By Michael Madyira

Bafana Bafana perfectly responded to last week’s defeat by Mali in emphatic style with a 4-0 victory over Namibia in this Africa Cup of Nations Group E match on Sunday.

Themba Zwane’s brace was the major highlight of the evening, with the Mamelodi Sundowns first hitting target on 25 minutes, before doubling his effort five minutes before the halftime break.

Percy Tau had opened the floodgates at Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly with a 14th-minute penalty.

Substitute Thapelo Maseko then sealed the convincing win with 15 minutes to go as South Africa recorded the biggest victory margin of this Afcon edition

It was yet another fruitful outing for Bafana against Namibia at Afcon finals after also previously beating their neighbours in 1998 and 2019.

Sunday’s result propelled Hugo Broos’ men from the bottom of Group E to second ahead of their final match against Tunisia, while Namibia dropped to third.

Broos made two changes from the team that started and lost 2-0 to Mali, bringing in Thapelo Morena for Maseko as Siyanda Xulu made way for Grant Kekana to complete an all-Sundowns back four.

Broos’ Namibian counterpart Collin Benjamin opted not to tamper with the team that stunned Tunisia 1-0 last week.

As the two teams were trying to settle into the contest, AmaZulu star Riaan Hanamub handled inside the box while challenging Morena and Bafana were awarded a penalty for a second successive match.

Tau braved up to take it and beat Chippa United goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua to atone for last week’s miss against Mali.

Namibia then tried to respond on 23 minutes but Deon Hotto arrived a shade too slow to head in a Hanamub cross.

Soon after, South Africa further unsettled the Brave Warriors when Themba Zwane connected, at first time, a loss cross from Morena.

Bafana were enjoying an upper hand and Zwane then produced another masterclass, curling home past Kazapua after outrunning a Namibian defender on the left flank to make it 3-0.

Although Namibia came back from the break enjoying more possession, it never yielded anything.

They were then deflated by substitute Maseko who killed the match as a contest with a blistering shot that was too hot for Kazapua whose attempt to block it only aided the ball into the net.

Pictured above: Bafana Bafana attacker Themba Zwane vies for the ball against Namibia defender Kennedy Amutenya.

Image source: Bafana Bafana

An Airlink plane was involved in a crash on Thursday after it overshot on a runway in Mozambique, the airline has announced.

The plane was involved in “a wet runway excursion upon landing at Pemba in Mozambique”, Airlink said in a statement.

They added that none of the 32 passengers and three crew members suffered any injuries.

This is not the first time an Airlink plane has overshot on a runway. In 2009, eight people received minor injuries when a plane overran on the runway as it was landing in George.

Compiled by staff writer.

Pictured above: The Airlink plane which overran on a Mozambique runway on Thursday (above); the Airlink plane which was involved in a similar accident in George in 2009.

Image source: X (both images)

By Vince Pienaar

LOVED AND LOST: Sixto Diaz Rodriguez: (July 10, 1942 – August 8, 2023)

Why did Sixto Rodriguez have such a profound effect on so many young South Africans?

It is not as if he wrote and sang wildly revolutionary songs – we had Die Gereformeerde Blues Band who thumbed their noses at the authorities around the country to do that for us – but he touched a chord.

Seeing the Cold Fact album with its weird cover showing a picture of a man with a hat and dark glasses sitting cross-legged inside a coloured ball, it was like looking at an incredibly precious, somehow scary, object.

Listening to the album was like experiencing something mystical – something other-worldly.

“Sugar Man, won’t you hurry? Cause I’m tired of these scenes.”

The voice comes through the two stereo speakers of a home system, which are less than half the strength of the average sound system on a modern Golf GTi.

But it’s spellbinding. 

The voice, blues-based if a label is required, is no more than ordinary in range but huge in depth. It instantly speaks of a life less than easy. Deep down hard.

And what does it mean? 
Sugar man, you’re the answer
That makes my questions disappear
Sugar man cause I’m weary
Of those double games I hear
What is he talking about?
Silver magic ships you carry
Jumpers, coke, sweet Mary Jane.

Was the song really about searching for a drug dealer, and were jumpers, coke and sweet Mary Jane really slang references to drugs? 

The album Cold Fact came out in 1970, and to say that it tanked in the USA is an understatement. It sank deeper than the Titanic. But then there was some serious competition. 

