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The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
From psychologist to pole powerhouse: Joburg woman (62) competes on international stage
In the world of elite athletics, few stories are as inspiring as that of Debbie Howes. At 62, the Johannesburg-based psychologist is breaking barriers and defying expectations as she prepares to represent South Africa at the World Pole and Aerial Sports Championships in Argentina this October. A former gold and bronze world medallist, Howes is not only aiming for another podium finish but is also on a mission to challenge outdated stereotypes, showcasing pole sport as the demanding and legitimate athletic discipline it is, Southern Courier reports. Her journey from the therapy room to the world stage is a powerful testament to strength, discipline, and the pursuit of passion at any age. Howes is one of 16 South Africans who will be representing the country at the World Championships in Argentina in October. She says that although many people associate pole with erotic dancing, it is a strict athletic discipline with very demanding technical requirements. Based in Mondeor Howes will compete in the masters 60-plus women category in a solo routine and a group performance alongside three teammates. This will be her third time competing at the World Championships. She earned a gold medal in 2023 in Poland and a bronze in 2024 in Sweden. 'It feels like such an honour to qualify again. Pole sport gives me purpose, discipline and a renewed sense of excitement. Every year brings a new challenge and a chance to grow,' she said. From fire and kung fu to the pole Howes' background is in the performing arts and martial arts. She began as a cabaret dancer and performer, incorporating elements such as kung fu, gymnastics and nunchaku fire routines. 'I performed until my 40s, and after I stopped, I discovered pole sport. It felt like a natural next step that combined my past experiences with a new athletic discipline,' she said. She also has a long-standing athletic background. In addition to gymnastics in her youth, she has trained in kung fu, teaches tai chi and previously competed in bodybuilding. These disciplines have equipped her with the strength, control, and flexibility needed for pole sport. Training, endurance and balance Howes trains under coach Daniela Baker in Randburg. She attends private sessions and also joins weekly group sessions with other World Championship athletes. 'Right now, I can only complete half of my routine. The stamina and strength it takes is enormous. But in the weeks leading up to the competition, I increase the intensity of my training.' She maintains her strength through regular gym workouts and sticks to a healthy lifestyle to avoid illness or setbacks during the crucial build-up period. She has to carefully juggle her time to balance it all with her professional work as a psychologist. 'It is demanding, but it is also a great way to de-stress. Pole pulls me into my physical body and gives me a powerful reset from the mental load of my work.' Overcoming stereotypes A key part of Howes' mission is challenging outdated perceptions of pole. 'People think pole is about erotic dancing. But competitive pole sport is a legitimate athletic discipline, with strict rules and high technical requirements,' she said. In her category, she must execute 11 compulsory moves in a judged routine. These include strength holds, flexibility elements and clean transitions. It takes months of conditioning to perform them with consistency and control. 'I often look at a move and think it is impossible. Then I train and I manage to get it. That is where confidence is built.' Representing the country The South African Pole Sports Federation selected 16 athletes for the IPSF World Champs after the recent national championships. The national event saw 82 performances and 26 athletes qualify to compete internationally. 'To represent South Africa on a world platform is an incredible privilege. Especially at my age, to be able to do these moves and stay strong is something I am proud of.' What comes after the pole World Championships? Once the World Championships are over, Howes plans to continue training, refining her skills and helping change perceptions of the sport. 'I want to keep improving, maintain my strength and flexibility and continue to do this for as long as I am able. I want to show that you can get better with age.' Her advice to those who feel intimidated by pole sport is simple. 'Just start. It is the beginning of a journey that will change your life. It is worth every challenge.' What is pole sport? Pole sport is a regulated competitive sport governed by the International Pole Sports Federation. It includes routines performed on a vertical pole and judged for strength, flexibility, control and artistic execution. The South African Pole Sports Federation runs the official national championships annually and selects athletes to compete at the World Championships. The sport has grown in popularity in SA and now includes athletes of all ages and genders.
