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The race to become the African National Congress (ANC) mayoral candidate for Mangaung Metro Municipality has narrowed to four leading contenders, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle ahead of the party's candidate selection announcement later this month.
The shortlist, which includes experienced party leaders and regional office bearers, has intensified political interest as ANC structures weigh who is best positioned to lead the metro into the 2026 local government elections.
However, with the ANC expected to announce its successful mayoral candidate on 26 July 2026, the party appears poised to retain Mangaung's current municipal leadership.
According to reliable sources within ANC provincial structures, the incumbent Executive Mayor Gregory Nthatisi has secured strong backing from national office bearers, despite reportedly lacking sufficient support from some branch structures.
Last week, Nthatisi was among seven candidates contesting for the position. Former ANC Free State Deputy Chairperson and former Mangaung Executive Mayor Thabo Manyoni, as well as former Free State Finance MEC Gadija Brown, are understood to have fallen out of contention, according to sources. Also failing to make the shortlist was Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Integrated Development Plan and Performance, Theodorah (Theo) Mosala, who is reportedly failed to secure a nomination from her own branch.
"I can confirm that the ANC's top seven leaders have thrown their weight behind Comrade Nthatisi for re-election as Executive Mayor. Furthermore, other key leaders, including current ANC Regional Chairperson and Mangaung Speaker Lawrence Mathae, as well as Deputy Mayor Lulama Titi Odili, are also expected to retain their positions," one source said.
Another ANC branch chairperson in the region, who requested anonymity, confirmed to Journal News that the party had resolved to retain the current leadership in the metro.
"Yes, it is true that the Mangaung leadership will be retained. However, this follows the party's call for unity, with leaders agreeing to smoke the peace pipe and shift their focus to the upcoming local government elections. This is not about who supports whom, but about ensuring an overwhelming ANC victory in November," the source said.
It remains unclear how ANC Mangaung Regional Deputy Chairperson Vusi Soqaga will be accommodated under the new arrangement, given his ambition to become mayor. Soqaga is also expected to challenge Regional Chairperson Lawrence Mathae for the ANC Mangaung regional chairmanship.
Years of meticulous planning, selective breeding, and a deep passion for preserving authentic South African Boerboel bloodlines (SABBS) paid off in a remarkable achievement for Free State breeder Ziyaad Issa of Bandit Boerboels. His dog, Bandit Orion, secured top honors at the SABBS International Boerboel Show in June 2026. The dog esteemed competition took place in Parys, Free State on 25 and 26 June.Brandit Orion was crowned Dog of the Year, Senior Champion, Grand Champion, and winner of Class 7B Males (18–24 months).
The achievement follows Bandit Boerboels’ runner-up finish at the 2025 SA Studbook Elite Awards, further cementing the kennel’s reputation among South Africa’s leading Boerboel breeders.For Issa, the victory was the result of years of dedication rather than a single competition.After winning Class 7B, Issa believed Orion had the potential to compete for the overall titles, but says the final moments in the championship ring tested his emotions.
“When they announced positions five to two and my dog’s number had not been called and I was extremely nervous.
“Why did I not exit the ring but it turns out we showed our hearts out and I felt elevated and ecstatic at the same time, almost as if I ran a marathon.
“This is certainly a moment that I will always remember and cherish,” he said.
Behind the championship title lies five years of rigorous work aimed at restoring valuable Boerboel genetics that have gradually disappeared over time. Issa, says he deliberately sourced older bloodlines to recreate a balanced Boerboel.
“My mission was to recreate a well-balanced dog with sound movement and an excellent temperament, he said.
Issa says he invested in developing his own expertise by attending breeder workshops, studying the breed extensively, and pursuing qualification as a SABBS Junior appraiser. He says he ensured that Bandit Orion met strict health standards through comprehensive health testing, embark on some DNA testing and registration as a semen donor.Issa’s passion for Boerboels dates back to his childhood.
As a Grade 1 learner, he visited a farmer in Lady Grey in the Eastern Cape who owned Boerboels. He says their impressive size and commanding presence inspired a dream that would eventually grow into Bandit Boerboels. He says that same year, his mother bought him his first Boerboel puppy, laying the foundation for a lifelong pursuit.
