Johannesburg – Former president FW de Klerk put his own spin on former president Thabo Mbeki’s “I am an African” speech, at the 12th Europe lecture in The Hague on Friday.

“My ancestors were Huguenots from France who came to South Africa via Holland in 1688,” he said.

“… My culture, like the cultures of so many peoples throughout the world, is suffused with the unparalleled literature, art and music of Europe. And yet, I am an African,” he said.

De Klerk said that even though he had deep roots in European culture, he identified with Africa and regarded himself as an African.

“… I strive to promote its interests in its relationship with other parts of the world, and I support its sports teams when they are playing teams from other continents.”

European imperialism deeply affected Southern Africa, and was indelibly changed though the British conquest wars with the Xhosas, the Zulus and the Afrikaners.

“The withdrawing tide of Europe an rule left country after country floundering on the beach of independence, surrounded by the flotsam and jetsam of empire.

“Constitutions that were not rooted in African traditions and ideas of government were hastily written and just as hastily torn up.”

Many African countries were left with a “love, hate relationship” with Europe, criticising them at the UN, but enjoying the shopping and culture of European capitals.

In recent years, Africa’s rapidly growing economy and Europe’s waning global prestige had changed the dynamic between the two continents.

“The reality is that the European single market just is not functioning as effectively as it should,” De Klerk said.

Declining birth rates were also contributing to Europe’s problems, but large-scale immigration from other parts of the world would fundamentally change the continent’s character.

Europe needed Africa to be prosperous, because political and economic problems in Africa would result in an “unstoppable torrent” of African refugees.

“But Africa also needs a strong Europe that will be able to play its proper role in the world.”

De Klerk said that Europe needed to give Africa greater attention in its strategic world view.

– SAPA

Orlando Pirates crowd pleaser Khethokwakhe Masuku says he is ready to mesmerise the Kaizer Chiefs defence tomorrow – despite growing up as an Amakhosi fan!

Masuku is quickly becoming a darling of the Ghost with his silky skills, and he was the talk of town on Wednesday when Bucs beat Golden Arrows in the Telkom Knockout – both for his tricks and because he had a hand in three of Pirates’ four goals.
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Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala will tomorrow improve on his record of the longest unbroken run of Soweto Derby appearances in the modern day PSL.

‘Shabba’ will feature in his 19th consecutive Derby at Soccer City tomorrow, as he has been cleared to play after recovering from a swollen ankle.

The injury forced him out of the Telkom Knockout match against Free State Stars on Sunday, which Chiefs won on penalties.

Since making his first ever appearance against Orlando Pirates in the famous 2-2 draw in Durban on November 24, 2007, Tshabalala has been an ever-present, starting all 18 matches that have been contested by the Big Two since then.

In those 18 matches, Shabba has scored three goals, with Chiefs winning just four, while Pirates have come out on top in six, and the rest finishing in draws.

No other player has featured in this fixture for 19 consecutive games since the start of the modern day PSL in 1996.

The 29-year-old joined Chiefs from Free State Stars in January 2007 but missed the first six months owing to injury only making his Amakhosi debut at the beginning of the 2007/08 campaign.

Several other players have played more than 15 Derby appearances in Chiefs colours in the modern day PSL, among them Tinashe Nengomasha, Jimmy Tau, Arthur Zwane and Thabo Mooki, but none of them played all their games in a row.

For Pirates, their veteran defender Lucky Lekgwathi has the most Derby appearances, with 21 to his name, but he is unlikely to play tomorrow.
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Mpumalanga Black Aces will be looking for their first home win when they take on the struggling Golden Arrows outfit at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.

AmaZayoni are yet to win at home this season after claiming just two points from a possible nine in their three home matches so far.

Aces coach Clive Barker told the Siya crew that his team need to start winning at home, but added that he was expecting a tough match against Abafana Bes’thende.
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Polokwane City will face Mamelodi Sundowns for the first time in a league game tomorrow night, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

This is the second game for City’s new coach, Boebie Solomons, and believes that his team will come to the party following their brave display in their midweek game against Wits. Rise and Shine, as City is known, played to a 0-0 draw in Johannesburg and he told the Siya crew that his side did exceptionally well.
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Kaizer Chiefs right back, Siboniso Gaxa has promised Orlando Pirates that they will be in for a tough time in Saturday’s much anticipated Soweto Derby. The game is expected to be a high-paced, passionate affair as both teams are in good form and won’t want to lose to their fierce rivals.
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Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper, Avril Phali, believes that the Soweto derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Bucs will end in a draw.

