Latest news with #Sekhukhune
3 days ago
- Sport
Kaizer Chiefs eye star winger but PSL club say hands off
Kaizer Chiefs have set their sights on red-hot winger Keletso Makgalwa, but Sekhukhune United have no intention of letting their star man go. Fuelled by reported talks with coach Nasreddine Nabi, the Limpopo club have drawn a bold line, Makgalwa is staying put. Whispers of Makgalwa bidding farewell to teammates recently surfaced via FARPost , sparking a frenzy of exit rumours. But Sekhukhune insiders were quick to dismiss the noise. Once a promising talent at Mamelodi Sundowns, Makgalwa spent much of his early career out on loan, turning out for Maritzburg United(now Durban City), Moroka Swallows, TS Galaxy, and All Stars. It wasn't until the 2023/2024 campaign with Upington City FC in the Motsepe Foundation Championship that the winger hit his stride. He delivered 11 goals and 7 assists, 18 goal contributions that earned him a three-year contract with Sekhukhune United following his departure from Sundowns. Makgalwa hit the ground running in his debut season with Babina Noko. Playing a crucial role in the club's fourth-place league finish, the 28-year-old bagged six goals and provided 11 assists across all competitions. His creativity and finishing touch have made him one of the most influential players in the Betway Premiership this season. It's no surprise, then, that his name has been linked with Kaizer Chiefs, especially after Nabi was seen speaking to him following their 1–1 draw. Despite the attention, Sekhukhune are standing their ground. The club has made it clear they do not wish to sell their top talents to local PSL rivals. This mirrors last season's scenario when talks between Chiefs and Sekhukhune for Elias Mokwana fell through, leading to the player's move to Esperance of Tunisia instead. 'You get the idea that Makgalwa might leave but that Sekhukhune United won't sell locally,' a source told The South African . 'Before his move to Sekhukhune, there were reports of a move to Kaizer Chiefs. Apparently, there was a meeting, but somehow it didn't work out. Mokwana is an example of them choosing to move a player North instead of in the league.' Is Makgalwa the kind of star Kaizer Chiefs currently need? 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.
6 days ago
- Sport
Orlando Pirates star Timm joins Sekhukhune United in free transfer
Orlando Pirates star Miguel Timm has completed a surprise move to Sekhukhune United on a free transfer, with the deal set to be finalised in July subject to a medical, according to SABC Sport . After winning five trophies with the Buccaneers, Timm now embarks on a new journey with Babina Noko, just two years after Pirates famously hijacked his original move to the club. The 33-year-old midfielder has already said his goodbyes to his Pirates teammates this week, officially closing the chapter on his time at the Soweto giants. His next destination was almost written in the stars. Sekhukhune have long held interest in Timm and nearly signed him from Marumo Gallants in 2022, before Pirates swooped in at the last minute. Timm's departure follows the exit of coach José Riveiro, who is reportedly heading to Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly. Although there was talk of Timm possibly joining his former coach in North Africa, the rumour never materialised. At Sekhukhune, Timm will reunite with Eric Tinkler, his former boss at Maritzburg United. The two share a strong professional rapport. And their renewed partnership could be key to Babina Noko's midfield engine next season. Although Pirates had extended Timm's deal at the start of the 2024/2025 season. The club chose not to activate the option clause, making the midfielder a free agent from 1 July and allowing him to sign a pre-contract with Sekhukhune. Timm quickly became a fan favourite at Pirates during his first season. Playing a pivotal role in Riveiro's initial tactical overhaul. However, growing midfield competition gradually reduced his minutes on the pitch. Despite the decline in playing time, Timm remained a respected figure in the squad. And left with his head held high, having lifted multiple domestic titles. Sources close to the club believe Timm is just the first of several new signings planned by Sekhukhune United. As they prepare for a stronger campaign in the Premiership, kicking off in August. Banele Gama, the highly-rated central midfielder from Venda Football Club, is also expected to join the squad in the coming weeks. As Babina Noko look to strengthen their spine and push for silverware. Will Orlando Pirates star Timm be a hit at Sekhukhune? 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.
