Latest news with #NelsonMakamo
IOL News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
PSL must do much better next season after disruptive campaign
Shauwn Mkhize Royal AM owner Shauwn Mkhize saw her club expelled from the Premiership. Photo: AYANDA NDAMANE Independent Media Image: AYANDA NDAMANE Independent Media Final Whistle Column The teething problems were there even before the season officially got underway, but the masses held their breath, hoping for everything to fall into place. But it wasn't to be. The PSL was brought about disrepute throughout the season, so much so that there'll be better expectations next season. Perhaps the fact that the majority of the fans are not rating the design of the new Premiership trophy by Nelson Makamo sums up this season. Makamo was heavily criticised for his design when the new cup was unveiled last Sunday, with naysayers linking it with the infamous hookah pipes. Betway Squad 📣📣📣 The moment you have been waiting for 🔥🔥🔥 The Betway Premiership Trophy 🏆 Phakamisa izandla Bazalwane 🎉🎉🎉#BetwayPrem #BetwayPremTrophy — Betway ZA (@Betway_za) May 18, 2025 Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ The renowned designer tried to justify himself, saying that he got the idea for the trophy through his ancestors as he wanted to produce something iconic. But the football masses, including yours truly, are having none of that, as his instinctive design didn't align with football heritage often portrayed through silverware. Makamo, also, is just unfortunate that he has suddenly become a sacrificial lamb as some of us have been there even before the start to see the signs of a ticking bomb. The multi-billion rand Premiership was initially shaken when broadcasting giants DStv pulled out as the main sponsor of top-flight football at the 11th hour amid financial struggles. That all but forced PSL head honcho Irvin Khoza to find an immediate solution, and thanks to his impeccable leadership, it wasn't long that the product attracted interest. In the end, though, it was betting heavyweights Betway that won the bid of being the league's main sponsor, changing how some people viewed sports betting. But that wouldn't deter the overall feeling that Khoza had hit a jackpot by bringing Betway on board, given their vast financial power and growth over the years. Betway and the PSL, however, said, at the time, that they were not yet ready to reveal the championship trophy as they were still in discussion with a few top designers for expert input. In the end, it was Makamo that won the bid. The revered designer got a lot of stick from the masses after his masterpiece wasn't deemed worth it for a football competition. Betway Squad 📣📣📣 The moment you have been waiting for 🔥🔥🔥 The Betway Premiership Trophy 🏆 Phakamisa izandla Bazalwane 🎉🎉🎉#BetwayPrem #BetwayPremTrophy — Betway ZA (@Betway_za) May 18, 2025 But be that as it may, the PSL's season was already rocked, largely due to the expulsion of Royal AM, whose season had to be declared null and void. Royal AM brought the league into disrepute after the club's president, Shauwn Mkhize, owed money to SARS, resulting in the curator taking over assets, including the football club. And with Mkhize unable to pay the curator the sum of R40 million, that led to the curator putting up the club for sale, resulting in the no payments as the PSL also froze grants. And after no entity successfully bought Royal AM early this year, the PSL Board of Governors had no choice but to vote in favour of the expulsion of Thwihli Thwahla. It was a dark time for those who were under the payroll of the club, but not its owners and the management team, as they brought the league into disrepute from the outset. When Royal AM joined the elite league, they made a mockery of its professionalism, paying player bonuses on the pitch, fighting with fellow officials and turning stands into parties. And so their questionable deeds finally caught up with the club, but it's unfortunate that it was at the expense of the league and its stakeholders, Betway and Nedbank. And we've done it🏆 — Durban City FC (@DurbanCity_FC) May 18, 2025 Right now, there's a pending case regarding the improper registration of Sifiso Magawana by NFD log leaders Durban City, hence their automatic promotion has been put on pause. It is not the first time that the PSL have been embroiled in a promotion saga related due to improper registration, so that's a story for another day. But overall, it's been a disruptive season for the PSL in the top-flight, so expectations will be rife for things to improve significantly next season.
