Latest news with #R40-million
The Citizen
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Africa's premier surf festival returns to Ballito for 56th edition
The countdown is on as Ballito prepares to host Africa's biggest surf and lifestyle festival – the iconic Ballito Pro. The official launch took place at a media and sponsors' breakfast at Fiamma Grill last Friday. Presented by O'Neill, the festival has been held in Ballito since 2009, originally starting in Durban in 1969. The world's longest-running professional surfing contest will run from June 22 to July 6 at Willard Beach. This year marks the 56th edition of the festival, themed ' to honour the unifying power of sport and music. 'This year's theme takes its inspiration from the positive energy produced by the ocean and sound waves,' said event organiser Collette Bundy. The 15-day festival will feature a variety of sporting, leisure and music events. Bundy said the Ballito Pro generates an estimated R40-million boost to the local economy. 'It is important to create economic opportunities for local businesses and the community,' she added. KwaDukuza mayor Ali Ngidi echoed these sentiments, welcoming guests from across South Africa and the world. 'It is important to showcase KwaDukuza's tourism potential to investors and highlight the beauty of our region,' he said. The surfing kicks off with Rookie Rippers, an U12 to U18 boys' and girls' surf competition from June 22 to 24. The Ballito Pro Junior (June 25-26) will see rising stars compete for the World Surf League (WSL) Africa Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) men's and women's titles. The Ballito Open, now a QS 2 000 ranked event, runs from June 27 to 29, while the main Ballito Pro Challenger Series is set for June 29 to July 6. Some of the world's best surfers will line up in Ballito this year, including South African Olympian and Championship Tour (CT) regular, Matthew McGillivray. He will be joined by eight other CT surfers in the men's draw, while former winners Sarah Baum and Sally Fitzgibbons, among others, will thrill on the women's side. O'Neill brand director Paul Canning said one of the most recognisable features of the Ballito Pro is its unique annual themes. 'The Ballito Pro is the highlight of our year and I'm grateful to be involved as a sponsor. We appreciate KwaDukuza's support in showcasing surfing,' he said. Additional highlights include the Ballito Skate Jam on June 28 with R30 000 in prize money, and the much anticipated Corona Free Concerts, from July 2 to 4. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
Eyewitness News
05-06-2025
- General
- Eyewitness News
100-year-old Flagstaff school is falling apart
Flagstaff Comprehensive High School in Dlibona village in the Eastern Cape, built more than 100 years ago by the community, was to have been rebuilt in 2013. But years later, the school is in a terrible state. The classrooms are dilapidated, leaking, have broken windows and doors and cracked walls. During heavy rains, learners are often sent home because the classrooms are flooded. There are 14 pit toilets, only two of which are in working condition. The rest have no doors and the seats are broken. Since it was built by the community in 1924, the school got its first upgrade in 1975 to make it a junior secondary school. In 1996 it became a combined school. In 2013, the education department identified it and two other old schools for refurbishment. The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) was tasked with managing the project. In its 2015/16 report, the ECDC said the school, had been identified as one of three old schools to benefit from a R195-million reconstruction project. The school was to get eight new classrooms, an administration block, a media centre, a science lab, a social science room, two offices for heads of department, a teachers' workroom, a dining room and kitchen, a guardhouse, 19 new ablution facilities, and new covered walkways. 'The school will be the first to be completed and should be ready for its 1,105 learners in the new school year,' the ECDC said. ECDC spokesperson Malithatwe Nombewu confirmed that the school was allocated to them by the provincial treasury. Nombewu said that a contractor was appointed in October 2015 for the construction of the primary school which was completed in 2018 for about R40-million. She said a separate budget was to be secured for the construction of the new high school but the education department instructed them to close the project in the 2019/20 financial year. The project was then handed back to the education department as no additional budget had been allocated. The school currently has 31 classrooms with more than 1,200 learners from grades 8 to 12. Out of the 31 classrooms, only five were built by the government. School Governing Body committee member Zifezile Dling-Dling told GroundUp that when the new primary school was built, the provincial Department of Education told them that they need to look for another site because the current site is not suitable for the construction of a new school. He said a site was then identified in Sigingqini, not far from the school but nothing has been done to date. 'This is very frustrating … We are left in the dark and our fear is that our classrooms are falling apart,' he said. Dling-Dling said that the poor state of the school has contributed to the decreasing attendance rates, particularly in winter. He said the department built 27 flush toilets in 2023, but the toilets aren't connected to water. Eastern Cape Department of Education spokesperson Vuyiseka Mboxela told GroundUp this week that they are still looking for a suitable site to build the new high school. 'The issue is not building the school but the land suitability for the construction of the school … In this case, we are engaging the school, community, SGB, and Ingquza Hill municipality.' Asked about the incomplete toilets built at the school two years ago, Mboxela said there were water issues beyond their control. 'The project was stopped because the municipality had no running water,' she said. Mboxela acknowledged that the department is waiting for the school to find another suitable location so they can resuscitate the project. This article first appeared on GroundUp. Read the original article here.