IOL News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Limpopo clubs defy expectations in a season of highs and headaches
Sekhukhune United finished a solid fourth in the Betway Premiership this season. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix A province that is generally renowned for its professional clubs being poorly administered and often everyone's popular choice for producing the relegated club, Limpopo has had a remarkably good 2024/25 Premiership season. Two of the province's three teams – Sekhukhune United and Polokwane City – made the Top 8, while Premiership rookies Magesi defied the odds with a 13th-place finish. Tipped by most punters to bite the dust by the end of the season, Dikwena more than survived the immediate drop back to the Motsepe Foundation Championship – the club from Moletjie announced their arrival in the elite league in spectacular fashion by winning the Carling Knockout. You know it was a fantastic season for the province when Sekhukhune's fourth-place finish left the club disappointed, Ba Bina Noko having missed out on the coveted third place that would have earned them continental football participation. City, on the other hand, finished in the Top 8 yet again by securing seventh place. Even they will be looking back at the season with some regret, Rise and Shine having had a spectacular start to the campaign and occupying fourth spot for a significant time – only for the wheels to come off after the first round. Brilliant as the final outcomes have been for the province's clubs, the administrative failings remained – the trio's management typically making decisions that beggared belief. Sekhukhune kick-started the season with the appointment of German Peter Hyballa, only to sack him before he could even take charge of a match – due to being spotted at a brothel. Incredibly, they brought back Lehlohonolo Seema, whom they had dismissed shortly before the end of the previous campaign. Seema did fairly well as he led Sekhukhune to the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals, but he was soon sent out to pasture. The club brought in Eric Tinkler – himself declared surplus to requirements at Cape Town City – with the aim of qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup. They missed out by two points, as Stellenbosch FC earned the right to return to a competition where they had impressed on debut by reaching the semi-final. Still, fourth place was a good finish for Sekhukhune. Polokwane City qualifying for the Top 8 is always an achievement for a club that is never without drama. The decision to stick with Phuti Mohafe as coach is bearing fruit, as there was continuity this campaign, with City beginning the season well and collecting plenty of points early on. Typically, though, club boss Johnny Mogaladi courted controversy. His decision to withdraw players Rodney Maphangule and Mokibelo Ramabu from the Bafana Bafana squad headed to Malawi for the CHAN qualifier – just before they were due to fly out – spoke volumes about the man's lack of professionalism.
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Final-day drama: Premiership battles set for decisive Saturday showdowns
Oscarine Masuluke Stellenbosch currently hold the crucial third-place spot in the Premiership. Here, Stellies goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke celebrates. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix As the Premiership gears up for a spectacular Saturday with six matches kicking off simultaneously at 3pm, the schedule is brimming with intense rivalries and the potential for unexpected twists. The teams will be vying for crucial points that could shape their seasons. Each club brings its own narrative, and the outcomes have the potential to reshape the Premiership log on a day that marks the final matches for 12 teams. Four other teams – Orlando Pirates, Magesi FC, Golden Arrows, and SuperSport United – each have one outstanding fixture following Saturday's round. Every goal scored and every point earned will matter more than ever, with several positions potentially being decided on goal difference as the PSL season reaches its climax. 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 ✕ Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix CAF Confederation Cup ticket A gripping showdown is set as Stellenbosch FC and Sekhukhune United battle for a coveted place in next season's CAF Confederation Cup. With just one match remaining, the stakes could not be higher. Stellenbosch currently sit third, holding a slender one-point lead. Their route to continental football is straightforward: a victory in their derby clash against Cape Town City on Saturday would seal qualification, securing a second consecutive appearance on the African stage. However, if they draw or lose, the door opens for Sekhukhune, who will be looking to take full advantage with a win at Lamontville Golden Arrows in Durban. Should Stellenbosch lose and Sekhukhune draw, goal difference will determine who earns the final Confederation Cup ticket in what has become a tightly contested race. No holds barred in Top 8 scramble The race for the final MTN8 spots is heating up, with a frantic fight to fill the remaining three positions. Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Stellenbosch, Sekhukhune and TS Galaxy (who, like Sundowns, have completed their league campaign with 28 games) have already secured their berths in this prestigious tournament. AmaZulu, in sixth with 34 points, appear safe thanks to their superior goal difference, giving them a comfortable cushion. That leaves six clubs in a fierce struggle to claim the final two slots: Polokwane City (33 points), Kaizer Chiefs (31), Chippa United (31 from 28 games), Marumo Gallants (31), Richards Bay (30) and Magesi (29). Polokwane could secure their spot even with a draw or loss against Chiefs. For the others, victory is essential if they are to secure a place in next season's Top 8 – setting the stage for a nail-biting finale. One more to go. But before we close the chapter, let's rewind to Jaedin's goal last time out 🔥 Let's finish strong 💪 — Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) May 22, 2025 Promotion-relegation play-offs awash with uncertainty Following Royal AM's expulsion, no club faces automatic relegation, but the team finishing 15th will enter the PSL promotion-relegation playoffs against two First Division sides. The battle to avoid this fate is tight, with three teams still at risk: Lamontville Golden Arrows (26 games, 27 points), SuperSport United (26 games, 26 points) and Cape Town City (27 games, 26 points). If City lose to Stellenbosch on Saturday, they will be consigned to the play-offs – unless SuperSport fail to win either of their two remaining fixtures. Should both clubs end on 26 points, goal difference will determine who drops into the playoff zone. Arrows are best positioned to escape danger, but back-to-back defeats – against Sekhukhune and SuperSport – could see them slide into trouble. After Saturday's action, the final picture will come into focus when Arrows and SuperSport replay their abandoned February fixture, wrapping up what has been a turbulent and unpredictable season.
Mail & Guardian
20-05-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Limpopo mining-affected communities call for community-led, socially-owned renewable energy model
A new case study proposes that, as part of the country's energy transition, mining-affected communities, like those in Sekhukhune, set up solar farms through cooperatives to generate electricity for their own use. The mining region of This is the argument of 'The mining houses in that area are investing in Pedro was speaking at a recent webinar where the Sekhukhune Combined Mining-Affected Communities — a grassroots movement representing communities in Burgersfort — together with consultancy firm Ahinasa and the According to the civil society organisations, the report is 'both a call to action and a blueprint for change', challenging extractive energy models and 'foregrounding the role of social ownership in ensuring a just, inclusive and equitable energy future'. It proposes that, as part of the country's energy transition, mining-affected communities, like those in Sekhukhune, set up solar farms through cooperatives to generate electricity for their own use. Any surplus energy could be sold to the mines or the national grid, with the profits ploughed directly into community-led initiatives such as schools, healthcare facilities and small businesses. 'Too often, decisions are made about our future without our input,' said Katlego Malesa, the spokesperson for the Sekhukhune Combined Mining-Affected Communities. 'This report is proof that we have the knowledge, the vision and the will to lead our own transition. What we need now is investment, policy support and real accountability.' The groups noted that, for decades, mining-affected communities in regions like Burgersfort, within the mineral-rich Bushveld Complex, have suffered the ill-effects of the country's mining and mineral energy economy. They have faced land dispossession, environmental degradation, pollution and widespread socio-economic exclusion, 'often without seeing any meaningful benefit from the wealth extracted around them'. Burgersfort hosts an estimated 41 chrome and platinum mines, including some that have been placed in 'care and maintenance' for a lengthy period 'with devastating consequences for the local economy', the report said. Despite provisions in the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act obligating mining companies to contribute to local development through social and labour plans, compliance has been minimal, according to the groups. 'Community members continue to endure human rights violations and have limited access to basic services, job opportunities or infrastructure.' Pedro concurred. 'Their [mining companies'] social and labour plans were supposed to uplift communities but too often these are filled with empty promises and not significant enough investment in the community for real economic development. 