South Africa’s Bafana Bafana secured their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory over Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night, ending a 16-year absence from football’s biggest stage.

This is a full-circle moment for Hugo Broos, who in 2023 stated that “If I fail to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, don’t even fire me, I will resign myself”—words that loomed in the minds of every South African as World Cup qualification was in doubt following a three-point deduction by FIFA for fielding an ineligible Teboho Mokoena.

An injury to Lyle Foster and a red card to Mbekezeli Mbokazi added to the already existing tension. World Cup qualification relied on Bafana Bafana winning by at least two goals and Nigeria beating Benin. Little did South Africans know that they could stop worrying about goal difference calculations following the 3-0 victory against Rwanda and Nigeria’s 4-0 victory against Benin.

From the first whistle, Bafana Bafana hunted in packs, stretching and probing Rwanda’s defence. Their early dominance yielded rewards when Thalente Mbatha rifled home a spectacular effort from outside the area after just five minutes. The floodgates threatened to open when Oswin Appollis added a second goal in the 26th minute, before his partnership with Orlando Pirates clubmate Evidence Makgopa bore fruit—the striker’s header in the 72nd minute capping off a commanding performance.

Appollis was undoubtedly the match-winner, weaving magic down the flanks with a goal and two assists to his name. Rwanda’s defenders had no answer to his blistering pace and creative vision as he carved open their backline time and again.

The qualification marks Bafana Bafana’s comeback to football’s biggest stage after their longest World Cup drought, having last featured as hosts in 2010. It has been a long and rigorous journey for Bafana Bafana as they have once again won the hearts of South Africans.

“I heard somebody saying on the pitch after the game, everybody laughed at Bafana Bafana, we were a joke and now we are there, we are on a high level, and everyone respects us,” says Broos. This is testament to the high mentality and fighting spirit within the Bafana Bafana camp.

Team captain Ronwen Williams set the tone when he said, “We will go out with the same belief, faith and mentality that we have had over the past few years, and this is what has carried us over the years.”

Bafana Bafana will use upcoming friendlies to fine-tune their preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco this December, as Rwanda’s fifth-place finish leaves them without qualification for either major tournament.

From Nelspruit to North America, Bafana Bafana’s World Cup journey is official. The jubilant celebrations, the emotional embraces, and the nationwide euphoria paint the picture of a country rediscovering its football heartbeat.

This moment wasn’t handed to them on a silver platter; it was carved out through three years of hard graft, resilience, and an iron-clad belief that South Africa’s place is on the world’s grandest football stage.

As reality dawns and the journey ahead comes into focus, one message rings crystal clear: Bafana Bafana are back where they belong, and they’re hungry to show the world what South African football is truly capable of.

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An injury crisis and disciplinary blow have forced Hugo Broos into a high-stakes reshuffle ahead of Bafana Bafana’s defining World Cup qualifier, with Stellenbosch duo Ashley Cupido and Thabo Moloisane handed the responsibility of helping South Africa secure automatic qualification when they host Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Group C standings leave South Africans in a must-win situation following a draw against Zimbabwe. Tensions are high and calculators are on the table as automatic qualification depends on a positive result and Nigeria beating Benin. The exclusion of Mbokazi and Foster is a major blow for Bafana Bafana as both have proved to be integral players in Broos’s game plan.

It is important to note that Rwanda are the only team in FIFA World Cup Qualifying CAF Group C to have beaten South Africa on the field of play during this campaign. This adds to the intensity and pressure that Bafana Bafana face on Tuesday. A path that was once clear is now clouded with uncertainty as Broos aims to secure World Cup qualification.

It is almost poetic for Broos: the team that once represented his biggest setback could now stand between him and World Cup glory. But with Foster sidelined and Mbokazi suspended, the Belgian coach must place his faith in fresh legs and hungry hearts. If Cupido and Moloisane can rise to the occasion, Tuesday’s adversity will be remembered as the turning point that galvanised a nation. If they falter, the calculators and what-ifs will haunt South African football for another four years.

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A month-long intelligence operation has resulted in the seizure of three unlicensed firearms and 78 rounds of ammunition, and the arrest of 37-year-old Matthew Reece at a Palm Lakes residence.

Reece faces charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Ilembe Crime Intelligence tracked the suspect throughout September after receiving a tip-off about unlicensed firearms. Once they verified the information, they successfully applied for a search warrant from the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court.

