For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: Government defends decision to fund Bok superfans at Rugby World Cup; National Teaching Awards a reminder of Kader Asmal’s contributions; And, DA says ANC turned police into private security force

Government defends decision to fund Bok superfans at Rugby World Cup

The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture defended its decision to fund super fans Joy Chauke and Botha Msila to attend the Rugby World Cup in France.

They also failed to explain how the pair were chosen and how much this trip cost the department.

Chauke, who is popularly known as Mama Joy, and Msila are two of the most colourful and passionate sport supporters in the country.

Msila shot to international fame when he attempted to hike from South Africa to Egypt for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. His mission might have ended prematurely due to visa issues in Sudan, but he received international adoration and support for his passion.

Chauke, who ditched Orlando Pirates to back Royal AM, was recently chosen by FIFA to be one of the fan ambassadors at last year's Football World Cup in Qatar. She was named Best Fan Leader by the tournament's organising committee after the global showpiece.

The pair's presence at the Rugby World Cup, where they are adorned in the colours of the South African flag, came under scrutiny after DA councillor Renaldo Grouws raised concerns on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, about the department funding their travels.

National Teaching Awards a reminder of Kader Asmal’s contributions

Deputy President Paul Mashatile today praised the role of educators as "foundation builders" for society, as he addressed the National Teaching Awards ceremony, in Tshwane.

This year marks 23 years since the first National Teaching Awards took place, spearheaded by former Minister of Education, the late Professor Kader Asmal.

Mashatile noted Asmal’s instrumental role in the anti-apartheid movement, and in South Africa’s transition to democracy.

The Deputy President said the National Teachers’ Awards would always serve as a reminder of Asmal’s contributions to social transformation in South Africa, to the extent that the Lifetime Achievement Award is named after him.

He reminded the gathering that the transformation journey was not just about building new infrastructure or implementing policies, but that it was also about the human touch, guidance, and inspiration provided by educators.

And, DA says ANC turned police into private security force

Providing security at the recently held Brics summit cost the South African taxpayer R75-million.

According to Police Minister Bheki Cele, more than 5 000 police officers were deployed and 700 vehicles were utilised for the two-day event.

He was responding to a written parliamentary question from Democratic Alliance MP Delmaine Christians, who asked about the cost of policing the summit.

Cele explained that a total number of 5 234 South African Police Service members were deployed during the summit and a total number of 726 Saps vehicles were utilised. An amount of about R75 000 000 was spent. There was no additional security with regards to the summit, Cele said.

In a statement, Christians bemoaned the large sum of money spent while ordinary South Africans are faced with murder, rape, robberies and kidnappings due to an underfunded police service.

The details come days after South Africa was ranked seventh in the world out of 193 countries for mafia-style criminal networks and organised crime syndicates by the 2023 Global Organised Crime Index.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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