MIL Africa Engine

With just hours to go to the opening match of the FIFA World Cup, Gauteng MEC of Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile has wished Bafana Bafana well for the tournament.

“Tonight, the hopes and dreams of millions of South Africans will travel across the Atlantic to Mexico City, where our beloved Bafana Bafana will take on the host nation, Mexico, at the iconic Estadio Azteca, with kickoff scheduled for 9pm South African time.

“As Gauteng and the entire country rally behind our national team, we wish Coach Hugo Broos and his squad strength, courage and success as they begin their journey on the world’s biggest football stage,” the MEC said.

He added that the quality and resilience of the squad is a testament to the strength of South African football. Thursday’s game marks exactly 16 years since South Africa, as host nation, opened the first World Cup on African soil against Mexico in Johannesburg.

READ | Bafana Bafana to face Mexico in World Cup opener

The MEC paid tribute to the Premier Soccer League, whose professionalism and competitiveness continue to produce world-class talent as well as the  countless township football coaches, volunteers and community football structures that identified, trained, nurtured and inspired many of the players who now proudly wear the green and gold of the nation.

“As they step onto the famous turf of Estadio Azteca, our players must remember that they carry more than a football badge on their chests — they carry the history, hopes and aspirations of a nation. They follow in the footsteps of the heroes of 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, whose triumph helped unite South Africans in the early years of our democracy and demonstrated the power of sport to bring our people together.”

He added that the tournament comes in the month that South Africa marks the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising where the country unites to honour the courageous generation which changed the course of history. 

“The youth of 1976 ignited a new consciousness in the struggle for freedom and justice. Bafana Bafana has an opportunity to honour their legacy by displaying the same determination, bravery and patriotism that defined that historic generation. 

“I have every confidence that our national team possesses the talent, discipline and fighting spirit required to overcome any challenge. Let them play with pride, belief and the knowledge that an entire nation stands firmly behind them.

“Go out there, make South Africa proud, and begin this World Cup with a victory worthy of our history and our future,” he said.

Government has called on the nation to rally behind the senior men’s team as they chase World Cup glory. In addition, 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 at the Mall of Africa tonight. –SAnews.gov.za  

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts has reaffirmed government’s commitment to tackling air pollution, describing clean air as a fundamental human right and calling for stronger collaboration to improve conditions in South Africa’s most polluted regions.

Speaking at a Government-NGO dialogue on air quality in the Highveld Priority Area in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Swarts said air pollution extends far beyond environmental concerns.

“It is a social justice issue. It is a developmental issue. Ultimately, it is a human rights issue,” she said.

Swarts stressed that access to clean air is protected under Section 24 of the Constitution, which guarantees everyone the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing.

“Air quality is not merely an environmental issue; it is a health issue,” she said.

The Deputy Minister said the constitutional right places a shared responsibility on government, industry, civil society and citizens to work together to reduce pollution and improve environmental outcomes.

Her remarks come as communities in the Highveld Priority Area continue to grapple with poor air quality, despite years of interventions aimed at reducing pollution.

The region remains one of South Africa’s most significant air pollution hotspots, with emissions from industrial activities, domestic fuel burning, waste burning and transport continuing to affect residents.

Swarts acknowledged growing concerns from communities and civil society organisations about the impact of pollution and the pace of government’s response.

“We recognise the concerns raised by residents regarding emissions from industrial activities, domestic fuel burning, waste burning, transportation and other pollution sources,” she said.

She also acknowledged calls for greater accountability and transparency in efforts to improve air quality.

“As government, we acknowledge that while progress has been made, much more remains to be done.”

Swarts said the dialogue was intended to move discussions beyond differing viewpoints and towards practical solutions that deliver measurable improvements for communities.

“We have gathered to strengthen collaboration, build trust and identify practical actions that can improve air quality outcomes for communities living in the Highveld Priority Area,” she said.

She highlighted the G20 Cape Town Ministerial Declaration on Air Quality as an important global framework supporting South Africa’s efforts to tackle pollution.

According to Swarts, the declaration elevates clean air to a critical public health, environmental and socio-economic priority, while recognising the disproportionate impact of air pollution on vulnerable communities.

The declaration also promotes stronger air quality monitoring, reliable data, citizen participation, knowledge sharing and cooperation across sectors and spheres of government.

Swarts emphasised that government cannot solve the country’s air pollution challenges alone and called on civil society organisations and communities to remain active partners in finding solutions.

“Communities themselves are often the first to experience the impacts of pollution and therefore must be active participants in decision-making processes,” she said.

She added that addressing air pollution is also about addressing inequality and ensuring that all South Africans can enjoy their constitutional right to a healthy environment.

“Government is committed to strengthening engagement platforms that allow communities and civil society organisations to contribute constructively to environmental decision-making,” Swarts said. – SAnews.gov.za

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