Tag: South Africa

  • All you need to know about South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at ICJ

    All you need to know about South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at ICJ

    A case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has been put in motion by South Africa in The Hague, Netherlands, asking the court to look into the genocide being committed by Israel against Palestinians.

    The imposition of charges do not only pertain to the crimes perpetrated during the last few months since October 7 that have killed more than 23,000 people till now, but also the 75-year long apartheid, 56-year hostile occupation, and 16-year blockade on Gaza.

    The hearing will take place on January 11th and 12th in which a 15-judge panel will hear and deliberate the case.

    South Africa filed an 84-page suit with the court on December 29, quoting proofs and references of atrocities being committed by Israel in Gaza, asking the Court – a United Nations body established for settling interstate discords – to pronounce Israeli breaches of responsibilities under international law since October 7.

    “No armed attack on a State’s territory no matter how serious — even an attack involving atrocity crimes — can, however, provide any possible justification for, or defence to, breaches of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (‘Genocide Convention’ or ‘Convention’), whether as a matter of law or morality.”, read an excerpt from the suit.

    While the rulings are intended to be “binding”, a number of countries do not recognise its results. To give an example, the previous ICJ rulings of Russia invasion of Ukraine, and China’s claims in the South China Sea, were disregarded by China and Russia, consequently affecting ICJ’s credibility.

    Additionally, an NGO called Protect Palestine, an Action Guide, writes that according to experts, while South Africa “will make a strong case, it still may not be enough to rule against Israel. Israel will likely continue claims that “Hamas is embedded with civilians”, and that they “try to warn civilians”.

    The votes for and against, however, can pave the way to additional challenges for Israel and further affect the legal global standing of the country.

    Who is supporting South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel?

    The 57-member bloc known as the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) which includes Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and Morocco; Malaysia; Turkey; Jordan; Bolivia; The Maldives; and Namibia.

    A number of advocacy groups and civil society groups across the world including Terreiro Pindorama in Brazil, Asociación Nacional de Amistad Italia-Cuba in Italy, and Collectif Judeo Arabe et Citoyen pour la Palestine in France.

    Previously, Bolivia had filed a request to International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan alongside South Africa, Bangladesh, Comoros, and Djibouti to probe into the matter in Palestine.

    Read more: Can South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel stop war in Gaza?

  • Zahara: South African Music Star Passes Away at 36

    Zahara: South African Music Star Passes Away at 36

    South African singer Zahara, who rose from an impoverished rural background to find rapid fame with multi-platinum selling albums and delivered her unique version of wistful Afro-soul in her country’s isiXhosa language and in English, has died, her family said Tuesday. She was 36.

    Zahara, whose real name was Bulelwa Mkutukana, died Monday, her family said in a statement posted on her official page on X, formerly Twitter. It gave no cause of death. The family said last month that Zahara had been admitted to a hospital with an undisclosed issue and had asked for privacy.

    “She was a pure light, and an even purer heart, in this world,” her family said in Tuesday’s statement.

    Zahara’s debut 2011 album “Loliwe” — meaning “The Train” — was certified double platinum and became South Africa’s second-fastest selling album after the 1997 record “Memeza” by Brenda Fassie, an icon of South African music.

    Just 23 when “Loliwe” was released, Zahara was a sensation and immediately compared with Fassie, who also died young at 39.

    Zahara won 17 South African music awards, was also recognized in Nigeria and was included on a list of the 100 most influential women in the world in 2020 by the BBC. She released four more albums — one of them triple platinum and one platinum.

    Zahara’s death prompted reaction from across South Africa, including all major political parties and South Africa’s Parliament, which said in a statement “it was difficult to accept the news of Zahara’s passing” at such a young age.

    Zahara became known as South Africa’s “Country Girl,” a testament to her upbringing in the rural Eastern Cape province, but also how her award-winning music came with a highly-effective simplicity; through her voice and an acoustic guitar. Her songs were marked with references to her Christian religion but also to South Africa’s painful history of apartheid, even if she was only a young child when it ended.

