Nkosingiphile Ngcobo joins Belgian agency amid potential departure from Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs have decided to focus on the African continent to gain a new surge of energy and increase their chances of winning trophies this season, especially following a mixed performance in the Betway Premiership championship.

In the league, the team secured three victories and played five draws. Although they remain in fourth place without any losses with 14 points, they trail the tournament leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns, by nine points, considering that the latter played an additional match.

Amakhosi's problems with maintaining stability were evident on the field. Before the international break due to FIFA matches, the team suffered significant losses due to defensive errors. Furthermore, a lack of cohesion and inefficiency in attack led to a draw against Stellenbosch FC on Tuesday evening.

Nevertheless, the team has now focused its attention on the first match of the CAF Confederation Cup group stage qualification against Red Arrows. This match will take place at Levi Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia, on Saturday.

De Klerk noted that the team will have many games this month. He emphasized: 'It will not be easy. At the end of the month, we have the Carling Cup and the Soweto derby. The start of this competition will allow the team to create new dynamics.'

Speaking about the Carling Cup Round of 16, where Chiefs were eliminated at home against TS Galaxy, De Klerk confirmed that the technical staff has thoroughly studied their Zambian opponents.

He commented: 'They are a strong team with powerful players who transition quickly into attack. They know the stadium conditions very well, which could be a problem for us. But we are going to Zambia to achieve a positive result and establish a strong position before the home match.'

On Thursday, Chiefs announced their 23-man squad for the trip to Ndola, which has minimal changes compared to the squad that played against Stellenbosch. Key players Lebohang Maboe and Siphesihle Ndlovu are still listed as injured, but De Klerk expressed full confidence in the available group.

De Klerk explained: 'Compared to the squad against Stellenbosch, it will largely be the same, with one or two substitutions. We have not yet recovered our key injured players, which will take a little longer, but we fully believe in the squad we are taking with us.'

LekkeSlaap, a platform that grew from a garage startup and now connects travelers with over 40,000 properties, is entering a new phase of development under the management of new South African owners.

The company was acquired by a consortium of South African investors, marking the exit of co-founders Jonathan Wormersley and Marcel van der Ginste, as well as other long-standing shareholders.

Investment firms such as Bellair Road Investment Partners and Janic Capital, along with family offices Ferreira Family Office and Moolman Family Office, and Investec were involved in the deal. LekkeSlaap's management also invested alongside the consortium and will continue to lead the business.

The company's history began in 2009 as a travel technology startup, with LekkeSlaap itself launched in 2013. Today, the platform has served over nine million guests since its inception and provides access to more than 40,000 properties across South Africa.

For Wormersley, this acquisition represents the culmination of an entrepreneurial journey during which the business transformed into one of South Africa's most recognizable online travel brands. He noted that growing LekkeSlaap from a small company to a brand loved by millions of South Africans brought him immense satisfaction.

Wormersley emphasized the importance of finding new owners who share the company's culture, values, and vision. He expressed confidence that they have found suitable long-term owners and eagerly anticipates what the management team and new owners will build.

The acquisition ensures that LekkeSlaap remains in South African hands, combining long-term local investment with the existing management team. Marcel Boezart, a partner at Bellair Road Investment Partners, characterized LekkeSlaap as an example of a successful South African story. He expressed gratitude for the trust placed in the brand and enthusiasm for its development into a 'durable South African tech champion,' building on the foundations laid by Jonathan, Marcel, and the team.

CEO Frans Jobert and the current management team will continue to lead LekkeSlaap. Jobert stated that this deal marks an exciting new chapter in South Africa's remarkable entrepreneurial history. He added that LekkeSlaap retains its spirit of independence and local character, but with the support of the right partners, the company can set even more ambitious goals.

LekkeSlaap has also strengthened its board of directors by appointing two South African business leaders. Herman Bosmana, Chairman of OUTsurance Group and Fortress Real Estate, and former CEO of RMB Holdings and RMI Holdings, has been appointed as Chairman of LekkeSlaap. He is joined by Robert Paddock, co-founder of GetSmarter and Valenture Institute. Both—Bosmana through Atelier Partners and Paddock—invested alongside the new investors.

Bosmana noted that LekkeSlaap demonstrated the potential that South African entrepreneurs can create through persistence and ambition. He expressed his willingness to join LekkeSlaap as Chairman to guide and support Frans, the management team, and other shareholders as LekkeSlaap enters its next phase of growth.

For the millions of guests, thousands of hosts, and industry partners, LekkeSlaap's operations will remain unchanged. The platform will continue to provide booking services and customer support. New investments are expected to allow the business to expand its ambitions and accelerate growth. Jobert stated that their goal is simple: 'to put Africa on the map.' He added that the next phase will allow expansion across South Africa, deeper investment in technology and localization, and improved experiences for guests and hosts.