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"description": "Daily Maverick is an independent online news publication and weekly print newspaper in South Africa.\r\n\r\nIt is known for breaking some of the defining stories of South Africa in the past decade, including the Marikana Massacre, in which the South African Police Service killed 34 miners in August 2012.\r\n\r\nIt also investigated the Gupta Leaks, which won the 2019 Global Shining Light Award.\r\n\r\nThat investigation was credited with exposing the Indian-born Gupta family and former President Jacob Zuma for their role in the systemic political corruption referred to as state capture.\r\n\r\nIn 2018, co-founder and editor-in-chief Branislav ‘Branko’ Brkic was awarded the country’s prestigious Nat Nakasa Award, recognised for initiating the investigative collaboration after receiving the hard drive that included the email tranche.\r\n\r\nIn 2021, co-founder and CEO Styli Charalambous also received the award.\r\n\r\nDaily Maverick covers the latest political and news developments in South Africa with breaking news updates, analysis, opinions and more.",
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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The world watched in awe a few months ago as Spain dominated the European Championship on their way to clinching the tournament, with one player in particular attracting attention – 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of Yamal’s records at the Germany-hosted continental showpiece included being the youngest player to make an appearance in the history of the tournament, as well as the youngest goal scorer.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to his incredible displays and evident talent, Yamal caught the eye for his self-assuredness. He played as if he had no doubt that he belonged on the biggest stage. He showed no signs of nerves, at least on the outside. Firmly establishing himself as the next global sports superstar.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Local flavour</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2024, a handful of South Africa youngsters have displayed similar star quality and raw potential. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Bafana Bafana attacker Relebohile Mofokeng, as well as sprinter Bayanda Walaza and cricketer Kwena Maphaka</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With South Africa’s long-time flyhalf Handré Pollard not getting any younger, the search for his eventual successor has been ongoing for the past couple of years.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France it was Manie Libbok who was handed the No 10 jersey as Pollard initially struggled with injury. However, as the latter rediscovered his rhythm and fitness, Libbok had to settle for a place on the bench.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2358103\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/B24GSMN2355.jpg\" alt=\"SA sport stars Feinberg-Mngomezulu\" width=\"2264\" height=\"1626\" /> <em>Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in action for the Boks against Portugal in Bloemfontein on 20 July 2024. (Photo: ©Muzi Ntombela / BackpagePix)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2358102\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11541562-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"SA sport stars\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1686\" /> <em>Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu makes a break during the Boks’ Rugby Championship match against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Australia, on 10 August 2024. (Photo: EPA / Darren England)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since that World Cup success, Feinberg-Mngomezulu has sprinted into the national team picture and consigned Libbok to third on the Bok flyhalf pecking order.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The former Junior Springbok captain had been on the periphery of the senior side since 2022. However, he had to wait until June 2024 for his debut, which came against Wales at Twickenham in London.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 22-year-old – who has all the swagger and self-confidence required to be considered a generational talent – ensured it was a memorable one too. The Stormers starlet came off the bench to contribute to South Africa’s 41-13 victory over the Welsh with a long-range penalty goal.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He has carried this form into the Rugby Championship, where he earned his first start against Australia and added four conversions for the Boks’ comprehensive 33-7 win in August. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I can’t speak highly enough about Sacha and the way he has come into the group. He is hungry to learn. Of course, he’s young and he’s got this unbelievable talent, which is great. That excitement is something that he must never let go,” Pollard said of his fast-rising understudy.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“For us it’s just about helping him and making him feel comfortable and trying to learn where we can help him out. And vice versa – he has taught us a lot of stuff too,” Pollard added.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2358099\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/B24IFSM0737-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1780\" /> <em>Ojera Joackiam of Uganda challenges South Africa’s Relebohile Mofokeng during their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on 6 September 2024. (Photo: © Sydney Mahlangu / BackpagePix)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2358098\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/B24IFSM0815-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2350\" /> <em>Bafana Bafana’s Relebohile Mofokeng in control during their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Uganda in Soweto on 6 September 2024. (Photo: © Sydney Mahlangu / BackpagePix)</em></p>\r\n<h4><b>Magical Mofokeng</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then there is Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana winger Mofokeng. The 2023/24 season was the 19-year-old’s first full campaign as a professional.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watching him play and prove himself at Pirates, he looked the opposite of someone who is still establishing himself. He regularly produced moments of brilliance, with a flair and finesse that have not been seen in South African soccer for years.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mofokeng joined the Sea Robbers ahead of the 2022/23 season after he had caught the eye while at the School of Excellence academy.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From then on it took him less than a year to move from Pirates’ youth structure to the first team. He made his senior debut towards the end of that season after being invited to train with the first team and impressing.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last season he entrenched himself not only as a member of the first team, but a regular starter when fit. Mofokeng has also become a firm fan favourite during his short senior career, largely due to nifty footwork with the ball.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite this attention he has remained humble and focused. His disciplined displays for Pirates earned him a first national cap, coming on as a substitute during the 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Zimbabwe in June 2024.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“There’s no ego, there’s no sulking. He’s just happy and he wants to play football, and I love that. He’s different from the rest of the youngsters – he’s just happy to have the ball at his feet,” Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams told SABC Sport about Mofokeng.