    In the single “Loliwe” — from the same album — “Loliwe” was the train that carried fathers, brothers and sons to the big city of Johannesburg to find work during the time of racial segregation. Many didn’t return and their families were left to wonder what had happened to them. The song was about “lingering hope,” Zahara said in 2012. But the lyrics also included the phrase “wipe your tears,” which she said urged those left behind to “pick yourself up and look forward.”

    It resonated with a new generation of post-apartheid South Africans.

    “She inspired us with Loliwe,” South African Music Awards spokesperson and former music journalist Lesley Mofokeng told TV channel Newzroom Afrika. “You could not ignore Loliwe. Her voice could reach the heavens.”

    In an interview published by her record label after Loliwe’s release, Zahara said she began playing guitar on her own and wrote the songs for her first album without knowing what the chords were called.

    “All along I was just using my ears,” she said.

  • South Africa’s parliament votes in favour of closing Israeli embassy

    South Africa’s parliament votes in favour of closing Israeli embassy

    South African Parliament has voted in favour of the closure of Israel’s embassy in Pretoria and the suspension of diplomatic ties with the country amidst the siege of the Gaza Strip.

    The votes in favour were 248 and 91 against the motion. The action is actually symbolic because it will be up to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government to implement it. The President has already maintained that Israel is committing war crimes and genocide in the Gaza Strip. In a recent statement on X, President Ramaphosa, “We urge the international community to agree on urgent and concrete actions to end the suffering in #Gaza and establish a path towards a just and peaceful resolution of his conflict.”

    Relations between Israel and South Africa have deteriorated over the years because of the former’s apartheid of Palestine. The country has not had an ambassador in Israel since 2018.

    In the BRICS summit on Tuesday, South Africa called for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities” in Gaza.

    South Africa is the most recent country to suspend ties with Israel over the Gaza war. Others include Turkey, Bahrain, Jordan, Colombia, Chile and Honduras.

  • World Cup 2023: India defeats South Africa by 243 runs

    World Cup 2023: India defeats South Africa by 243 runs

    In the 37th match of the World Cup, India defeated South Africa by 243 runs after a one-sided match and won the event for the eighth consecutive time.

    In the match played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India won the toss and decided to bat first against South Africa. India scored 326 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 50 overs, Virat Kohli remained unbeaten with 101 runs.

    Apart from this, Shreyas Iyer played an innings of 77 runs which included 2 sixes and 7 fours. Captain Rohit Sharma 40, Shubman Gill 23, and Suryakumar Yadav scored 22 runs, KL Rahul was dismissed with eight runs while Ravindra Jadeja was not out with 29 runs.

    For South Africa, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Kesho Maharaj, and Tabriz Shamsi took one wicket each.

    In pursuit of India’s target of 327 runs, South Africa’s batting line proved to be a wall of sand and none of the batsmen could stand up to the Indian bowlers.

    The entire South African team was all out for just 83 runs in the 28th over, with Marko Jansson scoring 14 and van der Dussen scoring 13. Captain Timba Bavuma and David Miller scored 11 runs each while Aiden Markram scored nine runs and Keshav Maharaj scored seven runs.

    On behalf of India, Ravindra Jadeja dismissed five players, Mohammad Shami and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each while Mohammad Siraj took one wicket.

  • World Cup 2023: South Africa defeat Bangladesh by 149 runs

    World Cup 2023: South Africa defeat Bangladesh by 149 runs

    In the ICC ODI World Cup, South Africa defeated Bangladesh by a huge margin of 149 runs to chalk up their fourth victory in the event.

    At the match played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first against Bangladesh.

    South Africa scored 382 runs for the loss of five wickets in the allotted 50 overs. De Kock played a brilliant innings of 174 runs while Henrik Klaasen scored 90 runs off 49 balls. This is Quinton de Kock’s third century in the current World Cup.

    Aiden Markram scored 60 runs, Hendricks scored 12 runs, van der Dusen scored one run and David Miller remained unbeaten with 34 runs.

    Hasan Mehmood took two wickets, while Mehdi Hasan Miraz, Shariful Islam, and Shakib Al Hasan got one wicket each for Bangladesh.

    Bangladesh’s whole team returned to the pavilion in 46.4 overs on 233 runs.

    Mohammadullah was top scorer with 111 runs.

