Anti-migrant groups blame government for potential violence ahead of June 30 demonstrations
via The Namibian4 min read
Organizers of the June 30 demonstrations against undocumented immigrants, including March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma and 27 civil society organizations, assert their movement is peaceful and any potential lawlessness would be due to state policing and border control failures. The collective, which includes the Kwanele Foundation and South Africans for Constitutional Reform, reiterated June 30 as a deadline for undocumented migrants to "self-deport" and confirmed permit applications for countrywide demonstrations. They demand the government tighten border security, increase funding for the Border Management Association and Home Affairs, reserve the township economy for South Africans, and increase deportations. Despite their claims of peaceful intent, reports link anti-migration tensions to violence, including the destruction of shacks in Mossel Bay, resulting in two Mozambican nationals' deaths, and the alleged killing of a Malawian man in KwaZulu-Natal. Videos also show migrants being harassed by mobs, with media personality Ngizwe Mchunu, affiliated with March and March, present. Ngobese-Zuma stated that while precautions would be taken, police are ultimately responsible for ensuring law and order. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia confirmed a R600-million budget for the demonstrations, with SAPS collaborating with private security to prevent a repeat of the July 2021 unrest. The Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign, representing 160 civil society organizations, ha
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Three Namibian runners, including defending women’s champion Lavinia Haitope, Simon Mathias, and Elton Hiskia, will participate in the Nelson Mandela Bay Half-Marathon in Gqeberha, South Africa, this weekend. The athletes, who recently won their categories at the 2025 QKR Navachab Half-Marathon, were officially sent off on Tuesday. Berthold Karumendu, the Navachab half-marathon race organiser, stated that this trip is an investment in Namibian athletics, providing an opportunity for local runners to compete against elite athletes from across Africa, including Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. The Nelson Mandela Bay Half-Marathon is a premier road-running event and a national championship race in South Africa. Karumendu also mentioned that this initiative is part of a broader vision to elevate road running in Namibia, aiming to make the QKR Navachab Half-Marathon internationally recognized within three years. This effort aligns with Namibia’s NDP and Vision 2030 objectives to foster athletic excellence and inspire future runners. The team is scheduled to depart for South Africa tomorrow.
The FNB Namibian Eagles concluded the T20 Tri-Nations series undefeated, triumphing over Nigeria by 93 runs. Namibia scored 220/5 and restricted Nigeria to 127/9, finishing atop the log with eight points, ahead of Hong Kong four points and Nigeria zero points. Young players were instrumental in the victory, with Alex Volschenk scoring 73, Junior Taanyaanda 35, and captain Gerhard Erasmus adding 51. JC Balt took four wickets for 20 runs, including a hat-trick. Taanyaanda was the series' top scorer with 165 runs at an average of 82.50, also hitting the most sixes 13 and fours 13 alongside Erasmus. Jan Frylinck achieved the highest individual score of 110, while Erasmus had the highest strike rate of 201.33. Balt led in wickets with seven and had the most economical figures 3.85. Coach Craig Williams expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, particularly highlighting Taanyaanda's international debut, where he scored 74 not out, 56, and 35. Williams noted Taanyaanda's commitment and strong work ethic, and his successful transition to opening batter despite not typically playing that role for his club. Namibia is set to play Nigeria in a three-match 50-over series, with several other young players joining the squad, including Tangi Nuujoma, Zacheo van Vuuren, Tiaan van der Merwe, Adriaan Coetzee, Henre Oppermann, Michael Muller, Kyle van Santen, and William Lottering, under the captaincy of Nicol Loftie-Eaton.
Must ReadSouth Africa secured a historic qualification for the World Cup knockout rounds by beating South Korea 1-0. This achievement marks their first time advancing past the group stage since hosting the tournament in 2010. After an initial 2-0 loss to Mexico, South Africa drew with the Czech Republic and then defeated South Korea in a decisive match. Thapelo Maseko scored the winning goal in the second half. South Africa's coach Hugo Broos expressed his happiness for the team's five years of work. South Korea's coach Hong Myung-bo notably left captain Son Heung-min out of the starting lineup. South Africa will now face co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on June 28. In another Group A match, Mexico defeated the Czech Republic 3-0, securing the top spot with a perfect record and advancing to a last-32 match on June 30.