FASU Games 2016: University Of Johannesburg opens their doors for Africa

Hello; Bonjour; Mangwanani; Eti sen

University of Johannesburg with co-hosts Tshwane University of Technology hosted the FASU Games 2016. Various sporting codes (basketball, football, chess, table tennis, volleyball, athletics,) participated in six days of high competitive, cold weather, high physical sport exercising. On the 26th of June 2016, the FASU games opened with an opening ceremony, which involved Universities from Africa namely Univ of Botswana; Univ of Johannesburg; Univ of Cape Town; Univ of Zimbabwe; Univ of Ghana, Legon; Makerere Univ of Uganada, dignitaries from different organisations, councilor of City of Johannesburg and Tshwane (Pretoria) capital city of South Africa, all were welcomed respectively, acknowledging their long service in sport in Africa.

UJ Sheriff (Mc of the opening ceremony)

Imbizo Hall at UJ Soweto campus 

FISU and FASU dignitaries 

Once again sport unifies Africans, from all parts of Africa. The great former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela said sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. FASU games 2016 indeed spoke to the youth of Africa on and of the play ground. Great opportunities were served, from national officials participating giving us accurate results to work integrated learning opportunities that will work as a stepping stone elevating students involved in work experience.

Before I conclude, want to give a big praise to my University, that they hosted an international event successfully, with great devotion, commitment to their responsibilities. UJ together with the City of Johannesburg well done on the amazing service. Not forgetting that the Univ of Johannesburg Basketball team won the 3*3 a side.

UJ basketball 3*3 team

UJ Basketball 3*3 team

Well done University of Johannesburg!!!

 

Varsity Hockey 2016 - Battle of the Titans

Given the nature of sports, it's not surprising that athletes have had some inspiring and motivational things to say about hard work, leadership, perseverance, wining and most importantly the jubilation of putting all those elements in use to attain their goals.

We left with one day to the countdown for Varsity Hockey. The University of Johannesburg is our host co-joined with Maties ( STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY). Everybody is welcome, entrance is for free so bring your family, friends, couples and the hockey fanatics. Maties being the defending champions, all the participating teams will want to take their throne, so expect a high competitive tournament  mixed with some exceptional skills, dribbling, vision and GOALS. It's Varsity Hockey fever, and I personally believe UJ has got a surprise up their sleeve. Having a home ground advantage, it will play to UJ's favour and the support will most definitely instill fear in the opposition.

Here is the fixture table:
On the link it will view all the fixtures regarding the Varsity Hockey 2016 tournament. Click on the link and view the times and don't be late for the action.

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Behind every glory there's a story...

Hi

 Beautiful weekend filled with amazing talent showcase. Rugby World Cup has got us on a threshold, the intense competition amongst the teams is phenomenal. Must say the Springbok's did us proud against Wales although the game was very close. There's high expectations for the Springboks and the amazing performance of the All Blacks certainly got Sabc (South African broadcasting corporation) scared of broadcasting the game (All Blacks vs France). Maybe a good move to divert panic amongst the Springbok die hearts but those who got access to Supersport can admit that the All Blacks humiliated France. From my observation of the match, it was more like a message being sent to the teams who dare to stand in front of the All Blacks.

New Zealand vs South Africa

It's a bitter sweet time to be a South African right now with on going protests against rising tertiary fees but we truly want the Springboks to remain focused and remember the patriotism the sport of rugby has inflicted on the people of South Africa. I personally hope they see and honour the courage the South African youth posses and on that they can gather up strength and "gees" to once again inflict pain on the All Blacks. 

#Feesmustfall campaign

There's a story being written by the South African youth and it will grow globally and liberate others. Youth protests are growing all over the country, Rhodes University in Grahamstown, the Tshwane University of Technology and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth are involved in the #Feesmustfall campaign fighting the rise of tuition fees. All three campuses at the University of Free State (UFS) were shut down on Wednesday in light of the protests.The Revolution is being televised and we the South African youth are tired of exploitation. Some of us compare 2015 student protests to the June 16, 1976 movement. Students feel they not disposable resources and that they need to be taken into consideration and their standards of living.

1976 soweto uprising (Hector Pieterson)

To conclude this post I want to say that these are things that matter to me, I want to see the Springboks conquer they biggest rivals but as the youth of South Africa I take pride in my fellow peers and their struggle is my struggle. We don't afford the rising tuition fees of our institutions and we feel compromised as youth. Education is a necessity and without it we realize that we are nothing so the Blade Nzimandes & the Habib's must hear our cry and attend to these issues with great importance.

Fifa allegations view to be true…

Hi once again to my football followers.

Not so long ago the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Mr Fikile Mbalula came to the rescue of SAFA's (South African Football Association) integrity stating "we do not bribe". Well this afternoon South Africa was hit with the information that former SAFA head of national teams is suspended for six years from all footballing activities for the next six years for his role in alleged match fixing scandal relating to international matches Bafana Bafana played prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Safa President Danny Jordaan, middle - Lindile Ace Kika and Kirsten Nematandani (former SAFA president)

As a proud South African football follower and overall supporter of the sports fraternity I'm happy the IEC (Independent Ethics Commitee) could get to the bottom of this saga and stamp their authority to no tolerance of dirty tactics trying to pollute the beautiful game.

