Latest news with #eSwatini
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
5 men deported to eSwatini from US spark public outcry, protests
In the small African kingdom of eSwatini, the arrival of five men deported from the United States under Washington's aggressive anti-immigrant measures has sparked a rare wave of public dissent. The five nationals of Vietnam, Laos, Yemen, Cuba and Jamaica, were flown to Eswatini's administrative capital of Mbabane on July 16 on a US military plane and incarcerated after US authorities labelled them 'criminal illegal aliens'. The US Department of Homeland Security said the men were convicted of violent crimes 'so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back.' The government of eSwatini, formerly known as Swaziland, has confirmed their presence. But spokesman Thabile Mdluli said they would not stay permanently and 'will be repatriated in due course to their different countries.' That assurance, though, has not quelled a tide of questions and concerns that have risen within the kingdom about the operation.
The South African
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Will Andile Mpisane play for mom's new club? MaMkhize responds
Shauwn Mkhize – fondly known as MaMkhize – has shut down speculation that her son Andile Mpisane will play for Mbabane Highlanders AM FC. Last week, the businesswoman officially signed a three-year presidency deal with the eSwatini soccer club. This news comes months after SARS seized her South African team, Royal AM, to pay off her R40 million debt. Although the club includes the initials of his name – AM, or Andile Mpisane – his mother, MaMkhize, revealed that her son would take a step back. Speaking to Andile Ncube on Metro FM, the controversial businesswoman said: 'He wants to be in the management space now. 'I don't see him going there [to eSwatini], but he enjoys being in the business side of things.' When asked if Andile Mpisane had hung up his soccer boots, his mother responded, 'I don't know, but for now, I think so. Will Andile Mpisane play for his mom MaMkhize's new football club? Images via Instagram: @kwa_mamkhize 'Because even when Royal AM was there, he was starting to learn the administrative part of it. 'I think all that he wanted was to play in the elite league – which he did, he tasted that' With his football career likely over, Andile Mpisane will likely focus his attention on his budding music career or his hobby of collecting luxury cars. The 24-year-old is known for his expensive taste in cars and clothes, and posts bragging about his soccer skills. 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
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
'We don't want Royal AM': Supporters of MaMkhize's new club
A group of football supporters of Mbabane Highlanders FC – now renamed Mbabane Highlanders AM FC – are rejecting the new position of power given to MaMkhize, real name Shauwn Mkhize. Last week, the businesswoman was announced as president of the eSwatini club. She has since called for 'unity' among fans and expressed her desire for the club to relive its 'glory days.' This news comes months after SARS seized her South African team, Royal AM, to pay off her R40 million debt. The club was later expelled from the PSL. During her first address as Mbabalane Highlanders AM FC on Sunday, 20 July, the club revealed that MaMkhize had 'called for unity and urged all stakeholders to play their part in restoring the club to its former glory'. It added: 'She emphasized the importance of protecting the club's image, encouraging everyone to refrain from public commentary that could hinder efforts to build a strong and respected brand'. 'Most significantly, she pledged her full commitment to making Mbabane Highlanders AM the leading football club in the country—on and off the pitch'. Last week, the eSwatini club confirmed that MaMkhize had signed a three-year presidency deal as the club's president. In a video clip, MaMkhize revealed that she had added a 'touch of gold' and her signature 'AM', and that players of the eSwatini club would now wear black and gold. 'New look. Same spirit. 🖤💛 Mbabane Highlanders AM F.C. is now draped in black and gold', a Facebook post from the club read. MaMkhize is the new president of Mbabane Highlanders. Images via Instagram: @kwa_mammkhize Although many Mbabane Highlanders AM FC fans have vowed to support MaMkhize as president of the club, others are wary and even concerned about her involvement. On its official Facebook account, many have rejected the new leadership and its link to the now-defunct SA club. Gcin'muzi Hlatshwayo: 'We are not Royal AM!' Imagine Sci-fi Mzanzi: 'This is disrespectful to this old club.' Doni Dlamini: 'Highlanders is dead now!' Denis De Sousa: 'Royal AM 2.0?'
The Citizen
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
‘I have lost my soul' – MaMkhize on losing Royal AM
The football club was recently auctioned along with some of MaMkhize's luxury vehicles. Shauwn Mkhize at the 2022 BET in Los Angeles, California. Picture:for BET Businesswoman and reality TV personality Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize has opened up about the emotional toll of losing her football club, Royal AM. The club, along with several of her luxury vehicles, was recently auctioned to settle a reported R37 million tax debt. Speaking to Andile Ncube on Metro FM this week, MaMkhize said she lost more than just money. 'I've lost my soul. I think my soul and my heart were invested in that brand. Money – put it aside. We work, we make money every day, but I've lost my soul. I think that was my baby.' She added that her greatest concern is for the many lives that depended on the club. 'Sometimes when you do something, you must look at the people and the lives of the people that you are affecting. There were people who depended on Royal AM. 'And what hurts me the most is not the money. It's about the families that I believe were affected by something that could have been controlled.' According to News24, Royal AM and 10 of MaMkhize's 14 luxury vehicles were sold at auction for R8.2 million. ALSO READ: Fur, football and forfeits: MaMkhize lives it up as netizens link her to the Mkhwanazi saga Fresh start: MaMkhize takes helm of eSwatini club MaMkhize was recently introduced as the new president of the Eswatini football club, Mbabane Highlanders AM. The flamboyant businesswoman has reportedly already rebranded the club, incorporating the gold colours of her former club, Royal AM, into the traditional black and white of the Highlanders. According to Sunday World, Mkhize did not purchase the club, as some reports have claimed, but has been appointed on a three-year contract to run the club. NOW READ: Nay Maps to host Simon Mabhunu Sabela Film and Television Awards this weekend
South China Morning Post
16-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
US deports ‘barbaric' migrants from Vietnam, Laos, other nations to Africa's eSwatini
The United States deported five migrants from Asian and Caribbean countries to the small African kingdom of eSwatini, officials said on Tuesday. Jamaica , Laos , The deported migrants are nationals of Cuba Vietnam and Yemen 'These criminal illegal aliens are so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back,' the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wrote on social media They were convicted of violent crimes such as child rape and murder, according to DHS. US President Donald Trump 's administration has defended so-called third-country deportations as necessary, since the home nations of some of those targeted for removal sometimes refuse to accept them. The US Supreme Court in June paved the way for the Trump administration to resume deportations of undocumented migrants to countries that are not their own. Washington deported eight other migrants to conflict-plagued South Sudan earlier this month.
