A new generation of chefs from South Africa is preparing for one of the most significant moments in their careers. The South African Chefs Association has announced the Masakhane team roster for juniors, which will begin training for the 2026 Culinary World Cup to be held in Luxembourg.
The team was selected following a comprehensive national selection process that included challenging trials and detailed judging. It comprises talented young chefs from various hotels, restaurants, and culinary institutions across the country. They have now commenced an intensive training program aimed at honing cooking skills, strengthening teamwork, and preparing for one of the world's most demanding culinary competitions.
The team is led by Head Chef Trainer Marcus Gericke and Pastry Trainer Ekaterina Adonis. They are supported by Team Manager and Competition Director Peter Malan, as well as Team Leader Talent Mahlomola Tamae. Malan noted that the Culinary World Cup provides an invaluable opportunity for young chefs to develop their skills by representing South Africa on one of the most respected international culinary stages.
He added that this group embodies the future of the industry, and they intend to guide and support these young professionals to help them become world-class experts.
SA Chefs President, Chef Kuu Pillay, believes that this team reflects the future of the country's food industry. According to him, this talented group of young chefs embodies the passion, resilience, and innovation that define South Africa's culinary future. He emphasized that their selection is not only a personal achievement but also a testament to the strength of the industry's training and mentorship system, and he is proud to support them in preparing to showcase South African excellence on the global stage.
The team members demonstrate a wide range of experience. Callum Kondi balances his role as a national team member with studies at The Swiss Hotel School South Africa, where he is in his second year studying hospitality and culinary arts. He uses the school campus as an official base for developing new menus and refining techniques.
Elizabeth Nkube, a graduate of HTA School of Culinary Art, works at Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa. She has already won several competitions, winning the HTA Legacy Competition in 2022 and placing in the professional category in 2025. Furthermore, she completed a three-month internship in France and placed second in the regional round of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Jeunes Chefs Competition in Johannesburg.
Ethan Joseph also works at Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, where he develops under the guidance of Chef Matthias Foxon. As a graduate of the Food and Beverage Institute Chef School, Joseph has established himself through strong technical skills and a love for sophisticated cuisine.
Lesedi Morudi is completing her final year at Capsicum Culinary Studio while gaining practical experience at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff in Johannesburg. Among her achievements is winning the CTH Student Chef Skills Competition in 2025 alongside teammate Unami Binda and placing second in the South African Baking Championship.
Loiso Mlondo is part of the team at restaurant 54 on Bath in Johannesburg, where he hones his skills in the hotel's busy kitchen. A graduate of Capsicum Culinary Studio, his selection is a reward for years of hard work.
Magobokele Nchabeleng is already known in South Africa's culinary circles. This private chef won the junior division of the Unilever Future Menus Chef of the Year Competition 2026 after graduating from the Chefs Training and Innovation Academy. Her success has placed her among the country's rising culinary stars.
Fanyo Puu also works at 54 on Bath, where he participates in preparing dishes for the hotel's Level Four restaurant. A graduate of The Professional Cooking Academy, he focuses on developing seasonal menus and gaining experience in Johannesburg's esteemed hotel kitchens.
Foloso Sebola works at Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch after completing his studies at HTA School of Culinary Art. His education combined theoretical knowledge with practical experience in leading hospitality establishments, preparing him for the demands of international competitions.
Tando Ntsele serves as an assistant chef at the University School of Tourism and Hospitality in Johannesburg and is affiliated with Soweto Chefs Academy. He has international competition experience, having represented South Africa at the African Culinary Cup in Cairo in 2024 in the Hot Kitchen section.
Unami Binda has accumulated impressive achievements in a short time. As a pastry sous chef at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, she won the national Young Chef of the Year title and placed first in the CTH Student Chef Skills Competition alongside Lesedi Morudi. She also became a finalist in the South African Baking Championship, demonstrating talent in both pastry and hot cuisine.
According to the State Labor Inspectorate of Uzbekistan, in the first half of 2026, the inspectorate received 1495 appeals from citizens who were employed without their knowledge.
As a result of studying these appeals, administrative and criminal measures were applied to the heads of 143 operating enterprises and organizations. Additionally, written orders were issued to 56 other enterprises and organizations to eliminate the identified violations.
It was found that some organizations mentioned in the appeals had already ceased operations. Incorrect information entered into the Unified National Labor System between 2020 and 2025 was removed to restore citizens' rights.
The Inspectorate urged citizens who discovered that information about their employment activity was processed without their knowledge to contact the authorized bodies.
The Great Pyramid of Giza, the most famous of all Egyptian pyramids, was the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and remains the only surviving wonder. For approximately four thousand years, it served as the tallest man-made structure in the world. Currently, there are over fifty pyramids in Egypt, which are monumental monuments to the ancient civilization of the pharaohs.
