Latest news with #O.R.TamboInternationalAirport
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
KZN youngsters overcome challenges to compete at the prestigious Gothia Cup in Sweden
Mariannridge friends Delon Taylor and Ansley Cloete managed to avoid socio-economic problems in their community to grasp the opportunity of a lifetime to participate in the Gothia Cup soccer tournament taking place in Sweden, from Sunday. Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo Eight KwaZulu-Natal youngsters will depart Johannesburg's International Airport for Sweden, on Friday, for the Gothia Cup soccer tournament taking place from Sunday. Zarina Agherdien, coordinator of the Bluff-based team, the KZN Lyons, explained that selections for this opportunity took place at the Unity Cup in Johannesburg, which was hosted by her partners in football and development, the German International Soccer Academy-South Africa (GIS). Despite challenges, the boys managed to raise the required funding to pay for their tickets. The boys include: Raul Abrahams (Pietermaritzburg); Shaye Moody (Wentworth); Delon Taylor (Marianridge); Luwellyn Loots (Newlands); Braylen Roaskruge (Wentworth); Ezra Hutchinson (Wentworth) and Mikhaeel Montgomery (Sydenham), and Ansley Cloete (Mariannridge). Mariannridge friends Taylor,16, and Cloete,17, managed to avoid socio-economic problems in their community to grasp the opportunity of a lifetime. Both boys are in Grade 9. Delon is a midfielder, while Ansley is a goalkeeper. Delon and Ansley will be competing in the under-18 squad and claim that they are worthy candidates for this international footballing experience. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Agherdien said the Gothia Cup is the world's largest football tournament, attracting teams and, more importantly, scouts from across the world, providing valuable exposure and elite competition. They worked tirelessly to earn this opportunity and honed their skills by competing notably in the eThekwini u.16 development league in 2024. Ansley's mother, Genevieve Anyigulile, spoke of her struggles in raising four children in an abandoned sports ground's changing room for the past 12 years. Anyigulile said it was an emotional send-off. 'Although we could not go to the bus station, my neighbours and I gave him a send-off. He has never been away from home, and he will now learn to be self-sufficient. He has good company and people around him. I know he will be a success,' Anyigulile said. Tracy Taylor encouraged her son Delon to stay focused and follow his dreams and regarded Taylor as an unsung hero in the community who would one day inspire others. Agherdien together with football director Zaid Poultney made it their duty to know each of their players' worth, mannerisms, and needs. 'We see them as our own. What we are trying to do is difficult because most of them do not come from privileged backgrounds,' she said. Poultney played football, and Agherdien played hockey, both following in their parents' footsteps. She strongly believes that sports can change lives.
IOL News
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Are Rachel and Siya Kolisi back together? Viral airport video fuels romance rumours
Mzansi netizens eager for a reunion speculate whether Siya and Rachel Kolisi are back together after Siya was spotted walking next to a woman at the airport. Image: Supplied South African Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has sent social media into a frenzy after a video of him walking alongside a woman resembling his ex-wife, Rachel Kolisi, went viral. The clip was shared by a fan, @meagsypoo, who spotted Kolisi while travelling economy with the team at O.R. Tambo International Airport on Sunday. 'Yes, the game was good, but did you share a flight with the bokke the next day?' read the title of the TikTok, which quickly garnered close to half a million views. The video showcased the Springboks, who had just celebrated a victory over Ireland at Loftus Versfeld the previous evening. The fan, who admitted to feeling too shy to ask for a photo with the rugby stars, described her experience as 'stalking them like a weirdo instead'. Despite her reluctance to approach the players, her TikTok post captures a moment of excitement for rugby fans. As the video circulated, eager netizens began speculating whether Kolisi had rekindled his relationship with Rachel. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Comments flooded in, with one user, @tshilidzi__, exclaiming, 'Is that Rachel with Siya??? 😭😭✋.' Another user, @ilovejubah, quipped, 'Siya on the hunt for Rachel 2.0,' while @kamo_kula confidently stated, 'That was definitely Rachel!!!!!' However, some observers noted that the woman in the video might be Kate Woods, the director of Adidas South Africa, rather than Rachel. The resemblance sparked a flurry of online chatter about the Springboks captain's personal life. Siya and Rachel announced their divorce in October 2024, citing mutual respect and love as the foundation for their decision. They expressed their commitment to co-parenting their children and continuing their work together on the Kolisi Foundation, despite ending their marriage. The news left many South Africans heartbroken, as the couple had been beloved figures in the rugby community. Despite the speculation surrounding this recent airport sighting, it seems Kolisi remains focused on his role as both a father and team captain.
