South Africa’s teenage 4x100m relay Paris Olympics 2024 silver medallist Bayanda Walaza was met with a hero’s welcome when he returned to school this week.

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Walaza, still only 18, was part of the relay team which won the silver medal at the recently concluded Games in France.

 

 

 
Bayanda Walaza was joined in the line-up by Akani Simbine, Shaun Maswanganyi and Bradley Nkoana as they combined to set a new South African 4x100m relay record of 37.75 seconds at the Stade de France.

For the latest Paris Olympics 2024 news, bookmark The South African website’s dedicated section for free-to-read content

Walaza is a Grade 12 pupil at Curro Hazeldean. He sacrificed his preliminary exam preparations in order to represent his country in Paris.

We bet we know who cleans up at sports day at Curro Hazeldean!The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, was also present to take part in the celebrations.

At one point Gwarube placed a silver medal around of neck of Walaza’s mother.As reported by The South African website, Bayanda Walaza pocketed R75 000 for helping South Africa win the silver in the men’s 4x100m relay in Paris.

That amount comes before another ‘extra’ as promised by new Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.

The Mbonambi family celebrates 7 years and a babyby Staff Bona
PICTURE : INSTAGRAM
Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi and his wife Anastacia celebrate two significant milestones this month – a new-born baby, and a seven-year marriage.

The couple, who exchanged vows in 2017 at the scenic Webersburg wine estate in Stellenbosch, recently took to social media to celebrate their seventh year as a married couple.

 

 

 

In heartfelt Instagram post commemorating their anniversary, Anastacia wrote:

“Happy 7th wedding anniversary my darling husband…7 years of God’s grace & mercy on this incredible hills & valley journey called marriage.”The Mbonambi family celebrates 7 years and a babyby Staff Bona
PICTURE : INSTAGRAM
Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi and his wife Anastacia celebrate two significant milestones this month – a new-born baby, and a seven-year marriage.

The couple, who exchanged vows in 2017 at the scenic Webersburg wine estate in Stellenbosch, recently took to social media to celebrate their seventh year as a married couple.

In heartfelt Instagram post commemorating their anniversary, Anastacia wrote:

“Happy 7th wedding anniversary my darling husband…7 years of God’s grace & mercy on this incredible hills & valley journey called marriage.”

The Mbonambi family grows
In her post, the Springbok champ’s wife went on to hint that seven years together isn’t the only reason they have to celebrate – the couple may have welcomed their second child this month, too.

“Dated 2 years before, so known you 9 years in total & now 2 kids later…thank you for being a provider, protector, best girl dad & hubby. I love you with all my heart,” writes Mbonambi.

Her statement suggests two points: 1. The Mbonambi’s may have welcomed their baby, 2. With ‘best girl dad’ status granted to Bongi, the new-born may be a girl – their second daughter.

Stacy announced her pregnancy on Mother’s Day this year, sharing snaps from her maternity photoshoot with their firstborn daughter, Esa Khanyisile, who was born in May 2019.

Days ago, Stacy took to Instagram to share a glimpse of her intimate baby shower in Ballito, celebrating her ‘small circle’ of nearest and dearests who she is able to call on.

David Joseph Jr & Connie US man claims to be Connie Chiume’s husband in a video.
David Joseph Jr. praised the late Black Panther star, claiming their love story began in the 1980s.
“I did not just lose a wife, I lost a friend and an angel……It didn’t matter where my wife was in the world; she knew that Joe would be there, and like many of you, I’m broken.”
South Africans did not react positively to the video.”Hey wena just Stop” I didn’t just lose a wife, I lost a friend’ – says Connie Chiume’s husband Following the passing of veteran actress Connie Chiume, her American husband David Joseph Jr has admitted that her death was a big loss to him.

 

 

 

 

According to the news publication IOL, David who is currently still residing in his home country has shared a video sharing some of their fondest memories together.

“Our love story started that started in the early 1980’s is one for the books and the bond that we share was always unique but strong. It didn’t matter where my wife was in the world, she knew that Joe would be there and like many of you, I’m broken,” he said.

He added that he finds comfort in knowing that she loved him and lived her life to the fullest.

“My sweet Connie, I want you to know that I want to be with you today but know that Joe will keep you, your joy and laugh forever in his heart.”

“I didn’t just lose a wife, I lost a friend and an angel,” he said.

IOL reports that the two got married in Lousisiana in the US in 2021.

According to the above-mentioned publication David was not present at her memorial nor her funeral. His niece Keela Dominick told the publication that the family of the late actress excluded her uncle from preparations of both the funeral and memorial services.

The last they saw one another was on New Years Day.

