Latest news with #Sandton-based
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Sandton fitness athlete is building muscles to break barriers
In a sport still striving for inclusivity, Sandton-based fitness athlete Elizabeth Dumagude is rewriting the script… One rep, routine, and record-breaking title at a time. A competitive wellness bodybuilder and two-time national champion, Dumagude is not just flexing muscle; she's flexing resilience, purpose, and representation. Read more: JoburgToday active body builder In 2023, she made history as only the second black South African to win a regional, and two national titles, in a single competitive year. That same year, she placed 10th at the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) World Championships in Spain, before climbing to 5th place at the 2024 Women's World Championships in Tokyo, but Dumagude's journey was not always built on protein powders and powerlifting. Years of binge-eating, partying, and alcohol led her to a moment of reckoning. 'I got tired of living in a body I hated,' she said. That breaking point saw her step into a gym, commit to a healthier lifestyle, and hire a personal trainer. The transformation was physical, losing 25kg, but also deeply mental. 'I still wasn't happy. I wanted to be strong. My trainer suggested bodybuilding, and the rest is history.'By 2019, Dumagude entered her first competition. She did not place, but what she gained was vision. 'That's when I set my goals: To win regionals and nationals, and to represent my country.'Dumagude is now a Protea athlete, an ambassador for Primal Sports Nutrition, and one of the faces of black excellence in a sport that rarely sees it. Her competition prep is rigorous: six strength training sessions, six cardio sessions, weekly sports massages, and strict Paleo-based nutrition. No more quarter-pounders, just lean protein, fish, veggies, and the occasional sushi treat. 'You can't cut corners in this sport. Discipline is the difference between average and elite.' She added that it's not just about the physical. 'Pressure is a privilege. I hold myself to a high standard. I want to break barriers for women and for black athletes in this sport.' Mental preparation plays a massive role in her success. Dumagude surrounds herself with a strong support system, including her coach, and makes time for recovery and relationships to stay grounded. 'It's a lonely sport. No one can do the work for you. Balance is crucial.' Her international experience has sharpened her edge and broadened her perspective. 'Competing in Japan vs Spain was night and day. The Japanese were incredibly welcoming. The environment was athlete-focused. The level of competition overseas is unmatched. These women live and breathe the sport.' With international rankings and national colours secured, Dumagude is not slowing down. She's aiming to qualify for nationals again in 2025, and to expand her fitness coaching business, to help others transform their lives, just as she did. 'You can be strong and feminine. You are in control of your effort, your mindset, and your life. No dream is too big.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Young influencer gets a hero's welcome after earning his Proteas blazer
Desmond Koolen, aka Desi, from Fourways, will never forget the moment he slipped on his green Proteas blazer for performing arts for the first time, because he did it surrounded by the cheers and claps of his entire Sandton-based school. 'It was a very proud moment for me to share my achievements with my peers and to receive the acknowledgement from Nick Clogg, our preparatory school principal. I am one of the first boys at St David's, in the junior preparatory, to receive a green blazer, so it is a really big honour.' He added the blazer presentation followed a special tradition, usually reserved for high school learners, but this time, it was a junior who stole the spotlight. 'The most amazing part was as I put it on, all the boys from grades 1–3 jumped up and were clapping and cheering my name. It made me feel extremely happy and reminded me that all the hard work was worth it when I saw just how proud they all were of me. Also read: 'I feel good kid' Desi Koolen bags Kid Influencer of the Year gong at the South African Social Media Awards 'I felt the most awesome mix of pride and joy. My school is extremely proud of me, and it was so awesome to be celebrated by my peers and teachers alike. It's the Marist way.' With the South African Championships just around the corner, Desi is ready to take the stage, this time with dancing added to his already packed competition lineup. 'This year, I will be dancing for the first time, so I am very excited about that. My favourite category is singing, and I have been working very hard with my vocal coach, so I can't wait to show the judges how much I've grown since last year.' Even though the World Championships were postponed to next year, due to the unrest in Los Angeles, Desi's working towards showing off his talents on stage during the SA Champs in October this year. He's staying focused, using the extra time to his advantage. 'I do think I am probably going into SA champs with a little bit of an upper hand, as I have been consistently doing competition training since January. I've been working very hard on my vocal skills, as well as sharpening up my modelling and some acting aspects.' With 35 performance items to prepare across four different disciplines, time management is key. Also read: 'I feel good' kid Desi gets double delight as he sweeps SA Champs with 27 medals So, what is he aiming for at the SA Champs this year? 'I go there to have fun and do my best. I would like to win the triple threat this year. Last year I won the overall in acting and singing, in the 5–12 age category, so it would be great to get overall in acting, singing, and modelling this year, and maybe medal in dancing.' With the backing of his school, the structure of a solid training plan, and the drive to grow stronger every year, Desi is proving that hard work and heart can take you anywhere. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
IOL News
23-07-2025
- IOL News
Kenny Kunene: Police apologised to me during arrest of DJ Sumbody's alleged killer KT Molefe
