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The general secretary for the South African Football Association (SAFA) eThekwini region Isaac Buthelezi has applauded the impact of junior regional leagues in many sporting codes that are doing great. Following the recent results and impressive form of the national teams on different sporting codes and levels, Buthelezi believes that more credit should be given to regional leagues for their foundation on future stars. Last week, Amajita (South Africa Under-20) defeated Zambia to claim the COSAFA U-20 title.This past week, South African teams (boys and girls) secured two trophies for the COSAFA Schools Championship.Meanwhile, Buthelezi believes that for national teams to do well, more development should be done at the amateur level. “So, you can have a performing national team, your development must be sharp. If a national team or any senior team is not doing well that means more adjustments must happen within the development departments,” said Buthelezi.He indicated that a lot of work happens behind development departments and provided a brief insight into the importance of regional leagues and how they operate.“These regional leagues are indeed important, like we have Sky Tent league which has Under 13, 15, and 17 before Durban Summer League. That league is a combination of teams that have done well on their LFAs,” “We do see a change in many things because time has changed, here in KZN since we started this journey of junior leagues there has been a huge difference, have a look at AmaZulu FC, they have Under 13,15 and 17 junior teams that participate in Sky Tent league.As a result, we have seen some of their players being promoted to the DStv Diski Challenge level. So, you could see that a lot of work is being done on development level,” he added. A few months ago, the University of Western Cape ladies team won the 2024 COSAFA Women’s Champions League and became the first university to qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League. With the presence of Hollywoodbets women’s super league and Sasol league, Buthelezi cited a need for women’s junior league. “Women’s football is now becoming bigger and bigger. We have the Centre of Excellence here in Durban, it has an under-15 squad.Eight of their players were selected for provincial games. Development is crucial when a person is still at an early stage so we as SAFA regional need to structure a junior football league that will preserve growing football stars” Thembelani Hlongwane, a fitness and conditional coach at Coedmore Football Academy has identified provincial and regional leagues as a great platform for young players before they further their football careers.“Provincial football leagues, like the Durban Summer League, play a vital role in promoting and developing young talent. These leagues provide a platform for players to gain valuable match experience, improve their skills, and gain exposure to scouts and coaches from higher-level leagues.We can also speak about enhancing player’s skills and confidence. It is a phase that any football player should go through,” he said. Journalist: Bonginkosi Zondi

The Insika Men’s Network hosted its 2024 Insika Men’s Conference under the theme ‘Ubuhle Bendoda Izinqumo Ezakha Isizwe’. The event was held on 3 of October at Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) ML Sultan Campus, the conference aimed to empower male students by addressing critical issues surrounding manhood, leadership, and emotional intelligence.The event featured insightful contributions from guest speakers, focusing on the challenges men face today and offering solutions for navigating them successfully. Initiated in 2019, the Insika Men’s Conference was created as a platform for male students to engage in meaningful discussions about manhood, and to reshape harmful stereotypes often associated with masculinity. The conference has grown and continues to be a vital resource for mentorship and emotional guidance.As Amahle Khumalo, the advisor of the Insika Men’s Network, explained, “It’s a program that looks at how a male should behave and is about growing one another while we are still in university. We are also trying to contribute to the transformation of today’s men because we don’t want today’s generation to be like the old generation that was stereotyped, saying men don’t cry,” he said.Khumalo emphasized the broader impact the conference seeks to achieve. “We saw that many of us males grew up in different backgrounds and when we get to varsity, some of us end up doing wrong things. Others end up not achieving their goals, which is why we saw the need for Insika Men’s Network. This initiative is more like a platform where we help grow one another and rectify the mistakes made by our forefathers,” he noted. One of the event’s keynote speakers, Pastor Zondo, shared a powerful message about emotional control and decision-making. He stressed the importance of thinking clearly before acting, especially in moments of anger. “You must not decide while you are angry because the words you utter when angry are hurtful and unforgettable,” Zondo advised. Reflecting on the role of father figures, he added, “We were here today to groom men from boys because some of them lack a father figure in their lives. We want to be their support system before they make mistakes that cannot be undone.”Zondo’s words resonated deeply with the students. Busiso Mpanza, one of the attendees, found the advice particularly meaningful. “As a young growing man, you need to have a vision and set goals of where you are going and also learn how to navigate your goals,” Mpanza said. “The most important lesson I took from Pastor Zondo was that you should never make decisions when you are angry because you can’t take back the hurtful words you say in those moments. That stuck with me.”Comedian and Social media personality Sphelele Ndlebe also known as uCaptain Wamajita also contributed, focusing on the importance of mentorship and guidance for young men, especially those without father figures.