Mapepeza Vol.10 Issue 11 (July 14-28)

M apepeza Engaging, Educating and Empowering Communities

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Vol. 10 Issue #11: 14-28 JULY 2023

Khanya-Lesedi sends talent to shine in Italy Khanya Lesedi School of Specialization (SOS) boasts two young athletes who will be joining 130 other athletes from Gauteng to compete at the TriColor Games taking place in Italy from July 24 to 30 in the City of Reggio Emilia.

Team Gauteng will compete in Chess, Football; Rugby; Basketball; Swimming; and Athletics.

Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Morakane Mosupyoe is sending a sports team composed of various sporting codes to represent South Africa at the TriColor Games.

Bontle Lekone and Thabang Dube (both in Grade 10) from Khanya Lesedi SOS can’t wait to leave for Italy and represent their school and country.

Both will be competing in the soccer sports code and according to their proud coaches Lefta Motsheare and Nthabiseng Mfene, the stars are well-prepared.

The Gauteng Team of athletes to represent South Africa in the upcoming TriColour Games in Italy, departs this coming Saturday, July 22, from the OR Tambo International Airport.

Principal of Khanya Lesedi SOS, Mr Mollo said the purpose of the event is to recognize the rising talent in our communities.

It also served as a way to introduce the re-branded school, which

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will become a School of Specialization in Sports and Arts.

“Around September, the school is going to launch into a School of Specialization in Sports, Arts and Culture,” said Principal Mollo.

For the past three decades, the Khanya Lesedi School has contributed in nurturing and providing a stepping stone for its learners, who have gone to represent the country on various international stages in athletics and other sporting codes.

The inspiring new dancing sensation of South Africa – Musa Motha – also congratulated the youngsters on their achievements and wished them well on their journey and during their matches.

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Parts of this story have been published originally on Proudly Heidelberg Facebook page with permission.

Khanya Lesedi SOS learners going to the TriColor Games, Bontle Lekone and Thabang Dube, here with their proud coaches Lefta Motsheare and Nthabiseng Mfene.

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Joburg CBD explosion still investigated

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Vol. 10 Issue #11: 14-28 JULY 2023

Explosion rocks Jozi CBD

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says an investigation into the deadly Lillian Ngoyi (Bree) Street explosion that ripped through the heart of the Johannesburg CBD is now being investigated by the Department of Labour.

The blast claimed the life of one person and left at least 48 others with injuries.

Some eight people remain hospitalised.

“Currently, as we speak, there is no confirmation regarding the cause of the explosion. We have preliminary reports from the Department of Labour.

We’ve got reports of all institutions that have one form of infrastructure underground…Telkom, Egoli Gas, Sasol, City Power and all those institutions,” he said.

The Premier said a preliminary report by the Department of Labour indicates that there may be similarities to an incident that occurred in 2010, also in Johannesburg.

“The explosion came through those three manholes and the department of labour…are of the view, from their preliminary reports, that there are certain institutions that they want to interview further even though they have given us the reports that they have given us.

“They’ve analysed the nature of the explosion and they also feel that there is a gas that they still want to experiment so that they can tell us the type of gas that they are sensing that is responsible,” he said.

from all relevant stakeholders is being compiled and the area still remains under close guard.

“We are still treating that area, from a risk point of view, that it might have a secondary effect. Which simply means let’s treat it [carefully] until all these reports are finalised. We must keep it closed from being accessed by people who are not authorised to be there.

“But since this morning, there have been many people going to that area.

We believe that there is a breach in terms of the human element. So we have accepted the guidance and the advice of the provincial commissioner that we are pulling the human bodies from being the frontline. We are now going to unleash barbed wires across all the areas that are going to be identified as the scene … so that there’s no movement at all in that area,” he said.

People living in the area will be presented with permits to allow them to access their homes safely.

“We understand that many households are currently struggling from the high rising costs of services. The City understands that our residents are battling under low economic growth, unemployment, loadshedding and still feeling the effects of Covid-19 pandemic. We want to ensure residents that the City has listened to their comments and inputs,” said Morero.

Cllr Morero announced that the City approved tariff increases for key services as follows: • Electricity: 14.97 % • Property Rates 2% • Water: 9.3% • Sanitation: 9.3 • Refuse: 7% According to Cllr Morero, the City is striving to subsidize more residents who are unable to afford the high costs of municipal services.

