Latest news with #NorthWestProvince
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Presley Chweneyagae: South Africans remember acting 'icon' who died age 40
South Africans are paying tribute to actor Presley Chweneyagae, who has died at the age of a statement announcing his death, his agency described him as a "South African icon" and one of the country's "most gifted and beloved actors".The South African government published a post on X describing him as "a gifted storyteller whose talent lit up our screens and hearts".Chweneyagae, who was born in 1984 in South Africa's North-West Province, got his big international break after starring in the 2005 film Tsotsi, which earned the country its first Oscar for best foreign language film. Tsotsi, a powerful crime film in which Chweneyagae plays the lead role, explores gang life in a South African township. Chweneyagae also starred in the Nelson Mandela biopic Long Walk to Freedom in 2013, as well as acting in various theatre productions. The South African Film and Television Awards described him as a "true legend of South African cinema" and a "powerhouse performer".The Ministry of Sports, Art and Culture released a statement highlighting his role in the popular South African series River and Cobrizzi."The Department of Sports, Art and Culture, mourns the loss of a true trailblazer - a storyteller who held the soul of a nation in his craft," Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said in the statement. More about African film from the BBC: Trailblazing African film-maker and Cannes winner diesIdris Elba: Why I'm planning a move to AfricaTeenage actress takes on child marriage in role mirroring real life Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Mail & Guardian
5 days ago
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Solar project adds power to parking areas, rooftops in energy overhaul
More solar panels are being installed at the Biko House postgraduate parking. (Image: NWU) Rows of parked cars and rooftops on the North-West University's (NWU's) Mahikeng Campus now share space with banks of solar panels, part of a campus-wide plan to reshape how electricity is sourced, used and sustained. The new decentralised solar energy system is being installed across most parking areas and rooftops at the campus. The system includes 1 820 panels, each generating 550 watts of power, with a collective capacity of 1 megawatt peak (1MWp). The panels are connected through 15 mini-systems that feed directly into the campus's internal power grid. 'The systems connect to the university's grid through inverters, ensuring that the power generated is used entirely on campus,' says Hendrik Esterhuizen, who oversees energy infrastructure at the NWU. He notes that the system is designed to meet the campus's base load requirements and does not feed power back into Eskom's grid. This is important because it ensures the solar system directly supports the campus's energy needs without relying on the national grid. With the new solar plants, the university enhances energy independence, reduces pressure on the public system and improves resilience during load-shedding or power interruptions. 'It effectively acts as a virtual emergency power generator, supporting the campus's diesel generators by adding additional capacity during load-shedding,' he adds. Cost savings expected in the long run The investment carries long-term cost benefits. Each 100kWp solar unit costs about R2 million, including infrastructure and carport installation, says Esterhuizen. 'While solar is cheaper than grid electricity in the long run, the capital investment must first be recouped.' The expected payback period is five to seven years. Diesel use is the most expensive option, costing roughly four times more than grid electricity, Esterhuizen says. 'Our solar systems are already helping to reduce carbon emissions, and we calculate these reductions monthly.' Building and connecting the systems on a functioning university campus has presented challenges. Construction teams have worked around academic schedules, including tests and exams. Infrastructural limitations, such as available roof space and electrical access points, have required tailored solutions. This solar installation forms part of a broader, phased energy project across the university's three campuses. A 385kWp plant is in place at the Vanderbijlpark Campus, with a 2 500kWp system at Potchefstroom and 1 500kWp at Mahikeng. Future construction and major renovations will include similar solar energy components. The roll-out reflects a university-wide shift towards greater energy independence and measured investment in long-term sustainability.
News24
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- News24
World Rally-Raid Championship heats up for historic SA debut
The World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) heads to Southern Africa for the first time in history. The South African Safari Rally is Round 3 of the 2025 W2RC calendar. It takes place from the Sun City Resort from 18-24 May 2025. With its rich history in rally-raid development and competitive success, South Africa will soon be hosting the world championship it helped shape. The entry list for the first World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) event to be held in South Africa reflects the occasion. The South African Safari Rally, brought to you by Toyota Gazoo Racing, forms Round 3 of this year's W2RC calendar and takes place from the Sun City Resort in North West Province from 18-24 May 2025. In the FIA car category, the Ultimate class brings together a veritable who's who of off-road royalty. Nasser Al-Attiyah and Sébastien Loeb spearhead the formidable effort from The Dacia Sandriders. Al-Attiyah is the reigning W2RC champion, the previous round's winner at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the current championship leader, and navigator Edouard Boulanger. Teammate Loeb is a multiple World Rally champion and regular podium finisher in the rally-raid series. He is a formidable contender for the win, with Fabian Lurquin in the navigator's seat. Former Dakar Rally winners and motorsport legends Carlos Sainz and Nani Roma return to competition behind