🇳🇦NamibiaSouthern Africa
Thunder defeat Suns to take 2-0 series lead, Pistons even series with Magic
via The Namibian3 min read
The Oklahoma City Thunder secured a 120-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns, taking a 2-0 lead in their NBA playoff series. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 37 points, with Chet Holmgren adding 19 points and Jalen Williams also scoring 19 before exiting due to an apparent hamstring injury. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised Gilgeous-Alexander's performance, while Gilgeous-Alexander expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform despite injuries. In another game, the Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 98-83, leveling their series at 1-1. Cade Cunningham contributed 27 points and 11 assists for the Pistons, and Tobias Harris added 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Pistons' strong defensive effort and a dominant third quarter, where they outscored the Magic 38-16, were key to their victory. The Magic were held to their lowest points total of the season.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Namibian forward Joslin Kamatuka of Durban City FC is preparing for his first major cup final in the Nedbank Cup against TS Galaxy on May 2. The 34-year-old winger's journey to the final follows a four-month layoff due to a persistent hamstring injury, which he had been playing with since last season. Kamatuka returned to action in the round of 16 and quarter-finals, admitting he lacked match fitness initially. He credits his family and fellow Namibian players for support during his rehabilitation. Durban City's path to the final included three consecutive penalty shootout victories, with Kamatuka highlighting the quarter-final against Golden Arrows as particularly stressful due to it being a KZN derby and playing with ten men after a red card. Despite recent league results affecting team morale, Kamatuka is confident in his team's ability to win and is fully recovered. He anticipates a tough match against TS Galaxy, who Durban City has beaten twice in the league this season and knocked out of the Nedbank Cup last season. Kamatuka draws on advice from coach Ricardo Mannetti during Namibia's 2015 Cosafa Cup win, viewing the final as "just another game" to manage pressure, maintaining a calm pre-match routine of prayer, calling his daughter, and listening to music.
Must ReadTaiwan President Lai Ching-te has cancelled a planned trip to Eswatini, accusing China of pressuring other countries to deny his aircraft overflight permits. According to a Taiwanese official, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar revoked Lai’s flight permits due to "intense pressure" and economic coercion from China. China denied coercion but praised the three Indian Ocean nations for upholding the "one China" principle. This marks the first time a Taiwanese leader has had to cancel a foreign trip due to revoked flight permits. Eswatini is Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Africa. Seychelles and Madagascar stated their decision was based on their non-recognition of Taiwan. Taiwanese officials claimed the revocations were "unexpectedly and without prior notice." China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification. President Lai criticized China's "coercive actions" on X, stating they "exposed the risks authoritarian regimes pose to the international order." The government of Eswatini expressed regret over the cancellation but affirmed that it would not alter their longstanding bilateral relationship. Lai was scheduled to attend celebrations for King Mswati III's 40th anniversary of accession and his birthday. A special envoy will attend on Lai's behalf. A spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office appreciated the countries' stance, and China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the "so-called 'President of the Rep
Must ReadThe ANC has given members who also belong to the SACP 10 days to declare which party they will campaign for in the upcoming local elections. This directive, announced by ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, highlights the growing tension as the SACP plans to contest independently. The move creates a dilemma for prominent figures like Blade Nzimande, the SACP chairperson and a Cabinet minister, who would face the absurdity of campaigning for one party while holding a position in the other's government. Similarly, ANC Chair Gwede Mantashe, a former SACP chair, will now campaign against a party he once led. The long-standing alliance between the ANC and SACP, which dates back generations and played a crucial role in shaping the ANC and drafting the Freedom Charter, is now fracturing. The SACP's decision to go it alone comes despite a lack of clear electoral support and opposition from Cosatu, a traditional ally. However, internal SACP support for the move, a perceived shift of the ANC away from the political left, and a generational change in SACP leadership, particularly with Solly Mapaila, are cited as drivers. The SACP may also seek greater influence in a coalition-driven political landscape by holding a balance of power.
Must ReadPresident Cyril Ramaphosa is facing a critical decision regarding National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, who has been criminally charged in connection with a police scandal. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that an announcement will be made once the President decides, though no specific timeline was given. This decision is seen as a key indicator of Ramaphosa's stance on internal conflicts within the South African Police Service SAPS. Masemola's situation could lead to his leave or suspension, potentially resulting in both an acting national police commissioner and an acting police minister, as Firoz Cachalia was appointed acting police minister last year after Senzo Mchunu's suspension due to similar allegations. DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has called for Masemola's precautionary suspension, emphasizing the need for clean leadership in the SAPS. The scandal involves KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's claims of a drug cartel infiltrating South African institutions, leading to a split within the SAPS. Masemola, who recently approved a five-year extension for Mkhwanazi's contract, was charged this week in a case linked to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is accused of corrupting senior police officers. Masemola appeared in Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on April 21, facing four charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act, related to a R228-million SAPS tender awarded to Matlala's company, Medicare 24 Tshwane District. Matlala,