Month: Feb 2026

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New South African Indoor Tug-of-War Team Officially Capped After More Than A Decade

The South African Tug-of-War Federation’s Indoor Tug-of-War Team, the President’s Team, was officially capped on Saturday, 21 February 2026, at a ceremony held in Cape Town.

The capping ceremony formally recognised the pullers selected while also acknowledging the collective efforts of coaches, partners, and communities who have contributed to rebuilding the indoor code in South Africa.

The President’s Tug of War Team who will represent South Africa

Speaking at the ceremony, Federation President Luther Anton Botha described the occasion as a significant milestone in the restoration of indoor tug-of-war in the country, “This is how our national team should truly represent South Africa, the rainbow nation; from every race, culture, and background. All together with one goal – to represent our country and to excel on the world stage.”

Mr Luther Anton Botha, President of South African Tug of War Foundation

Several pullers on the new national squad were part of a tug-of-war team established by their church, New Heaven New Earth Church of Jesus, highlighting the role community structures continue to play in supporting sporting development.

“It’s a big responsibility to represent the country and carry the nation. Fortunately, we have the support of our country,” said 24-year-old puller, Yolanda Tsele. “I’m excited to not only see South Africa on the international stage, but also bring back other types of sports forms that have perhaps died or disappeared into the background of bigger, global sports.”

Proud mother, Fundiswa Tsele expressed the excitement of seeing her daughter being capped, “I’m very happy. I know she’s going places. She had to divide herself between school, church, and practice, but she managed to put that together and make it work. I’m very proud.”

The Nation of South Africa uniting all together to support the President’s Tug of War Team

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Sport, Youth, and Culture in the Stellenbosch Municipality, Councillor Ndiphiwe Olayi, congratulated the team and reaffirmed the local government’s commitment to both grassroots participation and high-performance sport, “South Africa is behind you. The flag is behind you. And never forget, we have a whole generation looking forward and looking up to this national team. So good luck, we know you will bring back the gold.”

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IWPG Empowers Global Peace Leaders Through PLTE Graduation

Global Region 6 honours 84 graduates from 8 nations, expanding international peace education networks

SEOUL, South Korea (Feb 7, 2026) — The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Global Region 6, led by Regional Director So-yeong Park, celebrated the graduation of its ‘Peace Lecturer Training Education’ (PLTE) program.

A total of 84 graduates from eight countries—including South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland—successfully completed the curriculum. Among them, 24 individuals were recognized for finishing the specialized Peace Lecturer advanced course. 

Regional Director So Yeong Park stated in her opening remarks, “Through this education, you have cultivated the power of action to create peace starting within yourselves. We are living in an era that demands inclusion—where we must understand and respect one another beyond the boundaries of nationality, race, and religion. Therefore, today’s graduation is not an end, but a new beginning. I hope you will spread peace far and wide as messengers of peace.”

Patsy Daniel, a senior graduate of the PLTE program, offered her congratulations, saying, “PLTE graduates have chosen a calling beyond learning-to become carriers of compassion and peace. May they plant the seeds of IWPG peace education in their homes and communities, leaving a living legacy for the next generation.”

Mirriam Pooe, the Chief Director of DIRCO who completed the PLTE program, stated, “The PLTE program was a transformative journey that highlighted the importance of family-based peace and the role of the DPCW  in advancing a world without conflict through the collaboration of HWPL and IWPG.”

Graduate Soraya Crowie shared her thoughts: “My journey with IWPG highlights that peace is a creative process similar to weaving, where diverse threads must come together in harmony. Just as pulling a single thread causes a tapestry to unravel, neglecting our interconnectedness leads to global conflict and suffering. Therefore, we must act as weavers of peace by listening to each other and valuing every voice to create a resilient fabric of shared humanity.”

Graduate Gabriella expressed: “IWPG’s peace education taught me that peace is an intentional daily practice, not a matter of chance. Deeply inspired by their mission, I am now dedicated to sharing the message that peace begins with individual responsibility and expands to the world. We must all work together to nurture this shared responsibility from our homes to the global community.”

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Peace My City Environmental Clean-Up Unites Youth and Community at Sunset Beach, Cape Town

As part of the HWPL Peace My City Campaign, youth leaders, environmental activists, and community members came together for a coastal environmental clean-up at Sunset Beach, Cape Town. The initiative was held on Saturday, 31 January 2026 from 09:00 to 11:00, reinforcing a shared commitment to peace, environmental protection, and community responsibility.

Hosted and organised by Hotlane Organisation in partnership with the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), the clean-up responded to growing concerns around coastal pollution intensified by peak tourism season. Participants included youth volunteers, IPYG and HWPL volunteers, ECOP workers, and members of the general public, who actively participated in restoring the coastline.

The event was led by Mr Khotso Mogotlane, Founder of Hotlane Organisation, alongside Ms Marie Claire Tshizala, Project Coordinator at Africa Unite. Volunteers were guided through a structured programme that included an introduction to the Peace My City initiative, reflections on the importance of youth-led peacebuilding, and coordinated clean-up activities along the beach.

Aligned with the Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) framework, the initiative highlighted the connection between environmental stewardship and peacebuilding. By protecting shared natural spaces, the project aimed to foster social cohesion, collective ownership, and long-term sustainability. The involvement of ECOP (Early Career Ocean Professionals) workers further ensured that the clean-up efforts complemented municipal waste management systems and supported ongoing environmental maintenance.

The clean-up was supported through meaningful partnerships, including Plastics SA, which donated trash bags, and Aquelle, which provided water for volunteers. Youth from IPYG, Africa Unite, and Hotlane Organisation worked side by side, demonstrating unity across organisations and communities. One of the participants, Lasconnie from Africa Unite volunteer (MARS movement) shared, “I’m very happy that I got to be a part of this initiative. This is my first time actually coming to volunteer and clean up the beach. It was a very good experience and I really enjoyed it. I think inner peace is the best peace ever. So once I have peace within myself, then I’m able to have peace with my community, my family and my environment.”

This Peace My City activity not only reduced litter and pollution along Sunset Beach but also promoted a culture of peace through action. The event strengthened relationships with local organisations, expanded youth engagement in volunteerism, and reaffirmed HWPL and IPYG’s commitment to grassroots peacebuilding in South Africa.

Through initiatives like these, Peace My City continues to show that peace is not only discussed, it is practiced through collective care for people, communities, and the environment.