The Thursday operation brought together five units – Ilembe Crime Intelligence, uMhlali Task Team, KwaDukuza Tactical Response Team, uMhlali Vispol, and IPSS Security Services. Their search of the Palm Lakes home yielded two .303 rifles, one pump-action shotgun and 78 shotgun cartridges. The discovery in an upmarket residential estate underscores that illegal firearms are not necessarily found in high-crime areas but across all communities.

The confiscated firearms have been sent for ballistic testing, where they will be entered into South Africa’s ballistic database. This is done to match them to bullet casings found at crime scenes across the country, potentially solving cold cases. Ballistic testing can take weeks to months to complete. Reece is scheduled to appear in court again on Friday, where he will apply for bail. If convicted, Reece faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment per firearm.

South Africa has an estimated half a million illegal firearms in circulation, with many fuelling violent crimes across KwaZulu-Natal. The nature of this case is of serious concern as KZN has one of the highest rates of firearms-related crimes. The .303 rifles recovered are military-grade weapons, which raises questions as to how they entered civilian hands and whether they were stolen from state armouries.

It is imperative for South Africans to understand just how long police operations take before we brand the men in blue as lazy. The month-long operation highlights how modern policing relies on intelligence-led strategies and inter-agency cooperation to track down illegal weapons. This increases the likelihood of successful prosecution compared to random patrols.

As Reece prepares for his bail application on Friday, this case underscores a critical reality: illegal firearms know no boundaries of wealth or geography. The month-long operation that brought him to court demonstrates that thorough, intelligence-driven policing, though time-consuming delivers results that protect all communities.

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In South Africa’s security industry, the South African Intruder Detection Services Association (SAIDSA) Reaction Man Competition isn’t just a test—it’s the test. And on 25 September at Ballito, Blue Security’s reaction officers proved why they’re the gold standard, dominating the field to earn the title of Best Reaction Team in KZN.

Blue Security has cemented itself as the undisputed reaction team in KZN by performing the best at the SAIDSA Reaction Man Competition 2025. This makes them worthy of being the first line of defence when one thinks of pressing their panic button. The SAIDSA Reaction Man competition tests participants in a number of high-pressure challenges. These include live-fire shooting drills, obstacle driving, endurance trials, and physical fitness assessments—all essential skills for a reaction officer to wield.

Blue Security didn’t just win, they swept. Minenhle Cele took the shooting event and walked away as Best Overall Reaction Man. Nkosinathi Gcwensa posted the fastest driving time. Jemol Davidson dominated the fitness challenge. When the team categories were announced, Blue Security claimed both: Cele and Gcwensa as champions, Davidson and Zwelithini Ndlovu as runners-up. The overall podium? Cele on top, Ndlovu second, Gcwensa third. All Blue.

This isn’t new territory for Blue Security, as they’ve won the Reaction Man Competition before, both as a team and at national level with a Best Overall title. Last year they went one-two at provincials and racked up multiple category wins at nationals. The pattern’s clear: consistent top three national finishes, regular first-place category wins in shooting, driving, and fitness. The mandate is clear for Blue Security—we panic, they show up and perform.

Blue Security CEO Henk van Bemmelen states that “these results reflect the skill, discipline and tireless training of our officers, who are always prepared for any situation.” “Being named the Best Reaction Team in KZN is an honour that recognises their skill and reinforces our commitment to protecting Durban communities with professionalism and care,” says van Bemmelen.

There’s a reason this competition matters: it answers the only question that counts—who shows up when it matters? SAIDSA’s Reaction Man event strips away everything except skill, preparation, and nerve. It’s where South Africa’s reaction officers prove they’re ready for the moments that define their profession. Communities in KZN can find comfort in knowing that when push comes to shove, Blue Security will rise above.

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Dreams delayed are not dreams denied for Henk Scheepers, a Vega games development lecturer who has released the prototype for Magnus after two months of development. Magnus, the chess game’s name, is derived from the world-renowned chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen. This milestone has proven to be a full-circle moment for Scheepers, whose childhood dreams were about diving into the world of developers and making his mark.

