Latest news with #ORTamboInternationalAirport
IOL News
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Meagan Good's South African adventure: a family affair at the Dreamers Exchange Festival
Meagan Good was recently spotted during a visit to South Africa. Image: Instagram Hollywood star Meagan Good touched down on South African soil, receiving an enthusiastic welcome at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Accompanied by her sister, La'Myia Good, and their cousin, filmmaker Dijon Talton, the trio made a grand entrance that has been the talk of the town. 'Touchdown South Africa - the cousins have arrived! Dreamers, let's give them the warmest welcome as they join us for this incredible experience,' Good posted on social media, setting the tone for what was to become a remarkable weekend. Upon arrival at the airport, the celebrity cousins were treated to a heartfelt serenade of traditional Vhavenda song and dance. This show of cultural pride exemplified the warm hospitality for which South Africa is renowned. Their journey took them next to The Pavilion at the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located just north of Johannesburg, where they participated in the much-anticipated Dreamers Exchange Festival. Walking the red carpet and mingling with local luminaries, the Good family encountered stars from popular drama series, "Smoke & Mirrors". Among those they mingled with were Lusanda Mbane, JT Medupe, and Meshack Mavuso Magabane, showcasing a beautiful blend of Hollywood glamour and South African talent. While her professional life dazzles with new projects, including her upcoming role alongside Jabari Banks and Bailee Madison in the anticipated film Rocky Top College, Good's personal life has also captured public interest. The actress is dating acclaimed actor Jonathan Majors, and in November 2024, the couple announced their engagement at Ebony magazine's Power 100 event, where they first met in 2022. Their love story culminated in the couple tying the knot in March, keeping fans abuzz with affection for the couple. Good and her cousin's participation in the Dreamers Exchange Festival is a testament to the growing cultural exchange and collaborations between the US and Africa. As creatives from different backgrounds come together, initiatives like this emphasise the power of storytelling and the universal language of dreams. As the festival unfolds, all eyes are now on the powerful messages of inspiration and orientation being shared, aiming to ignite creativity, leadership, and innovation among aspiring dreamers in South Africa and beyond.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Young Koekemoer has a bright future ahead after helping South Africa to gold
Leendert Koekemoer's maturity that helped South Africa win the men's 4x400m gold medal at the World Athletics (WA) Relay Championships in China was replaced by a youthful exuberance when the national relay teams touched down at OR Tambo International Airport on May 14. The 400m sensation and his teammates were welcomed with fanfare after the men's 4×100 m and 4x400m clinched gold medals. The women's 4×400 m got a bronze, as South Africa ended the competition at the top of the medal standings. The 18-year-old will jet off to Tokyo for the WA Championships in September after the teams qualified for the competition. Koekemoer shone in the final with a blistering third leg. Botswana had a slight advantage over South Africa when he received the baton. He found his footing, running the second fastest split of 44.23 to finish strongly to give anchor, Zakithi Nene, the easy job of securing the gold. 'It was fantastic. I did not go to the relays to run a fast time. I just wanted to give the baton to Zakithi first. The time came by itself. I did not realise it until the end,' he said. Sharing his experience as the youngest member in the team, the Dalview resident thanked his seniors for taking him in and showing him the ropes. 'I had a wonderful experience. It was my first time out of the country. All the senior guys helped me. They invited me in. They helped me with this and that. It was a pleasant experience.' Koekemoer first showed glimpses of his potential two years ago when he won the national U18 400m title in 46.38. However, injuries affected his progress last year. He returned strong this year, starting with a blistering 45.96 at the Wildeklawer TUT Top 14 in January, dipping under 46 seconds for the first time. He has since broken the 46-second barrier three more times, including breaking the SA U20 record when he ran 45.03 at the ASA senior track and field championships in Pochefstroom last month, smashing Riaan Dempers' 31-year-old record. Growing up in Brakpan, the Helpmekaar Kollege matriculant never envisaged he would enjoy so much success in the sport he loves this early in his career. 'I always wanted to run, but did not know I could run this well. If not for my parents, coach Lindi du Plessis and training partner Lythe Pillay, I would not be here. I want to keep my head in the game. The 400m is a very mental race. You must know the lactic will come at the end,' Koekemoer. Pillay, a former national 400m champion from Brentwood Park, is a role model for Koekemoer, who described Pillay's significant influence on his career. 'I started training with Lythe when I was in Grade Eight. I have been with him my whole career. I trained every 400m session with him. If not for him pushing me, I would not be here. He is a role model and someone you can look up to.' Also Read: Pillay on course to defend title at nationals Also Read: Pillay wins gold in one-lap dash at U20 World Championships At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Kagiso Rabada vows to rise above media scrutiny ahead of World Test Championship final
FOLLOWING the recent drug scandal, Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada vowed that he will not be slowed down in the World Test Championship final, regardless of what the English, Australian media or the Australian players throw at him. With the Australian team known for their bully mentality and approach to the game, it goes without saying that they will use it in an attempt to deter Rabada from the job at hand. The media in the United Kingdom is known for its critical approach, especially when professional athletes have been found in the wrong, as in Rabada's case. However, the 30-year-old is fully aware of what lies ahead as they land in London today, having flown out from OR Tambo International Airport on Friday. "That doesn't change if I'm playing the game of cricket. That's just what we have to deal with as sportsmen, as athletes. Any verbal abuse or if the media wants to say something about you, it's normal. That's the field that we play in," Rabada told the media on Friday. "You can't be ignorant of it, you just have to be aware of it 100 per cent, but I don't think it's anything that's going to slow me down." With the fast bowler set to lead the bowling attack in what is undoubtedly the biggest Test match of their careers, Rabada emphasised that he is still focused on his role despite all the off-field drama that follows him. 