The South African
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs & Orlando Pirates
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando went to war in two titanic Soweto derbies set to be the last for several stars. Kaizer Chiefs ended their 10-year-trophy drought after beating Orlando Pirates 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup final on 10 May 2025. Meanwhile, one week earlier, on 3 May 2025, it was the Bucs who claimed Soweto derby bragging rights after securing the league double over Amakhosi in the Betway Premiership. This epic, storied rivalry will continue again next season. However, for some Chiefs and Pirates players this could be their last-ever Soweto derby match. Fiacre Ntwari Aden McCarthy George Matlou Tebogo Potsane Mduduzi Mdantsane Ranga Chivaviro Ntwari is heading out of Naturena. Interestingly, the recently signed goalkeeper is linked with a move to Europe. Meanwhile, Chiefs have already identified the player/s they want to replace him with. He did not play in either of the recent Soweto derbies. Meaning, he is no longer a part of Nasreddine Nabi's plans. Meanwhile, McCarthy is set to be loaned out. The club sees a future in the talented lanky Amakhosi starlet. So, they do not want to let him go. Instead, they want McCarthy to get some minutes under his belt, to grow as a player. Meanwhile, Matlou was on the bench in both of the recent Soweto derbies. He is yet again linked with a move out of Naturena, as reported on The South African. Furthermore, Potsane has been transfer-listed. Moreover, Mdantsane could be released permanently at the end of the season. The Amakhosi midfielder is currently on loan with PSL rivals, Richards Bay. However, he could join them or prospective clubs in the next transfer window. This is because Amakhosi management are planning to release him. Finally, Chivaviro is one of the Chiefs players linked with a departure. Many of these men have played in their last-ever Soweto derby. Even before the back-to-back clashes. However, for the players who do leave, they will no longer be a part of training for the derbies or being on the sidelines for futrue Soweto derbies. Siyabonga Dladla Innocent Maela Phillip Ndlondlo Karim Kimvuidi Zakhele Lepasa Patrick Maswanganyi Dladla, like McCarthy is set to be loaned out. Meaning, both men stand to feature in future Soweto derbies. However, for the other men on this list, they have likely played in their last-ever Soweto derby. Pirates captain, Maela's contract expires at the end of the season. Moreover, Bucs management do not intend to renew his playing contract. Instead, they have offered him a new non-playing role at the club. Meanwhile, Ndlondlo, Kimvuidi and Lepasa are all set to be released. Finally, UD Oliveirense are in talks with Pirates over re-signing Maswanganyi. They are serious about bringing him back to Portugal. However, the Bucs have slapped a staggerign R40-million price tag on him. 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 South African
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates (Exits): SIX players heading out!
Orlando Pirates are planning to release a plethora of talent out of Mayfair. Orlando Pirates will be ushering in a new era with a new coach and captain set to be appointed. Meanwhile, they are planning to release players with these FOUR Bucs stars set to be released. Meanwhile, this Pirates star is set to be loaned out. Whilst, another big name is linked with a big move to Europe with his former club interested. Siyabonga Dladla Innocent Maela Phillip Ndlondlo Karim Kimvuidi Zakhele Lepasa Patrick Maswanganyi Pirates will be loaning out young goalkeeper, Siyabonga Dladla. So, the Bucs keeper can gain some much-needing experience and get more playing time under his belt. Meanwhile, Pirates will be offloading several stars with Maela, Ndlondlo, Kimvuidi and Lepasa all set to be released in the next transfer window. 'What I can tell you for now, apparently is that it's believed that these four players could be the ones to leave. The club is working with all the involved parties to look at the way forward so that they can reach an amicable solution where it is needed. So far the four players are on the lost and are expected to leave at the end of the season,' the report read on SNL. Finally, Bucs attacker, Maswanganyi is linked with a big move to Europe. His former club UD Oliveirense are in hot pursuit of him. They want him back at the club. However, Pirates have slapped a R40-million price tag on their skillful attacker. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
28-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates: Negotiations under way for R40-million star to go to Europe!
Orlando Pirates have garnered tremendous interest abroad for top stars. Orlando Pirates star attacker, Patrick Maswanganyi is heavily linked with a return to Europe. Meanwhile, Pirates have placed a R40-million price tag on his head. UD Oliveirense want to bring Maswanganyi back to Portugal. 'They really want him back in Portugal. They are looking at the progress he has made, and they are happy to bring him back to Portugal. It will all depend on what Pirates are looking at or if UD Oliveirense can afford what Pirates will be asking for Maswanganyi,' Moreover, they are determined to sign their former player back from Pirates. In fact, negotiations are under way as we speak. 'It's no longer just about an inquiry, it's about negotiations now,' a Siya source confirmed back in January on the same publication. However, Pirates have reportedly placed a R40-million price tag on Maswanganyi. Meaning, it will now be up to the Portuguese outfit to determine whether or not he is worth the price. 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.