The journey to the creation of Magnus was not as straightforward as one might think. This is because Scheepers originally studied Accounting in high school and later dropped it for Computer Studies after a friend introduced him to programming. The plans for being an accountant were thus derailed, laying the foundation for Magnus as Scheepers pursued technology. Scheepers went on to complete his Bachelor of Information Science in Multimedia at the University of Pretoria and began his career as a web developer. Being in an optimal position to possibly create games, Scheepers’ passion for game design still lingered despite being occupied by web development.

Scheepers states that, “I didn’t think I would be able to make a game until my third job, where I met a colleague who was making indie short films.” He recalled: “He had an idea for a game and asked if I wanted to develop it.” They then created a prototype and demo that would exhibit at the Rage Expo; this would then secure funding for them and make the idea of creating games a real possibility. Doors opened for the two developers despite their first project not being a commercial success. Scheepers would later move to Durban, where he would secure a position as a lecturer at Vega School Durban.

A move to the warmest place to be saw Scheepers balance lecturing and game design. He states that, “this felt like a cool opportunity. I saw teaching game development as a way to stay hands-on with the field and deepen my skills.” After five years serving as Head of Game Design and Development at Vega School, Scheepers released his first solo game, AVOID, which was presented at Playtopia, Cape Town’s indie gaming festival. Magnus has also been submitted to this year’s Playtopia with the hopes it will showcase in December.

The Cape Town indie scene has encouraged Scheepers to create something similar in Durban. “It’s a big goal for me to grow the community around game development here,” he explained. “That’s why we started D3 Durban (Game) Design and Developers,” says Scheepers. He also goes on to state that, “on the last Thursday of every month, developers, artists, programmers — anyone interested in game development meet at Vega School Durban.” “We share projects, play each other’s games and give feedback. It’s a relaxed space where people connect and collaborate.” Scheepers sees these organic, community-driven efforts as the soil from which Durban’s creative scene will grow.

Between semesters and at weekends, Scheepers carves out time to develop. “The balance is perfect,” he says. “Seeing the game progress is exciting and fuels me to keep going.” His philosophy extends beyond his own projects: “People often wait for inspiration to strike before they start, but I’ve learnt that inspiration comes from doing.” It’s exactly what he hopes D3 will spark in others — not just ideas, but action. Because Durban’s game development scene won’t be built by waiting. It’ll be built by people who simply start.

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The idea that criminals run rampant without any repercussions has been the lens through which we view our society in this democratic age. This rhetoric is not apparent for Kyle May (33), who on Tuesday was sentenced to a year in prison for malicious injury to property at the Ethekwini Magistrate’s Court.

May, who is a repeat offender, could not be given the maximum sentence for his actions as his previous convictions were now older than 10 years. The courtroom was stunned to hear the magistrate speak strongly about May, as she believed he had not learnt anything from his previous encounters with Westville Prison. The magistrate also exposed the State’s negligence in charging May with malicious injury to property instead of attempted theft, as she stated that “nobody damages a gate motor with the intent to not enter and steal”.

The courtroom’s silence was deafening as the public watched the magistrate flex her might as she reprimanded May in a manner a parent would scold her child. The magistrate reminded May that going forward he cannot refer to himself as a primary caregiver to his child if he is in and out of prison. An error from the State led to May not being charged with attempted theft, and this led to him being sentenced to a year in prison. This highlights the important role police play in ensuring that offenders are charged accordingly, as mistakes such as these have serious repercussions.

May was arrested on the 14th of June 2025 after damaging the gate motor of a Durban property. The owner of the property triggered a silent alarm and Blue Security responded swiftly to apprehend May as they waited for the police to arrest him. The average South African is not privy to such information as we are constantly bombarded with news that unintentionally perpetuates hopelessness in our justice system and therefore is under the impression that criminals are constantly getting away with crime.

Kyle May will spend the next year in Westville Prison, proof that the system can work when all its parts align. His case won’t make national headlines or shift public perception overnight, but it represents a small victory in the daily grind of criminal justice. The magistrate delivered justice within the constraints she was given, even as she called out the State’s failure to charge appropriately. For the Durban homeowner whose property May targeted, and for the community Blue Security serves, this conviction matters. Perhaps the real story isn’t whether criminals face consequences—it’s whether we’re paying attention when they do.

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Bayview and Mobeni Heights in Chatsworth, Durban were scenes of tragic shootings earlier today, as AMAWELE Emergency Services responded to two separate incidents that left two men dead.

According to Claude Subramoney, owner of AMAWELE Emergency Services, medics were first called to Summerfield Road in Bayview, where a male barber was shot.