“Many of these young men are raised by single parents, and they lack that male voice or push in life,” he explained. Drawing from his work running a rehabilitation center for young men struggling with substance abuse, Ndlebe noted, “There are certain conversations a young male needs to have with a father or another male, man-to-man conversations. This conference is very important because it provides that opportunity.” Banele Ngcobo, Chairperson of the Insika Men’s Network, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the event.“Today’s conference focused on the problems faced by male students and advising them on how to tackle these problems. I strongly believe that the tactics and skills they have learned today will be beneficial to them and help them become better men,” Ngcobo said. Reflecting on the success of the event, he added, “The attendance was much higher than expected, and the students stayed until the end, which shows that they were engaged and pleased with the conversations.” The Insika Men’s Conference continues to be a key event for male students at DUT, providing them with the support, guidance, and mentorship needed to navigate life’s challenges. As Amahle Khumalo put it, “This initiative is about painting a beautiful picture of a male in our society and helping these young men achieve their goals.” Journalist: Kwanele Khanye & Mthokozisi Dlamini

At 31 years old, Simphiwe Nyawose, better known as Robin Thirdfloor, has solidified himself as a pioneer in South Africa’s independent music scene. Born in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, Robin began his musical journey at 15, but his path to success is far from ordinary. After graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Zululand in 2014, Robin bravely decided to follow his dream of becoming a full-time musician instead of getting a regular job in the corporate world.While this decision initially shocked his mother, Robin’s clear vision and determination soon won her over. One of his first steps in showing her how serious he was about his career was registering his own company, Bhotela Republic, under which he would release his music. The name ‘Bhotela’ comes from a nickname he had as a teenager. Robin’s music is a blend of raw talent, independent spirit, and business. In 2017, his rising profile caught international attention when he was selected to perform at South by South West (SXSW), a renowned music conference in Texas. This opportunity, made possible by his former management team Post Post and Independent Music Exporters South Africa (IMEXSA), allowed him to share the stage with very big artists like Kwesta.“Meeting big artists and performing at SXSW was affirming,” Robin recalls. “It made me believe that my music was needed by the world, not just my city or country,” he added. Today, Robin Thirdfloor is not just a rapper but an advocate for independent musicians across South Africa. His achievements have gone beyond music. He was recently selected to serve on the Grammy Awards voting board, a prestigious position that allows him to submit his work for consideration and cast votes on nominations. This role further solidifies his influence and voice in the global music scene.In addition, to his work as a musician, Robin has also expanded into writing. His recently published e-book, ‘Middle-Class Musician’ is his contribution to reshaping how success is seen in the music industry. He highlights that while many aspire to be a superstar, there is a realistic path for artists to carve out successful careers without reaching that level of fame.“The book offers practical insights, real-life case studies, and an alternative approach for musicians aiming to thrive in the industry,” said Robin. Robin’s ambitions do not end there. He is currently working on his debut album, which promises to be a significant moment in his career. Beyond music, he has started venturing into film, with a documentary in the works that speaks of one of his favorite topics which is sustainable fashion. Robin Thirdfloor’s journey from a commerce graduate to a well-known artist and an advocate for independent musicians is a story of hard work, strong vision, and determination. His story is not just about success in music, it’s about showing a new generation of artists what success can really mean. Journalist: Mthokozisi Dlamini 

In a world where most teenagers are busy with school, social media, and other activities, 17-year-old Lulama Mnguni stands out because she is dedicated to farming. Lulama, who is in Grade 11, comes from a rural community of Umzumbe, Port Shepstone where farming is not just a hobby but a way of life. She developed a love for farming at a young age, thanks to her grandmother, who taught her to appreciate nature and the importance of self-sufficiency. “I started farming as a child, helping my grandmother in her garden,” Lulama recalls. “That’s when I fell in love with it. Watching things grow from seeds into food we could eat made me want to have my garden.” She added. With her grandmother’s help, Lulama started her garden and she was so happy to see her crops grow well. This success motivated her to make her garden bigger, dreaming of becoming a real farmer one day. But her journey has not been easy. One of the biggest problems Lulama faces is drought. There is not enough water in her community, which makes it hard for her to take care of her crops. “We don’t have water here, so I can’t water my crops,” Lulama says. “However my brothers help me get water from the river, but it is far away, and even then, it is not enough. The plants that need water daily often die because we do not have enough water.” Even though things are tough, Lulama stays determined, with help from her family, especially her brothers, she keeps going and finds ways to keep her crops growing. She is motivated by a strong reason, she farms not just to feed her family, but also to offer her community fresh and healthy vegetables. Her grandmother, who is a very important part of her life, is both proud and inspired by her. “I’m very proud of her,” she says, smiling. “I am glad my love for farming has passed on to her. I can rest easy knowing that my granddaughter will keep feeding our family after I am gone.” She added. Lulama’s grandmother also sees great potential in her. “She’s capable and