Speaking to IOL Keela said: “He attempted for weeks to get the status of her condition. My uncle saw my aunt Connie in the hospital through FaceTime two days before her demise.

“She painfully mumbled words to him. My understanding is that the children were present.”

Meanwhile, the Chiume family refused to respond to these claims.

Also see: WATCH: Connie Chiume laid to rest

Chidimma Adetshina has formally accepted an invitation to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant. Her confirmation earns her a spot as the 25th finalist.

The winner of the competition will represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe pageant in November.

However, many have questioned if Chidimma has genuinely earned a spot in the finals or if her newfound fame has fast-tracked her.

 

FAIR OR FAVOURITE: MISS UNIVERSE NIGERIA UNDER FIRE OVER ANNOUNCEMENT
Following the announcement that Chidimma Adetshina would become a finalist in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, many pageant fans shared their concerns.

Pageant owner Guy Murray-Bruce was inundated with complaints from fellow Nigerians who found Chidimma’s appointment “unfair.” However, the comments were swiftly deleted from his personal account.

On the Miss Universe Nigeria Instagram account, followers shared their views.

@officialpearltessy: “I don’t accept. Doesn’t it look like cheating? After you go through the stress of auditioning and screenings, Now they gave someone a free pass.”

@vibesandinsha_allah: “This is unfair to the people who took their time to enter.”

@sandy_gasekoma: “So she doesn’t care who she represents as long as she can get on stage.”

@lindie_kesego: “This is so distasteful. The organisation has chosen to shine the light on just one contestant who did not even auditionMeanwhile, many South Africans are backing Chidimma to win the Miss Universe Nigeria title after pressurising her to step down from the Miss SA pageant.DOES CHIDIMMA MEET THE REQUIREMENTS?
According to an official announcement, Chidimma Adetshina will represent the Taraba State in Nigeria. However, it’s unclear if she has ever visited the country.

According to Miss Universe Nigeria, the pageant is “a celebration of Nigerian culture, heritage, and diversity as contestants represent the various states and ethnic groups in Nigeria.

It added: “We believe that these differences make our pageant even more special, as it showcases the richness and beauty of Nigeria’s cultural landscape.”

DOES CHIDIMMA DESERVE TO COMPETE AT THE MISS UNIVERSE NIGERIA?

South African-born beauty queen, Chidimma Adetshina has been trending on X since she accepted the invitation to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria on Wednesday, 14 August.

SOUTH AFRICANS RALLY BEHIND CHIDIMMA ADETSHINA
South Africans on social media celebrated Chidimma Adetshina’s acceptance in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant and said they’d vote for her to win.

 

 

 

This came as a surprise as Adetshina was dragged by South Africans for taking part in the Miss SA 2024 pageant.

Popular South African X user @ChrisExcel102 said on Wednesday, 14 August: “If she doesn’t win Miss Universe Nigeria. We are trying Miss Mozambique. We are fully behind our queen.”

While South Africans are rallying behind Adetshina, Nigerians are divided about her participation in the upcoming event.NIGERIANS DIVIDED ABOUT HER PARTICIPATION IN MISS UNIVERSE NIGERIA
Nigerians expressed concerns over Chidimma Adetshina’s participation in the upcoming event, citing her lack of connection to their country, amongst many things.

Others believe Adetshina should take part in 2025 as her inclusion in this year’s event is unfair to other contestants who worked hard to get into the competition.

@unusualphyna said: “Just thinking out loud, oh I’m in support of Chidimma o, but this one she now wants to rep us like this. What will now happen to our own typical Nigerian queens that have been preparing for it too? Omo, I advise her to leave pageant first or for this year… then go next time.”

@adex_smithjr wrote: “This lady has never been to Nigeria before; she has never stepped foot in Nigeria until now. She lived all her life in South Africa, but you, including her in Nigeria, miss Universe despite knowing her characters are questionable. This is ridiculous.”

@mackee_F wrote: “I hope they won’t give her sympathy votes, and the win as compensation.”MORE SOUTH AFRICANS RESPOND: ‘WE ARE BEHIND OUR QUEEN’
@CMofokeng4: “She must go compete in Mozambique after this one.”

@Gats_Jr: “We will be there to celebrate our victory after voting.”

@Kingfatic: “Our girl coming for that Miss Universe Nigeria, next its Miss Mozambique. She’s our girl She’s South African.”

@Earth34789168: “Nigerians are Xenophobic, we stand with our sister Chidimma.”

@TwaRSA26: “Ladies and gentlemen, she’s South African by birth but now representing Miss Universe Nigeria. Fellow South Africans let’s rally behind our girl Chidimma to win Miss Universe Nigeria. Hit that like button if you are going to vote for her!”