Latest news with #MotsepeFoundation
News24
25-05-2025
- Sport
- News24
SA soccer protests: This movie keeps repeating itself
Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix Last-minute protests take away the shine from deserving teams. Durban City's celebrations were put on hold after allegations surfaced of an improperly registered player. PSL DC dismissed JDR Stars' complaint. There's a saying that I like: 'The more things change, the more they stay the same.' This rings true with the shenanigans we are now accustomed to every time the domestic soccer season is about to end. It will not be a campaign without the last-minute drama of protests as clubs try everything to wrestle points from others, via the boardroom. Same script, just different personnel. It's almost guaranteed that complaints will surface, even in the last fixture of the season. We all know that PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu works overtime as he tries to adjudicate these cases. I have seen this movie before. What a damp squib. It is mind-boggling to see this conveniently happening every season, particularly after each campaign. Although there is nothing wrong with lodging protests, waiting until the last minute raises eyebrows. Is this a last resort to gain valuable points, perhaps? It's always been the case with the Motsepe Foundation Championship, whose image is brought into disrepute at the culmination of each campaign. I might be wrong, but this makes a mockery of the system. The only good thing is that the cases are formally prosecuted by competent tribunals, where the aggrieved parties are given a fair chance to argue their cases. The fact that there's a formal process for lodging protests and a disciplinary committee to address these issues suggests that the PSL has a structured mechanism for resolving disputes. This contributes to a perception of fairness and transparency. Protests in football, by their nature, can have varying effects on the league's image, depending on the context and the reasons behind these disputes. Most protests have been over player eligibility, and this can help ensure that teams adhere to the rules and regulations, maintaining the league's integrity. This is crucial for fans' trust and engagement. However, it is baffling that they only happen at the end of the campaign when the alleged misconduct has been happening throughout the season. This doesn't augur well for the image of the league. As much as it promotes transparency and fairness, it could also have negative implications, particularly with public perception. Repeated or contentious protests might give the impression that the league is plagued by disputes or its rules are not clear enough, potentially deterring the fans and sponsors. Whether we like it or not, these protests are not only overshadowing the sporting aspects of the league, but they are also affecting the overall image of the league. But, while protests can catalyse the necessary discussions and improvements, the questions are: Are these protests legitimate or are they driven by other motivations? At this rate, those who complain are turning our football into a circus. It's boring now. Taking away the excitement I mean, it takes away the excitement and affects the celebrations. My heart bleeds for Durban City, who could not celebrate winning the NFD title, which secured them a spot in the Betway Premiership. They were not handed the trophy, with their promotion put on hold following a protest about the ineligibility of their player, Saziso Magawana. Later in the week, the PSL disciplinary committee dismissed JDR Stars' case after they alleged that Magawana had been improperly registered. A similar case by Cape Town Spurs has been referred to arbitration. While City could be crowned champions after all this drama, it will not be the same as celebrating the win on the pitch. Football is played on the field and not in the boardroom, and the sooner everyone knows and understands this, the better.