This is because the City was already

Parents of Grade 1 and 8 learners are urged to complete their applications for admission before the deadline on Friday, July 21 at midnight.

The Gauteng Education Department gave an update from on the online admissions process on Thursday, July 20, where a record number of applications have been received so far.

“We are excited to announce that as of Thursday, 20 July 2023, a total of 724 202 Grade 1 and 8 applications were submitted,” the department confirmed.

The 2024 Online Admissions application period was initially scheduled to close on the 14 of July.

New rates and tariffs for Jozi

Cllr Morero on Wednesday, June 28, announced that City will implement the new tariffs for key services, namely, electricity, water, property rates, refuse and sanitation on 1 July 2023.

Grade 1 & 8 online admissions open

From the total, about 310 994 were grade 8 applications and grade 8 submissions reached 413 208.

The Premier said a consolidated report

City of Johannesburg’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Finance, Cllr Dada Morero, said the City is trying hard to protect its residents from the rising costs of services through its balanced tariff structure.

Mapepeza

buying bulk services such as electricity and water at the very high cost.

The 14.97% increase proposed by City Power to Nersa was in line with the consideration of the current economic conditions where most of the residents are affected by the rising costs of living, recovering from the impact of Covid-19, and the weighted average increase for its customers limited to 14.97%, in order to cushion residents while ensuring sustainable service delivery continues.

“To simplify it, our prepaid customer with a usage of 350 kWh monthly, will increase to R2.10/kWh for block 1 or by R95.55 to R733.85 per month exclusive of VAT. Customers using 374kWh/m will be charged an additional R7.52 paying R57.72 at block 2 tariffs (R2.41/kWh) for the additional 24kWhs, the total cost will be R791.57/m (R103.07 extra),” the local utility stated.

City Power prepaid tariff is based on the inclining block tariff methodology as prescribed by Nersa.

The tariff applicable increases as actual monthly consumption exceed the respective threshold for blocks 1, block 2 and block 3 of 350kWh, 500kWh and any usage above 500kWh. To save cost customers are advised to at the beginning of the month buy electricity 350kWh only, for R733.85 plus VAT (R843.93) and to use it sparingly.

The department says it has noticed that some parents prefer submitting their documents at schools. As such, the extension was given to allow them to submit documents after school recess, which is due to end earlier on July 17.

“We encourage applicants who require assistance with applying or have any application-related inquiries to contact our call centre on 0800 000 789 or WhatsApp us on 060 891 0361,” said the department.

“We have seen it fit to give parents and guardians more time to apply and upload or submit documents at schools. We are also proud of having processed over 400 000 applications within a week, this is a testament to our system’s improvement and the demand of the quality education which Gauteng offers,” said Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane.

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Vol. 10 Issue #11: 14-28 JULY 2023

Talented Musa Motha honored in Lesedi

After mesmerizing the world at Britain's Got Talent Show in the United Kingdom,the young dancing professional, has returned to a hero’s welcome in the Lesedi Local Muncipality.

The Khanya Lesedi School of Specilization in Ratanda Township hosted the rising international star on Wednesday, July 19.

The school pulled out all the stops to organize a great welcome ceremony, which featured the in-house talent to begin the festivities.

Who is Musa Motha?

The 27 year old is famously known for his unforgettable performance on Britain’s Got Talent, where he earned the ‘Golden-buzzer’ which took him straight to the competition’s final stages, where he made it to the Top Five Finalists.

Motha was born and raised in Sebokeng Zone 14, Emfuleni (Sedibeng District).

He was diagnosed with a rare cancer condition that led to his leg being amputated.

He is currently a full-time professional dancer and choreographer residing in London.

During the event, the executive mayors of Lesedi and Sedibeng municipalities gave their keynote address to learners and also giving the platform to the man-of-the-moment.

Lerato Maloka-Mkhize welcomed the young dancing maestro with an enthusiastic message of support on behalf of government.

“As local government we cannot ignore when the Ministry of Sport and the country welcomed Musa from the airport. We also want to recognize our talent and as young

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as he is, he has put South Africa on the map,” she said.

