7km, 10km and 4.9km race from the old Belfast road to the Middelburg Train Station. The Greatest Train Race started in 1987, originally in eMalahleni, until it was decided to run between Middelburg and eMalahleni. Covid-19 saw to the GTR's temporary suspension until its relaunch last year. According to host and organiser, Johan Janse van Rensburg, the GTR has steadily regained popularity, with 1 600 athletes participating last year to a phenomenal 3 000 athletes for 2025. For the full results and more photos, keep your eye on the Middelburg Observer next week! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middelburg Observer (@mobserver)
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Come one, come all to the Woza Afrikaans Fest
Come one, come all to the Woza Afrikaans Fest One day to go until the Woza Afrikaans Fest that will have something to offer for everyone! Women's Day has never been more exciting with the Woza Afrikaans Fest kicking off tomorrow from 09:00 to 22:00 at the Kees Taljaard Stadium. Happyland Amusement Park will be bringing Merry Go Round rides that haven't been seen in Middelburg for a long time, and while the kids have plenty to do, a 30 meter refreshment tent will have something to offer for those above the age of 18. @middelburgobserver Come one, come all to the Woza Afrikaans Fest – from 09:00-22:00 on August 9 at Kees Taljaard Stadium. (Content supplied) ♬ original sound – MiddelburgObserver – MiddelburgObserver Live performances are expected to take place on a world class stage, with MC Crazy Werrie opening. The performers lined up for tomorrow consists of the following: Die Piesangskille; Dirk van der Westhuizen, Hotstix Mabuse, Drommedaris Drum Duo, LucasRaps, Prime Circle, O'thandiwe, Snotkop, DJ Tshegu, RW & Band. Entrance fees Free: ages six and under. R100: ages 7-13 R200: ages 14 and up.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Dr Henning Gericke – From the Rugby World Cup to Kaizer Chiefs
From Rugby World Cup winner to the 'chief' at Kaizer Chiefs. When Henning Gericke played for Northern Transvaal at the Primary Schools Craven Week with Uli Schmidt, he probably could not have imagined in his wildest dreams how his life would play out. In his day, he was one of the country's best middle-distance athletes. Almost 50 years ago, he set a world record for 16-year-olds in the 1 500m at a meeting in Stellenbosch. He bettered almost every South African junior middle distance record and became an athletics sensation in the colours of Menlopark High School. His duel with Johan Fourie and Deon Brummer was a highlight that will always be cherished by South Africans. So was his race against the experienced Loop and Val Matthew Motshwarateu. After qualifying as a psychologist and receiving his doctorate, he started a successful practice in Middelburg. His first motivational speech was at Dennesig Primary School, and the first professional sports team he became involved with was the Pumas. Then followed highlights that will make up a book with individual sportsmen who excel with his input, such as swimmer Cameron van der Burgh. He wrote several inspirational books. And then his big moment… he became part of Jake White's management team that won the Rugby World Cup in 2007. Few people are aware that this is not Gericke's first involvement in soccer. He also assisted Bafana Bafana during the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa. Carlos Parreira was the coach. Amakhosi have been preparing for the national soccer league in the Netherlands for the past month, with Gericke assisting them. His biggest challenge begins on Sunday when the national soccer league kicks off with Kaizer Chiefs playing Stellenbosch FC at the Athlone Stadium. Mamelodi Sundowns are once again standing in the way of other teams after winning the league for the past eight years. Gericke always said when he coached athletics at Middelburg Hoërskool that it is difficult to turn a donkey into a racehorse. Yet he has turned many donkeys into winning horses. He said on Thursday, after a training session at the Chiefs' head office at Naturena, that sport is all about human values, 'leadership is everything', and our motto is 'keep the fire burning'. He is also still involved with the Blue Bulls, where Johan Ackerman plays the guitar these days. @middelburgobserver From Rugby World Cup winner to the 'chief' at Kaizer Chiefs. Dr Henning Gericke is now with the Amakhosi. ♬ original sound – MiddelburgObserver – MiddelburgObserver
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Save the rhino… but what about the road cyclist?
Save the rhino… but what about the road cyclist? Yes, save the rhino, but don't forget about another endangered species, South Africa's road cyclists. While road cycling is flourishing in Africa and the world championships are being held in Rwanda later this year, road cycling is dying a silent death in South Africa. Several cycling races have been cancelled in the past year, including the Kremetart, Jock, Panorama tour and Emperors Palace, which were postponed. The race in Rwanda will be the first UCI Road World Championships in Africa. The country couldn't get enough of the then Rapport tour, with the duel between Alan van Heerden and Robbie McIntosh a highlight on the sports calendar. Cycling in South Africa was big. The Middelburg Observer spoke to various stakeholders in cycling circles over the past month, and everyone agrees that road cycling is in danger. There are five main reasons… The deterioration of the country's road network. Local and provincial authorities make it almost impossible to host races. Cycling South Africa does 'little or nothing' for road cyclists. Safety on roads with motorists who have no respect for cyclists. The rise of mountain bikes and gravel bike racing. Roads The Kremetart cycle race was the only one-day four-stage race in the country and was to be held at Makhado. One of the stages was located on the Vivo national road, but the section was left scraped up by the contractor. It was impossible to host the race. After the passing of cycling legend Hendrik Wagener on July 14 last year, a day after the last Jock, it was the end of the Jock and Panorama tours. Ironically, Mpumalanga was a cycling paradise with top cyclists, such as Ertjies Bezuidenhout, who had been in action in the province several times. Authorities Race organisers say they are in the process of throwing in the towel with local and provincial authorities, who are demanding thousands of rands before roads can be used. The Emperors race had to be cancelled earlier this year due to the metro traffic department's strike. Cycling South Africa The country's leading cycling writer, Colin Hoffman, said bluntly that Cycling South Africa is doing nothing for the sport. Pay before you pedal, and what happens to the money? During last year's RideJoburg, participants in the racing category were forced to pay their fees to Cycling South Africa before they were allocated numbers. One participant was so furious that he wanted to punch an elderly woman, who was helping with registration, in the face. Safety The long-time commissaire, Rudi van Wyk, said it is clear that motorists do not respect road cyclists and often drive as close as possible to them, which is very dangerous. Rower and cyclist Kerry Grundlingh (27) was hit by a car and killed in Johannesburg a fortnight ago. She represented South Africa at the World Rowing Championships. Mountain and gravel bikes No government fees, the freedom to ride in nature, and safety are making cyclists switch to mountain and gravel bikes. However, it is not only road cycling that is on the list of extinction, but also track cycling. 'Track cycling is basically at its end. The Velodrome in Bellville seems to me to be doomed. And if this one falls, it is the end of track cycling in the country. The rest of the tracks are in a terrible condition, and of the 32 we had in 1989, only seven remain.' One of the tracks that has fallen into disrepair is outside Middelburg on the Duvha road. An excellent track with top facilities that stands unused and dilapidated. A story on that will follow later. However, all is not lost. There are people like Wynand de Villiers who present various races in the country and are busy organising a five-day tour from Wellington next year. Lenie Smit of Lenrick Promotions is also trying her best to keep road cycling racing going and is hosting her popular Rooiwal Women's Day race on Saturday. Another big campaigner for road bikes is Eduard Prinsloo of Pretoria Cycling Club, who has also recently been hosting safe races at Rooiwal. Read a follow-up about the comments of the various role players on road bikes, including Danie Botha, the president of Mpumalanga Cycling, who shares big news about a possible race in 2026. Cycling South Africa did not respond to enquiries.
