Sport

What Africa’s premier soccer tournament means to Equatorial Guinea

The brutal kleptocracy of Equatorial Guinea hopes to gain a measure of international acceptance by hosting the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) soccer spectacle that kicked off this weekend, writes Terry Bell. The oil and gas wealth generated by this “Kuwait of Africa” provides the economic wherewithal for the ruling elite to buy favours while the bulk of the population wallows in repressive poverty. Bell was the only foreign journalist to cover the independence of Equatorial Guinea more than 46 years ago.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 19 January 2015

Role models and perseverance: how Kenny Solomon became South Africa’s first grandmaster

In December Kenny Solomon crossed the final hurdle needed to achieve what no other South African has. He won the African Individual Championship to become South Africa’s first chess grandmaster. Along the way he beat Egyptian grandmaster Ahmed Adly.

Nathan Geffen

News | 18 January 2015

Khayelitsha netball star to play in UK

A Khayelitsha woman has been spotted by English netball talent scouts and will play in the United Kingdom (UK) league on a four months contract.

Michael Nkalane

News | 14 January 2015

South Africa gets its first chess grandmaster

Kenny Solomon from Mitchell's Plain has become the first South African to attain the coveted chess title of grandmaster.

GroundUp Staff

Brief | 7 January 2015

Scrum over quotas to transform rugby

South African rugby represents the “rainbow failure”, says rugby writer Mark Fredericks, and quotas will not help.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 18 November 2014

Khayelitsha and Nyanga lighties demo their cricket skills

Khayelitsha cricket oval was abuzz this past weekend. Great weather and enthusiastic shouts of “Good bowling”, “Keep it up”, “Bowl him out” and appealing every time there was the vaguest prospect of a wicket contributed to a wonderful atmosphere.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 4 November 2014

Cape Town’s popular public swimming pools: a joy for all but not equally spread

Summer is here and people in Cape Town have begun enjoying swimming pools, either their own or one of the city's public pools. But how evenly spread are the city's pools?

Lea Bork

News | 3 November 2014

Khayelitsha BMX riders bring back a medal

Anita Zenani, the only girl in the four-member BMX team from Velokhaya Cycling Club from Khayelitsha, brought back a bronze medal from the African and South African championships held last weekend.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 30 October 2014

Khayelitsha’s young BMXers off to the championships

Four of Khayelitsha’s finest up and coming BMXers have been hard at work on the track for the past two weeks preparing for the South African championships this weekend in Durban.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 23 October 2014

Vasco da Gama wins back the Coke Cup

Vasco da Gama beat RV United from Khayelitsha on penalties at the women’s finals of this year’s amateur Coke Cup at Athlone stadium.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 14 October 2014

Kids doing karate in Khayelitsha

The karate kids of the Eyethu Goju-Kai in Khayelitsha are living proof of how sport can instil discipline in young children.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 10 October 2014

Wheelchair tennis growing in popularity

People living with disabilities gathered at Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha on the weekend to try their hand in wheelchair tennis. The sport of wheelchair tennis is growing in South Africa. Lucas Sithole is ranked second in the world. Khayelitsha has Meyenzeke Gwija, ranked fifth in South Africa.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 30 September 2014

New found passion for touch rugby in Khayelitsha

Khayelitsha learners braved the rainy weather to put in two hours of practice for their new found passion for touch rugby. For these primary and high school learners, bad weather is the least of their problems when it comes to playing sports.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 26 September 2014

Mfuleni Boxing Academy undaunted

The Mfuleni Boxing Academy opened its doors to boxers from the area in 2010. In most townships, the reason community members open up sports clubs is to try and get the youth off the streets and away from gangsterism and substance abuse. Mfuleni is no exception.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 15 September 2014

Soccer: Protest disrupts Safa Cape Town Coca Cola Cup

At the semi-finals of the woman’s leg of the Safa Cape Town Coca Cola Cup, the Saxon United Ladies team from Heideveld protested on one of the fields where a semi-final match between RV United from Khayelitsha and Phoenix Spurs from Bonteheuwel was about to start.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 15 September 2014

Bafana Bafana - start of a winning streak?

On Wednesday, Bafana Bafana’s new intake of youngsters played their second game, this time against African champions Nigeria at Cape Town stadium, leaving over 30,000 supporters with huge smiles. The game ended in a goalless draw, but with Bafana on second spot with six points in Group A of the African Nations Cup Qualifiers.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 12 September 2014