Category: MIL-OSI

With Bafana Bafana kicking off the search for victory at the FIFA Soccer World Cup tonight, Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), Peace Mabe, in partnership with Honor, will join fans and attend the first world cup watch party event.

As the senior men’s national team will square off against Mexico, the Minister will attend the watch party that will be held at the Mall of Africa lawns by the food court, Midrand in Gauteng. 

This as the country rallies around the senior men’s team for the match that will get underway at 9pm. 

Fans planning to attend the watch party at Mall of Africa can register on the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduBF8ttx_0XeGJEUU_yNNSIC48ErMV6OnYUq1Xe_2fGbPb8g/viewform  for entry.

Ahead of the 6pm festivities in the lead up to the match, the department has called on fans to remember to bring along a camp chair and blanket to ward off the cold. 

Government has previously  called on  South Africans to rally behind Bafana Bafana as they carry the hopes and pride of the nation onto the field at Mexico City Stadium. 

The DSAC said the event brings supporters closer to the energy, pride, and build-up around the beautiful game.

“Deputy Minister Mabe will be joined by the Bafana Legends with featured artist performances, spot prizes, and supporter experiences designed to bring people together around the excitement of match day. The first 300 fans to arrive will receive a soft drink voucher, with additional spot prizes during the event. HONOR, along with the Department of Sport, Arts Culture and Gauteng Tourism, have also partnered to ensure fan safety and security during the watch party events,” said the department.

Freedom Park

Freedom Park Heritage Site in Pretoria will also host the live screening of the match. Enry is free and fans can bring along  picnic baskets while also enjoying the match atmosphere together  on a large outdoor screen. No alcohol will be allowed.

Food, snacks and refreshments will also be available for purchase at the venue.

In a post on social media platform X, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie said the presence of Bafana Bafana at the World Cup “speaks about your winning mentality.”

“Never forget that you have already made your nation proud, you have 60 million supporters cheering & praying for victory, go get them @ Bafana Bafana! “ he said.

Meanwhile, Acting Government Spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa said the national soccer team continues to demonstrate determination, discipline and the fighting spirit that defines South Africa.

READ | Go Bafana Bafana!
–SAnews.gov.za

Bafana Bafana will return to the global stage on Thursday when they take on Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup, with kick-off set for 9 pm.

When Bafana Bafana walk onto the pitch for the opening match, it will mark exactly 16 years since South Africa, as host nation, opened the first World Cup on African soil against Mexico in Johannesburg.

Tonight, history repeats itself as the same two nations meet again in the tournament’s opening fixture, this time with South Africa playing away in Mexico.

Fans at home and around the world will be watching closely to see who comes out on top.

Some South African fans will don green and gold at public viewing sites, blowing their vuvuzelas as they cheer on the men’s national team.

The Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, in partnership with HONOR, will attend the opening World Cup match at public viewing events at Tembisa Mall and the Mall of Africa in Gauteng.

The event will bring supporters closer to the energy, pride and anticipation surrounding the beautiful game through a series of fan-focused activations and rewards linked to Bafana Bafana’s international tournament campaign.

The Deputy Minister will be joined by Bafana legends at the event, which will feature artist performances, spot prizes and supporter experiences designed to bring people together in the excitement of match day.

The first 300 fans to arrive will receive a soft drink voucher, with additional spot prizes up for grabs during the event.

HONOR, together with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and Gauteng Tourism, has also partnered to help ensure fan safety and security during the watch party events. 

Earlier this week, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos said the team will be ready to face Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup.

Broos said the South African senior men’s national team is eager to embrace the occasion when it takes on Mexico in at a packed Estadio Azteca stadium on Thursday, 11 June 2026. 

Although the team will play in a stadium filled mostly with Mexican supporters, Broos said Bafana Bafana know South Africans are backing them from home.

“We all know there will be many Mexicans in the stadium and perhaps only a few South Africans, so we cannot count on strong support inside the venue. But we do know we have the support of the nation.

“We felt that in recent days, and during the past week when we began our preparations in South Africa. The whole country is behind us, and we are playing for everyone who believes in us,” he said. 

The coach was addressing members of the media ahead of the opening match. –SAnews.gov.za

Following the surfacing of a video clip on various social media platforms showing a physical altercation, where a male individual is seen assaulting a 21-year-old female, police have confirmed that a 22-year-old high school learner has been arrested and charged.

​He is expected to make his first court appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on 12 June 2026.

“​We strongly plead for calm and space to allow the police investigation to take its natural course. The SAPS views all acts of violence, particularly against the vulnerable, in a serious light and is committed to ensuring that justice is served,” the South African Police Service said in a statement.

The police said further updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses. – SAnews.gov.za

As South Africa observes Youth Month, the South African Police Service (SAPS) embarked on a national campaign, ‘SAPS Youth – Leading the Reset Agenda’, to celebrate the dedication, resilience and positive impact of its young members.

