Suzuki Griquas finished off a perfect campaign by winning the SA Cup – their first major trophy in a decade – when they defeated arch-rivals the Airlink Pumas by 46-24 in a thrilling final at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon.

Pieter Bergh’s side led from the onset, racing into a 29-0 lead in the first 25 minutes and never lost the lead to clinch a memorable final played in front of a big crowd at their home ground in the Diamond City.

The Peacock Blues – playing in white on Saturday – delivered a masterclass in the first half to effectively take the game away from the gritty team from Mpumalanga.

Suzuki Griquas led 29-14 at half-time as the Airlink Pumas started with their fightback, and the home side had to withstand an intensive period of pressure from the visitors as Jimmy Stonehouse’s team served notice of their intension to stay in the game.

However, the hosts’ defence held firm to repel several forward onslaughts from the Airlink Pumas and they thwarted two dangerous scoring opportunities by managing to hold up the visiting ball carrier and prevent them from scoring.

Once Suzuki Griquas managed to soak up that pressure, they somehow found another gear to score two quick-fire tries in the last six minutes to seal the deal. The home team’s experienced flyhalf George Whitehead was again their standout player by scoring a try, four conversions and two penalty goals for a personal contribution of 19 points.

The men from the Northern Cape made a positive start by scoring a converted try through left wing Sako Makata in the sixth minute, which was converted by Whitehead.

Whitehead then hit the target again barely one minute later when he slotted penalty goal following a high tackle, which saw right wing Stefan Coetzee sent to the sin bin. This was followed by a penalty try when the Airlink Pumas pulled down a driving maul with the tryline beckoning.

With two opponents in the sin bin, Suzuki Griquas tried to run the Airlink Pumas off their feet and it was not surprise when lively fullback Cameron Hufke was sent over in the corner following a two-man overlap, to make it 22-0.

Suzuki Griquas continued to tighten the screws and six minutes later Whitehead exploited space behind the Airlink Pumas’ defensive line when he collected his own grubber kick to run in under the sticks, with the conversion stretching the hosts’ lead to 29-0 inside 25 minutes.

But the Airlink Pumas staged their fightback which saw them awarded a penalty try and yellow card for the hosts’ outside back Stephan Smit.

That, and a great counter-attacking try by replacement flyhalf Gene Willemse, narrowed the deficit to 15 points at halftime.

Discipline continued to plague both sides, and just before Willemse’s try, Makata became the fourth player see yellow in the first half when he was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle.

After the break the two teams improved their discipline which resulted in an arm wrestle for possession, territory and points.

Suzuki Griquas forced another scrum penalty early in the second stanza and allowed Whitehead to easily slot his second penalty goal of the afternoon to increase the lead to 32-14.

However, the Airlink Pumas refused to go away and their forwards started to get more into the game which also saw them enjoying more possession. It was therefore no surprise when replacement hooker Darnell Osuagwu continued with his try-scoring streak by dotting down for the visitors after a sustained period of pressure.

The momentum was now with the team from Mpumalanga and shortly thereafter it was Airlink Pumas wing Lundi Msenge, who finished off a move to cut the lead to 32-24 with 10 minutes of play left on the clock.

But two quick tries, by replacements Gustav du Rand (hooker) and Bobby Alexander (scrumhalf), sealed the fate of the visitors and led to wild celebrations by the home team and their supporters.

Scorers:

Suzuki Griquas 46 (29) – Tries: Sako Makata, Cameron Hufke, George Whitehead, Gustav du Rand, Bobby Alexander, Penalty try. Conversions: Whitehead (4). Penalty goals: Whitehead (2).

Airlink Pumas 24 (14) – Tries: Gene Willemse, Darnell Osaugwu, Lundi Msenge, Penalty try. Conversion: Willemse.

Please note, all match details are subject to change and will be kept updated on www.Springboks.Rugby.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Rugby.

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The Rizal Monument was illuminated in green today in celebration of Africa Day which marks the 61st anniversary of the founding of the African Union. 

Africa Day, celebrated on May 25th each year, commemorates the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, which has since been succeeded by the African Union (AU). The day celebrates the diversity and unity of the African continent and its people. The lighting highlights the partnership and camaraderie between the Philippines and the individual countries that comprise the African Union.

The AU is comprised of all 55 countries in the African continent. According to the AU’s website, its official flag adopts the color green symbolizes African hopes and aspirations.

There are six (6) resident African Embassies in the Philippines: Angola, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa. The lighting was done with the cooperation of the National Parks Development Committee. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines.

Africans, across the Continent and in the Diaspora,

25 May 1963 to 25 May 2024, what a long way we’ve come!

Africa has freed itself from the yoke of colonialism and the appalling system of Apartheid. Its intellectual, scientific and cultural resources have been immensely developed, diversified and enriched.