Daily Maverick
23-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Strauss & Co's Bold Mix of Global Icons and Rising Stars Comes to Market This May
Johannesburg Auction Week by Strauss & Co is a central pillar of South Africa's autumn art calendar, and this year encompasses 217 lots spread across two curated auctions that track more than a century of artistic innovation. The superb offering encompasses Frans Oerder 's portrait from the mid-1890s depicting four farmworkers, Leisure Hours (estimate R200 000 – 300 000 / $11 047 – 16 571), and Nelson Makamo 's Child with Red Glasses (estimate R300 000 – 400 000 / $16 571 – 22 095), painted 125 years later in 2018. Vladimir Tretchikoff 's celebrated 1955 portrait Lady from the Orient (estimate R5 – 7 million / $276 181 – 386 654), widely reproduced in print globally, leads the excellent consignment of pioneer moderns. They include Maggie Laubser, Hugo Naudé, George Pemba, Alexis Preller, Gerard Sekoto, Irma Stern, JH Pierneef and Anton van Wouw. Gerard Sekoto's pre-exile masterpiece The Mother on the Road (estimate R2 – 3 million / $110 473 – 165 709) is one of three works by this singular painter. The other works are the affecting Portrait of a Young Boy (estimate R200 000 – 300 000 / $11 047 – 16 571) and Paris-era street scene from 1974 Walking Figures (estimate R500 000 – 700 000 / $27 618 – 38 665). Like Sekoto, George Pemba is key voice in the representation of working-class life and is represented by The Road Diggers (estimate R300 000 – 500 000 / $16 571 – 27 618). Much loved and still widely collected, South Africa's modernists laid the groundwork for later twentieth-century innovators like Bill Ainslie, Keith Alexander, Walter Battiss, Erik Laubscher, Robert Hodgins and Harold Voigt, all represented in the sale. Two founder Amadlozi Group members, Cecil Skotnes (Abstract Couple, estimate R400 000 – 600 000 / $22 095 – 33 142) and Edoardo Villa (African Mask II, estimate R350 000 – 450 000 / $19 333 – 24 856), bolster the presence of late modernists in this sale. Of note, Villa is currently the subject of a career-spanning exhibition Discipline of Sculpture at Nirox Sculpture Park, Johannesburg. Leading contemporary artists include Jake Aikman, Deborah Bell, Pieter Hugo, William Kentridge, Dylan Lewis, Nelson Makamo, Gerhard Marx, John Meyer, Karel Nel, Penny Siopis and Sue Williamson. Kentridge's sculpture output will shortly receive its first major institutional show outside South Africa at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield. Williamson's excellent career survey, There's Something I Must Tell You, is currently on view at the South African National Gallery. The 217 lots of modern and contemporary art on offer during Johannesburg Auction Week will be presented across two sales: a 115-lot online-only Day Sale (concluding Tuesday, 27 May 2025 from 2pm) and a 102-lot live Evening Sale (commencing Tuesday, 27 May 2025 at 7pm). The curation of these sales emphasises value and diversity. As is tradition, museum-quality works by Sekoto and Tretchikoff will be offered live to the public in the premier Evening Sale. Johannesburg Auction Week confirms Strauss & Co's role as a bulwark of the South African art market, offering collectors access to blue-chip names and rising stars in a curated, insight-rich format. Noteworthy highlights from Johannesburg Auction Week include: Irma Stern: three works, including the 1962 harvest scene Pimento Pickers (estimate R3 – 4 million / 165 709 – 220 945), vibrant gouache Near Amanzimtoti (estimate R250 000 – 350 000 / $ 13 809 – 19 333), and charcoal Watussi Man Smoking a Pipe (estimate R200 000 – 300 000 / $11 047 – 16 571). JH Pierneef: seven works, including the top-valued Piesanghoek, Soutpansberg (estimate R2.5 – 3.5 million / $138 091 – 193 327) and a collector favourite, Landscape with Acacias (estimate R1.4 – 1.8 million / $77 331 – 99 425). William Kentridge: seven works spanning decades and media, including an untitled charcoal drawing from his Masked Ball series (estimate R2 – 3 million / $110 473 – 165 709), the multi-panel etching Marcus Aurelius (estimate R800 000 – 1 000 000 / $44 470 – 55 588) and the bronze Shadow Figure III (estimate R1.2 – 1.5 million / $66 284 – 82 854). Penny Siopis: two works, Ribbon (estimate R300 000 – 500 000 / $16 571 – 27 618) and Trouble (estimate R200 000 – 300 000 / $11 047 – 16 571), which exemplify her lyrical humanism and politically attuned figurative practice. Keith Alexander: Dawn of a Long Night (estimate R300 000 – 500 000 / $16 571 – 27 618) from 1993 is a photo-realist narrative painting by this sought-after painter. Anton van Wouw: A rare edition of the Slegte Nuus bronze (estimate R1 – 1.5 million / $55 236 – 82 854), cast by the Nisini Foundry in Rome and one of only two in existence. Erik