Under the banner, ‘My Blood is Blue’, the campaign showcases young police officers, who have embraced the responsibility of serving and protecting the people of South Africa with pride and purpose.

Their commitment to excellence, ethical conduct and public service reflects the vision of the SAPS Reset Agenda and underscores the valuable contribution that young people are making in strengthening policing and building safer communities for all.

The SAPS Reset Agenda is a multiyear institutional reform and operational renewal strategy aimed at combating crime and restoring public trust.

Today, SAPS introduces Warrant Officer Rose Hofler, a 35-year-old Forensic Analyst specialising in ballistics at the Forensic Science Laboratory’s Ballistic Unit in Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal. 

Armed with a Master of Philosophy degree specialising in Biomedical Forensic Science, a Master of Medical Science degree specialising in Physiology, and a Bachelor of Medical Science degree specialising in Anatomy and Physiology, Hofler has completed more than 3 000 ballistic-related cases, linking firearms to crime scenes and helping bring criminals to justice.

For Hofler, SAPS has always been the employer of choice. Soon after completing her studies in 2018, her dream of analysing evidence and uncovering the truth was realised when she joined the service.

Ballistics analysts are based within the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory, particularly in the Ballistics Unit. Their work includes examining firearms that are suspected to have been used in committing crime, comparing ammunition and cartridge casings from crime scenes using systems, such as IBIS (Integrated Ballistic Identification System), to match ballistic evidence.

She highlighted that the environment has allowed her to develop a wide knowledge base on various firearms and the way they work, including the complexity of homemade firearms. It is an environment where there is continuous learning and development due to the wide variety of cases they receive as well has the high case load. 

This means that there is never a dull day in that office. Hofler’s career in forensics is natured by experienced mentors that have a wealth of knowledge and who are willing to share their experiences with young and upcoming analysts. 

“I have always been fascinated by the world of forensic science since my early high school years. At that time, it was coined the ‘CSI Effect’, where almost every kid wanted to be like the cool forensic scientists they saw on one of the many forensic science TV show dramas being aired at the time.

“And just like the others, I was expected to grow out of it, but I never did. And this is what directed and motivated me to lay the academic foundation on which I could build my forensic career,” Hofler said.

Hofler is committed to advancing South African ballistics through operational accuracy, keeping abreast with any and all advancements within the field of ballistics, while maintaining professionalism and upholding the highest standards of forensic integrity. 

“Apart from the uniformed officers who prevent crime and do all the visibility, SAPS has a wide range of sophisticated careers, and it is my wish that many young persons realise that SAPS has opportunities which can expose them to a world they never knew that it existed,” Hofler said. – SAnews.gov.za

Africa has secured a historic place on marathon running’s biggest stage, with the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon officially confirmed as the first Abbott World Marathon Major to be hosted on the continent.

Following the successful staging of the 2026 race on 24 May, the event passed the second and final phase of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) assessment process, earning its place as the eighth member of the elite global series.

Cape Town now joins an exclusive group of host cities that includes Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago and New York.

The achievement marks a significant milestone for African road running, bringing one of the sport’s most prestigious accolades to a continent that has long produced many of the world’s greatest distance runners.

For decades, African athletes have dominated long-distance running, producing around 80% of the world’s top 50 elite marathon runners. Yet despite the continent’s unrivalled success in the sport, Africa had never hosted one of the world’s premier marathon events.

The achievement follows a five-year journey that began in 2021 when the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon was announced as an Abbott World Marathon Majors Candidate Race.

The formal evaluation process started in 2022, with the race undergoing detailed annual assessments against the organisation’s rigorous standards for operations, organisation and athlete experience.

A major breakthrough came in 2024 when the event attracted a record 20 000 marathon entries and produced course records in both the men’s and women’s races. South African athlete Glenrose Xaba also set a new national marathon record of 2:22:22, helping the race successfully complete the first stage of the candidacy process.

The Major’s bid faced an unexpected challenge in 2025 when the race was cancelled. However, organisers said the decision reinforced the event’s commitment to prioritising safety and human life above all else.

Rather than derailing the campaign, the move strengthened confidence in the marathon’s governance and integrity, prompting Abbott World Marathon Majors to extend the evaluation period.

Everything hinged on the successful staging of the 2026 race on 24 May.

The event delivered on expectations, attracting global attention with the participation of marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge in his first official marathon on African soil. The race subsequently passed the second and final stage of its assessment, securing its place among the world’s most celebrated marathons.

Organisers estimate that the event could contribute about R800 million to the economy, while also creating opportunities for tourism, investment and sports development.

Importantly, the organisers have committed two-thirds of race entries to African participants, ensuring that the continent’s runners have greater access to one of the sport’s most sought-after events.

The first official Abbott World Marathon Major on African soil is scheduled to take place in Cape Town on 23 May 2027.