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Milken Institute and Motsepe Foundation Announce Winner of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in Fintech and Launch New Prize
The Milken Institute ( and the Motsepe Foundation are proud to announce the winner of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech, a $2 million innovation award designed to reward companies working to expand access to capital and financial services for small businesses in emerging and frontier markets. The winner was announced at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles. Verto ( based in the United Kingdom, won the $1 million Grand Prize for its business-to-business cross-border payments platform, which enables businesses in emerging markets to send and receive payments, eliminating intermediary fees, supporting 49 currencies, and settling transactions quickly. FinTech is the third prize awarded as part of the Milken–Motsepe Innovation Prize Program, a series of competitive multimillion-dollar global competitions and awards designed to incentivize and reward bold, innovative solutions to address pressing economic and environmental challenges in Africa. A Rigorous Award Cycle: From Application to Award Launched in May 2024, the Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech attracted more than 3,000 entrepreneurs from 126 countries across six continents. A total of 400 teams applied, with just 10 being selected as semifinalists. Each team underwent a comprehensive judging process that evaluated five key criteria: affordability and accessibility, ethical and responsible practices, scalability in other markets, the use of cutting-edge technology, and the potential to promote equitable access to financial services. In December 2024, 10 semifinalists pitched their innovations to investors at the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit in Abu Dhabi. From this group, an expert panel of judges selected three finalists—Chumz, Oze, and Verto—to advance to the final stage of the innovation award at the 2025 Milken Institute Global Conference. 'Across the African continent, technology and innovation are disrupting traditional finance and banking approaches. Investment in this space is profitable and, more importantly, necessary for financial inclusion," said Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, co-founder and CEO of the Motsepe Foundation. "My heartfelt congratulations to the winners and all the finalists for demonstrating feasible and impactful solutions that will drive economic activity and shared prosperity in the global South, while influencing the financial sector all over the world." Since its launch in 2021, the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program has awarded over $6 million in funding to more than 50 innovators worldwide. Participating teams have raised nearly 10 times the Grand Prize in additional outside investments, reaching and impacting over 530,000 community members. The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program offers free, curated resources and online events not only to award winners but also to nearly 9,000 global entrepreneurs. New Prize in AI and Manufacturing The fourth Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize, which focuses on AI and manufacturing, launched at the 2025 Milken Institute Global Conference. The new $2 million award is designed to recognize established companies driving innovation in Africa's manufacturing sector. Focused on advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence, the prize rewards technological breakthroughs that create long-term economic resilience in the supply chain in Africa. Registration is open until July 31, 2025. With $2 million in total prizes, including a $1 million Grand Prize, 'AI and Manufacturing' seeks companies that accelerate technological advancements, create jobs, and improve access to essential goods and services for communities across Africa. The award represents an opportunity to support companies leading the next wave of transformative change in manufacturing. 'We have witnessed our prize programs bring forward some of the most visionary thinkers across sectors, from agriculture to financial technology. Now we're excited to see what bold entrepreneurs are doing for the manufacturing sector to harness the power of AI and other advanced technologies to improve the supply chain in Africa,' said Emily Musil, PhD, managing director of environmental and social innovation at the Milken Institute. 'Prizes like this have the power to reveal new and better ways to operate in the digital age and shape how we can do better for people and the planet in the new future we are building.' For more information about the winners and the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program, visit Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program. Contact: Paul Guequierre Email: pguequierre@ Phone: 202-249-6942 ABOUT THE MILKEN INSTITUTE: The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental, and environmental health, we bring together the best ideas and innovative resourcing to develop blueprints for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what's pressing now and what's coming next. For more information, visit ABOUT THE MOTSEPE FOUNDATION: The Motsepe Foundation was founded in 1999 by Dr. Patrice Motsepe and his wife, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe. The goal of the Motsepe Foundation is to contribute toward eradicating poverty and to sustainably improve the living conditions and standards of living of poor, unemployed, and marginalized people in South Africa, Africa, and the world. In January 2013, Dr. Motsepe and Dr. Moloi-Motsepe joined the Giving Pledge, which was started by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates. Dr. Motsepe and his wife committed to give half of their wealth to the poor and for philanthropic purposes during their lifetime and beyond.
