Latest news with #R1050
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
'Empty' Ellis Park Stadium upset rugby fans: 'Greed doesn't pay'
Scenes of an 'empty' Ellis Park Stadium have gone viral, upsetting many Springbok fans who have voiced their disappointment over pricey game tickets. However, SA Rugby bosses were unbothered about the 62 000 seater capacity venue not selling out for the Boks vs Wallabies match. South Africa lost to their rivals 38-22. On social media, Springbok fans commented on scenes from Ellis Park Stadium broadcast during the game against the Wallabies. The venue had many seating areas that visibly appeared empty. For many, this was a result of the pricey tickets for the game, which failed to sell out. X user @_TheRealMe posted: 'I can't believe SARugby is going to allow The Springboks to kick off in front of an empty Ellis Park. What a travesty!'. Another, @jppretorius_7 commented: 'I can't emphasise enough how Springboks management has robbed South African fans of watching the Bok live and seeing Ellis Park full. First time in recent memory that Ellis Park is not sold out due to ticket prices'. A third, @Dustin_LFC07 added: 'Lots of empty seats. SARU take note. Greed doesn't pay'. Tickets to the Springboks vs Wallabies game at Ellis Park were on the higher end of the scale, priced between R1050 and R4 000. The rival countries will compete next week at Cape Town's DHL Stadium, a venue also known for its pricier tickets. Meanwhile, SA Rugby boss Rian Oberholzer claimed that the organisation was satisfied with the Ellis Park ticket sales despite the venue not selling out. He told the media: 'We've hit our targets in terms of budgeting for the event. When we did our forecasts, we worked on an 85% capacity. We're well over that, and after the United Rugby Championship, we'll review our programme and how we drove it. He added: 'If we've made any mistakes, we'll rectify them before the season starts next year.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
SPCA inspector qualifies to boost animal welfare in Dundee
After six years without one, the Dundee SPCA finally has a qualified inspector—boosting animal care across the district. Mel van der Westhuizen joined the organisation in 2021 after relocating from Johannesburg. Describing herself as a 'lifelong animal lover', Mel quickly adapted to her demanding role, which spans Nquthu, Wasbank, and Dannhauser. She will receive her inspector certificate at the SPCA's AGM in August. 'It's a tough course,' she said. 'Besides having an instinct for animals, you must understand the Animal Protection Act.' Each day, Mel checks on the health and feeding of cats and dogs in the kennels. 'Adoption costs R1050 and includes sterilisation, vaccination, and microchipping. We also conduct home inspections to ensure a suitable environment.' She clarified the SPCA's role: 'Dealing with nuisance animals is the municipality's duty. We only keep strays for seven days before they're up for adoption, so contact us if your pet is missing.' Mel regularly deals with neglect cases—dogs on short chains, malnourishment, and poor shelter. 'My first step is always education—many simply don't know better. We sometimes donate longer chains and teach about vaccination and sterilisation.' But not all pet owners comply. 'If warnings are ignored, we use the legal route to remove the animal.' Hunting with dogs and snaring wildlife remains a serious issue. 'Recently, I rescued a dog caught in a snare near the Glencoe railway. It was in pain—snares are cruel. Keep dogs safely on your property.' Mel says abuse from the public is common. 'We're often shouted at, but we're here to help, not punish. I rely on my faith to stay strong.' SPCA inspectors will be present at Saturday's Dundee July to ensure all horses are in good condition. 'Again, education is key,' she added. HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at [email protected]. Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