For South Africa, home to the Comrades Marathon and now Africa’s first World Marathon Major, the achievement represents another landmark moment in the country’s rich distance-running history and further cements its reputation as a leading destination for global road running. – SAnews.gov.za

Tributes continue to pour in for His Majesty King Makhosonke II, King of the amaNdebele nation, who passed away on Tuesday.

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, conveyed his condolences following the passing of the king at the age of 65.

“Minister Hlabisa extends his heartfelt condolences to Her Majesty Queen Sekhothali, the Royal Family, the amaNdebele as a whole, and the broader traditional leadership fraternity during this difficult time,” the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) said on Wednesday.

The department added that throughout his reign, His Majesty showed a strong commitment to the development and empowerment of traditional communities. 

In joining President Cyril Ramaphosa in his tribute to the King, the department added that the King played a key role in strengthening the amaNdebele community, preserving its cultural heritage, promoting social cohesion and fostering unity among his people. 

“His leadership extended beyond the boundaries of his kingship, contributing to nation-building and encouraging peace, cooperation and mutual respect among communities across South Africa.

“As President Ramaphosa has noted, His Majesty was a pillar of national unity in diversity and a champion of development, with education and land restitution forming part of his enduring vision for his people,” said CoGTA.

READ | Condolences for His Majesty King Makhosonke II

The Minister said His Majesty was a respected traditional leader, and a nation-builder who brought people together and a unifying force.

“ As the inaugural Chairperson of the Forum for South Africa’s Majesties, he helped shape a new chapter of cooperation between government and traditional leadership. His commitment to the upliftment of communities and the preservation of our rich cultural heritage will remain an enduring legacy. South Africa has lost a distinguished leader whose contribution to nation-building will be remembered for generations to come,” Hlabisa said.

Culture and identity 

Meanwhile, the National Heritage Council of South Africa (NHC) also joined the nation in mourning the passing of His Majesty King Makhosonke II.

“The NHC extends its heartfelt condolences to Her Majesty Queen Sekhotali, the Royal Family, the amaNdebele nation, and all those whose lives were touched by His Majesty’s leadership, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to the preservation of culture and tradition,” said the NHC.

In its statement on Wednesday, the Council said traditional leaders occupy a unique and vital place in South Africa’s heritage landscape.

“As custodians of indigenous knowledge systems, living heritage, customs, traditions, languages, and cultural practices, they play a critical role in safeguarding the nation’s intangible cultural heritage for the current and future generations.”

It said that throughout his reign, King Makhosonke II championed the promotion and preservation of amaNdebele culture and identity.

“The NHC had the privilege of working alongside His Majesty on several cultural and heritage initiatives over the years. The Council supported several cultural events under his leadership. At the same time, His Majesty, in turn, welcomed and invited the NHC to participate in important cultural gatherings and heritage celebrations within the kingdom. These engagements reflected a shared commitment to preserving, promoting, and celebrating South Africa’s rich living heritage.”

NHC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Thabo Manetsi, said the passing of the King is the loss to the country’s heritage sector.

“The passing of His Majesty King Makhosonke II is a profound loss not only to the amaNdebele nation but also to South Africa’s broader heritage sector. He was a respected traditional leader who understood the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge systems, and the traditions that define communities,” said Manetsi. 

The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) also conveyed its symphaties to the amaNdebele Nation.

PanSALB Chief Executive Officer, Dr Keaobaka Seshoka, expressed the Board’s sympathies at the loss of the distinguished traditional leader and champion of indigenous languages. 

“As the Board, we wish to extend our deepest condolences to the amaNdebele nation and the royal family. The passing of His Majesty, Makhosonke Mabhena, is a profound loss not only to the amaNdebele nation but to the nation as a whole. We remain deeply grateful for his unwavering contribution toward the preservation and promotion of isiNdebele,” said Dr Seshoka.

The CEO said the King’s support for the advancement of the isiNdebele language and culture will remain an enduring legacy, helping to ensure that isiNdebele thrives for generations to come.

“As we bid farewell to this esteemed custodian of the isiNdebele language and culture, we do so with profound respect and gratitude. We honour his legacy by reaffirming our commitment to champion the promotion and protection of all our indigenous languages in the country,” she added. 

PanSALB said His Majesty was instrumental in the launch of isiNdebele on the Wikipedia platform to increase its digital presence, a project spearheaded by the SWiP Project (SADiLaR, Wikipedia and PanSALB). 

An early success of the project was the integration of isiNdebele into Wikipedia. Initially represented by only 11 articles in the Wikipedia Incubator, the language saw rapid growth to over 140 articles within a year, marking its transition to Wikipedia’s main platform.

“PanSALB joins the amaNdebele nation, the royal family and all South Africans in mourning the loss of a revered leader and custodian of our language, culture and heritage,” it said. –SAnews.gov.za