The Star
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Afrikaner delegation reports successful engagements after U.S. visit
JOHANNESBURG, July 2 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of Afrikaner interest groups held a media briefing on Wednesday at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, following their return from the United States, a visit described as a "comprehensive success." The delegation included members from several organizations, including the Freedom Front Plus, the National Employers' Association of South Africa, and the Southern African Agri Initiative. Corne Mulder, leader of the Freedom Front Plus, told media that the group traveled to the United States following an official invitation. During the visit, they met with officials at the White House, the Bureau of African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, and with staff from the office of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. Mulder noted that from their discussions, it was evident that the United States was open to "resetting" its relationship with South Africa, particularly if the South African government stepped back from redress policies such as the Expropriation Act. "We had a very successful visit to Washington, D.C. In the White House, we had successful meetings where we dealt with several issues that are important to Afrikaners as well as other minorities," Mulder said. The group said they did not go to the United States to "complain," but to find a way to normalize relations between the two countries. "The U.S. and the Trump administration want to deal with South Africa in a positive manner. There are opportunities, but there are also issues that need to be dealt with first," Mulder said. The group also said they had met with officials overseeing the Afrikaner refugee program. The program, they said, was based on concerns about alleged injustices against white South Africans. Trump signed an executive order in February, granting refugee status to white Afrikaners and allowing them to come to the United States. His administration said white Afrikaners were being targeted and had their land seized, a claim the South African government has rejected as "misinformation." Afrikaners are descendants of Dutch and French settlers in South Africa. Dozens of so-called "Afrikaner refugees" have left for the United States since May due to the executive order.
Epoch Times
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Afrikaners Arrive in US, Stoking Tension With Pretoria
JOHANNESBURG—A plane carrying the first group of white Afrikaners to be resettled in the United States as refugees per an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump touched down in Washington on May 12. South African officials confirmed to The Epoch Times that a private jet chartered by the U.S. government carrying 49 Afrikaners left O.R. Tambo International Airport near Johannesburg late on Sunday. Some of the asylum seekers said they felt they had no choice but to leave South Africa, citing high unemployment and crime rates and an environment they said makes white people feel as if they don't belong. On Feb. 7, Trump The U.S. president wrote that his government would promote the resettlement of 'Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored, race-based discrimination, including racially discriminatory property confiscation' in South Africa. Pretoria has implemented affirmative action and black economic empowerment policies that favor black citizens for employment but has denied seizing land belonging to white residents. Related Stories 3/11/2025 2/24/2025 It argues that certain laws are necessary to create a more equal society following decades of white minority apartheid rule. South Africans of all races are enduring some of the highest rates of violent crime in the world, with a spotlight often shone on the brutal murders of white farmers. Sam Busa, a South African businessperson who has established the 'Amerikaners' agency to support those she calls 'disenfranchised South Africans seeking a new future in the U.S.,' told The Epoch Times: 'I am relieved that these Afrikaners are going to build new lives in a safe country that values freedom. The South African government is using racist laws to oppress minorities. I thank President Trump and his entire administration for their care and concern, and for their courage because they are facing great criticism for providing assistance to South African minorities.' Alvin Botes, South Africa's deputy minister of international relations and cooperation, said his government would not block any citizen from leaving the country, even though it disagrees with their reasons for emigrating. 'As people who lived through apartheid, we know what racism looks and feels like,' he told The Epoch Times. 'Although we disagree fundamentally with the allegations leveled against us, we won't stand in the way of anyone who exercises their democratic right to legally emigrate.' Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, told The Epoch Times: 'What's happening here is very disturbing. The United States is undermining and violating South Africa's sovereignty.' In a The statement followed news that the Trump administration had approved the applications of dozens of Afrikaners for relocation to the United States as refugees. Trump's executive order also referred to 'hateful rhetoric and government actions fueling disproportionate violence against racially disfavored landowners.' In a His adviser South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, has condemned what he calls the push for 'genocide of white people' in the country. The DIRCO statement said South Africa Police Services statistics on farm-related crimes 'do not support allegations of violent crime targeted at farmers generally or any particular race.' 'There are sufficient structures available within South Africa to address concerns of discrimination. Moreover, even if there are allegations of discrimination, it is our view that these do not meet the threshold of persecution required under domestic and international refugee law,' it said. Ernst Roets, of Afrikaner rights organization Afriforum, told The Epoch Times: 'It is not as if Mr. Trump is throwing America's doors open to a million Afrikaners. From what I have heard, the United States government is being very selective in terms of who it is accepting as refugees from South Africa.' Shortly before she boarded the jet bound for the U.S. capital, Kirsten van Deventer, 48, told reporters: 'I have to feed my children. I can't find a job. I have applied for jobs, but the companies reject me as soon as they find out I am white. I have no choice but to leave, even though I am afraid, because I don't know much about America.' Meisie van Tonder said she and her family aren't happy in South Africa. 'The government makes us feel as if white people do not belong,' she said. On Friday, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller told journalists that Sunday evening's flight will be the first in a 'much larger-scale relocation effort.' He said the treatment of Afrikaners in South Africa 'fits the textbook definition of why the refugee program was created.' 'This is persecution based on a protected characteristic—in this case, race. This is race-based persecution,' he said. DIRCO said allegations that the South African government is discriminating against Afrikaners are 'unfounded.' Part of its statement read: 'It is most regrettable that it appears that the resettlement of South Africans to the United States under the guise of being 'refugees' is entirely politically motivated and designed to question South Africa's constitutional democracy; a country which has in fact suffered true persecution under apartheid rule and has worked tirelessly to prevent such levels of discrimination from ever occurring again, including through the entrenchment of rights in our Constitution, which is enforced vigorously through our judicial system.' Botes said he had spoken with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on Friday about the 'Afrikaner issue.' 'It was a very respectful, cordial discussion,' he said. 'We agreed to speak more in the near future because we are at a point of disagreement here.'
The Star
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Ekurhuleni Metro Police face disciplinary action after illegal protest
Over 300 Ekurhuleni Metro Police officers face disciplinary actions following their involvement in an illegal protest that disrupted major traffic routes and access to O.R. Tambo International Airport. The city of Ekurhuleni is set to kick start disciplinary actions against more than Three hundred Metro Police officers. The city initiated the disciplinary process after its police officers were engaged in what the city called illegal protest leading to them blockading several major routes in Ekurhuleni. According to reports officers were frustrated over salary adjustments, overtime compensation, and also calling for improved working conditions. The municipality's spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the affected EMPD officers face pre-dismissal processes due to severe misconduct, including the illegal blockade of the R21, N12, N17, and N3 highways. 'This unlawful action significantly disruptedtraffic flow, severely inconvenienced thousands of commuters, and hindered access to the O.R. Tambo International Airport, a designated National Key Point, impacting flight schedules and broader regional connectivity,' Dlamini explained. He further said that EMPD officers, were classified under essential services, mandated to uphold public safety and order. Dlamini continued to say the EMPD officers participation in prohibited strike action constituted gross misconduct, which undermined public trust and violated labour laws as stipulated in the Labour Relations Act. 'All implicated officers have been issued pre-dismissal notices and are suspended from duty pending the outcome of their disciplinary hearings. They are required to submit any City-issued equipment, including vehicles, firearms, and official access cards, until the conclusion of the disciplinary process'. The City is currently collaborating with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure continued policing services, as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the City and the Minister of Police. Dlamini said this was the municipality's way of reiterating its commitment to maintaining discipline, accountability, and ensuring that essential services personnel uphold their responsibility to public safety and order. The Star [email protected]