Janis Joplin was top of her game, singing “Piece of My Heart” all over the States. The Woodstock album had just been released, leaving room for almost nothing else. Jimi Hendrix would soon usurp Eric Clapton’s hallowed if irreverent title of “God” in England. 

And, let’s face it, Cold Fact wasn’t really much more than ordinary. Except in South Africa and Australia. Here the album, suffering and flourishing under the dubious label of achieving “cult status”, was at every single party in Hillbrow, where it was somehow always on the top of the heap of LPs lying next to the record player. 

The SABC in its wisdom had demanded that the “Sugar Man” track be scratched out (literally) and having a copy with that track intact was worth more than gold.

The movie, Searching for Sugar Man, has many moments that bring tears to the eyes. The South African concert featuring a man looking substantially older than his years, performing somehow with a sense of amazement, will do that for you. 

More than that, though, in is that scene in the movie when he seems amazed when his South African pursuers finally locate him and tell him that they have come to fetch him to do a show in South Africa.

“Who, me?” the man who makes a living working with his hands on a construction site seems to say. 

If you haven’t yet, watch the movie, okay? But bring tissues. Come to think of it, if you’ve seen it already, now’s the right time to watch it again. And don’t forget the tissues.

Cheers, Mister Sixto Diaz Rodriguez. You did really good, Sugar Man.

Pictured above: Sixto Diaz Rodriguez

Image source: Twitter

By Michael Madyira

Neo Maema rose from the bench to help Mamelodi Sundowns survive a Kaizer Chiefs scare and claim a 2-1 Premier Soccer League victory at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday.

Maema struck right at the death to grab the win after Ashley du Preez’s goal with six minutes remaining had cancelled Lucas Ribeiro Costa’s 21st-minute opener for Masandawana.

It was a second successive league victory for Sundowns while Chiefs are still winless in five straight PSL games dating back from the end of last season.

For the Tshwane giants’ coach Rhulani Mokwena, he remains unbeaten in the league since taking over last October.

Speedy winger Thapelo Maseko was handed his debut start for Sundowns while Mothobi Mvala stepped in for suspended Rivaldo Coetzee.

Chiefs coach Molefi Ntseki made three changes to the squad that started against Chippa United, bringing in Pule Mmodi, Siyethemba Sithebe and Du Preez.

The Brazilians started the match on the offensive, fired up by Maseko’s electric pace.

Chiefs were punished for a mistake when Edson Castillo’s backpass was intercepted by Themba Zwane for Peter Shalulile to set up Ribeiro who clinically finished for his second goal in as many league games.

The Brazilians continued to control the exchanges for the rest of the first half with Amakhosi doing little to shake the hosts’ defence.

After the restart, Chiefs became alive but Sundowns might have started regretting struggling to beat an unyielding Brandon Petersen in goals for their visitors.

With 14 minutes to go, Petersen blocked Maseko’s low shot with his legs while Marcello Allende pounced on the rebound but missed the target.

Having a slim lead, Sundowns were always sitting dangerously and the Soweto giants exploited that when Du Preez connected a cross from substitute Tebogo Potsane to level terms.

That goal appeared to have fired up the Soweto visitors who looked determined but their energy was quickly sapped.

A howler by Petersen allowed Maema to beat him, and Sundowns reclaimed their lead.

Pictured above: Mamelodi Sundowns celebrate Ribeiro’s goal

Image source: Mamelodi Sundowns

By Michael Madyira

Neo Maema rose from the bench to help Mamelodi Sundowns survive a Kaizer Chiefs scare and claim a 2-1 Premier Soccer League victory at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday.

Maema struck right at the death to grab the win after Ashley du Preez’s goal with six minutes remaining had cancelled Lucas Ribeiro Costa’s 21st-minute opener for Masandawana.

It was a second successive league victory for Sundowns while Chiefs are still winless in five straight PSL games dating back from the end of last season.

For the Tshwane giants’ coach Rhulani Mokwena, he remains unbeaten in the league since taking over last October.

Speedy winger Thapelo Maseko was handed his debut start for Sundowns while Mothobi Mvala stepped in for suspended Rivaldo Coetzee.

Chiefs coach Molefi Ntseki made three changes to the squad that started against Chippa United, bringing in Pule Mmodi, Siyethemba Sithebe and Du Preez.