Motha encouraged the learners to dream big and to have focus on the choices they make in life.

“If toro ya hao (your dream) doesn’t scare you then its not something worth doing,” he said.

Giving a brief history of the school that hosted the event, Lesedi Local Municipality executive mayor Mluleki Nkosi said that he was one of the first matriculants of KhanyaLesedi.

“We achieved a 100% pass rate as early as then so we expect nothing less from you class of 2023,” he said.

Principal of Khanya Lesedi SOS, Mr Mollo said the purpose of the event is to recognize local talent in our communities.

It also served as a way to introduce the rebranded school, which will become a School of Specialization in Sports and Arts.

“Around September, the school is going to launch into a School of Specialization in Sports, Arts and Culture,” said Principal Mollo.

For the past three decades, the Khanya Lesedi School has contributed in nurturing and providing a stepping stone for its learners, who have gone to represent the country on various international stages in athletics and other sporting codes.

Photos (from top): The man of the moment, Musa Motha. Musa is flanked by the Lesedi Municipality mayor Mluleki Nkosi and senior officials. Khanya Lesedi learners holding posters in support of the return of Musa Motha from the United Kingdom.

Local start-ups jet-off to India Five young entrepreneurs will fly the City of Ekurhuleni flag high at the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Summit 2023 in New Delhi, India soon.

This is after they participated in the annual Ekurhuleni Festival of Ideas pitching competition, where local youth-owned enterprises were invited to impress a panel of expert judges. The G20 YEA Summit will be hosted in New Delhi from Thursday, 13 to 15 July.

The winners including the Ekurhuleni delegation is expected to depart the country on Tuesday, July 11.

Members of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development and City Planning Cllr Nomadlozi Nkosi and her counterpart from the Roads and Transport department, Cllr Andile Mgwevu officially handed over the

prizes to the winning business owners. The contest allowed young entrepreneurs to pitch their business models to stand a chance to win cash prizes that can be used to uplift their businesses.

The winners of the 2023 pitching competition were crowned according to the categories listed: • Inclusion and Equal Opportunity – Nomsa Sefume (Butle BaMatsho) and Themba Nkosi (Carte Fruit n Vegetables) • Lifestyle and Sustainability – Mathabo Brightness (Mahlake Matchogo holdings) • Tech in Manufacturing – Moko Kgomo (Onion Electronics) and Castro Sigasa (CGT manufacturing) However, this year there was an additional incentive of participating in the G20 Summit.

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Vol. 10 Issue #11: 14-28 JULY 2023

Mapepeza

Over a million applications for Nasi Ispani jobs fair!

STEPHEN SEAKGWE

Thousands of people, mostly made up by the youth, lined up across Gauteng when the government held a Jobs Fair on Youth Day. “Unfortunately, it is very sad that that for the 8,000 post that were advertised, we have received 1,230,092 applications,” said Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi updating the media on the progress made with the campaign.

The applications process, closes on Friday (July 14) was done online through the Gauteng jobs portal and on various Community halls to reach residents without access to the internet.

With only 8,000 vacancies available from the provincial government, the Premier Panyaza Lesufi has assured all applicants that more opportunities will be open for aspiring job seekers.

“The overwhelming response to the Nasi Ispani programme showed the enormous scale of unemployment in South Africa. Thousands of young people responded

to the advertised positions, and what became clear is that many young people are desperate for jobs. This programme allowed us to see the faces behind the unemployment statistics,” said the Premier.

Recruitment plan

“As is the case with any recruitment process, our human resource personnel have a recruitment plan in place to streamline the process. Next week the team will conclude capturing the applications received on 16 June 2023 from the various walk-in centres,” said Lesufi.

These will be packaged for collection by the various Gauteng departments. This will be followed by registering, sorting, capturing, and acknowledging manual applications received after 17 June and 14 July 2023.

These will also be packaged for collection by GPG departments.

Each department will start the

Thousands of unemployed people line up to submit their applications during the Nasi Spani Jobs Fair campaign on June 16. -Supplied

shortlisting process, conduct interviews, and ultimately offer suitable candidates job offers.

The Premier has assured that the applications received will be part of a database where the departments, including service providers, to recruit aspiring job-seekers.