Joburg MMC for Transport, Kenny Kunene has explained that he had just arrived at the Sandton home of murder accused KT Molefe when police arrived, kicking the gate. Image: Supplied City of Johannesburg's MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene insists he had just arrived at the Sandton home of the alleged mastermind of DJ Sumbody's murder, Katiso 'KT' Molefe. Kunene has confirmed that he was at Molefe's home when police arrived to arrest the Sandton-based businessman, Molefe, on Monday, but he stated that Molefe is not his friend or business associate. The deputy president of Patriotic Alliance said he was briefly questioned by police on what he was doing at the scene, and he allegedly told them that he had accompanied a certain journalist from his online media company, to interview Molefe. "I was there to take the journalist to go and interview him. You would have seen that my Africa News Global has not been active because, since I took office, I have not had the time to focus on it. I have lost some journalists who were working for me. Those who have asked for jobs, I have decided to give it to them, so that they can run it, and obviously, Africa News Global has always focused on exclusive news. That is one of those exclusives, where there was an opportunity to interview Mr Molefe by this young journalist," Kunene spoke to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika. Kunene described Molefe as an interesting character, who he believes should have been allowed to air his side of the story. "I am saying, there is that interest to talk to suspects, it's not a new thing. It was just a question of, we were there at the time when the police were arriving. It was less than five minutes of us arriving. While we were on the driveway, we had not even gone into the house, when the police arrived. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ "They were kicking the gate ... we were outside with the person who facilitated the interview. Mr Molefe came out and said open the gate and they (police) came in. They found us there. Subsequently, they asked who the owner of the house was. There was a Casspir, (Mercedes-Benz) V-Class kombis, police covered with masks and others in private with no masks," said Kunene. He said when Molefe confirmed that he was the owner of the house, police cuffed him and told him that he was under arrest. "They sought our particulars, and then they saw me. They called me aside and asked what I was doing there. I told them my purpose, that a gentleman there had facilitated that we talk to this man on this matter. They asked if I had any personal relationship with him, no. They asked if I had his number, and I said no. I gave them my phone to punch his number and check if I had his number. I don't have his number," said Kunene. He added that an address had been sent to him, for him to get to Molefe's home. "We had not even started the interview," said Kunene. Kunene described the arrest of Molefe as accompanied by "the normal drama that the police would do when they arrest a person". Kunene added that Molefe was cuffed on his hands and feet and calmly escorted into one of the Mercedes-Benz V-Class vehicles. "One of the police (officers) said eish bra Kenny, sorry man. I said there was no need to be sorry, you are doing your job, and they walked with him. The man was not fighting. He said open the gate, and he was outside there. They handcuffed him in front of us, then they left with him. They left everybody at the house. And I followed them," he said. Kunene said it was not the first time he had met Molefe, but they do not have an association, except for having a mutual friend who facilitated the interview. On Tuesday, IOL reported that the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has called for Kunene to resign, following the widespread reports that he was found at the home of the murder-accused Molefe. DA Johannesburg caucus leader, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, said the revelations were damning for Kunene. 'Criminality and underworld links seem to be entrenched in the Patriotic Alliance as their Johannesburg leader was found at the home of a suspected murderer during his arrest,' she said. Joburg DA caucus leader. Image: File/X 'Kunene's role as MMC for Transport is absolutely untenable, after he was found by police at the home of a murder suspect, as police arrived to arrest the suspect. The DA calls for Kunene's immediate resignation, and if he will not resign Mayor Dada Morero must fire him.' She said the explanation given by Kunene, in explaining what he was doing at the house is 'laughable' and must be rejected out of hand. 'No, Kenny, you were not at a murder suspect's house to 'drive a journalist there'. The Patriotic Alliance shows itself more and more every day to not have the best interests of South Africa at heart. It is a selfish, underworld organisation that associates with crime and corruption,' said Kayser-Echeozonjoku. 'The people of South Africa do not deserve their local governments led by people who are at home with murder suspects. The people of Johannesburg do not deserve the underworld connections that Kenny Kunene brings to the mayoral committee, in their city.' She said trust in politics comes from keeping promises, and upholding the rule of law. 'The Patriotic Alliance never keeps their promises, and does not uphold the rule of law. Historically, the DA called for Gwamanda to step down amid his criminal investigations, and Kunene must do the same. The office of the executive mayor must be beyond reproach,' said Kayser-Echeozonjoku. 'It is a slippery slope – once a figure like Kunene associates with murder suspects, there is no law he will be afraid to break. 'Kenny Kunene must resign, or be fired immediately,' she insisted. On Monday, IOL reported that in a significant development, the Gauteng businessman, Molefe, was arrested in connection with the grim murder of the renowned artist and musician Oupa John Sefoka, famously known as DJ Sumbody. The slain DJ Sumbody Image: File DJ Sumbody, a beloved figure in the South African music scene, was tragically killed in a hail of bullets in November 2022 in Woodmead. The shooting also resulted in the death of another person, and a third person was left injured. While the police have remained tight-lipped regarding the specific details surrounding the motives and circumstances of the murder, the arrest marks a crucial step in what has been a protracted investigation into the case. IOL News
Time Out
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Time Out
From Sandton to the world: Redhill netball team makes history on the world stage
Johannesburg is buzzing with pride after Redhill School' s U17 netball team made history by bringing home gold at the 2025 World School Netball Cup. The Sandton-based school is now officially the first South African school to ever take the top spot in the prestigious international tournament, and they did it with serious style. Held in Loughborough, England, the annual World School Netball Cup attracts the best young talent from across the globe. Redhill not only held their own but dominated the court, outplaying elite teams from Australia, England, New Zealand and beyond to claim the title. This isn't just a win, it's a watershed moment for school sport in South Africa. The Redhill team showed off not just athleticism, grit and technical brilliance, but the kind of teamwork and spirit that champions are made of. "It was surreal and emotional. Seeing our girls lift that trophy after going unbeaten in every match was something I'll never forget,' head coach Ashleigh Gray told TimesLive. 'This was our first time competing in the World School Games, and to walk away not only as participants but as champions, representing South Africa with pride, was a moment of magic,' she added. With netball's profile rising rapidly, especially in the wake of last year's Netball World Cup hosted on local soil, this win adds fuel to the fire. It's a moment of inspiration for the next generation of athletes, and a major reminder that South African teams can compete and win on any stage. This is just the beginning for many of these rising stars. For now, though, Joburg can take a collective victory lap, because Redhill just put us on the map in the most unforgettable way.
