Latest news with #UniversityofJohannesburg
The Citizen
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Durban prodigy wins SA Open Chess Championship
SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Amrienta Gabriels is already a household name in the chess game for having amassed a number of accolades, including her KZN colours, a cabinet full of trophies, medals and certificates, indicating that she is making all the right moves. Her most recent achievement is claiming first place in the U8 division at the 2025 SA Open Chess Championship at the University of Johannesburg from June 28 to July 5. She achieved this feat on her seventh birthday, July 5, after finishing the tournament with a perfect score of five out of five. 'It felt exciting to win the tournament,' said Amrienta as she told of how she celebrated her big win. 'I went out for supper with my friends, and I had breakfast with my cousin. It was also my birthday.' The young North Beach resident and Grade One learner at Oceanview Montessori School in Durban North began learning chess with her father, Amro, at home. From there, with the support of her parents, Amrienta developed a love for sport. She entered formal tournaments in mid-2024, where she quickly made her mark — qualifying for Team KZN at the eThekwini Trials and placing in the top three at the Mzansi Interprovincial Youth Chess Championship. Earlier this year she secured a top five finish at the SA Junior Closed Chess Championship in Cape Town, earning her a spot on the SA team for the Africa Youth Chess Championship in Zimbabwe this December. She said, 'I love playing chess because it's fun and it makes my brain smart. I love it, and losing makes me learn from mistakes and I get better, and then win all my matches and get trophies.' Also Read: Manor Gardens prodigy shines at prestigious music competition Seeing her passion and love for chess, her parents Amro Gabriels and Shienta Maharaj, enlisted the help of coaches Minenhle and Sri Ram. 'I practise every day. I love to play Lichess (chess app) matches and do puzzles, because they help me to get better,' said Amrienta. Describing Amrienta as a vibrant all-rounder who enjoys reading, drawing, and exploring nature, her proud parents said she also participates in soccer, swimming, and gymnastics. They said, 'We're incredibly proud of the hard work and determination she puts in every day. No matter the result, she always maintains such a positive spirit. It's been amazing to see how chess has helped shape the confident, kind young lady she's becoming. Her sportsmanship truly stands out; she never hesitates to congratulate her opponents and let them know they played well. That humility and grace are what mean the most to us.' Following her big win at the Open, Amrienta is already strategising her next big move where she is looking to capture the Africa Youth Chess Championship title. The tournament will bring all the great minds from the continent to Zimbabwe in December. 'I'm really excited for this tournament. I get to fly in the aeroplane, and see the clouds. I also like to stay in the hotel, and I like playing against other chess kids and making new friends. I would also like to win a trophy or get a medal,' said Amrienta. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
PA's Kenny Kunene found at suspected killer's home during raid: ‘You can't make this stuff up' - Oscar van Heerden, University of Johannesburg
Sara-Jayne Makwala King 23 July 2025 | 6:32 Kenny Kunene Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit Lester Kiewit Acting Johannesburg Mayor Kenny Kunene (centre) addressed the media on 1 July 2025 during raids on buildings in Johannesburg's CBD suspected of harbouring undocumented immigrants. Picture: Simphiwe Nkosi/EWN CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit speaks to Oscar van Heerden, a Senior Research Fellow for African Diplomacy and Leadership at the University of Johannesburg. Listen below: The Patriotic Alliance (PA) is supporting its deputy president, Kenny Kunene, who has come under fire for his alleged relationships with suspected underworld figures. The party says Kunene did nothing wrong after he was found at the home of a suspected killer during a police raid. On Monday, when police arrived to arrest controversial businessman Katiso 'KT' Molefe at his Sandton home, Kunene was also there. Molefe is accused of being the mastermind behind the 2022 killing of Oupa Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody. "You can't make this stuff up." - Oscar van Heerden, African Diplomacy and Leadership - University of Johannesburg On Tuesday, Kunene broke his silence, saying that while he knows Molefe, the pair are not friends. Kunene said he was at Molefe's house, accompanying a young journalist who was interviewing the businessman for his website, Africa News Global. PA national spokesperson Steve Motale said the party accepts Kunene's version of events. "I think it would have been far better if Kenny Kunene simply had just said, 'I visited a friend, and unfortunately I was at the wrong place at the wrong time.'" - Oscar van Heerden, African Diplomacy and Leadership - University of Johannesburg Van Heerden says it's no secret that the likes of Kenny Kunene and Gayton McKenzie have been part of the underworld and have spent time behind bars. "And one can expect that, even though they are now within the political arena and the political class, they would still have friends that would operate in that underworld." - Oscar van Heerden, African Diplomacy and Leadership - University of Johannesburg Such connections don't necessarily implicate them in criminal activity, says van Heerden. What is clear, he says, is that, as was the case during the apartheid era, ties between the criminal underworld and political elites run deep. Kiewit asks, "Should we not be worried by members of our political class keeping the company of known criminals?" "Oh, we should be very worried. It's certainly not how it should be, and it shouldn't be condoned." - Oscar van Heerden, African Diplomacy and Leadership - University of Johannesburg Scroll up to listen to the full conversation from Good Morning Cape Town.
The Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald
‘A humbling moment': Mmusi Maimane credits parents for PhD
Build One SA leader Mmusi Maimane has expressed gratitude after receiving a PhD in public management and governance from the University of Johannesburg, describing it as a 'humbling moment'. 'Thank you for all the kind words, South Africa,' he said on X. The university conferred the Doctor of philosophy degree to Maimane on Monday in a graduation ceremony where former MP Malusi Gigaba was also awarded a PhD. Maimane's study focused on local government challenges between 2014 and 2019 in four metropolitan municipalities: Cape Town, Nelson Mandela Bay, Tshwane and Johannesburg. He has two master's degrees, in public administration and theology, and is an ordained pastor who has preached on local and international platforms. Growing up in Soweto, Maimane credited his parents for laying the foundation for his success, citing the sacrifices they made to invest in his education. 'My mother wasn't able to finish school due to the impact of apartheid. My father worked in a factory,' he said in a UJ podcast. 'I don't come from a family of academics in that sense, yet my parents are much smarter than I am, and to have been able to grow up and complete the journey at UJ is an incredible achievement. 'That sense of accomplishment, not only for my own family, is huge because my parents sacrificed a lot. You don't get a PhD because someone invested in your primary and high school education. My parents sacrificed a lot to give me the right foundations. Otherwise, there's no way I'd be sitting here today with a PhD. It means a lot to them.' Congratulatory messages from politicians have been flowing for Maimane and Gigaba:
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Gigaba set for PhD after airing of ex-wife's explosive tell-all episode on ‘Untied'
UJ is also expected to confer a PhD on fellow politician Mmusi Maimane during the graduation ceremony. Malusi Gigaba is set for a PhD from the University of Johannesburg Picture: Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images via Getty Images Just a week after his ex-wife Norma Mngoma's explosive episode was screened on Showmax's United, Member of Parliament Malusi Gigaba was announced as among the 2 163 graduates at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) winter graduation ceremony. The institution's graduation ceremony is being held between 16-31 July, and Gigaba will be conferred with a PhD. Gigaba holds a Bachelor of Pedagogics in Education from the University of Durban-Westville, where he studied from 1989 to 1990. He obtained a Master of Arts Degree in Social Policy from the same university from 1992 to 1994. He currently serves as the co-chair of the joint standing committee on defence. These ceremonies are specifically for candidates who met the graduation requirements between 1 January and 31 March, 2025. The ceremonies will take place at the UJ Auditorium on the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus. UJ is also expected to confer a PhD on fellow politician Mmusi Maimane during the graduation ceremony. ALSO READ: Gigaba's ex-wife on leaked sex video: 'We were blackmailed for almost six months' Norma on marriage to Gigaba Mngoma features on the fourth episode of Untied, a talk show series that unpacks the complex world of divorce through the stories of famous women who have lived it. Untied is hosted by Relebogile Mabotja. Gigaba attempted to halt the airing of the episode by taking the matter to the Johannesburg High Court; however, the court dismissed the bid last week, allowing Showmax to broadcast it. In the episode, Mngoma reflects on their relationship, detailing how it began and how it eventually came to an end. In 2014, after Gigaba's marriage to his ex-wife was finalised, the ANC member and Mngoma tied the knot. Mngoma said the wedding, held at the Durban Botanic Gardens, cost about R6 million to R7 million. She said the wedding and marriage didn't stop Gigaba's alleged mistresses from hassling her. According to Mngoma, it reached the point where Gigaba was allegedly being blackmailed by some of the women. 'Others, they wanted him to cancel the wedding. 'Then I'm gonna tell your wife this and that,' it was just a lot. He made me believe that these things were not true and not existing.' Mngoma alleged that during this time, Gigaba was more focused on keeping a 'clean' public image of the couple. 'In the beginning, he never paid so much attention to fixing things in the house. He was more of how the public sees him… and then he's posting me,' she said. Mngoma alleged that Gigaba would make up excuses not to attend therapy sessions he initiated. She recalled that at one point, Gigaba accused a therapist, who is white, of being racist. 'Or sometimes he will say 'no, the therapist is DA'. He used to have a reason why he's not continuing, and I will find another one,' Mngoma said. 'He was more focused on fixing the [public] image… us, the Gigabytes. And then he's posting me writing long captions, and people are clapping for him, how much he loves so loud.' NOW READ: 'It's important for women to have these conversations': Sonia opens up about marriage to Matthew Booth
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Van Jaarsveld podiums at Gerald Fox Memorial Race
Kate van Jaarsveld clinched the second spot in the women's 10km at the Gerald Fox Memorial Race at the Joburg Zoo on July 13. The Nedbank Running Club athlete, from Farrarmere, clocked 39:26 for the runner-up place, crossing the line 33 seconds behind winner Kayla Fisher, who won the race in 38:55. Ricci-Lee Brookstone rounded up the podium in 40:14. Former national 10km record holder Precious Mashele won the men's race in 32:05, with the University of Johannesburg runner Sanele Msomi finishing second in 32:41. Bongani Hlongwane was third in 32:49. Veteran runner Desmond Mokgobu and Cornelia Joubert, winner of the 2022 Johnson Crane women's marathon, clinched the men's and women's main events. Mokgobu clocked 01:08:52, beating this year's winner of the Johnson Crane men's half marathon Kabelo Melamu of Nedbank by five seconds. The 2022 Colgate Race winner, Cijimpi Moloi, clinched the last podium place in 01:09:09. Boxer AC's Joubert won the women's race in a dominant 01:25:11. Jeanie Henderson was 03:40 off the pace after crossing the line in 01:28:50 for second place. Nedbank's Galaletsang Mekgwe finished third in 01:29:57. Also Read: Van Jaarsveld has joyous homecoming at Springs Striders Race Also Read: Van Jaarsveld has joyous homecoming at Springs Striders Race At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