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- The Citizen
Court postpones case of worker accused of raping learner at Joburg primary school
A case involving allegations of rape at Dalmondeor Primary School in Mondeor, Johannesburg, will continue next Thursday. According to Southern Courier, the incident reportedly occurred on May 21 on the school's premises. The victim is said to be a Grade 2 learner at the school. A 31-year-old suspect, employed as a maintenance worker at the school, is accused by the alleged victim's mother, who claimed he raped her child. The case resumed at the Booysens Magistrate's Court yesterday. The proceedings began with the court warrant officer searching the courtroom to locate the accused. Magistrate Habib had postponed the case on Thursday to verify the new address of the accused, but that task was not fully completed. Magistrate Matshitse, who took over the case, questioned the need for a second postponement. 'This case was postponed to verify the address of the accused and for profiling, yet this has not been done. I would like that to happen as soon as possible,' said Matshitse. 'I want this issue to be resolved today, as there needs to be a period set for profiling and the formal bail application.' After a lengthy delay in proceedings, the accused's address was verified and the case resumed. 'As the address has been verified but profiling has not been done, I am forced to postpone to allow it to take place,' said Matshitse. 'The case will resume on June 19. The accused is to remain in custody,' he continued. The courtroom was filled with members of the Dalmondeor school governing body and parents. The accused appeared before the court in the same blue overalls he had been wearing at the time of his arrest more than two weeks ago. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Russia Today
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Ukrainian recruitment officer killed in suspected car bombing
A senior recruitment officer has reportedly been killed in a car explosion in Ukraine's Odessa Region on Friday, according to police and local media reports. Investigators suspect the blast was intentional and may have been triggered remotely. Odessa regional police confirmed one fatality and said an investigation is under way, but did not name the person who was killed when a vehicle exploded in a village in Berezovsky District. Law enforcement sources cited by local media said that the vehicle belonged to a local draft office. The Southern Courier named the victim as Colonel Oleg Nomerovsky, a top official at a regional military recruitment center. The incident comes as Ukraine faces mounting scrutiny over its conscription practices, with the conflict with Russia now in its third year and Kiev struggling to replenish its forces. Ukraine has been under general mobilization since 2022, barring most men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country. The minimum conscription age was lowered from 27 to 25 in 2024, and penalties for evading service were tightened. Ukrainian MP Yury Kamelchuk said conscription officers are under orders to bring in 12 new recruits per day and are using aggressive tactics to meet quotas, including luring food couriers with fake delivery requests. He blasted the government's approach as disrespectful and claimed even men with health issues are being targeted. Videos have repeatedly surfaced online showing Ukrainian officials using force to detain men in public areas, in what has become known locally as 'busification,' a term referring to forcibly loading recruits into unmarked vans. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Ukrainian recruitment officers were grabbing people 'like dogs on the street,' contrasting it with Russia's volunteer-based enlistment. 'They are catching 30 thousand people [per month] there now, and we have 50-60 thousand a month enlisting willingly,' he said earlier this week. One such video from Lutsk in western Ukraine showed soldiers dragging a food delivery worker into a white van as he resisted. The clip went viral after being shared on X. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, reacted to the video with '!!' and has previously criticized Ukraine's conscription policy, writing in November: 'How many more need to die?' Ukraine's Defense Ministry has repeatedly dismissed criticism of the mobilization process as 'Russian propaganda,' but Deputy Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Ivan Gavrilyuk acknowledged the issue last month, calling 'busification' a 'shameful phenomenon.' In response to falling voluntary enlistment, Kiev recently launched a campaign targeting men aged 18–24, offering a one-time payout of one million hryvnia ($24,000) for a year of service.
