Search Results

Real sugar. Just less of it. Real taste. No nasties. The festive season is here: the laughter, the food, the noise, the endless choice. The rush of it all can leave even the most joyful among us feeling overloaded. Amid the queues, playlists, and charcuterie boards stacked sky-high, it’s easy to forget what this time of year should really be about - connection, not excess. @mrsnjezzz This summer, PURA Beverage Co (the audacious global beverage brand headquartered in the UK with distribution hubs in Cape Town and Pittsburgh) is calling time on deprivation and redefining festive refreshment. The message is simple:  you can have it all:  flavour, fizz, and feel-good balance. Real Sugar. Just Less of It. Real Taste. No Nasties. Soft drinks, mixers, and festive punches can quietly send sugar intake soaring. The World Health Organisation recommends that adults limit their sugar intake to 25 grams (six teaspoons) per day. Yet a single 330 ml can of a traditional fizzy drink often contains 35 – 40 grams, already overshooting the daily limit. Over the festive period, South Africans typically consume two to three times their usual daily sugar intake, largely from beverages and desserts. PURA Soda offers a refreshing alternative: with just 13 grams of organic pure cane sugar, no artificial sweeteners or colourants, and a crisp, natural flavour, it brings  modern moderation  to the table. Image supplied Moderation, Not Deprivation As conversations around wellbeing evolve, South Africans are no longer chasing restriction, they’re embracing balance. The festive season doesn’t need to be about cutting out the good stuff; it’s about choosing better versions of it. PURA Soda sits firmly in that space: the brand believes joy shouldn’t come with compromise. With its clean ingredients, bold taste, and lighter sweetness, it offers the same uplift and refreshment, just without the overload. Whether it’s a pair to your colourful festive table, braai or beach picnic, PURA Soda is designed to fit seamlessly into the moments that make the season special. Image supplied Celebrate the Season, Still Feel Good Tomorrow So, let the music play, the lights glow, and the celebrations flow. With PURA Soda on the table, you can toast the season, savour the taste, and still feel good the next day. PURA Soda —  modern refreshment for those who want it all.

The Springbok Women’s Sevens have made an emphatic start to their 2025 Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Cup campaign in Nairobi, dominating Pool A with convincing victories over Mauritius and Zimbabwe. The defending champions remain unbeaten as they set their sights on the knockout rounds, beginning with a high-stakes Cup Quarter-Final against Ghana today at 08:00 SAST. Womenboks Instagram page South Africa opened their campaign in outstanding fashion, dismantling Mauritius 68-0. Tries flowed freely, with Maria Tshiremba, Simamkele Namba, Vianca Boer, and Patience Mokone each crossing the line twice. The Bok Women’s defensive intensity left Mauritius with little space to work, while turnovers were converted into points with swift, clinical precision. Captain Nadine Roos orchestrated the game with calm authority, controlling tempo, delivering crisp distribution, and exploiting gaps with her trademark footwork. She also contributed on the scoreboard, converting almost all her attempts before Byrhandré Dolf took over in the second half with flawless accuracy. By half-time, South Africa were firmly in control at 33-0 and showed no sign of easing off. Their second Pool A match against Zimbabwe followed a similar pattern. Roos struck early with a sharp step and conversion before releasing Simamkele Mamba through midfield to extend the lead. Moments later, Roos sprinted the length of the field to put South Africa 21-0 ahead at the break. Tshiremba added to the tally early in the second half, and Mokone stole the spotlight with a second-half hat-trick, sealing a 45-0 victory and underlining South Africa’s dominance. Womenboks Instagram page Reflecting on the day’s performances, captain Nadine Roos highlighted the team’s unity and focus: " The team set the foundation from the first game with our win, and each match is an opportunity to build and improve. Leading this team is a privilege and an honour, made easy because I’m surrounded by players who are leaders in their own right." Looking ahead, Roos is aware of the challenges to come: "Tomorrow is going to be more intense, so expect the team to be sharper, hungrier, and better in every aspect of the game." Today, the Springbok Women’s Sevens take on Ghana in the Cup Quarter-Final at 08:00 SAST, a match that will mark the start of the knockout phase. With the title and qualification for January’s SVNS Division Three Challenger tournament on the line, South Africa remain firmly focused on cementing their status as continental champions.