 Its economy has grown at rates envied by many parts of the world. It’s resilience during the global COVID 19 crisis, impressed many. Tribute to AfricaCDC, which made a major contribution to our successful Continental Response.

Clearly, Africa’s demographic explosion, its social constraints that are resistant to the demands of the new world, the continuing deterioration of our climatic conditions, the various forms of foreign interference in our internal affairs, the permeability of certain categories of its elites to foreign discourse, and the obvious shortcomings in terms of governance, have not helped to transform the above-mentioned positive assets into factors of social justice, equality and inclusive prosperity.

Fellow Africans,

Africa Day, which we are celebrating today, is certainly, as I often say, an opportune moment for reflection, certainly to assess how far we have come, but also to reflect on the road ahead.

I would like to take this opportunity to address not only governments and official institutions, but also the youth and the women of Africa.

Liberation, and progress in development and integration are now a reality. This has been the result of the vision and leadership of the founding fathers and current leaders, but also and above all, of your mobilization by the hundreds of millions across the Continent, your many sacrifices, your unshakeable endurance to ensure that the sun shines and warms planet Africa.

Peace and security, the solution to the crises that are ravaging some of our countries, terrorism, the degradation of the natural environment, youth and female unemployment, migration, the retreat of democratic values, unconstitutional changes of government, all these require a real increase in mobilization, sacrifices and coherent struggles to put a definitive end to all of these evils.

The Organization of African Unity, born of the pain of our struggles, now finds itself at a real crossroads. We must reform resolutely and courageously to become what our founding fathers wanted us to be, which is, a powerful lever for unity, liberation, integration and the defense of African dignity in relation to ourselves but also in relation to others.

With the Youth making up over 60% of Africa’s population, tens of millions of hectares of arable land, water, fisheries, mining and energy resources, our young people cannot and should not be satisfied with development on the cheap.

The legitimate aspirations of inclusive and shared prosperity in a peaceful, integrated Africa, as set out in Agenda 2063, that is the dream that I share, with all my heart, with all of you.

To all of you, I wish you a happy anniversary of the creation of the OAU.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

In line with the theme “Education Fit for the 21st Century,” join us in celebrating Africa Day by engaging in conversations and sharing insights on the future of education in Africa. Together, we can create an education system that not only meets the demands of the 21st century but also ensures that every African child has the opportunity to thrive.

Here’s how you can participate:

Share your thoughts and ideas on how education can be transformed to meet the needs of the 21st century.
Highlight educational initiatives and programs that are making a difference in your community or country.
Use the hashtag #AfricaDay #YearofEdication to amplify your message.
Discuss the importance of education in driving socio-economic development and creating opportunities for all Africans.

Background

Education is a cornerstone for Africa’s growth and development, serving as a critical driver for socio-economic transformation and innovation. By focusing on education fit for the 21st century, we are equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate and thrive in an increasingly complex and digital world. This theme aligns perfectly with Agenda 2063, the African Union’s strategic framework for the continent’s socio-economic transformation.

Agenda 2063 envisions a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development, where education plays a pivotal role in achieving these goals. Modernizing our educational systems to include digital literacy, critical thinking, and adaptability ensures that Africa can harness its demographic dividend, foster entrepreneurship, and compete effectively on the global stage. Investing in education today is essential for building a resilient, innovative, and prosperous Africa tomorrow.

As we celebrate Africa Day with the theme “Education Fit for the 21st Century,” we call upon all stakeholders across all sectors to join us in this transformative journey. Education is not just a foundational element for individual success but a foundation for the sustainable development and prosperity of our entire continent. Your involvement is crucial to achieving the ambitious goals set out in Agenda 2063.

For Governments:

Allocate more resources to education, particularly towards infrastructure, teacher training, and digital technologies.
Implement policies that promote inclusive and equitable education, ensuring no child is left behind.

For Educational Institutions:

Integrate 21st-century skills into curricula and embrace innovative teaching methods that cater to the digital age.
Partner with other institutions and organizations to share best practices and resources.

For the Private Sector:

Fund scholarships, infrastructure projects, and technology initiatives that enhance educational quality and accessibility.
Provide opportunities for students to gain real-world experience and develop skills relevant to the job market.

For Civil Society Organizations:

Promote the importance of education and advocate for policies that support educational improvements.
Work with communities to ensure local needs and voices are included in educational planning and implementation.

For Individuals:

Volunteer your time, skills, or resources to support educational initiatives in your community.
Stay Informed: Keep abreast of educational developments and advocate for necessary changes and improvements.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).