No money is big enough to buy the beautiful game of football and any other sports code matter fact. We need to continue supporting federations like SAFA, FIFA etc. to get rid of these officials corrupted by money & deceitful ways. Let's respect the game, the fans who pay lot's of money to watch the games and lastly the sports players that invest ridiculous amounts of blood and sweat.

Brings me great pleasure to see the end of this saga and It's true what they say: "Where there's smoke there is fire". Let this be a warning to those corrupt officials, you shall be "smoked" out! South African Football Association will grow from this disturbing incident and it's inevitable only good things will come from Mr D Jordaan leadership team.

ZuluLand to host the Commonwealth Games:

Its's confirmed that Durban, City in the East Coast of South Africa will be hosting the 2022 Commonwealth games. This is a tremendous success, based on the commitment and devotion put in to lure in and attract such a big occasion to the African continent. "Games will begin on 18 July 2022, what would have been the 104th birthday of former South African president Nelson Mandela and finish on 30th July"BBC.

It will be the 22nd staging of the event which is held every four years. Athletes from more than 50 countries compete and most of the countries used to be British colonies. Again this is the 1st in the African continent in the competition's 85-year history. There are ongoing debates about South Africa affording to host the event or not while there are concerning issues we could invest in. Questions like how is the event going to impact our economy, issue of unemployment etc.

At the moment South Africa is struggling, the Rand is getting weaker, the mining sector is retrenching, people are losing their jobs. People of South Africa are expecting jobs to be created from this great event being hosted by S.A, and we expecting tourism sector to also make business and open doors to new, greater ventures.

 Nonkululeko Hlophe

I welcome and celebrate the great news of South Africa hosting the 2022 Commonwealth games and I hope we can unite to make it an exceptional experience for the athletes, tourists, and our African neighbors. This is a great opportunity to eradicate xenophobia and find better ways of accommodating our African brothers and sisters. I believe despite the challenges that face us as country that we will host a phenomenal Commonwealth Games, we will create jobs for youth, jobs will be created in the tourism sector and a profit will be made that will benefit better living standards for the people of South Africa.

Sports continues to play pivotal role in the nations relations, addressing unity within Africa & Commonwealth countries. We seven years to improve and stage a professional, spontaneous, filled with joy and culture of the Zululand.

Russian President, considers Sepp Blatter for Noble Prize:

Sepp Blatter a good leader in the sports fraternity, a man whose given so much, relentless devotion to his work. But is all this enough to achieve the Noble  Prize? Well according to Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian government believes Sepp Blatter service warrants him a thea award of the Noble Prize. These comments where made on Monday, 26 July 2015, at the gathering of the preliminary draw for the 2018 FIFA World cup, that's going to be hosted by RussiaCNN.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin with FIFA President Sepp Blatter open proceedings at the preliminary draw for the 2018 World cup:

Allegations of corruption against FIFA governing body are looming and lingering in our minds and Vladimir's kind words won't change some of us minds about Sepp being involved. This is not a personal attack, but the Russian President needs to focus more on the racial discrimination that''s happening in the Russian football league. Cases like Siyanda Xulu's and Emmanuel Frimpong is only the tip of the ice berg. Russia will host the 2018 World Cup but It will accommodate every creed and colour.

Emmanuel Frimpong

Better sanctions need to be taken into consideration, If this problem is persisting. Football is meant to entertain but we need one spirit, spirit of enjoyment for football nothing else. Politics have no correlation with sports but their greatly affect sports, so we need to deal with corruption or anything that brings sports in disrepute.

Uefa campaign:

One message to my African brothers involved in the sports fraternity as a whole, be proud of yourself and know your blackness is nothing but a gift. Cherish it, love it and stand strong.

Youth Unemployment - Perpetual Issue In South Africa

Unemployment in South Africa, a big problem that the government of South Africa can't eradicate. What is South Africa doing wrong? Is it our education system, is it social justice and obviously the topic of knowledge and skills is indispensable. Comparing to other countries globally which have the same problem, how do we perform? 

Looking at countries like Greece which are suffering from economic recession compared to them we are doing poorly, also viewing the Sub-Saharan stats South Africa is still trailing behind. Before I provide you with statistics that support my message, lets think about our leaders. What are they thinking? How do you Nkandla knowing that 36.1% of the youth of South Africa are unemployed? What goes through your mind as the President, being built an estate while there's so much poverty in your country?

Graphic: Marcio Quintal

These stats are based on 2014 stats review of South Africa. Now viewing 2015, South Africa's unemployment rate in the first quater of 2015 was at its highest level since 2003.

• 2003 - Unemployment rate was at 30%
• 2015 - 26.4%

“Unemployment figures always drop in the first quarter of the year because of the impact of the festive season and Christmas, but this result is below the usual dip,” said Kefiloe Masiteng, deputy director-general in charge of social statistics.

Really this is disturbing and worrying for me because I'm part of the youth that is unemployed. Some of us work hard and highly devoted to our passions/work but still we get know break through. It's inevitable that some us (youth) will resort to crime and other bad ways of living. Please understand that I'm not justifying gangsterism, but It's all pure survival.

All I can say to my brothers and sisters, citizens of South Africa, is that martial on, be relentless and don't allow anybody tell you that you are not good enough. Odds are against us but every dog has It's day, I can smell my breakthrough, I'm going to keep pushing and I hope you don't give up and instead you do the same.