    Gerald Coetzee took three wickets, while Marco Jensen, Lizzad Williamson, and Kagiso Rabada took two wickets each from the South African side.

  • World Cup 2023: South Africa defeat Australia by 134 runs

    World Cup 2023: South Africa defeat Australia by 134 runs

    Australia’s poor run continues at the World Cup with a massive defeat at the hands of South Africa on Thursday night.

    Before the match, played at Lucknow’s Ratanshree Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Australian captain Pat Cummins won the toss and invited South Africa to bat first.

    Opening batsman Quinton de Kock and captain Temba Bavuma started the innings for South Africa, with a solid partnership of 108 runs, but then Bavuma was caught out after scoring 35 runs off Glenn Maxwell in the 20th over.

    De Kock was dismissed for 109 runs while Markram played an innings of 56 runs. Klaasen scored 29 runs, David Miller scored 17 runs and Marco Jensen scored 26 runs, thus South Africa scored 311 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the given 50 overs.

    For Australia, Mitchell Starc, and Glenn Maxwell took 2, 2 while Hazlewood, Cummins, and Zampa took one wicket each.

    Read More: VIDEO: Afghan fan beaten by Indian fans during India-Afghanistan mtach

    The Australian top-order proved to be a wall of sand in the chase, with none of the batsmen being able to hold their own against the brilliant bowling of the African bowlers. Chasing a target of 312 runs, six Australian batsmen returned to the pavilion in short order.

    Marence Labushin put up a little resistance in front of the South African bowlers, but he too was out on 46 runs. Mitchell Starc put up 27, captain Pete Cummins 22, and Zampa scored 11 runs, so the entire Australian team was bowled out for 177 runs in the 41st over.

    On behalf of South Africa, Rabada dismissed three players by giving 33 runs in eight overs, while Marco Jensen, Keshav Maharaj and Tabriz Shamsi took two wickets each.

  • Equal pay, new contracts, and room for improvement; what is happening in women’s cricket around the world?

    Equal pay, new contracts, and room for improvement; what is happening in women’s cricket around the world?

    Pakistan

    It is the first time that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has given domestic contracts to 74 women cricketers. The period of the contracts is 11 months. 43 players are classified as emerging cricketers while 16 Under-19 cricketers. Thirteen of the players contracted have played international cricket. Among the many are Javeria Khan, Kainat Imtiaz, Anam Amin, Iram Javed and Gull Feroza who previously had central contracts.

    These cricketers will be paid the same monthly retainer. However, match and appearance fees, and travel and accommodation costs, will vary. ESPNcricinfo writes that “while the salaries are relatively modest, the fact that these contracts have been awarded at all will count as progress of some kind in Pakistan. In addition, the players will be offered a share in any prize money won”.

    A PCB press release stated that domestic contracts have been given to “individuals who have displayed remarkable performances across various cricketing platforms, including domestic cricket tournaments, emerging tournaments, U-19 domestic tournament, and the ICC U-19 Women’s World Cup,”.

    “I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the 74 women cricketers who have earned these contracts through their sheer talent and dedication,” PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf said. “Today marks a significant and joyous occasion for the Pakistan Cricket Board as we take a historic step towards uplifting women’s cricket in our nation.

    “This initiative isn’t just about signing contracts, it’s about investing in the dreams and aspirations of these extraordinary athletes. Our women cricketers have consistently showcased exceptional skills and dedication on the field, and it is high time we provide them with the platform they deserve.”

    West Indies

    In a recent conversation on Ladies Who Switch podcast, former West Indies cricket player Deandra Dottin alluded to the country’s cricket board, emphasizing the need to prioritize the players’ “respect and resources”. She has warned that negligence can have serious repercussions for Caribbean cricket.

    Dottin reflected on the issues she encountered during her time as a cricketer. She highlighted the negligence towards the needs of the players, “both in terms of resources and respect”, reports Sports Max. Dottin emphasized that the player will not be able to perform without required attention and a supportive space:

    “To be honest, there’s been a lot going on in the camp and so much I’ve been through, so many things that needed to be sorted out, and the players not getting the respect and basically the attention because there are things that needed to be done in order for players to actually perform to the best of their ability,” she said.