“Medics arrived within minutes, the male was assessed, sadly he had no signs of life and was declared deceased on scene from a gunshot wound,” Subramoney said. He added that all rollplayers were on site, including AMAWELE RV07, RV08, A07, PROSECURE, BLUE ARO, and PT Tactical K9, describing the scene as an “active crime scene.”

Mobeni Heights shooting scene (Picture: Claude Subramoney)

Subramoney explained that the suspect then continued his rampage to another location in Mobeni Heights.

“AMAWELE Emergency Services first on scene, another male had been shot, sadly there was nothing more we could do for him and he was declared deceased on scene because of a gunshot wound to the head,” he said, noting that all rollplayers, including AMAWELE RV07, A07, ALS SOX A10, PT Tactical K9, BLUE Security, and PROSECURE, responded promptly.

He further clarified the sequence of events, “AMAWELE Emergency Services was called out by multiple residents on Summerfield Road in the Bayview area for a shooting. Medics arrived on scene within minutes to a barbershop where an Indian male in his 40s was shot by the alleged known suspect. He was assessed and sadly there was nothing more we could do for him and he was declared deceased on scene from a gunshot wound to the head. The same suspect continued on his rampage to his premises where he lives and shot the garden guy in his 40s that works for them. AMAWELE medics arrived on that scene in Fiona Street in Mobeni Heights. The male was assessed and sadly he also had no signs of life and declared deceased on scene from a gunshot wound to the head.”

Both scenes remain active crime scenes as law enforcement continues their investigations.

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The number of stray animals in Chatsworth continues to rise, raising concerns about animal welfare and community safety.

Stray dogs and cats are becoming a growing concern in Chatsworth. Residents express their sadness over the increasing number of stray animals seen on the road.

Joyce Subramoney, a Chatworth resident, said that she often sees cats and kittens that are thin and hungry.

“It’s so sad that there are so many stray animals. I see so many dogs and cats, they’re so thin. Sometimes I leave some bread and milk in a bowl for them to eat, or I buy some canned food. Even with the dogs, you can see their bones; it is way too sad. I always try to either leave food or water. Something needs to be done to help these animals. Where are they supposed to find shelter? Sometimes the weather gets so bad, and sometimes these animals get knocked by cars, nobody worries. My heart breaks,” she said.

Metro Police officer Denzil Pillay, who works in the Animal Nuisance Division, said the unit does not often receive complaints about stray animals.

“Not very often do we receive complaints. However, when we do, we refer the complainant to SPCA so prompt action can be taken,” he said. “This complaint will be investigated by the appropriate officer who deals with such matters and/or seek the assistance of the SPCA.”

Pillay said the main causes behind the growing number of stray animals are “neglect or animals being abandoned by the owners.” He added that “educating the owners through social media” and “public meetings” could help address the problem.

Tanya Fleischer, marketing manager at the Durban and Coast SPCA, said the organisation cannot give specific figures for just the Chatsworth area but confirmed that stray animals face serious risks.

“Stray animals cause a risk as they could harm themselves or others. Car accidents/ being run over, biting people, being abused by people, etc.,” she said.

Fleischer said the SPCA “collects and shelters stray animals” and advised that residents should not engage with stray animals directly. Anyone needing assistance can call the SPCA on 031 579 6501 during office hours or 083 212 6103 after hours.

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KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and Basic Education (DBE) minister Siviwe Gwarube held an all-of-government meeting at the Marine Building in Durban this morning to discuss financial solutions for the financial challenges in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Basic Education.

Gwarube admitted that the issues of finance within the KZN DBE have been caused by both lack of resources and lack of financial prudence. She also acknowledged that the DBE was put under section 18 of the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 (PFMA).

“The reality is that the system is faced with two things. The one is the under investment. But also, there has been poor decision making when it comes to the management of finances in the department over the past years. I don’t think we can, realistically and honestly, sit here and say everything has been done well, yet we find ourselves in this situation,” stated Gwarube.

One of the poor decisions that have contributed to the current issues of the DBE mentioned by the minister was the Covid-19 assistants who were taken on as permanent employees, increasing the cost of employees.

Premier Thami Ntuli further stated that their main priority is improving the learning environment of the learner and different solutions are to be explored. It may happen that they could seek assistance from non-governmental organisations.

