Aphelele Fassi will benefit from playing alongside several top All Blacks in Japan before returning to the Sharks in 2027.

The archipelago off the coast of west Africa is an island of tolerance in a continent where anti-LGBTQ laws have become increasingly repressive.

Circle the date and clear your schedule because Saturday, 4 July promises to be one of the biggest sporting days of the year. Hollywoodbets Durban July, the return of the Springboks, the drama of the 2026 Fifa World Cup knockout rounds and the world’s oldest Grand Slam, Wimbledon. From sunrise to late into the evening, the sporting world will offer something for everyone. The spotlight first falls on Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse, where the 130th running of the Hollywoodbets Durban July takes centre stage. More than just a horse race, the event has become one of South Africa’s biggest sporting and social occasions, blending world-class racing with fashion, music and entertainment. Spanning 13 decades, the ‘HDJ’ has produced unforgettable moments of triumph, heartbreak and drama, cementing its status as the holy grail of South African racing. This year, a capacity field of 18 runners, plus two reserves, will contest Africa’s richest Grade 1 horse race over 2200 metres for a record R10 million purse. Under this year’s ‘Country Allure’ theme, Hollywoodbets Greyville will once again transform into the country’s fashion capital, following the creativity on display at the HDJ Preview Fashion Show and the excitement surrounding the famous Park pre-party. While Durban celebrates racing’s biggest day, Johannesburg prepares to welcome the Springboks back into action. After months of anticipation, Rassie Erasmus’ men begin another chapter with a blockbuster Test against England. Meetings between these two rugby powerhouses rarely disappoint, and this clash promises another bruising contest between two of the sport’s fiercest rivals. As the reigning world champions continue building towards another World Cup, all eyes will be on Siya Kolisi’s leadership, the evolution of Erasmus’ squad and whether the famous Bomb Squad can once again make the decisive impact. Football supporters, meanwhile, will be glued to the 2026 Fifa World Cup, where the knockout stages continue to separate contenders from pretenders. African football has already made history, with nine of the 10 African nations that qualified progressing beyond the group stage. Morocco has emerged as one of the tournament’s standout teams, while Cape Verde face the daunting task of trying to stop Lionel Messi, who leads the Golden Boot race and continues his remarkable final World Cup campaign. Alongside Messi, Kylian Mbappé has lit up the tournament with spectacular goals, while Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo remains determined to make his mark in what will be his final appearance on football’s biggest stage. With every match now a winner-takes-all affair, the stakes have never been higher. Across the English Channel, Wimbledon enters another fascinating chapter. The Championships have once again captured global attention thanks to the return of Serena Williams, who headlines the tournament after receiving singles and doubles wildcards alongside her sister Venus. While Serena continues her remarkable comeback, the tournament has also been rocked by the withdrawal of home favourite Emma Raducanu through injury, opening the door for new contenders as players battle for places in the second week. Whether you’re following the thunder of hooves at Greyville, cheering on the Springboks, watching football’s biggest stars chase World Cup glory or settling in for another day of Centre Court magic, 4 July promises to be one of the greatest sporting Saturdays of the year. It’s a day where South Africa’s biggest lifestyle event meets some of the world’s biggest sporting spectacles, creating a celebration that few sports fans will want to miss.

This aerial view shows people holding lit candles and a Venezuelan flag during a vigil paying tribute to victims of earthquakes in Venezuela, with the word “VENEZUELA” formed with candles on the ground at Plaza Estado del Vaticano in Buenos Aires on July 1, 2026. Hope of finding more survivors faded on July 1 as Venezuela marked a week since twin earthquakes killed almost 2,300 people, while many who lived through the disaster were running desperately short on food. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP) Mbekezeli Mbokazi greets fans during the South African national men’s soccer team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on July 02, 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images) An equestrian performer rides atop a horse during a rodeo on the first day of the “Great American State Fair” on the National Mall on June 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Freedom 250-backed Great American State Fair celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States runs through July 10th. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Smoke rises over the city following a Russian air attack on Kyiv on July 2, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A barrage of Russian missiles and drones killed at least 13 people in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, officials said on July 2, as Ukraine urged its allies to send more air defence systems. (Photo by Roman PILIPEY / AFP) A man works on a Statue of Liberty costume in Battery Park in New York on July 1, 2026. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) A person walks next a residential building damaged following a Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on July 2, 2026, amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Russian missile and drone strikes rocked Kyiv early on July 2, killing at least eight people and wounding dozens, after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Moscow was preparing a “massive attack”. (Photo by Roman PILIPEY / AFP) US President Donald Trump greets onlookers after arriving on the “Freedom250 train” on his way to attend the grand opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota, July 1, 2026. . (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) An international rescue team assists a survivor of Venezuela’s twin earthquakes in Catia La Mar, La Guaira State, Venezuela on July 2, 2026, eight days after the quake. Hernan Gil, a 43-year-old security guard, had been buried in the booth of the seven-story building where he worked in Catia La Mar, a coastal area in the state of La Guaira devastated by the disaster. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP) A woman lies on a jetty that ends at the dry shore of Lake Constance in Wasserburg, southern Germany, on July 2, 2026, during a period of hot weather and low water levels. (Photo by Karl-Josef Hildenbrand / AFP) This aerial picture shows a farmer operating a combine harvester during a press event of the German Farmers’ Association (Deutscher Bauernverband) marking the official start of the 2026 grain harvest in Gross Machnow, eastern Germany, on July 2, 2026. (Photo by RALF HIRSCHBERGER / AFP) Mia Hansson poses with a large replica of the Bayeux Tapestry, which has been recreated step by step by the former teacher, at a hall in Wisbech, eastern England on July 1, 2026. Swedish-born Mia Hansson began the project in 2016, working for several hours a day to reproduce the epic 70-metre (230-foot) embroidery of William the Conqueror’s invasion of England. Meanwhile, thousands rushed to get tickets on July 1 for the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition in London, with the 11th-century artwork set to be transported from France for its first showing in the UK. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP) MORE PICTURES: Thousands take part in immigration protests across South Africa