He added that on Wednesday,

July 27, the provincial government will unveil the first cohort of candidates to undertake solar panel training through the GPG and MeRSeta partnership which was announced in May 2023.

“Let us all work together to defeat unemployment in our province.

We need more jobs and less talk,” Lesufi said.

Nasi Ispani campaign launches more jobs!

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has additional 6000 job opportunities available for various Roads Maintenance activities. Unemployed youth, Women, People with disabilities and military veterans are encouraged to apply.

A Stipend of R3080 per month for a duration of 24 Months. Applications opened on Wednesday, 05 July 2023 and close on Monday 31 July 2023.

Applications to be submitted online on the professional job center website: https://jobs.gauteng.gov.za Alternatively, applications can be submitted at the following offices: • Head office, 45 Commissioner Life Centre, Marshalltown Derek Masoek office, Village Rd, Wemmer, Johannesburg • West Rand Regional office, 97 Fourth street, Krugersdorp North • Ekurhuleni Regional Office: (R29) Main Reef Road, Van Rhyn Benoni • Tshwane Regional Office: Michael Brink Street,Tshwane • Sedibeng Regional Office: Lager Street, Vereeniging • Heidelberg Regional Office: Station Road 1, Heidelberg • Bronkhorstspruit Regional Office: No. 2 Industrial Cresent Road, Bronkhorstspruit • Derdepoort Regional Office: 326 JR, Baviaanspoort Road, Derdepoort General workers per corridor: • West Rand Ref: 2023/22 • Ekurhuleni Ref: 2023/23 - Tshwane Ref: 2023/24 • Sedibeng Ref. 2023/ 25 • City of Joburg Ref 2023/26 REQUIREMENTS • South African residents with no criminal record • Grade 10 education • Submit stamped proof of address: Interest in Roads Maintenance .

The application must include a comprehensive curriculum vitae and Certified Copy of Identity Document. Those who had previously applied in the Nasi Ispani recruitment programme will be considered for these posts For enquiries call 011 355 7125 or 012 310 2444 during office hours.

Vol. 10 Issue #11: 14-28 JULY 2023

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In a distressing revelation, a member of the Green Army has come forward to share their plight as one of the many workers who are yet to receive their stipend payments since May.

participants. According to the department, more than 4000 payments have been successfully processed, but they assure the remaining workers that they are in the final stages of resolving the issue.

The worker, who wishes to remain anonymous, expressed their frustration over the lack of remuneration, leaving them and their fellow colleagues struggling to meet their families’ basic needs.

The Department cited several reasons for the payment delays, including discrepancies in submitted documents, incorrect information, and invalid bank accounts.

They explained that these issues have significantly hampered the smooth processing of stipend payments for the remaining participants.

document-related issues will play a crucial role in speeding up the payment process.

For the convenience of the Green Army participants, the Department has provided a link (https://shorturl.at/drtFS) where they can verify whether they have any outstanding documents that need to be submitted.

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Green Army Workers await stipend payments

The Green Army, a group of 6000 individuals who signed their contracts in May, was tasked with critical environmental projects aimed at improving Gauteng’s ecological landscape.

However, the delay in their stipend payments has put their livelihoods at risk, and their appeals for assistance have seemingly fallen on deaf ears.

In response to these serious allegations, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment has issued a statement acknowledging the delay in stipend payments for the Green Army

“To expedite the payment process and ensure that all the Green Army workers receive their deserved remuneration without further delay, the Department is actively reaching out to those who are yet to be paid,” the department explained.

They have urged the affected workers to double-check and confirm that all the necessary documents have been submitted correctly.

Undoubtedly, resolving any outstanding

This user-friendly online platform will help streamline the verification process and assist the workers in resolving any pending issues promptly.

Furthermore, to address individual concerns and provide additional support, the Department has listed the contact information for regional coordinators.

Green Army workers can get in touch with the coordinators of their respective regions to seek clarification, update their details, and address any other queries related to their stipend payments.

The Department assures the Green Army workers that they are committed to resolving the payment delays swiftly and efficiently.

Sign Language now 12th official language!

LEARN TO SIGN - Here are the Sign Language Alphabets to practise

By making sign language the 12th official language of South Africa, government aims to advance the rights of citizens living with disabilities by ensuring that their rights to substantive equality, dignity and social inclusion are recognised.

