Part one: Made in Africa
This first of a two-part series tells the story of Lucas ‘the Chief’ Radebe, who was just one of many players from Africa who changed the face of English and European football.
Sport
Why has SA cricket not changed under black leaders?
For two decades, Cricket South Africa has been mainly in the hands of black leadership. Why then have the organisation and cricket in the country hardly transformed?
Geoffrey Toyana’s long fight against prejudice
That the CSA president acknowledged Toyana should have coached SA was unsurprising. He has endured much more than that oversight, while continuing to produce Proteas.
SA biker star Brad Binder’s historic MotoGP win
The South African rider’s brilliance was on display in a tough race to claim his first MotoGP win. His challenging journey to the top was no doubt worth it as he stood atop the podium in Brno.
SA football’s return a strange yet familiar sight
Highlands Park fitness trainer Simone Conley says injuries will occur ‘without a doubt’ as footballers play a high number of games in a short space of time following inactivity since March.
South Africa’s golden age of boxing
The sweet science was the most watched sport in the country when South Africa took its first steps towards democracy, creating heroes held in high regard both then and now.
Late bloomer Phumza Maweni has done wonders
The 35-year-old is one of the senior Proteas players, but in terms of playing experience at the highest level she is among the youngest. She has, however, achieved much in a short time.
Series | Racism in South African cricket
The reaction from certain quarters to Lungisani Ngidi’s call for the Proteas to take a stand against racism leaves little doubt about the need for real transformation in the sport.
Why Cameroon has slid back since Italia ’90
The Indomitable Lions’ class of 1990 put Africa on the international football map with their showing in Italy, where they stunned the world champions. But they have since gone backwards. Why?
What the return of football could do for SA
Almost 150 days after abruptly pausing for Covid-19 and lockdown, South African football will be back. The beautiful game could give the depressed country some reprieve and an escape.
Thando Ntini unfazed by the weight of expectations
His surname and his father’s accomplishments put the 20-year-old under more scrutiny than his peers. But that doesn’t bother the talented bowler who has announced his name in style.
The roots of racism run deep in SA cricket
Cricket’s foundation phase is littered with racism, from the structural in elite all-boys schools that produced 65% of the Proteas who have played at a World Cup to the overt where black talent is doubted and marginalised.
Josia Thugwane’s golden marathon
It has been 24 years since the first black South African won gold at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. This is the story of how a cattle herder became a world champion.
Radebe jubilant at Leeds’ return to Premier League
The former Leeds United captain is over the moon at his beloved club’s return to top-flight football. Lucas Radebe talks about the pain of watching Leeds suffer and his attempts to buy the club.
Paul Beloy lambasts racism in Belgian football
Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Beloy grew up in Belgium and discusses the racism he endured as a footballer in the 1970s, a problem that’s still prevalent five decades later.
Amodu embodies Africa’s disrespect for its coaches
The Nigerian coach helped the Super Eagles qualify for two World Cups, but never led them at the global showpiece as the Nigerian federation twice sacked him before the tournament.
Lala kahle, Zizi
South African rugby has lost a gentle giant in Kaunda Ntunja. His commentary in isiXhosa poetically ushered in the Springboks’ first black captain and ‘popped champagne’ after Mapimpi’s magic.
Naomi Ruele clears the racist waters for black swimmers
The Botswana-born, US-based athlete has faced stigma and racism as a black swimmer. She hopes to change that so future generations have an easier time in the sport.
How the 2010 Fifa World Cup affected Soweto
The famous township attracted many visitors during the tournament, with the opening game and final played a stone’s throw away. But how much did Soweto benefit from the global showpiece?
Ngidi exposes thinly veiled racism in SA cricket
The reaction to Lungisani Ngidi’s call for CSA to acknowledge that black lives matter was unsurprising. The sport still has racist elements in its midst, including beneficiaries of apartheid.
De Kock wants to follow in the footsteps of ‘Zulu’
The South African limited-overs captain hopes to emulate another Proteas legend who was a force with the bat and had a flexible tongue that helped him communicate better with his teammates.