On 1 July, beloved food enthusiast Nara Smith shared the heartbreaking news on social media that her daughter, Whimsy, was diagnosed with cancer late last year. NARA SMITH’S DAUGHTER DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER In a 2:37 video, the mother of four explained that her decreased online presence is because they were dealing with Whimsy’s cancer diagnosis. “There’s no easy way to say this or to talk about any of this, but late last year our daughter Whimsy got diagnosed with cancer,” she began. Nara mentioned that they sought medical help after noticing something concerning about their daughter. She added that it was during this time that she suspected her daughter might have cancer. “When we saw something suspicious on her we took her to the ER and they didn’t quite know what to make of it. So, when we took her to our pediatrician, I just remember him going really quiet and calm and my heart dropped in that moment,” she added. “I don’t know whether it was my gut telling me something or just a mom’s intuition, but the first thing that I felt was [that] she has cancer,” she said. After the doctor referred them to a children’s hospital for further evaluation, a devastating cancer diagnosis was confirmed, and treatment was quickly recommended. “He calmly told us to take her to the closest children’s hospital and have them evaluate her further. After a lot of X-rays, ultrasounds, and finally a biopsy, they immediately called us and said that she had cancer. They told us it had spread and that she needs to come start chemotherapy treatment immediately,” she added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nara Smith (@naraaziza) NARA IS GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT FROM HER COMMUNUTY The support she got from forums, social media, and engaging with parents and families provided solace during this tough time for her family. “Throughout all of this, I’ve been on a plethora of forums, social media [and] also talked to parents and family in the hospital, and all of that combined really brought me a lot of comfort,” she said. The reason for sharing her daughter’s cancer journey is to provide comfort to others in similar situations and to encourage those who have been avoiding medical checkups. “We wanted to share this to hopefully bring someone else that comfort or even incentivise you to go get something checked out that you’ve been avoiding,” she said. “I hope that by sharing this I can bring someone else a little  bit of comfort and make you feel less alone in your journey,” she said.

Cape Town residents have until 27 July to comment on the City’s Cape Town Foreshore redevelopment plans. The plans would transform part of the Civic Centre parking site into a mixed-use precinct with affordable housing, shops and offices. Public participation is now open on the proposed sale and redevelopment of part of Erf 1, Roggebaai, also known as the Woodstock Parking site on the Foreshore. If approved, the project could attract R1.5 billion in private investment, create around 3 500 jobs and bring more homes and businesses closer to major public transport routes. City plans mixed-use development The City wants to replace part of the open-air staff parking area with a high-density mixed-use development. The proposal includes: Affordable housing Residential apartments Commercial office space Retail opportunities Public spaces and pedestrian upgrades The site lies next to the Cape Town Civic Centre and close to the Cape Town railway station, MyCiTi bus services, minibus taxi ranks and long-distance bus terminals. It also offers direct access to the N1 and N2. The City says the location makes it well suited to higher-density development that supports public transport and central city growth. Project could attract R1.5bn investment It’s estimated that the redevelopment could deliver significant economic benefits, including: R1.5 billion in private sector investment Around 3 500 jobs during construction and throughout the development’s lifecycle An estimated R230 million from the sale of the land About R50 million a year in rates and service revenue According to the statement, the project forms part of its strategy to unlock greater value from underused municipal land while supporting economic growth and urban regeneration. The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, James Vos, said the proposal aims to maximise the long-term public value of the site. “We are prepared to release underused City-owned assets where this can unlock far greater value for the economy, create jobs, attract investment and improve the urban environment.” Vos said the development could support inclusive growth while making better use of well-located public land. Affordable housing remains part of the plan The City says it no longer needs the land for municipal purposes in its current form. Before any sale proceeds, officials will consider issues such as parking capacity, security around the Civic Centre and access to the municipal complex. The Human Settlements Directorate will also help shape the development to maximise affordable housing opportunities on the site. How to comment The public participation process closes on 27 July 2026. Residents can submit comments online through the City of Cape Town’s public participation portal or email the Property Development Department at development.woodstock@capetown.gov.za.

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