Daily Archives: May 8, 2025

Alumnus earns top national honour for police communication

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Picture: SAPS national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe

By PHENYO MOKGOTHU

8 May 2025- North West University (NWU) graduate, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe has been named the 2024 Spokesperson of the Year by the National Press Club, recognising her work in national police communication during a year of major public events. The announcement was made during the National Press Club’s awards ceremony in Pretoria on 25 April 2025. Mathe, who is the national spokesperson of the South African Police Service (SAPS), was honoured for leading the police service’s public communication during events such as the 2024 national and provincial elections, the presidential inauguration, the opening of parliament and the illegal mining incident in Stilfontein.

“It is an honour to be recognised in this way. I dedicate this award to the men and women in blue who serve South Africans every day,” she said.

Mathe further said her academic background helped to prepare her for a demanding career in public service.

“The communication principles I learned at the NWU continue to guide me. The qualification I earned early in my career set me apart in job interviews and gave me a strong foundation,” she said.

Mathe obtained her BA Hons in Communication at the NWU in 2013.

Reflecting on her career, she encouraged students to prioritise education.

“It really does pay off in the long run.”

The NWU is one of the sponsors of the National Press Club awards held annually to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to communication in the public space.

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Picture: SAPS national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe/Supplied 

SAFA welcomes Motsoagae’s appointment

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Picture: Nelisiwe Motsoagae

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

8 May 2025 – The South African Football Association (SAFA) is proud to announce the appointment of Nelisiwe Motsoagae as the new HPC Girls’ Academy Administrator. SAFA CEO, Lydia Monyepao said Motsoagae brings with her a wealth of experience in finance, administration, coaching, and sport education skills that will prove invaluable in her new role.

Monyepao said her dynamic career has included roles such as Club Development Coordinator at the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Team Manager of the Springs Home Sweepers, and coach for various girls’ teams. She has also served in diverse capacities such as Technical Coordinator, Media Liaison Officer, Accreditation Officer, Safeguarding Officer, and Course Coordinator.

“Motsoagae’s wide-ranging experience and dedication to youth and women’s football development makes her an excellent addition to the team, bringing versatile sports professionalism with over nine years of experience to bolster women’s football development.

“SAFA wishes Motsoagae every success in this exciting new chapter and looks forward to her impact on the future stars of South African football,” she said.

Meanwhile, Motseagae said: “I’m grateful to SAFA for trusting me with such an important role in the development of women’s football,” she said. “I see this appointment as a stepping stone towards making a meaningful impact in the high-performance space, particularly player pathways and development. My goal is to contribute towards building a strong pipeline of future stars for the national team.

“The Technical department is not new to me as it is the same thing I was doing in the region, your coaching education as well as talent identification and player development pathways. I am looking forward to the challenge and I know that it will not be an easy one.”

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Mdaka showers praise on Amajita after demolition of Sierra Leone

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Picture: South African U20 men’s national team/Generic

By BAKANG MOKOTO

8 May 2025 – South African U20 men’s national team coach, Raymond Mdaka has showered his players with praise after their demolition of Sierra Leone in an U20 Africa Cup of Nations group match played at the Suez Canal Stadium in Egypt on Tuesday night. Amajita, as the SA U20 men’s national team is known, beat Sierra Leone 4-1 through goals from Jody Ahshene, Neo Rapoo and a brace from Thabang Mahlangu.

The win lifted the South Africans to second place behind Group A leaders Sierra Leone, who retained the lead despite the defeat.

Mdaka had predicted a tough match ahead of this meeting and was pleased by the dominance displayed by his players against the group leaders.

“In our game against Sierra Leone, we knew that it was going to be difficult because it looked like they had already qualified (for the next round of the tournament). But credit to our boys (because) they played with character. We were tactically disciplined, we created a number of chances, and we were able to finish those chances. We will see where things go in the next game.

“Amajita face COSAFA neighbours Zambia in their next group game on Friday, 9 May 2025,” he said.

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