Laubscher: Two standout landscapes, Winter Landscape (estimate R150 000 – 200 000 / $8 338 – 11 117) and Rooi Rotse, Bokkeveld (estimate R200 000 – 300 000 / $11 117 – 16 676), show Laubscher's enduring power. Harold Voigt: The richly textured Abstract Landscape with Hornbills from 1973 (estimate R 80 000 – 120 000 / $4 419 – 6 628) exemplifies this painter's elegant legacy. Hugo Naudé: San Marco, Venice (estimate R80 000 – 120 000 / $4 419 – 6 628) is a luminous plein-air view that showcases Naudé's European training and Impressionist leanings. Robert Hodgins: four works, including three oils with keen estimates of between R300 000 – 500 000 / $16 571 – 27 618 that represent his biting wit and painterly strength, as well as a portfolio, Uhanga Dihangara (Coat Hanger Print Portfolio) showcasing his excellent printmaking skills. John Meyer: six works, a mainstay of the local market, the works span his signature narrative figuration (Broken Reed, estimate R400 000 – 500 000 / $22 095 – 27 618) and much-loved landscape subjects.
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
The PSL's newly designed trophy gets mixed reactions from fans
'When you look at all the trophies, they hardly include two important figures: the player and a supporter,' shared Makamo. After waiting months for the Betway Premiership trophy to be designed by renowned artist Nelson Makamo, local soccer fans have mixed reactions to the league's new trophy. The new trophy was unveiled this past weekend after Mamelodi Sundowns' 2-0 victory over Magesi. Sundowns were confirmed as league champions the week before. THIS TROPHY WAS PROBABLY DESIGNED BY A SMOKER FROM CAPE TOWN (OKA PIPE) HUBBLY BUBBLY #BetwayPremiership #sundows — 🅿️🅿️L9ICE🍋🔥 (@PPL9ICE) May 18, 2025 While those who are pleased with the new design seem to be Sundowns fans, several fans ridiculed the design, with many comparing it to a hookah pipe because of how it looks. The Citizen contacted Betway, the league's sponsors, who said questions should be directed to the league itself. However, the PSL has yet to respond. Nelson Makamo…. That's the tweet 🔥 — Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) May 19, 2025 ALSO READ: Ricollin Moodley uses lipstick art to honour former Springbok winger Cornal Hendricks Thought behind the trophy In an April video posted on Betway's YouTube page, Makamo chats with former soccer players- Oupa Manyisa, Mpho Makola, Lucky Lekgwathi and Lehlohonolo Majoro. Former striker Majoro asked the artist if he had a concept in mind for how he wanted the trophy to look. Makamo said he had a couple of ideas. 'When you look at all the trophies, they hardly include two important figures: the player and a supporter,' shared Makamo. 'So for me, it was one of the things where I said 'these are the people that actually make the league' they define the league.' In the same conversation, the artist mentioned that most trophies only use silver and bronze. 'It's unusual to find gold on a trophy, and in South Africa we have [gold]. So hopefully, if all goes [well], there will be a bit of gold' 'For me, the trophy means a lot to me,' said former Mamelodi Sundowns Captain Hlompho Kekana. 'That's why when I see a trophy, it has to be a trophy that speaks to us players, as a country and the history of football in South Africa, because then it will live forever in our memories.' ALSO READ: Denzel Washington 'blessed beyond measure' after surprise tribute at Cannes Film Festival 'Complementing number one' In another promotional video by the league sponsors in November, Makamo discussed how trophies are seldom focused on after a team wins them. 'Usually, we don't get to focus on the trophy. The trophy was not that important; the most important thing is that you were number one,' said Makamo in the video. I love it!!! Nelson Makamo did the thing. — Andile Ncube (@AndileNcube) May 18, 2025 'That number one needs to be complimented as well.' The world-renowned visual artist from Modimolle in Limpopo said he wanted to create something symbolic with the trophy. 'When I learn more about the project, it was to also look at the heritage and how do we celebrate South Africa especially soccer, as on sport that managed to give and offer therapy to a lot of during the dark period of the country as well' he shared at the time. In the video, Makamo speak about soccer fans' impatience and eagerness to see the trophy. 'People are still asking…they even went as far as getting into my social pages, and they were not asking politely. They were like, 'hey, where's the trophy?'.' The artist said South Africa is one of the most cultured countries in the world. 'I need something that will reflect who we are if I'm gonna do it.' NOW READ: Tiara to textbooks: Miss SA 2020 Shudufhadzo's fab first year at Columbia University and the United Nations