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“He’s fearless and wants to take on opponents, he wants to play his game, and that’s what we want and need from him,” the goalkeeper added.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2358092\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TL_2245982-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2280\" height=\"2560\" /> <em>Bayanda Walaza of Team South Africa wins silver in the 4x100m relay at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on 9 August 2024. (Photo: Anton Geyser / Gallo Images)</em></p>\r\n<h4><b>Walaza and Maphaka</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In athletics, sprint sensation Walaza, despite being a matriculant, boasts an Olympic silver medal after helping his country to second place in 100m relay at Paris 2024.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After his historic contribution in Paris, the Curro pupil had little time to rest before heading to Lima, Peru, for the World Athletics U/20 Championships. There he held off tough competition to claim the sprint double, taking gold in the 100m and 200m to exhibit his potential as a future star.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“This is an extremely emotional moment for me. This was the best thing – I have never felt like this before. The Olympics [were great]. But this one, it’s about me. It feels special,” the 18-year-old said after his double delight in Lima.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should he continue on this current trajectory, it’s not far-fetched to think that the naturally talented youngster will add a couple more Olympic medals before he is done.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fellow matriculant Maphaka has also had an exceptional 2024. The St Stithians pupil starred for the Junior Proteas at the U/19 Cricket World Cup earlier this year.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2358093\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TL_2251938-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>Kwena Maphaka of South Africa during the third T20I match against West Indies at Brian Lara Stadium in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, on 27 August 2024. (Photo: Daniel Prentice / Gallo Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fast bowler took 21 wickets in the six matches he played – the second most in a single tournament – taking his overall tally to 28 in nine matches at junior World Cups following his debut at the 2022 edition of the tournament, at just 15.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His 28 scalps are tied with Zimbabwe’s Wessly Madhevere at the showpiece, although Madhevere took double the number of matches to reach the total.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since then the 18-year-old has continued to rise up the ranks. Just a couple of months after his World Cup heroics, Maphaka made his Indian Premier League debut representing the Mumbai Indians. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He has since made his Proteas debut, becoming the youngest man to represent South Africa in international cricket when he notched his first international wicket in the recent T20 series against the West Indies. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He is set to be one of the poster boys for next year’s </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-09-02-graeme-smith-keen-to-see-what-sa20-season-three-has-in-store/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SA20 league</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where he will represent the Paarl Royals. The foundation is also laid for him to become the next big name in global cricket. </span><b>DM</b>",
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"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The world watched in awe a few months ago as Spain dominated the European Championship on their way to clinching the tournament, with one player in particular attracting attention – 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of Yamal’s records at the Germany-hosted continental showpiece included being the youngest player to make an appearance in the history of the tournament, as well as the youngest goal scorer.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to his incredible displays and evident talent, Yamal caught the eye for his self-assuredness. He played as if he had no doubt that he belonged on the biggest stage. He showed no signs of nerves, at least on the outside. Firmly establishing himself as the next global sports superstar.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Local flavour</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2024, a handful of South Africa youngsters have displayed similar star quality and raw potential. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Bafana Bafana attacker Relebohile Mofokeng, as well as sprinter Bayanda Walaza and cricketer Kwena Maphaka</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With South Africa’s long-time flyhalf Handré Pollard not getting any younger, the search for his eventual successor has been ongoing for the past couple of years.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France it was Manie Libbok who was handed the No 10 jersey as Pollard initially struggled with injury. However, as the latter rediscovered his rhythm and fitness, Libbok had to settle for a place on the bench.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2358103\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2264\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2358103\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/B24GSMN2355.jpg\" alt=\"SA sport stars Feinberg-Mngomezulu\" width=\"2264\" height=\"1626\" /> <em>Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in action for the Boks against Portugal in Bloemfontein on 20 July 2024. (Photo: ©Muzi Ntombela / BackpagePix)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2358102\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2358102\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11541562-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"SA sport stars\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1686\" /> <em>Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu makes a break during the Boks’ Rugby Championship match against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Australia, on 10 August 2024. (Photo: EPA / Darren England)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since that World Cup success, Feinberg-Mngomezulu has sprinted into the national team picture and consigned Libbok to third on the Bok flyhalf pecking order.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The former Junior Springbok captain had been on the periphery of the senior side since 2022. However, he had to wait until June 2024 for his debut, which came against Wales at Twickenham in London.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 22-year-old – who has all the swagger and self-confidence required to be considered a generational talent – ensured it was a memorable one too. The Stormers starlet came off the bench to contribute to South Africa’s 41-13 victory over the Welsh with a long-range penalty goal.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He has carried this form into the Rugby Championship, where he earned his first start against Australia and added four conversions for the Boks’ comprehensive 33-7 win in August. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I can’t speak highly enough about Sacha and the way he has come into the group. He is hungry to learn. Of course, he’s young and he’s got this unbelievable talent, which is great. That excitement is something that he must never let go,” Pollard said of his fast-rising understudy.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“For us it’s just about helping him and making him feel comfortable and trying to learn where we can help him out. And vice versa – he has taught us a lot of stuff too,” Pollard added.