Business Wire
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Milken Institute and Motsepe Foundation Announce Winner of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech and Launch New Prize
LOS ANGELES & JOHANNESBURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation are proud to announce the winner of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech, a $2 million innovation award designed to reward companies working to expand access to capital and financial services for small businesses in emerging and frontier markets. The winner was announced at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles. Verto, based in the United Kingdom, won the $1 million Grand Prize for its business-to-business cross-border payments platform, which enables businesses in emerging markets to send and receive payments, eliminating intermediary fees, supporting 49 currencies, and settling transactions quickly. FinTech is the third prize awarded as part of the Milken–Motsepe Innovation Prize Program, a series of competitive multimillion-dollar global competitions and awards designed to incentivize and reward bold, innovative solutions to address pressing economic and environmental challenges in Africa. A Rigorous Award Cycle: From Application to Award Launched in May 2024, the Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech attracted more than 3,000 entrepreneurs from 126 countries across six continents. A total of 400 teams applied, with just 10 being selected as semifinalists. Each team underwent a comprehensive judging process that evaluated five key criteria: affordability and accessibility, ethical and responsible practices, scalability in other markets, the use of cutting-edge technology, and the potential to promote equitable access to financial services. In December 2024, 10 semifinalists pitched their innovations to investors at the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit in Abu Dhabi. From this group, an expert panel of judges selected three finalists—Chumz, Oze, and Verto—to advance to the final stage of the innovation award at the 2025 Milken Institute Global Conference. 'Across the African continent, technology and innovation are disrupting traditional finance and banking approaches. Investment in this space is profitable and, more importantly, necessary for financial inclusion," said Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, co-founder and CEO of the Motsepe Foundation. "My heartfelt congratulations to the winners and all the finalists for demonstrating feasible and impactful solutions that will drive economic activity and shared prosperity in the global South, while influencing the financial sector all over the world." Since its launch in 2021, the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program has awarded over $6 million in funding to more than 50 innovators worldwide. Participating teams have raised nearly 10 times the Grand Prize in additional outside investments, reaching and impacting over 530,000 community members. The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program offers free, curated resources and online events not only to award winners but also to nearly 9,000 global entrepreneurs. New Prize in AI and Manufacturing The fourth Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize, which focuses on AI and manufacturing, launched at the 2025 Milken Institute Global Conference. The new $2 million award is designed to recognize established companies driving innovation in Africa's manufacturing sector. Focused on advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence, the prize rewards technological breakthroughs that create long-term economic resilience in the supply chain in Africa. Registration is open until July 31, 2025. With $2 million in total prizes, including a $1 million Grand Prize, 'AI and Manufacturing' seeks companies that accelerate technological advancements, create jobs, and improve access to essential goods and services for communities across Africa. The award represents an opportunity to support companies leading the next wave of transformative change in manufacturing. 'We have witnessed our prize programs bring forward some of the most visionary thinkers across sectors, from agriculture to financial technology. Now we're excited to see what bold entrepreneurs are doing for the manufacturing sector to harness the power of AI and other advanced technologies to improve the supply chain in Africa,' said Emily Musil, PhD, managing director of environmental and social innovation at the Milken Institute. 'Prizes like this have the power to reveal new and better ways to operate in the digital age and shape how we can do better for people and the planet in the new future we are building.' For more information about the winners and the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program, visit ABOUT THE MILKEN INSTITUTE The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental, and environmental health, we bring together the best ideas and innovative resourcing to develop blueprints for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what's pressing now and what's coming next. For more information, visit ABOUT THE MOTSEPE FOUNDATION The Motsepe Foundation was founded in 1999 by Dr. Patrice Motsepe and his wife, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe. The goal of the Motsepe Foundation is to contribute toward eradicating poverty and to sustainably improve the living conditions and standards of living of poor, unemployed, and marginalized people in South Africa, Africa, and the world. In January 2013, Dr. Motsepe and Dr. Moloi-Motsepe joined the Giving Pledge, which was started by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates. Dr. Motsepe and his wife committed to give half of their wealth to the poor and for philanthropic purposes during their lifetime and beyond. For more information, visit
CAF
16-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
CAF African Schools Football Championship, Ghana 2025 Continental Finals Media Guide available for download
Published: Wednesday, 16 April 2025 The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has made available a comprehensive Media Guide ahead of the CAF African Schools Football Championship, Ghana 2025 Continental Finals that will be staged from 21 – 26 April 2025. The Media Guide provides insight into the incredible impact of CAF's schools programme since its launch in 2022 and delivers vital information on the tournament in Accra, the competing teams and the capacity building workshops that are a vital component of the programme. It is a must-have publication for media wishing to deliver coverage of the tournament, and for stakeholders who are interested in CAF's investment in African schools, which has been facilitated by a USD 10-million donation from the Motsepe Foundation. To download a copy of the Media Guide, please CLICK HERE. For more information on the CAF African Schools Football Championship, Ghana 2025, you can also visit Further Enquiries: CAF Communications communications@