'Now that the mines are investing in renewable energy for their own operations and communities are still relying on expensive unreliable electricity — if they have access at all — what are we going to do about it? This isn't just unfair, but unsustainable.' Pedro emphasised that the country's energy transition can't merely be for the benefit of corporations. 'If mines can spend millions in renewables for themselves, why can't they invest in community-owned energy and community infrastructure projects that can secure and result in sustainable economic development for the whole community?' The civil society groups noted that, with the closure of coal mines now underway and global demand rising for transition minerals, mining-affected communities face yet another wave of uncertainty and possible exclusion. 'Without intentional, community-led planning, the risk of an unjust transition will simply perpetuate the exploitation and neglect of mining-affected communities — this time under the banner of 'going green',' they said. The case study, they said, presents a viable alternative — a community-led, socially-owned renewable energy model that 'restores agency to communities by enabling them to shape and benefit directly from their local energy systems'. It explores the viability of solar mini-farms and other decentralised energy solutions as catalysts for economic regeneration, energy access, skills development and long-term community resilience. The report also outlines the role of Eskom and other public institutions in enabling and supporting this shift, aligning with the broader vision of a 'green new Eskom' that is accountable, decentralised and committed to public benefit. The report's key recommendations include public financing and enabling legislation to support socially owned renewable energy projects in mining-affected communities. There must be mandatory investments by mining companies into community-led transition projects, as part of their social development obligations under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act as well as strengthened regulatory frameworks and transparent mechanisms to support procedural and distributive justice. Other recommendations are for capacity-building, training and feasibility studies to ensure local ownership and long-term sustainability as well as the recognition of community-defined energy solutions within national just transition frameworks and climate policy. The findings affirm what communities have long stated — a just transition must be just, said Robert Krause, researcher and acting head of programme: environmental justice at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies. 'It must include redistribution of power and resources and repair the historical harms caused by a mining economy rooted in colonialism and apartheid. It must centre those who have been excluded, dispossessed and harmed and give them a meaningful say in shaping South Africa's energy future,' he said. Socially-owned renewable energy has entered into mainstream public discussions, the report said. 'However, similar to the concept of just transition, its meaning and implementation model is still highly contested … The specific implications for mining-affected communities have yet to be thoroughly investigated.' These communities face unique challenges and opportunities in the context of a just transition and socially-owned renewable energy. 'Notably, mining companies have begun investing in renewable energy both to power their operations and to diversify their revenue. 'At the same time, they are legally obligated to support community economic development, particularly in light of widespread coalmine closures and the growing demand for transition minerals used in renewable energy technologies. Early experiences suggest that this new wave of mining is following the same extractive patterns as before.' The report concluded that socially-owned renewable energy is not only a technically and economically viable alternative but a necessary counter-narrative to the dominant private sector-led model. 'It offers a compelling case for public sector leadership, under a democratised and adequately resourced Eskom, and calls for coherent policy, legal and financial frameworks that support community- and worker-led renewable energy projects.' Through the Sekhukhune Combined Mining-Affected Communities' efforts, the report demonstrates how grassroots mobilisation, strategic alliances and evidence-based advocacy can 'coalesce into a campaign with transformative potential'. 'It highlights the untapped opportunity to mobilise community savings mechanisms like stokvels, the underutilised obligations of mining companies to support local development and the power of education and organising in forging a shared vision,' it said. 'The success of this initiative — and others like it — will depend on deepening community participation, securing the necessary financial and technical support and embedding this work within broader struggles for climate justice, energy democracy and economic resilience.' The Sekhukhune case study offered a replicable and adaptable participatory model for other mining-affected communities across South Africa 'to take forward their own visions of social ownership in the energy transition'.