The Citizen
30-05-2025
- The Citizen
Grade 2 learner assaulted, allegedly by staff member at Joburg school
As the country marks Child Protection Week, disturbing reports of sexual abuse involving young learners continue to surface, raising serious questions about safety in schools. Southern Courier reports that one such case has emerged at Laerskool Dalmondeor in Johannesburg South, where a Grade 2 learner was assaulted, allegedly by a staff member. Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has expressed deep concern following the incident. The incident reportedly took place last Wednesday in one of the school's cloakrooms. According to the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), the learner's mother alleged that her child was assaulted by a general assistant and opened a case at Mondeor Police Station that same day. It is understood that the school only became aware of the allegation on Tuesday when police visited the premises and arrested the implicated staff member. Police investigations into the matter are ongoing. The accused remains in custody and will be precautionarily removed from his position at the school, pending further developments. 'The GDE takes allegations of this nature extremely seriously,' said the department in a statement. 'The safety, protection, and psychological well-being of all learners remain our foremost priority.' Chiloane condemned the incident in the strongest terms and emphasised the importance of tightening safety measures at all educational institutions. 'It is heartbreaking that a child could be subjected to such trauma in a place meant to nurture and protect them,' said Chiloane. 'This incident is a painful reminder of the urgent need to strengthen protective measures in all learning environments and ensure that no child is ever subjected to harm while under our care.' The GDE has committed to offering psycho-social support to the learner and their family. Southern Courier has contacted Mondeor SAPS for further comment. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- The Citizen
Rape, murder of 4-year-old: Accused claims child's death was a ‘tragic accident'
The rape and murder trial of Amber Lee Hughes, accused of killing four-year-old Nada-Jane Challita from Mulbarton, continued in the Johannesburg High Court today. Southern Courier reports that, according to NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, the accused took the stand to provide her plea explanation in terms of Section 115 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, where she laid out her version of events that led to the toddler's death on January 23, 2023. Poor audio quality warning: @ According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, the accused took the stand to provide her plea explanation in terms of Section 115 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, where she laid out her version of events that led to the toddler's death on January 23, 2023. Read full story on ♬ original sound – Southern Courier In her testimony, Hughes denied the charges of murder and rape. She described the child's death as an accidental tragedy, claiming that she had momentarily left Nada-Jane alone in the bath while she argued with her partner (the child's father), Elie, over WhatsApp. Hughes stated that she was living with Elie and his daughter at the time and had developed a close bond with the child. She alleged that on the day of the incident, Chalita was away in Limpopo and that the child had been playing in the bath, a routine activity, when the tragedy occurred. 'I tripped over the dog and cut my hand on a glass jar,' Hughes said. 'I ran around trying to stop the bleeding and didn't check on her immediately because I didn't want to scare her.' She claimed that when she finally returned to the bathroom, she found the toddler face down and unresponsive in the water. Emergency services were called, and friends of Elie, who had access to the home, attempted CPR before rushing the child to Mulbarton Hospital, where she was later declared dead. Hughes said she went into psychiatric care after the incident and was arrested later that night. She denied harming the child, stating there was no forensic evidence linking her to any sexual abuse. She also questioned the quality of the police investigation, alleging that key evidence, like her phone, a knife, and the jar, was never properly analysed. 'There was no effort to hear my side of the story,' Hughes told the court. Poor audio quality warning: @ The rape and murder trial of Amber Lee Hughes, accused of killing four-year-old Nada-Jane Challita from Mulbarton, continued in the Johannesburg High Court on May 14. The case has now been postponed to May 22 and 23 for cross-examination. According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, the accused took the stand to provide her plea explanation in terms of Section 115 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, where she laid out her version of events that led to the toddler's death on January 23, 2023. Read full story on ♬ original sound – Southern Courier Outside the courtroom, Elie, expressed frustration and anger. 'Everyone saw the lies. She keeps changing her story. First, she said she made Lloyd a coffee, but Lloyd wasn't even there that day. How can Lloyd have access to my house if she doesn't have a key herself?' he said. The trial is expected to continue next Thursday and Friday, with cross-examination of the accused. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