Chiefs and Pirates will face each other in a mouth-watering Absa Premiership clash at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

“That one is going to be a very difficult game. Anything can happen in the derby, but I think this one will end in a draw. In a game between the two clubs, it doesn’t matter if another team won 4-0 in midweek, it becomes a new game altogether. I think it’s going to be a draw and everyone will be happy in the end,” said Phali.
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The South African U20 Women’s National team (Basetsana) finalised preparations this afternoon ahead of the first leg World Cup qualifier against Botswana to be played on Saturday, 26 October at Molepolole Stadium in Gaborone.

The match kicks-off at 16h00.

The 2014 edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup scheduled for Canada from 5-24 August 2014 will feature 16 countries of which two teams will come from Africa.

Head coach Sheryl Botes says preparations were on track and is hopeful the team will do well against Botswana.

“We had a loosening session after a six-hour drive yesterday but everything is on track. We have had our final session at the match venue just to familiarise ourselves with what to expect.

“The girls are excited and I will be in a position to put together my starting 11 and name the captain and her deputy this evening” said Botes.

The Basetsana squad will be boosted by the experience of overseas based player, Robyn Moodaly who featured in the SA U17 Women’s National team (Bantwana) squad that participated at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in 2010. She also played a key role in Banyana Banyana’s Olympics qualification.

Bloemfontein Celtics striker, Shiwe Nogwana feels they have what it takes to come back victorious from the first leg against Botswana tomorrow.

“I am excited about being back in the U20 squad and I am looking forward to the match tomorrow as this will be my final year in the Basetsana squad. I would like to see the team progress to the World Cup tournament next year.

“Training with some of the new players has been exciting as most come from HPC and know what to expect from them,” said Nogwanya.-TDN
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FIFA President, Joseph ‘Sepp’ Blatter has sent his ‘deepest condolences’ on hearing of the untimely death of former Bafana Bafana and Manning Rangers striker Keryn Jordan who passed on this week after a long battle with cancer.

In his message to SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan, Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and Auckland City, the FIFA boss said he was deeply touched to lose such a young life.

“On behalf of FIFA and the worldwide football community, I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Keryn’s families, friends and loved ones.

“We would hope that in some way, these words of support may help bring a little bit of peace and solace in this time of sadness,” said Blatter in his letter to the SAFA President, OFC and Auckland City.

In his response, Dr Jordaan said Keryn was a true ambassador of the country whose contribution had touched the lives of people around the globe through his footballing talents.

The Oceania Football Confederation and Auckland City FC, a club Keryn played for after leaving Manning Rangers also thanked the FIFA President for his comforting words.

“Keryn’s loss is keenly felt in our part of the world. He was a fine footballer, a fine person and an exemplary ambassador of South Africa. A small corner of our hearts will forever be South Africa at the OFC and Auckland City FC,” wrote OFC head of media and communications, Gordon Glen Watson.

“To Danny (SAFA President) and the football community of South Africa, we are suffering with you and the family of Keryn Jordan.”-TDN
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The denial of bail for three suspects in the murder case of the Marikana branch chairperson of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) William Setelele is welcomed as the charges that they have to answer to are serious, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Friday.

According to the bail application court ruling, the three suspects aged between 33 and 37 are to remain in custody until their next court appearance in the Tlhabane Magistrate Court next week Thursday.

The trio was arrested last week Tuesday in Nkaneng, Wonderkop Extension 2.

Setelele (46) was shot eight times and killed in Nkaneng informal settlement last week.

“The arrests and the no-bail ruling are an important step towards restoring peace and stability in the area. The spate of senseless killings in the area is alarming and it is important that thorough investigation is done to unmask the perpetrators,” said the Premier.

Modise reiterated her call on unions in the mining sector to respect the framework for peace and stability signed earlier this year, and to actively discourage their members from taking the law into their own hands.

“It is clear that perpetrators of these senseless killings are hell-bent in undermining the Marikana Peace Accord and the Framework for Peace and Stability. We call on communities in our mining communities to support police in their effort to bring those behind the acts of barbarism to book,” said Modise.-TDN
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