Addressing the signing ceremony of the South African Sign Language Bill, President Cyril Ramaphosa said it also affirms the humanity of people who communicate with sign language.

“Having sign language recognised as an official language will address access to education, economic and other social opportunities as well as public participation.

People with hearing impairments will be able to also access more services, public information and a host of other opportunities,” the President said during the signing ceremony at the Union Buildings.

Parliament voted for the Constitution Eighteenth Amendment Bill that amends Section 6 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa on 2 May 2023.

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Vol. 10 Issue #11: 14-28 JULY 2023

Mapepeza

Mandela Day celebrations

EUM members spread love and warmth at Heidelberg Ratanda Old Age Home on Mandela Day. From heartfelt conversations to sharing food and essential goods, they brightened the day for our cherished elders. Together, they exercised their bodies and souls.

Officials and staff members from the Armaments Corporation of South Africa, or ARMSCOR SOC, visited the Times For Change Home in the inner-city as part of their contribution on the 10th anniversary of International Nelson Mandela Day. The Communications department led the donation of much needed items which included beds, cleaning items, food parcels including a stove and geyser. The ARMSCOR then painted the Times For Change Home, which provides support to sex workers in the City with skills development and welfare.

Gauteng MEC Mbali Hlophe spent the day with gogo Maria in Diepkloof (Soweto) who turned 103 on July 18, “Our living ancestor, who talks fondly about the ANC and babu Mandela. And the need for society to get back to our ubuntu principles, of loving others as you love thy self. She attributes her long life to eating clean, and says we spend far too much money on takeaways. When we should embrace organic living, and grow our own food,” the MEC said.

Gauteng MEC Mzi Khumalo also spent Mandela Day in the Wheatlands Community Care For The Elderly in Randfontein, where he donated blankets and other necessities to the elderly.

“I wish to express my deep gratitude to the AL-IMDAAD Foundation for adopting the garden at Wheatlands Community Care, who will be assisting with garden upkeep for a year in order to transfer skills, he said.

Later, the MEC and his e-Government officials present ed a computer lab for the Orient Hills neighbourhood in Mogale City in partnership with several stakeholders.

The Department also gifted computer lab equipment to Ekurhuleni’s East Rand School of the Arts based in Daveyton, Benoni.

Mayor, Cllr Sivuyile Ngodwana, appreciated the partnership the City has with AfriSam. The Ekurhuleni Mayor called for more partnerships between the public and private sectors to achieve increased development for communities.

“As we mark Mandela month we must remember that Madiba didn’t achieve the greatness he acquired all on his own. Our democracy was acquired through selfless acts by Mandela and many others.

Executives from the City of Ekurhuleni rolled up their sleeves and painted houses newly built in MacKenzieville. They also planted trees in that new neighbourhood.

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Vol. 10 Issue #11: 14-28 JULY 2023

Maidens raise the dignity of girls in townships

Izinkanyezi Zase Ratanda, a non-profit organization made to protect and promote the dignity of young girls in our communities, recently held a ceremony where their maidens marched the streets in support of the fight against abuse and Gender-based Violence (GBV).

Founder of Inkayezi Zase Ratanda Zinhle Mbatha explained that the young maidens camped overnight and were taken to the river for the traditional dancing rituals, then were taken to the elders to traditionally check their virginity. The two day event was a success.

By Nqobile Khumalo

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Vol. 10 Issue #11: 14-28 JULY 2023

Mapepeza

WINNER OF 2019 GAUTENG SPORTS AWARDS: Community Media of The Year

Kgetha bahale ba dipapadi ba lehae bakeng sa Dikgau tsa Dipapadi tsa Gauteng

BY LESEGO MOHLAMME

Ho se ho butswe mabitso a batho bakeng sa dikhau tse tumileng tsa dipapadi tsa Gauteng tsa selemo sena.

Dikgau tsa Dipapadi tsa Gauteng di fuwa selemo le selemo ho elellwa diphihlello tsa batho ba Gauteng ba dipapadi ba itetseng mme di bulehetse mang kapa mang ya dulang Gauteng.