will succeed if she stays committed,” she adds, confident in her granddaughter’s future. According to the 2021 South African Journal of Agricultural Extension study says; agriculture is one sector that makes efforts to address issues of rural development. The community and government must be involved in education training and agricultural programs to lure young people to participate in agricultural activities to ensure they have the necessary skills. Even though Lulama is doing well, her dreams go beyond her current garden. She hopes to grow her farm bigger and learn more about farming to improve her skills. She knows that with better tools and knowledge, she can grow more crops and be able to sell her crops to the whole of South Africa. In addition, the study reveals that in most rural areas of South Africa, home gardens have been identified as one of the possible ways of improving food security and offer great solutions to some issues surrounding poverty alleviation and local income generation. The study further describes that home gardens are one of the most important sources of food in many rural areas in developing countries and can significantly contribute to meeting daily household needs for better nutrition and health. Lulama Mnguni’s story is about hard work, passion, and the strength of tradition. As she grows as a farmer, she respects her grandmother’s legacy while creating a new future for herself and her community. Her determination to keep farming, even with drought, shows she is building a bright future, one seed at a time. Journalist: Mthokozisi Dlamini

Living a healthy lifestyle is always one of the New Year’s resolutions for everyone who wishes to change their way of living and their physical appearance. People always try by all means that at the beginning of the year, they remain positive about healthy lifestyle resolutions by sticking to their new diets, going to the gym, participating in sports as well as drinking water often. South Africa’s National Health Department in 2020 came up with five elements of healthy lifestyle campaigns to galvanize all South Africans to participate in them and tackle the dangers of obesity and physical inactivity as risk factors to the population.Those elements include:. promoting good nutrition. tobacco control. interventions against alcohol and substance abuse. regular physical activity. promotion of safe sexual behavior. VM Radio spoke with a few members of the Embo community in Durban, KZN about how they make sure that they are living a healthy lifestyle and how they maintain it that way. Zodwa Duma (55) said it is hard and challenging to maintain a healthy lifestyle if you are an old woman who lives in rural areas just like her. “It becomes even worse when you have grandchildren and their parents who are unemployed who usually wait for you to put food on the table. A healthy lifestyle is expensive and tiring, it doesn’t matter how committed you might be.”Duma says if she had maintained her healthy lifestyle she would never be obese as she is now and she blames the place she lives in which has so many hills and said she can’t even take a walk to exercise. “I only exercise when I go to a taxi stop where I take a taxi to work Monday to Thursday.”“We eat whatever we can afford to but especially canned food and a lot of stash plus adding acid and fizzy drinks on top of that.”  Themba Mkhize who is a teacher of life orientation and life science said living a healthy lifestyle one must make it a habit.“To live a healthy lifestyle starts by doing small things, such as getting enough sleep, having breakfast every morning, making sure that you wash your body every day, drinking at least eight glasses a day, and also decreasing a little in alcohol and cigarettes or stop using if you might. Thereafter, other things like maintaining your diet, and taking care of your body as well as physical looks will come after you have first managed to do minor things which I have just mentioned.   Health experts say that consuming healthy food helps the body prevent many unwanted non-communicable diseases, such as sugar diabetes, stroke, obesity, heart disease, and many others. They advise that eating healthy may not be the popular trend but it is certainly the best for one’s body.  A qualified Personal Trainer and Nutritionist, Mbali Mthethwa said if one wants to live a healthy lifestyle he or she must have a vision, inspiration, and a goal and most importantly pray about it, also focus on forming a lifestyle that will last forever.  “Your lifestyle is highly influenced by the people close to you, don’t be afraid to encourage everyone to practice a healthy lifestyle.  It is important to keep your household empty of bad food, don’t tempt fate, by filling your pantry with unhealthy food, because if you buy it you will be tempted to eat it, so it is better to not buy it at all. When it comes to workouts, choose a time that will keep your workouts consistent, and make exercise a priority and part of your everyday routine. Furthermore, consistency is the key to success, lay out a plan and execute it every single time whether it be morning, afternoon, or at night, get your heart rate up any way you can,” explains Mthethwa.  Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA) says for decades, the public has been fed the myth that what we eat is our choice and they believe that has shaped stigmatizing and shaming narratives that lay the blame for non-communicable diseases such as obesity and diabetes squarely at consumers feet ignoring the larger food system. Their website Feather says today, South Africa’s food industry continues to wield great power in shaping what the nation eats and consequently the future health of it and its citizens, while half of South Africans remain unemployed, and sufficient nutritious food remains out of reach for many.   That is why Heala aims to advocate for equitable access to affordable nutritious food in South Africa and runs campaigns such as sugar tax and front-of-package labeling to urge the Government to strongly regulate the food environment of unhealthy food and help consumers make better choices and live healthier lives.    Written by Sandile Mbili Photo Sourced