The complexity of these architectural specimens presents a serious challenge for archaeologists studying Ancient Egypt. The question arises as to how this civilization managed to erect such grandiose and technically precise structures. Similar to Stonehenge, many controversial theories have been put forward when searching for answers to these questions, including the popular conspiracy theory that the pyramids were built by aliens.
According to this conspiracy theory, the pyramids were not the result of long-term construction projects requiring thousands of workers, enormous logistics, an unlimited supply of stone, as well as qualified architects and engineers. Instead, it is suggested that they were created by aliens or that aliens taught humans how to build them. However, the theory of external astronomical intervention is not the only attempt to explain the construction of such majestic monuments. Some conspiracy theorists believe that people from the sunken, highly developed civilization of Atlantis may have participated in the creation of the pyramids, although the mysteries of Atlantis remain unsolved.
Much about the pyramids, including their internal structure and construction process, remains unknown, which gives rise to many misconceptions and conspiracy theories. Nevertheless, archaeological evidence convincingly indicates that the pyramids of Ancient Egypt were erected not by external forces, but by large groups of Egyptian workers under the direction of an efficient administration and using primitive but effective tools.
According to Professor Joyce Tyldesley, an Egyptologist from the University of Manchester, the Great Pyramid of Giza was built by workers gathered within some system of state service or forced labor. These workers possessed relatively simple but effective tools and were capable of carving large stone blocks, transporting them to the construction site, and gradually erecting the pyramid. Although some aspects of the technology, such as ramps, are still unknown to us, colossal human power was at the core of everything.
The presence of limestone quarries near the location of the Great Pyramid, as well as the discovery of workers' camps, testifies to the scale of this project. Professor Tyldesley notes that there is evidence of how the workers were fed and where they were buried. Understanding the pyramid construction process has significantly improved only in the last 50–70 years, as previously there was a gap in knowledge that allowed conspiracy theories to take root.
Pyramids have existed for more than four thousand years, whereas the concept of aliens is relatively new in many cultures around the world. Professor Tyldesley believes that this idea truly began to develop after the publication of H.G. Wells' book 'The War of the Worlds' in 1897, which initiated a series of science fiction works. The book 'Edward's Triumph on Mars,' written by American astronomer and writer Garrett P. Service in 1898, had a particular influence. Although this book was fictional and not considered serious, it claimed that the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx were built on Mars, and this idea that someone from outside came to Egypt and built the pyramids became widely spread.
Another significant contribution was the bestseller by Swiss writer Eric von Daniken, published in 1968, titled 'Chariots of the Gods? Unsolved Mysteries of the Past.' This book helped popularize the idea that ancient space travelers visited Earth, were accepted as gods, and had a huge influence on the cultures, religions, technologies, and, certainly, the architecture of ancient civilizations.
It can be concluded that the belief that ancient aliens came to Earth and disseminated their superior knowledge arose, at least initially, as a reaction to the inability to believe that any ancient civilization could independently create such impressive monuments, so credit is attributed to an external force.
Shakira kicked off the North American leg of her world tour Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran in Brooklyn, New York. The concert, held at the packed Barclays Center, became one of the most talked-about musical events of the year due to a series of unexpected guest appearances.
The July concert initially featured an energetic setlist, but the level of excitement increased when Shakira invited South African star Tyla, British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, and Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy onto the stage. Each collaboration added a unique musical flavor, demonstrating Shakira's versatility and her ability to unite artists from different corners of the global music industry.
The first major surprise occurred when Tyla joined Shakira to perform the hit song 'Hips Don't Lie'. This duo delivered a confident and high-energy performance that prompted the audience to sing and dance. Videos shared by concertgoers quickly spread across social media, where many fans praised the interaction between the performers and expressed hope for a future official collaborative track.
Later in the evening, the atmosphere shifted when Ed Sheeran took the stage for an intimate acoustic version of 'Underneath Your Clothes'. By transforming the song into a more emotional sound, the duo highlighted both artists' vocal talents and provided a touching moment amidst the night's high-energy numbers.
The surprises continued when Burna Boy joined Shakira to perform their joint track 'Dai Dai'. This performance, which blended Afrobeats rhythms with Shakira's signature Latin pop style, once again made the audience stand up and served as the culmination of an unforgettable evening. Fans noted the duo's stage presence, calling it a perfect example of how music can transcend cultural and genre barriers.
Within hours of the show, social media was flooded with clips from every surprise appearance. Across all social networks, fans highly rated the ambitious production, the guest lineup, and the memorable collaborations, contributing to the viral popularity of these performances online. The Brooklyn concert was the first of two sold-out shows at the Barclays Center, setting an impressive tone for the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran world tour. Attendees of the second show eagerly awaited more unexpected guests and unforgettable moments, as the first concert demonstrated that Shakira's latest world tour promises to be a celebration of musical diversity, star power, and enduring appeal, making her one of the most influential artists in the world.