News24
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Nelson Makamo-designed Betway Premiership trophy draws cheers and chuckles online
Supplied Artist Nelson Makamo's trophy design for the Betway Premiership, featuring a tree symbolising South Africa's football heritage, was revealed on Sunday. Following its grand reveal after Sundowns won against Magesi, social media users had a lot to say. Despite the design's grand symbolism, locals likened it to a hookah pipe. World-renowned SA artist Nelson Makamo is dominating the timeline after gaining recognition for designing this season's Betway Premiership trophy. But while the trophy is celebrated widely, it has also sparked mixed reactions among local football fans and social media users. Makamo, who was commissioned for the project by Betway and the Premier Soccer League, put in extensive research and even travelled across South Africa for inspiration. After working on approximately 60 sketches, he finally settled on a concept inspired by what he described as 'the timeless love of football across the country.' The trophy's central design element is a tree, symbolising the deep historical roots of football in South Africa. This tree reflects how the sport has grown into a source of joy and hope for millions across the nation. 'This is something that will be a symbol for us,' Makamo explained in a video shared on the Official Premier Soccer League's X (formerly Twitter) account. 'When I learned more about the project, it was also about looking at the heritage and how we celebrate South Africa—especially soccer, as it has been a sport that offered therapy to many people during significant periods in our country's history.' The trophy, which blends tradition with innovation, features a tree-like figure with branches—a tribute to South African football legends and their significant contributions to the sport. Betway explained that the tree represents the iconic footballers who laid down the foundation for the game, elevating its status and inspiring future generations to strive for excellence. Above the branches lies a golden canopy of modern football stars, unified in celebration. This golden glow not only celebrates the achievements of footballers but also symbolises South Africa's rich natural resources, and in Makamo's words, 'Champions deserve gold.' Additionally, the golden elements pay homage to South African migrant workers who left their homes to work in mines, helping sustain their families back home. Hubbly look-alike While the trophy, won by Sundowns in their match against Magesi F.C. on Sunday, carries deep sentimental value, South Africans on social media couldn't resist poking fun at its appearance. Following the trophy's grand unveiling after the match, many users pointed out its peculiar resemblance to a 'hubbly bubbly' (hookah). 'After all the donations we made to them, Betway took the whole season to design a hubbly bubbly trophy for #BetwayPrem,' joked one user, His Excellency. Another user weighed in, teasing that the team worked hard only to win a hubbly. 'Imagine playing 30 games to lift a hubbly bubbly,' he said, adding laughing emojis. Some went further, calling the trophy a 'downgrade' or likening it to other objects. User Peche Africa went as far as comparing it to a 'cake stand.' However, not everyone criticised the design. Some users admired its unique nature. 'It's unique, looks like a chess piece,' said one user. Another added, 'The trophy is beautiful. The problem here is that it was won by Sundowns.' Others were even more enthusiastic, explaining that not everyone would understand the appeal. 'The trophy is stunning, definitely the best we've had by far. The detail is incredible, and those who know — know. You can't expect Mr Price customers to appreciate a Gucci product,' wrote Ziya. Some critics, however, believed the design was too elaborate for a league trophy. 'Why can't they just make a simple championship trophy? I mean, yeah, this would be okay for a cup competition but definitely not a league,' said one user.
The Herald
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald
Fans slate new ‘hubbly bubbly' trophy, Sundowns' Zwane, Onyango say it's ‘beautiful'
Described by its creator, Nelson Makamo, as a 'love letter to football', the new Betway Premiership trophy has met with a mixed reaction. The new piece of silverware has been slammed by football fans after its introduction to the public on Sunday, especially on social media, with some likening it to a 'hubbly bubbly' smoking device. Some players of the first recipients of the trophy, Mamelodi Sundowns, said they view it as a masterpiece after being presented it after winning their final Premiership game of 2024-25 2-0 against Magesi FC at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday evening.
