Jovial Rantao - The African Mirror

Apr

12

2025

The Road Less Crowded: A Family’s Journey in the Jetour X70 Plus

MOTORING

THE summer sun peeked through the curtains as the Mokoena family bustled around their home. It was the first day of their long-awaited holiday road trip to the coast, a journey of almost 800 kilometers that would have seemed daunting in their old sedan. But this year was different. "Dad, I've packed my boogie board!" shouted eight-year-old Thabo, dragging a bag almost as big as himself toward the front door. Daniel Mokoena smiled, remembering the cramped trips of years past—the constant chorus of "He's touching me!" and "I don't have enough space!" from the back seat, the tetris-like challenge of…

Apr

12

2025

By Jovial Rantao

Stellantis Partners with SOS Children’s Villages to combat youth unemployment in South Africa

MOTORING NEWS

AUTOMOTIVE manufacturing giant Stellantis has launched a major initiative with SOS Children's Villages to address South Africa's growing youth unemployment crisis by providing 800 young people with driver's license training and certification. The partnership comes as South Africa's youth unemployment rate has reached 50.47%, its highest level in recent history. The program aims to enhance employability by removing a significant barrier to job entry in multiple sectors. "The initiative aligns with our commitment to driving positive change in the communities in which we operate," said Stellantis Managing Director, Mike Whitfield. "By equipping youth with a skill that increases their employability,…

Mar

04

2025

By Jovial Rantao

GWM throws down the gauntlet with the launch of the new P-300 bakkie

MOTORING

IN a market saturated with tough trucks, GWM is betting big that its all-new P300 bakkie can not only compete but dominate. Fresh off the heels of the award-winning P500, the Chinese automaker is promising a "relentless" combination of power, tech, and ruggedness. Under the hood lies a 2.4L Turbo Diesel, churning out 135 kW and 480 Nm of torque. GWM boasts a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes, putting it squarely in the crosshairs of established players. But in a country where bakkies are more than just vehicles – they're symbols of status and reliability – can a relative newcomer…

Mar

03

2025

By Jovial Rantao

The Flame of Truth: Durra Mohammed Gambo honoured for Unyielding Quest for Journalism

MEDIA FREEDOM

IN the heart of Sudan, where the Blue and White Nile rivers converge, a beacon of courage has emerged in the form of Durra Mohammed Gambo, a journalist whose unwavering commitment to truth has illuminated the darkest corners of oppression. Recently honoured as the 2025 laureate of the Service to Journalism Award by The Africa Editors Forum (TAEF), Durra's story is a testament to the transformative power of journalism in the face of adversity. Amidst the chaos of a nation torn apart by conflict, Durra Mohammed Gambo stood resolute, her notebook and recorder capturing the stories that needed to be…

Jan

17

2025

By Jovial Rantao

DIALLO’S DIVINE DOZEN: Ivorian’s 12-minute hat-trick rescues United from Saints shock”

FOOTBALL

ON a night when Manchester United seemed destined for humiliation, two African stars wrote their names into Old Trafford folklore. The stage belonged to Amad Diallo, the diminutive Ivorian who transformed from right wing-back to goalscoring hero in a breathtaking 12-minute spell that will long live in the memory of the United faithful. With United trailing to Southampton – a team anchored at the bottom of the Premier League – it was first Andre Onana, the Cameroonian goalkeeper, who kept his team's hopes alive. His heroics included a spectacular double save, first denying Tyler Dibling's powerful strike before producing an…

Nov

01

2024

By Jovial Rantao

Golden Dreams on Wheels: A New Chapter for African Champions

MOTORING NEWS

THE African sun beats down on the training ground where Banyana Banyana, the reigning queens of African football, perfect their craft. But today, there's something different in the air. A gleaming fleet of Volkswagen vehicles lines the periphery of the pitch – a powerful symbol of a new partnership that promises to revolutionize women's football in South Africa. As the champions of Africa prepare for their next challenge, their story intertwines with that of another giant: Volkswagen Group Africa. Like the precise passing movements that have become Banyana Banyana's trademark, this partnership represents a perfectly timed collaboration between sporting excellence…

Aug

17

2024

By Jovial Rantao

Sudan’s catastrophe: farmers could offer quick post-war recovery, if peace is found

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

MORE than a year of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has weakened the country’s fragile economy. This is in addition to triggering a humanitarian crisis, loss of lives, property destruction and income disruptions. Even before the current conflict, Sudan ranked among the poorest countries in the world. The proportion of those without access to basic necessities such as education, healthcare and proper living conditions was estimated at 52.3% of the population. The economy heavily depends on agriculture. The sector’s productivity has been low because of traditional pastoral systems and limited mechanisation. The armed conflict has damaged infrastructure and disrupted agricultural services…

Aug

17

2024

By Jovial Rantao

Africa on the UN security council: why the continent should have two permanent seats

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

STHEMBELE MBETE AFRICA’s desire to be fully represented in all decision-making organs of the United Nations (UN), particularly in the security council, is informed by three factors. First, repairing the historical injustice of its underrepresentation in global governance. Second, recognising African contributions in shaping the contemporary world order. Third, the urgency of securing the legitimacy of the UN in the face of emerging threats to international peace and security. At the African Union’s fifth ordinary session held in Sirte, Libya in 2005, African leaders adopted the Ezulwini consensus. It expressed Africa’s desire to be fully represented in all decision-making organs of the UN, particularly in the…

Aug

14

2024

By Jovial Rantao

Ten milestones achieved by African athletes in Paris

SPORT

Bonface Orucho and Oliver Ochieng, bird story agency PARIS 2024 played host to a veritable parade of African excellence, where the continent's athletes carved out some unforgettable medal moments. At the heart of this success was Africa's enduring dominance in the marathon. Despite the participation of marathon legends like Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele, the marathon saw new heroes rise and records fall. Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola stormed to gold, with Somalia-born Belgian Samir Abdi second and Kenya's resilient Benson Kipruto third, marking a new era of marathon champions. On the women's side, Ethiopian-born Dutch sensation Sifan Hassan showcased her relentless…

Jun

04

2024

By Jovial Rantao

Ford South Africa celebrates millionth Ranger produced at Silverton Manufacturing Plant

MOTORING NEWS

A million of anything is a huge number. Now imagine one million Ford Rangers being lined up bumper-to-bumper, starting at Ford South Africa’s Silverton Manufacturing Plant in Pretoria and heading due north through Africa. Ford’s segment-defining pick-ups, or bakkies in South African vernacular, would reach all the way to Egypt’s southern border – some 5 300km away. That provides a rather mind-boggling visual representation of Ford’s latest milestone in the local production of the Ford Ranger over the past 24 years, as the Silverton plant celebrates the one-millionth unit having recently come off its modern assembly line. The Ranger’s legacy in…