Amongst the three major topics the meeting touched on was the management of transfers to quintile 1, 2, and 3 schools, as these are the poorest schools and rely solely on government funding.

“So, transfers are the monies sent from the province to the various schools to manage the operations. It is incredibly important to have these transfers protected so that schools can ensure that they do what they need to do,” stated Gwarube.

Gwarube further stated that the meeting was not only about addressing financial concerns within the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Basic Education but the growing pressures that affect the entire education sector.

“So, the immediate and short-term actions will include ensuring that we are looking at the releasing of, particularly, the transfers that need to go to schools. These are some tough financial conversations and, as I said, this is not just limited to KZN, but it is something the entire education sector is facing.”

In terms of implementing practical solutions to the problem, Gwarube commended the work that education MEC Sipho Hlomuka and KZN MEC for Finance Francios Rodgers are doing in each other’s departments.

“So, the one is the work that will be commenced around doing audits of ghost employees and ghost learners. We are looking at over two million students in this province so being able to make sure that the money that we have is actually been spent on ‘warm bodies’ and not inflated numbers is going to be quite important. Secondly, I think also commending the province for bringing the cost of employees down from 93% to 89% is quite important, remembering that the national benchmark is 80%. So, it is moving in the right direction but we need to move that down further,” explained Gwarube.

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On any given afternoon at the Durban University of Technology, 23-year-old Smangaliso Mduduzi Hintsho can be found juggling assignments and business deals. While many students are worrying about overdue submissions and readings, Hintsho is reviewing luxury cars for thousands of followers online.

“We are an automotive reviewing company. I am an automotive reviewer,” he explained. “I started it back in 2020, but I hadn’t started filming. I started filming in 2021, that was when there was COVID… I got a lot of time on my hands and decided to start filming, and that’s how I started Bonabay Universe.”

Hintsho’s company, Bonabay Universe, trading as Bonabay Cars (Pty) Ltd, has grown into more than just a hobby. With a TikTok following of 42,700, Facebook 33,000, and YouTube 3,000 subscribers, his reviews have reached an audience far beyond campus.

“Oh, very important, if it weren’t for TikTok, I wouldn’t be relevant, nobody would know me,” he admitted.

For Hintsho, his side hustle wasn’t born out of financial desperation, but out of childhood passion.

“I grew up watching Top Gear and I always wanted to be Jeremy Clarkson, always wanted to be Richard Hammond and James May. It was the coolest job in the world … I just did it for the little boy inside of me who got so excited seeing these three men talking about cars, seemingly doing what they enjoy most.”

His passion soon became profitable. Through dealership sponsorships, Bonabay Universe earns enough to cover Hintsho’s essentials like groceries and clothing. He spends about six hours a day working on his business.

“My camera guys get paid, and I get paid. That helps with groceries and clothes and food … it helps,” he explained.

But behind the glossy cars and exciting test drives lies a challenge faced by many students with side hustles, which is balancing academics and business.

“It’s very hard to balance my studies and hustle, I’m not going to lie. The very reason I’m doing my second year for the second time. My work overpowers school, and I’m just left behind … falling short and just dropping ridiculous marks.”

While Hintsho dreams of one day working for the BBC’s Top Gear or having his own motoring show on SABC 3 for everyone to be able to watch, for now, he admits that his business often overshadows his studies.

Across South Africa, many students are turning to side hustles to supplement their NSFAS stipends and cover the rising costs of living. From selling baked goods to reviewing cars, side hustles are no longer optional luxuries but rather tools of survival.

“I feel very sad that students need side hustles to survive,” Hintsho said. “The NSFAS money that we get is not entirely enough … imagine somebody who is not getting money from home, it must be very, very tough for them.”

For Hintsho, his hustle is both survival and self-fulfilment. His most rewarding moment so far? Not the money, not the recognition, but driving his dream car.

“My most rewarding moment so far was driving one of my dream cars, the Mercedes AMG C63s. That moment to me was the greatest by far.”

Despite the struggles, he encourages fellow students to start something of their own:

“My advice to a student trying to start a side hustle is go for it! 100% go for it! Just ensure you don’t leave your studies behind … give yourself some school time and then give yourself some business time.”

For Hintsho, Bonabay Universe is more than a hustle. It is an “empire in progress.” And while he admits his academics have taken a hit, he remains committed to chasing both a degree and a dream, one review at a time.

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