Tlasa morero ya “Enabling Excellence, Inspiring The Youth”, dikhau di ile tsa thakholwa ka molao lebaleng la dipapadi la Ellis park, Johannesburg, haufinyane.

gotla a dipapadi), ba bapalang karolo, le sechaba.

Ka mora moo, sehlopha sa baahlodi se tla khetha batho ba bararo ba qetellang ka mekhahlelo e khethilweng ebe ba etsa qeto ya hore na ke mang. Mokgahlelong wa Sports Personality of the Year, sehlopha se tla kgetha bafenyi ba bararo ho isa ho ba bane, ’me sechaba se tla voutela mohlodi.

Bakeng sa dikhau tsa Lifetime Achievement, mofenyi o tla kgethwa ke MEC Mora-

Ka ho ananela le ho keteka ba kentseng letsoho le leholo dipapading tsa Gauteng maemong ohle nakong ya selemo sa 2023, Dikgau tsa Gauteng Sport Awards ke bosiu ba masiu bakeng sa setjhaba sa dipapadi sa Gauteng.

kane Mosupyoe. Mekgwa yohle e tla bewa leihlo ke sehlopha sa bahlahlobi ba ikemetseng.

Dikhau di tla ba le mekgahlelo e (20), ho kopanyelletsa le Sebapadi sa Selemo, Mosadi wa dipapadi wa Selemo, Sebapadi sa Dipapadi se Holofetseng sa Selemo, Mosali wa Lipapadi ya Holofetseng wa Selemo, Moatlelete wa Itshepisang ka ho Fetisisa wa Selemo, Sebapadi sa Selemo sa AmayangaYanga, Moqolotsi wa Ditaba wa Selemo. le Morati wa Selemo.

Sehlopha se secha se kenyelleditsweng ke Setshwantsho sa Dipapadi sa Selemo.

MEC Morakane Mosupyoe o boletse hore ka dikgau tseo, lefapha le tshepile ho kgothatsa batjha ba nang le talente ho phatlalla le porofense hore ba ntshetse pele ho ba bomme le basadi ba kgaisano.

Selemo se seng le se seng, ketsahalo ena e hlahisa dipale tsa batho le mekgatlo e makatsang eo mosebetsi wa bona o tswileng matsoho o thusang Gauteng hore e be toropo e mahlahahlaha.

“Gauteng ke karolo e kgolo ka ho fetisisa ea dibapadi le bahale ba Afrika Borwa ‘me ke sebaka sa ho tswala talenta e tala, yeo ha e tsejwa le ho hlokomelwa, e ka phatlohang maemong a hodimo,” ho phaella MEC Masupyoe.

Ketsahalo ya 12 ya selemo le selemo e ile ya bona lefapha le qaqisa mokgwa wa ho theha le dihlopha tsa dikhau.

Bakhethwa ba tla kwalwa ka la 4 Phato, ka ketsahalo e benyang ya ho phatlalatsa bahlodi ba Dikhau tsa Dipapadi tsa Gauteng tse reretsweng ho tshwarwa ka Pulungwana.

Ba atlehileng lipapading ba ka kgethwa ke bankakarolo ba dipapadi (dikopano le mak-

Mzansi gets another chance to qualify for the FIFA World Cup

The journey to the FIFA World Cup™ 2026 was officially mapped as CAF conducted the draw of the African Preliminary Qualifiers

Bafana Bafana have been handed a tricky draw in their quest to qualify for the 2026 world cup tournament to be jointly hosted in United States, Mexico and Canada after the draw was made for the African qualifiers in Abidjan the capital of Ivory Coast on July 13.

South Africa has been featured in group

C alongside Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Benin, Rwanda and Lesotho.

A total of 54 African nations will compete for the available 9.5 allocated spots for Africa, with the qualifiers officially starting in November.

The top team in each of the nine groups, which each contain six countries, qualify automatically for the World Cup. The four best runners-up will enter an Af-

rican playoff stage, where the winners will feature in the inter-confederation playoffs to be held in March 2026.

The winner of the CAF Play-Off Tournament will play in the FIFA Play-off Tournament to potentially be the 10th African nation.

Commenting on the draw, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos says his charges are in a much better place than they were two years ago and he strongly believes that they can qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.