Today, Issa encourages aspiring breeders and dog owners to focus on learning rather than immediate success. Issa says every competition offers valuable lessons, whether through victories, setbacks, or new knowledge.
“Start by attending local puppy classes to familiarise yourself with basic socialization, basic commands and obedience training with your four-legged friend, enter the very first show you can attend and go there to have fun and learn.
“The mission is never to always win but to walk away with something whether it may be knowledge, insights or losses but the aim is to participate,” Issa said.
South Africa is reeling following the sudden deaths of two of the nation's most promising young sporting talents. Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams, aged 25, and former SA Under-18 rugby prop Luqobo “Bibo” Makwedini, aged 20, both passed away recently.
The double tragedy has left the entire country in deep shock, with countless tributes pouring in for the rising stars. Their untimely passings have cast a massive shadow over the local sporting fraternity and left millions grieving.
Adams had recently returned home after representing South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The gifted midfielder rose through the ranks at Stellenbosch FC before organising his high-profile move to Mamelodi Sundowns.
The cause of his death has not yet been officially confirmed by local authorities. Officials have urged members of the public not to speculate while investigations continue.
Hours later, news broke that Makwedini had died in France after collapsing during a training session. The former Wynberg Boys’ High School pupil was playing for French club AS Béziers Hérault.
His recent move to Europe represented the dawn of an exciting professional rugby career. The sudden nature of his passing has left the global rugby community heartbroken.
President Cyril Ramaphosa described the loss of both athletes as an absolute tragedy for the nation.
“South Africans had been inspired by their commitment, talent and pride in representing their country.”
He praised both young sportsmen for carrying the South African flag with honour. He added that they gave incredible hope to countless aspiring athletes across the land.
Football fields and rugby pitches across South Africa now stand as somber reminders of two dreams ended too soon. Their legacies will live on through the teammates they inspired and the supporters who cheered them on.
Journal extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of both sporting heroes during this incredibly difficult time. Their passion, determination and love for their country will never be forgotten.
Dive into the top stories with Journal News Network’s latest edition.
Soft copy available now.
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The Free State MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs (DARDEA), Elsabe Rockman, has unveiled an ambitious strategy to strengthen food security, combat Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and transform emerging farmers into commercial producers during a high-level engagement with local farmers and traditional leaders in Namahadi.
The strategic meeting, held at the Bakoena Royal Council, focused on tackling immediate agricultural challenges while laying the foundation for sustainable rural economic growth.
A key priority was the province's aggressive response to the Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak. The Department has already administered more than one million vaccinations towards its target of three million, with four vaccination rounds completed in QwaQwa and three in Harrismith.
MEC Rockman called for stronger collaboration between government, farmers and traditional leaders to contain the disease while expanding farmer support through initiatives such as veld fire-fighting and rescue training.
Traditional leadership, led by Morena e Moholo Moremoholo Motebang Mopeli, raised concerns over historical land constraints that have left many communities farming on fragmented pieces of land, limiting agricultural productivity and economic growth.
To stimulate rural development and reduce dependence on social grants, traditional leaders requested government support for communal tractors, seeds, farming equipment, communal kraals, cattle handling facilities, additional livestock pounds and fencing around agricultural villages to combat escalating stock theft. They also appealed to Executive Mayor Cllr Tumelo Thebe to lease farms to traditional councils to establish community farming cooperatives.
Responding to these requests, MEC Rockman committed to developing a joint implementation roadmap with local and district municipalities to ensure measurable and sustainable outcomes.
"The Department will establish a dedicated workstream—with terms of reference formulated to guide cooperation and coordination—and this process will be led by DARDEA's legal team," she said.
The partnership will include testing approximately 100 hectares of arable land to determine crop suitability while expanding skills development programmes for local farmers.
Rockman further urged farmers to diversify beyond livestock production by investing in poultry, piggery and climate-suited crop farming, while positioning local producers to access commercial markets through major retailers including Pick n Pay, Spar and Shoprite.
As part of its long-term environmental and food security strategy, the Department also announced plans to plant one million trees over the next five years and intensify efforts to attract young people into agriculture, positioning the sector as a driver of jobs, entrepreneurship and economic growth in the Free State.