the wheels of the two Ford M-Sport Raptor entries. Navigator Lucas Cruz joins Sainz while Alex Haro guides Roma. The X-Raid MINI JCW Team adds further depth to the field with their accomplished duo of Guillaume de Mévius/Xavier Panseri and João Ferreira/Filipe Palmeiro. Toyota Gazoo Racing is coming out with all guns blazing, thanks to a five-strong lineup of GR Hilux EVOs. American ace Seth Quintero and navigator Dennis Zenz join Brazilian star Lucas Moraes and Spanish navigator Armand Monleon. There's a trio of local favourites too, comprising this year's Dakar Rally second-place finishers Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings, the youngest Dakar stage winner in the car category Saood Variawa and navigator François Cazalet, as well as Guy Botterill/Dennis Murphy – all determined to make the most of their home advantage on African soil. Four more international Overdrive Racing Toyota Hilux entries are included, as well as a pair of #TeamHilux entries from South Africa, including former Dakar Rally winner Giniel de Villiers. Additional entries from experienced championship-winning local and international drivers and navigators from PS Laser Racing, Century Racing, Red-Lined Motorsport, and Neil Woolridge Motorsport bolster the Ultimate class field and promise top-tier competition for rally-raid fans. Four entries will be vying for victory in the BBR Motorsport Taurus T3 Max in the Challenger class. Dakar Rally winner Nicolas Cavigliasso and navigator Valentina Pertegarini will aim to reclaim the championship lead from teammates Pau Navarro/Lisandro Sisterna. They will also be up against two other crews from the same squad, comprising David Zille/Sebastian Cesana and Dania Akeel/Stephane Duple. Numerous other rivals aim to spoil their fun, including the South African team of Puck Klaassen and Charan Moore. In the SSV (side-by-side vehicle) class, the goal for Alexandre Pinto and Bernardo Oliviera will be to extend their championship lead in the Can-Am Maverick R. They will have the MMP entries of Enrico Gaspari/Fausto Mota and Claude Fournier/Patrick Jimbert hot on their tail, along with a pair of CST Xtreme Plus Polaris entries and several other serious rivals. Motorcycles In the FIM's top RallyGP motorcycle category, the Austrian Red Bull KTM team hopes to make it three in a row at the South African Safari Rally, as Daniel Sanders won both the opening race at the Dakar Rally and Round 2 in Abu Dhabi. Teammate Luciano Benavides will join him on the second KTM 450 Rally. Botswana's Ross Branch leads a two-rider effort from Hero Motorsports, joined by José Ignacio Cornejo. The Monster Energy Honda HRC team arrives in force with four impressive riders ready to challenge for the win, including Ricky Brabec, Skyler Howes, Adrien van Beveren, and Tosha Schareina. Adding to the local flair, South Africa's Bradley Cox debuted with the Sherco Rally Factory Team after his recent signing. Cox is competing in RallyGP this year after winning the Rally2 class in 2024. Current Rally2 championship leader Tobias Ebster has joined the Hero Motosports team leading up to the South African Safari Rally and will give everything to build on his points lead. South African rider Michael Docherty will be eagerly cheered on by local supporters in the Rally2 category, especially after he won the previous round at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. He is part of the BAS World KTM Racing Team, which is bringing Nathan Rafferty, Filip Grot, Libor Pletka, and Konrad Dabrowski to compete in the South African event. With no less than 23 riders racing in the Rally2 class at the South African Safari Rally, there will be fierce competition for the podium positions. Five riders have been confirmed for the Malle Moto class. They compete in the whole race and must complete their own maintenance on the motorcycles throughout the event, making it an extreme test of man and machine. Three riders from France are Benjamin Pousset, Florian Banchilon, and Matthieu Jauffraud. Jatin Jain, from India, joins the action, along with South African-based Belgian rider Xavier Gregoire. In the Quad category, Abu Dhabi, Desert Challenge winner Antanas Kanopkinas leads the charge on his CFMOTO Thunder Racing machine. He will be joined by the previous round's other podium finishers, teammate Gaetan Martinez and Marek Loj, on a Yamaha Raptor 700. South African Carien Teessen is the fourth contender on another Yamaha Raptor 700. The route The South African Safari Rally offers a diverse and demanding route specifically designed to showcase the natural beauty and technical challenges of Southern Africa. All stages begin and end at Sun City, except for the Marathon Stage, which includes an overnight trip to a remote bivouac near Stella. Here, competitors must service their own vehicles – without outside support. Prologue (19 May): A 9 km blast just outside Sun City sets the stage, combining tight bush trails with fast gravel Stage 1 (20 May): Loops west toward Lichtenburg, blending sand tracks and open farm roads (262 km special) Stage 2 (21 May): Heads into Barberspan's savannah and off-piste terrain (352 km), ending at the marathon bivouac Stage 3 (22 May): Loops back from Stella, with long, fast sections and tricky navigation (253 km) Stage 4 (23 May): A punishing 224 km route into Skilpadshek, featuring rocky mountain sections and technical bushveld Stage 5 (24 May): A short, sharp 118 km loop through red dust and farmland returns the rally to Sun City for the finish The climate in May is cool and dry, with daytime highs around 25°C and early morning temperatures as low as 5°C —ideal for high-performance engines but challenging for tired riders at the marathon bivouac. A rally for the continent As the W2RC heads into its third round, the South African Safari Rally stands not only as a competitive milestone but as a celebration of African rally-raid history and hospitality. From technical scrutineering to the prize-giving at Sun City, every detail has been designed to deliver a world-class experience. More than just a race, this is Africa's invitation to the world—to feel the dust, hear the roar, and witness the rally-raid's global elite take on the continent's toughest terrain.