'It's always been about cricket . Unfortunately, as athletes, we are always going to be in the public eye. So a lot of things are going to be known about us than someone who's not in the public eye. It's not going to be the same thing for someone who's not (in the public eye)," said Rabada. "It's the territory that we're in and moving into the World Test Championship, the focus is simple. The focus is really simple. It's about going there to perform. That's the whole reason that we're going there." The last time the Proteas played at Lord's, they beat England by an innings with Rabada having taken a five-wicket haul and thereby slotting himself into the honours board at Lord's. The fast bowler highlighted that this time around he the team's success is more important than individual success. The 30-year-old reiterated that he has learnt his lessons from his ban and that he is grateful to be playing the game he loves again. "Lord's is a special ground and I'm glad to be on the honours board there. To be there along with some great company. So hopefully I can get on it again. But if I don't get on it and we win, I'd rather take that," said Rabada. If I had to elaborate a bit more and move away from it and see how it influenced me, I think it led me to a bit of introspection about myself, and took some time away from the game. The biggest thing that I took from it was having gratitude for playing the game that we love, and I'm just glad to be back playing again. The decision to come back early was brilliant. I think that's a decision that I made. Could have tried to contest it and whatnot. I think that in my statement, I was very sincere about how I feel about it. I think as a player and as a man, people will have their different opinions about it, and I can live with that. "There will be people who will be for you, there will be people who are against you and I can live with that. That's fine. (5:47) But I know that I can still play the game of cricket, and nothing changes. "I'm going to keep playing for the country, keep doing my best, and live with whatever comes my way. The world doesn't revolve around me. There are people out there who are going through a lot worse. "
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
R8 million worth of dagga from Eswatini seized
Police swooped on a bakkie suspected to be carrying drugs into Limpopo. Limpopo police on Friday seized around R8 million worth of dagga during an anti-smuggling operation in the province. According to police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, officials received intelligence that a white Toyota Hilux bakkie was suspected to be transporting dagga from Eswatini. 'An immediate search operation commenced for the lookout of the bakkie, and it was positively spotted towing a trailer along the R36 public road next to Mooketsi Weigh-bridge at about 7 am. 'It was stopped, searched and found transporting forty-two bags (42) bags of compressed dagga weighing 851,85 Kg with an estimated street value of R8 million rands,' Ledwaba explained. Picture: Supplied He said a 27-year-old male suspect was questioned about the load and then arrested. He is expected to appear before the Tzaneen Magistrate's Court on Monday, 2 June 2025, on a charge of dealing in drugs. Picture: Supplied Other drug busts In February, two South Africans were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport for drug trafficking. They were travelling from Brazil and carrying cocaine with an estimated street value of R7.5 million. A few months earlier, a Brazilian woman was nabbed at the same airport, also coming from Brazil. She was carrying around R1.8 million worth of cocaine. NOW READ: Human trafficking exploiters spin web of drugs – expert
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Kagiso Rabada vows to rise above media scrutiny ahead of World Test Championship final
FOLLOWING the recent drug scandal, Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada vowed that he will not be slowed down in the World Test Championship final, regardless of what the English, Australian media or the Australian players throw at him. With the Australian team known for their bully mentality and approach to the game, it goes without saying that they will use it in an attempt to deter Rabada from the job at hand. The media in the United Kingdom is known for its critical approach, especially when professional athletes have been found in the wrong, as in Rabada's case. However, the 30-year-old is fully aware of what lies ahead as they land in London today, having flown out from OR Tambo International Airport on Friday. "That doesn't change if I'm playing the game of cricket. That's just what we have to deal with as sportsmen, as athletes. Any verbal abuse or if the media wants to say something about you, it's normal. That's the field that we play in," Rabada told the media on Friday. "You can't be ignorant of it, you just have to be aware of it 100 per cent, but I don't think it's anything that's going to slow me down." With the fast bowler set to lead the bowling attack in what is undoubtedly the biggest Test match of their careers, Rabada emphasised that he is still focused on his role despite all the off-field drama that follows him. 'It's always been about cricket. Unfortunately, as athletes, we are always going to be in the public eye. So a lot of things are going to be known about us than someone who's not in the public eye. It's not going to be the same thing for someone who's not (in the public eye)," said Rabada. "It's the territory that we're in and moving into the World Test Championship, the focus is simple. The focus is really simple. It's about going there to perform. That's the whole reason that we're going there." The last time the Proteas played at Lord's, they beat England by an innings with Rabada having taken a five-wicket haul and thereby slotting himself into the honours board at Lord's. The fast bowler highlighted that this time around he the team's success is more important than individual success. The 30-year-old reiterated that he has learnt his lessons from his ban and that he is grateful to be playing the game he loves again. "Lord's is a special ground and I'm glad to be on the honours board there. To be there along with some great company. So hopefully I can get on it again. But if I don't get on it and we win, I'd rather take that," said Rabada. If I had to elaborate a bit more and move away from it and see how it influenced me, I think it led me to a bit of introspection about myself, and took some time away from the game. The biggest thing that I took from it was having gratitude for playing the game that we love, and I'm just glad to be back playing again. The decision to come back early was brilliant. I think that's a decision that I made. Could have tried to contest it and whatnot. I think that in my statement, I was very sincere about how I feel about it. I think as a player and as a man, people will have their different opinions about it, and I can live with that. "There will be people who will be for you, there will be people who are against you and I can live with that. That's fine. (5:47) But I know that I can still play the game of cricket, and nothing changes. "I'm going to keep playing for the country, keep doing my best, and live with whatever comes my way. The world doesn't revolve around me. There are people out there who are going through a lot worse."
