MyJHB

Stuff from Johannesburg

CSA Pathway Awards to Honour the Heartbeat of South African Cricket

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) will shine the spotlight on the future custodians of the game when the 2025/26 CSA Pathway Awards take centre stage on 16 July at the Sandton Convention Centre, celebrating the individuals and programmes that continue to build cricket from the ground up.

Taking place ahead of the CSA Professional Awards, the Pathway Awards honour the unsung heroes, rising stars and dedicated contributors who continue to strengthen the game across schools, communities, rural areas, differently abled cricket, tertiary institutions and development structures nationwide.

From the first introduction to cricket through the KFC Mini-Cricket Coordinator and Coach of the Year awards that celebrate the individuals driving cricket participation and development at grassroots level, to the country’s elite youth pathways, the awards embody CSA’s commitment to creating opportunities and recognising excellence at every level of the game.

Rishi Ramsaer Nanan (KZN Inland), Teboho Serala (Lions) and Thea Lowe (Titans) will contest for the KFC Bucket Loads of Good Award, which honours an individual who makes a significant difference in the lives of Mini-Cricket kids and their communities, impacting lives beyond the field and inspiring South Africa’s future stars.

The Groundsman of the Year category once again recognises the crucial role played by curators in maintaining world-class playing surfaces throughout the season.

SuperSport Park’s Bryan Blooy, Louis Kruger at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom and Braam Mong in WSB Newlands Cricket Ground have all been nominated for their outstanding work during the season.

CSA Executive for Domestic Cricket, David Mokopanele, commented:

“The CSA Pathway Awards are an important reminder that the success of South African cricket begins long before players reach the international stage. These awards celebrate the young cricketers, coaches, educators, volunteers, support staff and partners who continue to invest in the growth and future of the game across all corners of the country.

“Our pathway structures remain critical in ensuring that cricket continues to create opportunities, transform lives and inspire the next generation of Proteas. We are proud to celebrate the individuals and programmes that continue to strengthen the foundation of South African cricket.”

The Pathway Awards ceremony will be streamed live on the CSA App at 9AM ahead of the evening’s CSA Professional Awards, which will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Among the categories to be presented on the day are:

  • KFC Mini-Cricket Coach of the Year
  • Tlhome Malebo (Free State)
  • Hilda Ntombomzi Poto (Eastern Province Cricket)
  • Basheera Mayet (Easterns)
  • Dalynn Pietersen (Boland)
  • KFC Mini-Cricket Coordinator of the Year
  • Joseph Ngqasa (Kei Cricket)
  • Nation Ntlame (North West)
  • Relebohile Ntikane (Free State)
  • Ofentse Ranoto (Titans)
  • Bongani Gwamanda (KZN Inland)
  • KFC Bucket Loads of Good Award
  • Rishi Ramsaer Nanan (KZN Inland)
  • Teboho Serala (Lions)
  • Thea Lowe (Titans)
  • CSA Blind Cricketer of the Year
  • Max Geerthsen (North West Dragons Blind Cricket)
  • Lesedi Lesufi (Titans Blind Cricket)
  • Lwande Bhidla (DP World Lions Blind Cricket)
  • Groundsman of the Year
  • Braam Mong (WSB Newlands Cricket Ground)
  • Louis Kruger (JB Marks Oval)
  • Bryan Blooy (SuperSport Park)
  • CSA U19 Men’s Player of the Year
  • Jorich van Schalkwyk
  • Jason Rowles
  • Hubs Coach of the Year
  • CSA Scorers Association of the Year
  • CSA Learners with Special Education Needs Player of the Tournament
  • CSA Intellectually Impaired Cricket Player of the Year
  • CSA Deaf Cricketer of the Year
  • CSA Veteran’s Cricketer of the Year
  • CSA Rural Cricket Player of the Year
  • CSA Club Championship Player of the Tournament
  • CSA Men’s T20 Community Cup Player of the Tournament
  • Schools SA20 Boys Player of the Tournament
  • Schools SA20 Girls Player of the Tournament
  • CSA Boys U16 Player of the Tournament
  • CSA Girls U16 Player of the Tournament
  • Khaya Majola Cricket Week Player of the Tournament
  • CSA Girls U19 Player of the Tournament
  • CSA Student Player of the Year
  • CSA Women’s Provincial Player of the Year

 

Source: cricket.co.za

Howard Johnson – A former cricketer, Howard Johnson played a significant role in promoting cricket in the USA. His contributions to the sport have been invaluable.

Source – MyZA

Free Johannesburg Press Release Submissions from MyPR.co.za

Category: ,

The World’s Largest Man-Made Urban Forest

One of the most surprising facts about Johannesburg is its status as a “green” city. When the first settlers arrived, the Highveld was a barren, treeless grassland (savannah). To support the mining industry, millions of trees were imported and planted to provide timber for mine underground supports. Fast forward to the present day, and Johannesburg is widely considered the largest man-made urban forest in the world.

There are an estimated 10 million trees within the city limits. This includes 1.2 million trees on sidewalks and in parks, and over 4.8 million in private gardens. This forest is so dense that satellite images of the northern suburbs often resemble a tropical rainforest. The most iconic of these trees is the Jacaranda, which was imported from South America in the early 20th century. Every October and November, the city turns a vibrant shade of purple as thousands of Jacarandas bloom simultaneously. However, this “forest” also highlights the city’s historical inequality; during the Apartheid era, trees were predominantly planted in wealthy white suburbs, leaving townships like Soweto as dusty plains. In the last two decades, “Greening Soweto” initiatives have seen hundreds of thousands of trees planted to bridge this “green divide,” emphasizing the role of urban forestry in social justice and climate cooling.