Latest news with #Ngubane
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Sammy Ngubane continues to rewrite netball history after Fireballs' TNL tile heroics
Olwethu Ngubane of the Fireballs shoots for goal as Martine Jordaan of the Flames defends during their Telkom Netball League clash. Ngubane was named TNL 2025 best shooter as the Fireballs went on to lift the trophy. Image: BackpagePix It has been a remarkable few months for Golden Fireballs, University of Johannesburg and Proteas goal attack Owethu 'Sammy' Ngubane. Fresh from helping guide UJ to a first USSA Netball Championships title in years, she was able to repeat the feat in the Telkom Netball League with the Fireballs. The latter triumph was achieved in remarkable fashion as the Fireballs won every match in a gruelling run of three power weeks that took them from Sun City in North West to Durban for finals week. Catching fire The weather on the KZN coast didn't always play ball, but the Fireballs ensured there would be no drop in temperature on the court. Near misses in the previous two seasons were relegated to distant memories as they buried defending champions the Free State Crinums with a stunning come-from-behind 47-40 victory at a rocking Durban ICC. The 21-year-old Sammy was central to that victory, masterminded by former Proteas coach Dr Elsje Jordaan, who was ably assisted by former Proteas and Fireballs skipper Bongi Msomi. 'First of all, it was so exciting to actually play a final this year because we had missed out in two years now – since 2022,' Ngubane told Independent Media Sport exclusively in the week after their famous win. 'We were so happy that we ended up getting what we wanted to get as a team and that our goals were ticked. 'It is kind of special, winning the title undefeated, but actually it's so much pressure on us to keep the standard going and not lose a match.' The Golden Fireballs celebrate after being crowned 2025 TNL champions with their victory over the Crinums at the Durban ICC on Sunday afternoon. Image: Netball South Africa 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ Shooting star The goal attack was a colossus, stepping up in the tense moments of Power Week 3 when her team needed her, driving them forward with key intercepts, feeds, link-up plays and goals … plenty of them. She was lethal with her shooting in the attacking circle, often hauling her team back in contests when they seemed to have hit a brick wall. It was no surprise when Ngubane was named best shooter of TNL 2025. 'Coach Elsje and coach Bongi played a huge role in my improvement for this year, playing a huge role by helping me adjust some of my skills on the court,' Sammy said. 'It wasn't good start to the year for me and coming into TNL my mindset changed and I wanted something that could boost my confidence. 'I think one the things that I have been working on myself is my shooting and I can see the improvement. From this TNL tournament, I can say I'm truly confident and ready for anything that comes my way.' Home is where heart is She was also able to feed off the crowd in the pulsating grande finale, who proved that they still have plenty of love for a former favourite daughter who made her name in KZN netball. 'I did represent KZN way back when I was young, in 2021, I think, when I was still in matric,' Sammy said. 'Obviously I made the big move to Joburg to study there and play for UJ, and also represent Gauteng. But there were a lot of things that were happening in the background in terms of do I still want to stay in KZN or do I want to change sides and go to Golden Fireballs. I think that was one of the biggest decisions that I have taken. 'But coming back home to play on home soil, it was truly a great thing to have our families see us play, but just truly letting them know that even if we changed provinces, our hearts are still at home.' Three-peat? With two titles already in the bag, Sammy is gearing up for more glory in the Varsity Cup with UJ, where she will once again team up with coach Msomi. She admits that their USSA performance, where they defied recent history of falling before the final hurdle for years, had only increased the size of the target on their backs. 'I think everyone will be gunning to play the final and get gold. I think it's huge pressure on us, obviously, after playing USSA and getting gold. Now going to Varsity Cup every one of us will have a target on our backs. 'But we are also prepared for everything that they're going to bring to us. We also focused on ourselves, on building our team and building our squad as well, so we're quite excited about it.' While it's unlikely to be a focus for Sammy, there is a chance of a rare three-peat. Given what has happened so far this fairytale season, anything is possible.
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Prospecton infrastructure upgraded for resilience
THREE years on from the devastating April 2022 floods, eThekwini Municipality has transformed the crisis into an opportunity, launching a city-wide reconstruction programme with a focus on Prospecton Road, the Umlazi canal network, and the vital M4 transport route. Also read: Floods hit Prospecton industries hard These vital routes, severely battered during the floods, are now at the heart of an ambitious 'build back better' strategy to create infrastructure capable of withstanding the realities of climate change. Speaking on the progress, Vincent Ngubane, Director of the Disaster Management Directorate, highlighted the shift from emergency recovery to proactive resilience-building. 'Our mission goes beyond emergency response. It's about building a city that is prepared, protected, and proactive. Prospecton Road and the Umlazi Canal are no longer just being restored, they are being transformed into resilient defences protecting our communities and industries,' said Ngubane. He added that Prospecton Road and Umlazi Canal, once overwhelmed, are now being fortified to protect homes, industries, and livelihoods. The M4 highway, a crucial link between Durban and the southern basin, which experienced landslides and washaways, is now being rebuilt to withstand extreme weather events. The newly designed sections feature reinforced embankments, upgraded stormwater drainage, and flood mitigation barriers. Also read: City officials survey storm damage in Umgababa Chief civil engineer in Roads Provision, Linga Govender, emphasised the municipality's adoption of advanced engineering techniques. 'These are not simple repairs. Prospection Road and the M4 are being rebuilt with future disasters in mind. The Umlazi Canal is being widened and reinforced to prevent the kind of catastrophic overflows we witnessed before,' said Govender. The municipality has also placed community involvement at the centre of its recovery strategy, rolling out public education campaigns on disaster preparedness and integrating local knowledge into infrastructure planning. As part of its holistic disaster risk reduction approach, eThekwini is combining infrastructure upgrades with early warning systems, climate-smart urban planning, and community training programmes. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and take part in community preparedness initiatives as eThekwini accelerates its journey towards becoming a climate-resilient metro. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