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2358099\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2358099\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/B24IFSM0737-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1780\" /> <em>Ojera Joackiam of Uganda challenges South Africa’s Relebohile Mofokeng during their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on 6 September 2024. (Photo: © Sydney Mahlangu / BackpagePix)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2358098\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2358098\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/B24IFSM0815-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2350\" /> <em>Bafana Bafana’s Relebohile Mofokeng in control during their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Uganda in Soweto on 6 September 2024. (Photo: © Sydney Mahlangu / BackpagePix)</em>[/caption]\r\n<h4><b>Magical Mofokeng</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then there is Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana winger Mofokeng. The 2023/24 season was the 19-year-old’s first full campaign as a professional.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watching him play and prove himself at Pirates, he looked the opposite of someone who is still establishing himself. He regularly produced moments of brilliance, with a flair and finesse that have not been seen in South African soccer for years.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mofokeng joined the Sea Robbers ahead of the 2022/23 season after he had caught the eye while at the School of Excellence academy.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From then on it took him less than a year to move from Pirates’ youth structure to the first team. He made his senior debut towards the end of that season after being invited to train with the first team and impressing.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last season he entrenched himself not only as a member of the first team, but a regular starter when fit. Mofokeng has also become a firm fan favourite during his short senior career, largely due to nifty footwork with the ball.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite this attention he has remained humble and focused. His disciplined displays for Pirates earned him a first national cap, coming on as a substitute during the 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Zimbabwe in June 2024.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“There’s no ego, there’s no sulking. He’s just happy and he wants to play football, and I love that. He’s different from the rest of the youngsters – he’s just happy to have the ball at his feet,” Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams told SABC Sport about Mofokeng.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“He’s fearless and wants to take on opponents, he wants to play his game, and that’s what we want and need from him,” the goalkeeper added.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2358092\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2280\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2358092\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TL_2245982-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2280\" height=\"2560\" /> <em>Bayanda Walaza of Team South Africa wins silver in the 4x100m relay at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on 9 August 2024. (Photo: Anton Geyser / Gallo Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n<h4><b>Walaza and Maphaka</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In athletics, sprint sensation Walaza, despite being a matriculant, boasts an Olympic silver medal after helping his country to second place in 100m relay at Paris 2024.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After his historic contribution in Paris, the Curro pupil had little time to rest before heading to Lima, Peru, for the World Athletics U/20 Championships. There he held off tough competition to claim the sprint double, taking gold in the 100m and 200m to exhibit his potential as a future star.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“This is an extremely emotional moment for me. This was the best thing – I have never felt like this before. The Olympics [were great]. But this one, it’s about me. It feels special,” the 18-year-old said after his double delight in Lima.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should he continue on this current trajectory, it’s not far-fetched to think that the naturally talented youngster will add a couple more Olympic medals before he is done.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fellow matriculant Maphaka has also had an exceptional 2024. The St Stithians pupil starred for the Junior Proteas at the U/19 Cricket World Cup earlier this year.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2358093\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2358093\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TL_2251938-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>Kwena Maphaka of South Africa during the third T20I match against West Indies at Brian Lara Stadium in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, on 27 August 2024. (Photo: Daniel Prentice / Gallo Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fast bowler took 21 wickets in the six matches he played – the second most in a single tournament – taking his overall tally to 28 in nine matches at junior World Cups following his debut at the 2022 edition of the tournament, at just 15.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His 28 scalps are tied with Zimbabwe’s Wessly Madhevere at the showpiece, although Madhevere took double the number of matches to reach the total.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since then the 18-year-old has continued to rise up the ranks. Just a couple of months after his World Cup heroics, Maphaka made his Indian Premier League debut representing the Mumbai Indians. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He has since made his Proteas debut, becoming the youngest man to represent South Africa in international cricket when he notched his first international wicket in the recent T20 series against the West Indies. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He is set to be one of the poster boys for next year’s </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-09-02-graeme-smith-keen-to-see-what-sa20-season-three-has-in-store/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SA20 league</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where he will represent the Paarl Royals. The foundation is also laid for him to become the next big name in global cricket. </span><b>DM</b>",
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Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in action for the Boks against Portugal in Bloemfontein on 20 July 2024. (Photo: ©Muzi Ntombela / BackpagePix)
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu makes a break during the Boks’ Rugby Championship match against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Australia, on 10 August 2024. (Photo: EPA / Darren England)
Ojera Joackiam of Uganda challenges South Africa’s Relebohile Mofokeng during their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on 6 September 2024. (Photo: © Sydney Mahlangu / BackpagePix)
Bafana Bafana’s Relebohile Mofokeng in control during their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Uganda in Soweto on 6 September 2024. (Photo: © Sydney Mahlangu / BackpagePix)
Bayanda Walaza of Team South Africa wins silver in the 4x100m relay at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on 9 August 2024. (Photo: Anton Geyser / Gallo Images)
Kwena Maphaka of South Africa during the third T20I match against West Indies at Brian Lara Stadium in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, on 27 August 2024. (Photo: Daniel Prentice / Gallo Images)