The Brazilians started the match on the offensive, fired up by Maseko’s electric pace.

Chiefs were punished for a mistake when Edson Castillo’s backpass was intercepted by Themba Zwane for Peter Shalulile to set up Ribeiro who clinically finished for his second goal in as many league games.

The Brazilians continued to control the exchanges for the rest of the first half with Amakhosi doing little to shake the hosts’ defence.

After the restart, Chiefs became alive but Sundowns might have started regretting struggling to beat an unyielding Brandon Petersen in goals for their visitors.

With 14 minutes to go, Petersen blocked Maseko’s low shot with his legs while Marcello Allende pounced on the rebound but missed the target.

Having a slim lead, Sundowns were always sitting dangerously and the Soweto giants exploited that when Du Preez connected a cross from substitute Tebogo Potsane to level terms.

That goal appeared to have fired up the Soweto visitors who looked determined but their energy was quickly sapped.

A howler by Petersen allowed Maema to beat him, and Sundowns reclaimed their lead.

Pictured above: Mamelodi Sundowns celebrate Ribeiro’s goal

Image source: Mamelodi Sundowns

By Razeen Gutta

France defeated Morocco 4-0 in the last 16 of the Fifa Women’s World Cup to end the African dream in the competition.

After Colombia defeated Jamaica in the earlier game, the eyes of Africa and the Arab world were once again on the Moroccans, who had made history by reaching this point alone.

Within 20 minutes, their hopes of going even further were over.

France was just too good, with Kadidiatou Diani, Kenza Dali and Eugenie Le Sommer striking within eight minutes to put the French three goals ahead.

In the second half, Morocco showed glimpses of the side that got out of the group stages. They almost scored instantly after the break and looked better on the ball.

They were outplayed across the 90 minutes, though, and with 20 minutes to go, Le Sommer made it four, putting the icing on the cake for Herve Renard’s side to progress.

The last eight teams of the tournament have now been decided in full, with Spain and the Netherlands facing off first before Japan takes on Sweden on Friday.

On Saturday, co-hosts Australia will take on France before England face Colombia. 

Pictured above: Morocco 

Image source: @brfootball

By Buziwe Nocuze

Violence and looting erupted in malls across Cape Town on Monday in the wake of the ongoing taxi strike, plunging sections of the city into chaos.

Thousands of people do not have access to public transport, leaving them unable to travel to work or school, adding to the already high frustration levels.

Looting has occurred in some areas, with videos circulating on social media, capturing brazen individuals running away with stolen items such as TVs, fridges and other expensive items.

SAPS have responded to looting at malls in Gugulethu, Mfuleni, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, and Kraaifontein. 

Colonel Andre Traut, SAPS spokesperson in the Western Cape, reported that protesters broke into shops and made off with household appliances, clothing and alcohol. 

“Five suspects were arrested in Gugulethu for possessing suspected stolen items. Cases of public violence are under investigation, and more arrests are likely as the police continue their inquiries,” said Traut.

He said police are actively investigating cases of public violence.

The City has closed facilities in volatile areas to safeguard staff and prevent further vandalism. 

Rob Quintas, the City’s MCM for Urban Mobility, said he was very concerned about the impact of the taxi strike on residents’ livelihoods and emphasised that discussions or negotiations could not take place while violence and intimidation continued.

“It is absolutely tragic that thousands of households are unable to earn a living or commute to work or schools due to the sustained attack on public transport services across the city,” he said. 

Residents expressed their disappointment and fear over the consequences of the looting.

“I knew that if the strike continued, something like this would happen,” said an anonymous resident. 

“I don’t understand how normal people can do something like this.” 

Others worried about job losses and the impact on the community, calling for the immediate suspension of Santaco’s taxi strike.

Tensions first boiled over last Thursday when several taxis were impounded by law enforcement officials, leading to violent clashes with taxi drivers.

Since then, several buses, trucks and private cars have been stoned and torched by rioters across the city, and at least three people have been killed.

Pictured above: Residents who were carrying a TV and fridge dropped them and ran for their lives when they saw police in the area

Image source: Supplied

By Celani Sikhakhane

Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu nation and Monarch, lost his ability to talk and was taken into an intensive care unit at a hospital in Kwazulu-Natal on Tuesday.