    Dottin announced her retirement from international cricket a year ago, claiming that the team environment was one of the reasons for her decision. She had a distinguished career of 14 years that includes the 2016 T20 World Cup title and the first century in Women’s T20 Internationals.

    Now, Dottin is among male and female cricketers working on franchise tournaments worldwide. She is associated with teams such as Manchester Originals, Adelaide Strikers, Trinbago Knight Riders, and Barmy Army.

    She believes that these leagues have more support to offer in comparison to the West Indies setup.

    “You will see a player come into West Indies Cricket and then you actually see they disappear… it’s basically like you’re getting what you want out of me and then you just throw me aside,” Dottin said.

    South Africa

    After New Zealand and India, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announces an equal international-match fee for their men and women’s players. This news came the same day as the announcement of a six-team professional domestic system for women.

    The past 18 months for the team were a great success as they reached the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand in 2022 and then made it through to the final while hosting the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup this year.

    It was the first time a senior South African team reached the World Cup final. Prominent individuals from the fraternity congregated in Tshwane on Tuesday to make the two celebratory announcements.

    Teams in South African domestic competition can now contract up to 11 players instead of 6. They will also have full-time coaches and support staff.

    “We are thrilled to unveil the Professional Women’s Cricket League, an initiative that celebrates the remarkable achievements of our national women’s cricket team and paves the way for an even brighter future,” said Cricket South Africa CEO Pholetsi Moseki.
    “Professionalising the women’s domestic structure has been met with enthusiasm from fans, players, and sponsors alike.”

  • Woman demands a refund for wedding photos from photographer after divorce

    Woman demands a refund for wedding photos from photographer after divorce

    A South African woman has made headlines after contacting her wedding photographer, four years after her wedding, to request a refund due to her recent divorce.

    The woman claimed that she and her ex-husband no longer needed the wedding photos, and therefore, they should be entitled to a refund.

    The photographer, Lance Romeo, initially thought it was a prank, but after realising the woman was serious, he respectfully declined her request.

    Still, the woman did not accept his refusal and requested to meet in person to discuss the matter, but the photographer refused and instructed her to communicate through her lawyers.

    The photographer shared the WhatsApp chat with the woman on Twitter, which soon went viral. The woman’s ex-husband later contacted the photographer and apologised on her behalf.

    Despite the woman’s demands, the photographer remained professional throughout the exchange, and the incident garnered widespread attention on social media.

  • ‘Doors are open’ for Ben Stokes, says England coach Mathew Mott

    ‘Doors are open’ for Ben Stokes, says England coach Mathew Mott

    English All-Rounder Ben Stokes is likely to return to England’s One Day International (ODI) Team to play for the 2023 World Cup. The 31-years-old England Test captain took retirement from ODIs last summer to manage his workload, however, his decision was criticized by many. Stokes took his team to the final and won the title of men’s T20 World Cup.

    The “door is open” for Ben Stokes to come out of 50-over retirement and play at the World Cup in India later this year, England coach Matthew Mott has said.

    Mott said England is happy to wait on a decision.

    “The door is always open for a player of that quality but we are also very aware that his main focus is red-ball cricket as the captain,” Mott said, speaking before England’s three-match ODI series against South Africa begins on Friday.

    England is currently building its team for defending its title. The World Cup will be played in October and November by which time England will not have played a Test for more than two months.

    Ben Stokes was the man of the match in the 2019 World Cup when England won the coveted trophy for the first time after a dramatic super over against New Zealand.

  • ICC Super League: Pakistan advances to top 3

    ICC Super League: Pakistan advances to top 3

    After winning back-to-back matches against the Netherlands, Pakistan has moved up to the third place in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League.

    According to the most recent ICC update, Pakistan has 110 points after 17 matches with a net run rate of +0.221. Pakistan has won 11 games and lost 6.

    In the second One-Day International, Pakistan beat the Netherlands by seven wickets.

    England and Bangladesh are on the top of the list with 125 and 120 points respectively. Each team receives 10 points for a victory, five points for a tie/no result/abandoned match and zero points for a defeat.

    The top seven teams and the host team India will automatically qualify for the World Cup 2023.