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10 July 2018 Photo Supplied
Rynardt and Lynique selected for SA team at World Cup
Long jumper Lynique Beneke is one of two Kovsies selected for the South African team to the inaugural Athletics World Cup.

University of the Free State (UFS) middle-distance runner, Rynardt van Rensburg, and long jumper, Lynique Beneke, have both secured a spot in the South African athletics team for the inaugural edition of the Athletics World Cup to be held in London, United Kingdom, on 14 and 15 July 2018. 

The 2018 domestic rankings were used to select the team, with one UFS athlete in each discipline set to represent the country as one of the eight competing nations at the event. Beneke, aged 27, won the long jump for women over the past two years at the national track and field championships, this year with a winning distance of 6,22 m. Van Rensburg, aged 26, won silver.

South Africa will compete against teams from the United States, Poland, China, Germany, France, Jamaica, Great Britain, and Northern Ireland. Beneke and Van Rensburg are both experienced athletes who have competed in the Olympic Games in 2016. The programme for the two-day championship does not include long-distance or combined event disciplines. Yolandi Stander, Van Rensburg, and Beneke have also been selected as part of the preliminary team for the CAA African Championships taking place in Asaba, Nigeria from 1 to 5 August 2018.

Van Rensburg recently clocked his personal best, which was also recorded as the 24th best time of the year, when he finished the Hengelo World Challenge meeting in 1:45.15.
Stander, who has a personal best of 52,81 m, won the bronze medal at this year’s nationals and a silver at the University Sports South Africa (USSA) meeting.

News Archive

South African citizens are yearning for a good story to tell
2014-03-13

 
Dr Sethulego Matebesi
Photo: Sonia Small

The 20 Year Review is in essence a continuation of President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation Address and the ‘we have a good story to tell’ narrative. The report provides a glowing picture of successes achieved over the two decades. The successes highlighted include the basic human rights enjoyed by South Africans, a marked improvement in economic growth, and the provision of social services such as health care, education and housing. And as expected, the Review is dedicated to Nelson Mandela.

The major accomplishments were made through the strategic policies of the ruling African National Congress (ANC). For example, emphasis has been on improving the lives of South Africans through pro-poor economic interventions, in building social cohesion, investing in economic infrastructure, fighting HIV and AIDS and tuberculosis, which resulted in improved health outcomes.

Generally, the assertions about ‘accomplishments’ have been made against solid evidence and are thus not debatable. What overshadows the 20 Year Review, is the story that is not being told. This is the story of a political economy marred by rampant corruption, high levels of unemployment, declining accountability, and unresponsiveness. This untold story has become the hallmark of President Zuma’s tenure. Meanwhile, the average South African citizen is still yearning for ‘a good story to tell.’

For more political comment or to speak to Dr Matebesi, please call René-Jean van der Berg at +27(0)83 645 5940.

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