Tag Archives: KwaZulu-Natal

Regional, Sports

Royal AM relegation marks decline of KwaZulu-Natal’s women’s football

Shaffie A Mtambo

KWAZULU NATAL-(MaraviPost)-KwaZulu-Natal’s representation in South Africa’s elite women’s football has continued to shrink after Royal AM were confirmed as the second team to be relegated from the 2025 Hollywoodbets Super League, joining Durban Ladies who went down earlier this month.

The relegation of Royal AM, who were formerly known as Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies before relocating to Pietermaritzburg in 2023, leaves Ezemvelo Ladies as the only surviving team from the province in the top-flight league.

Once a proud region boasting competitive women’s clubs, KwaZulu-Natal now finds itself facing an uncertain future in women’s football.

Royal AM’s journey has been a turbulent one. After promising seasons that saw them finish as high as third in 2019 under the Bloemfontein Celtic banner, the club’s fortunes have steadily declined over the past few years.

Their troubles deepened this season when they lost several key players, forcing them to field makeshift lineups and endure heavy defeats, including a 5–0 loss to TS Galaxy Queens and an 8–0 hammering by Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies.

The team’s relegation was mathematically confirmed following a 2–1 defeat to the University of Johannesburg last weekend, leaving them stranded on just 13 points from 27 matches.

With only three victories all season and 20 losses, Royal AM have struggled to keep pace with the rest of the league.

Their last realistic hope vanished when 14th-placed First Touch Ladies reached 23 points, making survival impossible.

Royal AM’s downfall reflects a wider concern for women’s football development in KwaZulu-Natal.

The back-to-back loss of Durban Ladies and now Royal AM underscores the lack of investment, sponsorship and player development in the province.

Ezemvelo Ladies remain the only beacon of hope, currently positioned safely in mid-table.

As Royal AM prepare to play their remaining fixtures, starting with a home clash against the University of Pretoria on Sunday, 2 November at Harry Gwala Stadium, the focus has shifted to the upcoming Sasol League National Play-offs, where two new teams will be promoted to replace this season’s casualties.

Politics, SADC

South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma involved in car crash

Maravi Post Reporter

Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been involved in a car crash but escaped unharmed.

According to local news reports, Police said a drunk driver hit his official state car on Thursday evening.

A member of his party, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), claimed it was deliberate.

Zuma, suspended by the African National Congress (ANC), is campaigning for MK before May’s election.

The crash occurred in his home province, KwaZulu-Natal, at 18:40 local time.

“No injuries were reported,” said police.

A 51-year-old man was arrested for drunk and reckless driving.

Musa Mkhize, MK’s election head, suggested the crash was planned.

Zuma, 81, served as president from 2009 to 2018 amidst corruption allegations.

He’s entitled to an official protection team.

The crash coincided with him being barred from the upcoming election due to a previous jail sentence.

Opinion polls hint ANC’s vote might dip below 50% for the first time in 30 years.

MK’s influence, especially in KwaZulu-Natal, could impact ANC’s support.

Source: Africanews

Human Rights, Regional

RSA woman gives birth in shopping centre, stabs newborn to death

Angella Semu
Woman arrested

KwaZulu-Natal (MaraviPost)-South Africa Police in KwaZulu-Natal arrested for allegedly stabbing her newborn baby to death after giving birth in a shopping centre toilet.

Dylan Meyrick of IPSS Medical Rescue confirmed the news in a statement adding that the incident happened in the toilets of a Sundumbili shopping centre.

“IPSS Medical Rescue are currently on scene at a shopping centre in the Sundumbili area. A call was received after a woman had apparently given birth in the toilets at the centre.

“On arrival of paramedics a woman was found to be holding the body of a dead baby. On further investigation it was confirmed that the woman had given birth to the baby in the shopping centre toilets, but had then apparently stabbed the baby to death with an unknown object,” said IPSS in a statement.

According to TimesLIVE, police had been called to the scene and the suspect her twenties had been taken into custody.

Last month, Mpumalanga High Court convicted and sentenced 26-year-old mother to a 22-year prison term for stabbing her newborn with a pair of scissors shortly after giving birth.