13-07-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
eThekwini rebuilds flood-damaged infrastructure after 2022 floods
The M4 and M19 corridors, once rendered impassable by the 2022 deluge, are being rebuilt as climate-resilient routes. Three years after the devastating April 2022 floods, eThekwini Municipality is not just repairing its damaged infrastructure; it's reimagining it. The city is rebuilding key roads, bridges, and stormwater systems with a focus on resilience and long-term sustainability. Director of the Disaster Management Directorate Vincent Ngubane said the recovery strategy is rooted in the global Build Back Better framework, shifting from mere restoration to long-term resilience. 'Our mission goes beyond emergency response, it's about building a City that is prepared, protected, and proactive,' Ngubane said. 'These disasters illustrate how various stakeholders can work together to enhance the resilience of eThekwini, ensuring comprehensive support for all.' Key corridors rebuilt to withstand floods The M4 and M19 corridors, once rendered impassable by the 2022 deluge, are being rebuilt as climate-resilient routes. Similarly, the flood-prone Prospection Road and uMlazi Canals are now being fortified to protect nearby homes and businesses better. Shallcross Bridge. Picture: Supplied/ eThekwini Critical bridges, including Shallcross and Coedmore, are also being reconstructed with advanced engineering techniques. 'We are not just reacting to disasters, we are anticipating them, and designing our city to withstand them,' Ngubane added. ALSO READ: Cogta warns municipalities against wasting R1.2 billion disaster relief A smarter, more proactive approach The Municipality's approach integrates early warning systems, community preparedness initiatives, and climate-smart infrastructure planning. Programmes aimed at educating communities about disaster readiness and resilient construction methods have also been launched. Chief Civil Engineer in Roads Provision, Linga Govender, said the new structures are designed with future climate risks in mind. 'These new bridges are engineered to stand the test of time and the changing climate,' Govender explained. M4 Corridor. Picture: Supplied/ eThekwini 'They represent a new era of infrastructure that is smarter, stronger, and safer.' Community participation is at the heart of the rebuilding efforts, aligning with the Municipality's belief that resilience must be a shared responsibility. Ngubane said the structures being rebuilt are not just replacements but are engineered to withstand extreme weather events and rising flood risks. NOW READ: KZN flood victims face eviction crisis as government scrambles for R128m
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Alexandra community safety structure dissolved amid internal misunderstandings
The Alexandra Community Policing Forum (CPF) has been dissolved, following 'misunderstanding among executives,' inactiveness of certain members and a breakdown in dialogue between its executives and Station Commander Brigadier Vusumuzi Ngubane. Brigadier Ngubane stated that he dissolved the forum after trying unsuccessfully to mediate tensions between CPF executives. 'I have been trying to solve this thing, but it looks like it is getting out of hand. I called the executives of the CPF, the sectors, and the members representing the community. We were discussing a way forward, but when we discussed, members were not happy about certain things, and they did not want to talk about it.' Also read: Alex CPF concerned about GBV victims' reluctance to press charges Reports emerged on social media claiming the forum was dissolved after a failed attempt to oust Ngubane, but CPF chairperson Sarah Matomeamohale rejected the claims. 'There is nothing like that. It is a lie. That they were not trying to remove the station commander,' Matomeamohale said. Asked if she knew anything about the disbandment of the CPF, she said that she was not told anything about that. Ngubane attributed the decision to dissolve the whole structure of the CPF to a myriad of issues, including inactive members, absenteeism, and growing misunderstandings. He said that sectors must have monthly meetings and activities meant to address crime, but that was not happening. 'In our monthly meetings with the detectives, the station commander, and the VISPOL, we raised issues that we must have a constitution, community safety plan and Imbizo in our community, and all those things were not happening.' Ngubane confirmed that the forum has been dissolved 'until further notice,' with the matter now referred to the district office and the MEC. A new structure will be formed from the ground up, starting with sector elections to appoint fresh CPF executives. In the meantime, an interim structure is expected to oversee CPF operations. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Eyewitness News
02-06-2025
- Eyewitness News
Olorato Mongale's family pleads with SAns to show compassion to man cleared as suspect in her murder
BLOEMFONTEIN - The family of Olorato Mongale is pleading with South Africans to show compassion towards Fezile Ngubane, the man police cleared in connection with the 30-year-old's murder. Ngubane was taken in for questioning last week, but authorities have since confirmed that he played no role in Mongale's death. The master's student was laid to rest in Bloemfontein on Sunday, a week after her body was found dumped in Lombardy West in Gauteng. ALSO READ: - Olorato Mongale's mother vows to follow her daughter's advice and live life to the fullest - Olorato Mongale murder: After being cleared as a suspect, Fezile Ngubane vows to turn life around - Olorato Mongale murder: Family of man who turned himself in feared he would be killed by vigilantes Although Ngubane was cleared by police in the matter, Mongale's family said it was worried that the damage had already been done, fearing he may now face unfair stigma. They said that Mongale would not have wanted Ngubane to pay for a crime he didn't commit, adding that the 30-year-old would have wanted the KwaZulu-Natal man to rebuild his life. The Mongale family said that Ngubane was also a casualty, adding they believed that Olorato fought for justice from beyond the grave. "The most incredible thing that happened with Olorato is that as she goes, as she bows out, she made sure that a co-victim is liberated because he was wrongfully accused," said family spokesperson Chriselda Kananda. The family said they were still searching for closure, with the second suspect still on the run.