Independent sources close to the Buthelezi family and within the IFP confirmed to Scrolla.Africa that Buthelezi was in ICU and no longer able to communicate. 

Previously it was reported that the founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party had been admitted to hospital for back pain treatment and then released. 

His spokesperson Liezl van der Merwe issued a statement saying the 95-year-old was later readmitted for a further treatment and recovery.

But fear gripped the Zulu nation when he missed annual events linked to the Buthelezi Legacy Project, including an annual lecture and the related soccer tournament at the weekend.

Other sources have expressed their deep concern and even suggested transferring him to Garden Clinic in eMpangeni for better treatment.

“It’s very bad and he is no longer speaking. We are very concerned and we need him more than before as we are facing hooligans in the party who want to destroy it and remove President Velenkosini Hlabisa,” a source said.

Van der Merwe confirmed that Buthelezi is still in the hospital and told Scrolla.Africa that his health is improving.

“Prince Buthelezi is still in hospital receiving treatment and recovering,” said Van der Merwe in a short response.

“He was in ICU where he was treated, then he was taken to high care and now he is in a normal ward. I can confirm to you that he is responding very well and he talked to me during he visit.”

Anglican Bishop Thabo Makgoba shared that he had visited Buthelezi in the hospital and spent quality time with him.

As Buthelezi’s health remains a matter of concern, the nation hopes and prays for his recovery, while internal political tensions continue to unfold within the IFP.

Pictured above: Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi

Image source: Twitter

By Everson Luhanga

Underground gas lines are reportedly the cause of a massive explosion on Bree Street in central Johannesburg.

Video footage captured on Wednesday shows the aftermath of the explosion. Large sections of the road appear to have collapsed and several cars, including taxis, have been overturned.

The site of the explosion is reported to be the corner of Eloff and Bree Street. Netcare is sending units to the location to assist.

JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said EMS and JMPD officers are on the scene assessing the extent of the damage as well as any injuries.

Also heading to the scene is ehe Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Councillor Kabelo Gwamanda, who’s expected to arrive at 7:30 pm.

Road Angels Traffic Information has advised the public to stay clear of the area to allow emergency services to attend the scene.

It is currently unclear whether anyone has been injured in the explosion but the city’s emergency medical services have stated they are not aware of any deaths.

This is a developing story.

By Buziwe Nocuze

The Khayelitsha community in Cape Town came together in a joyous celebration to honour the extraordinary life of a 103-year-old woman who shares her birthday with Nelson Mandela.

Nohayilothi Manisi was born in Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape exactly two years after Mandela who was born in 1918.

Nohayilothi shared with Scrolla.Africa the secrets behind her longevity, stressing the importance of the two “selfs”: self-respect and self-care.

“I am proud because I am not taking or using any medication, and I don’t have high blood pressure or diabetes. This is not by luck, but rather the result of the way I carried myself while growing up, which played a significant role in reaching these years,” said Manisi.

Having been blessed with eight children — six girls and two boys — and many grandchildren, Manisi finds herself with four surviving children today; they have all reached pension age.

Despite her impressive age, Manisi doubts that the current generation will experience the same longevity.

“Today’s children lack respect for their elders. They compete over meaningless things that bring no positive impact to their lives, except exposing themselves to dangerous situations,” she lamented.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Manisi expressed her appreciation for those who organised the birthday celebration and presented her with a beautifully adorned cake.

“It was a surprise. I had no idea they had planned something so remarkable for me. I am deeply touched by their gesture.”

Manisi, whose favourite meal is a generous bowl of samp and sour milk, holds no qualms about foregoing meat.

Vuyiswa Mlungu, a 31-year-old granddaughter, expressed immense gratitude for the presence of her grandmother.

“We are blessed to have her in our lives. We learn a great deal from her. She remains strict, forbidding anyone from venturing outside at night, and she constantly emphasises the importance of conducting ourselves responsibly,” said Mlungu.

Myolisi Magibisela, Sanco convener, stressed the significance of celebrating Manisi’s birthday.

“While we commemorate the life of Mandela, we also recognise the immense importance of honouring Manisi. She holds a special place in our hearts and through this celebration, we want to show her love and care,” said Magibisela.

Pictured above: Nohayilothi Manisi celebrating her birthday in Khayelitsha, surrounded by family members and community members

Image source: Buziwe Nocuze