There are stories of dreams, then there are stories like Anthony Raynard’s, where decades of dedication, adaptability and quiet grit converge on a moment of bold ambition. Raynard’s name may not yet be household in every living‑room, yet what he has achieved and is about to attempt  marks him firmly among South Africa’s motorsport stalwarts. Image Supplied A multi‑discipline champion with the heart of a racer Anthony Raynard began his motorsport journey young and fast. Over years, he carved his niche not only in one discipline but in many. Starting in motocross, he turned professional by 2008 and quickly chalked up podiums in MX1 and MX2 classes. By 2012 he clinched the South African National Motocross Championship. From there his versatility stood out. He transitioned across supercross, enduro and rally‑raid terrain. Each change demanded more than speed, it demanded adaptability, resilience and a willingness to learn. And now, in 2026, Raynard has confirmed his entry into the iconic Dakar Rally (bike category). For Raynard it is more than “just a race”. He says: “To even get to that start line is something special, and to finish it? That’s legendary.” Image supplied The challenge of making Dakar happen The Dakar Rally is often described as the toughest motorsport event in the world. For Raynard, the transition from motocross, which lasts tens of minutes and involves intense bursts of speed, to rally‑raid, in which one must ride for hours, navigate unfamiliar terrain and maintain mental and mechanical endurance, has been steep . “Motocross is all‑out intensity for 30 minutes,” he says. “Rally raid is a marathon.” Image supplied And then there is the matter of funding. Despite his long track record and national success, as a privateer Raynard faces what many grassroots (and even national‑level) competitors face: the cost of competing at the highest level. According to reports, after he secured his Dakar entry he was hit by significant sponsor withdrawals — two major backers pulled out, leaving him scrambling with mounting euro bills and limited time. This is the pivot point of his story: not only about speed and skill, but about the ability to keep going when support falls away, to ask for help when necessary, and to publicly seek it without losing an ounce of his integrity or his purpose. The “Back­a­Buddy” campaign: A community‑powered push Raynard has launched a public campaign through the crowd‑funding platform BackaBuddy in South Africa, inviting friends, fans, sponsors and motorsport enthusiasts to “back a buddy” and be part of the journey to Dakar. The campaign symbolises two things: first, that Raynard is doing this not just for himself, but on behalf of South African motorsport; second, that he honours the idea of collective support, community stepping in where institutional backing may falter. Link: Here His campaign shares his story: the decades of competition, the shift to rally raid, the dream of Dakar, and the financial gap he needs to fill to make it a reality. It is a narrative built on transparency, on resilience, and on friendship. By supporting him, whether through a small donation, sharing the campaign, or simply following the journey, supporters become part of what Raynard is aiming to achieve: a South African rider standing at the dawn of one of motorsport’s most formidable tests. Image supplied Why this matters for South African motorsport – National representation: Raynard’s entry into Dakar brings South Africa into a global spotlight again, especially in the bike‑category where our presence is less highlighted.– Inspiration for privateers: His story reminds aspiring racers that even without factory backing, with talent, tenacity and public support, big goals remain possible.– Community engagement: By leveraging the Back­a­Buddy campaign, he invites everyday motorsport fans into the narrative — not just as spectators but as contributors.– Versatility as a strength: His career across motocross, enduro, supercross and rally‑raid shows that adaptability matters — a lesson for the new generation of riders facing shrinking niche budgets and changing landscapes. Image supplied What lies ahead Raynard now prepares for the logistical, physical and mental challenges that await. Training is underway - long distance rides, navigation mastery, bike and gear setup in variable terrain (including South Africa and Namibia) all form part of his preparation. He carries the number 23 on his bike — a number that holds personal significance, honouring his late mother who was his rock. As the rally approaches, Raynard will require sponsors, technical backing, reliable equipment and a network of supporters. The Back­a­Buddy campaign is central to closing that gap. LINK TO BACK-A-BUDDY CAMPAIGN In his own words “Every ride, every gym session, every bit of planning is part of the bigger picture. I’m trusting the process and giving this everything.”“I want to show that anything is possible when you believe in yourself and your community believes in you.”

Get in touch with the SA Life Magazine team! Find our contact details, office address, and send us a message. We'd love to hear from you. Contact Us SA Life Mag Kerryn du Toit Executive Editor salifemag@gmail.com Warren Backman Managing Editor salifemag@gmail.com You Can Also Drop Us a Line Here First name* Last name* Email* Message* Submit

Dive into the world of entertainment with SA Life Magazine. From the latest celebrity news and red carpet events to movie reviews and TV show recaps, we bring you the hottest trends. Discover your favorite personalities and stay entertained. Entertainment SA Life Mag Latest Entertainment News

Savour the taste of South Africa with SA Life Magazine's Food & Dining. Discover mouthwatering recipes, top restaurants, and culinary adventures. From street food to fine dining, we've got your taste buds covered. Food & Dining SA Life Mag Latest Politics News