As defending champions of the One Day Cup, The Imperial Lions are the 2021/ 22 CSA One Day Cup Champions for the 2nd consecutive year, after a tense final match of the season against their neighbors Momentum Multiply Titans.

The Pride’s One Day Cup journey, was the ultimate in teamwork – with continuous noteworthy performances across all three formats of the game. Players performed, staff excelled, and sponsors supported from first ball to final over.

In the build up to the season, the team summited Mafadi, South Africa’s highest mountain at 3,446 metres, the peak of which borders South Africa and Lesotho. The 4-day hike tested even the strongest of wills: There were tears, triumphs and definitive teamwork, which no doubt contributed significantly to the testing season that has been, so says Lions Cricket CEO Jono Leaf-Wright;

“That pre-season build up far exceeded expectations – players experienced mental and physical fatigue but how symbolic that experience has been of our season: The boys became a closer unit, a team that last night conquered the 50 over Cup despite the ups and downs’. Our performance was indicative of ‘The Lions Way’: Never give up, team first and care. We lost many a player due to National Duty this season, something though that we are extremely proud of, but also something that tests your pipeline as new players are required to step up and step up, they certainly did. With the team blended with youth and experience the season was filled with great learning but always great unity from this special group.”

Captain Dominic Hendricks, who lists this tournament as his favourite, says that winning it for the fans was of top priority;

“What a phenomenal victory – chasing 319 in a final was a mammoth effort and I am extremely proud of the boys – we really pulled through. We accomplished something that will be remembered for many years to come. The first half of the season was quite disappointing, not featuring as much as we would’ve liked to in the various competitions. This one is for the fans – we’re delighted to have won a trophy for them and take great pride in putting a smile on the faces not only for those who attended the game, but for those watching at home too. We couldn’t have done it without them.”

Head Coach Wandile Gwavu says that his men wore the Lions Cricket badge with pride, and performed as if their lives depended on it;

“It’s been a very testing and challenging season, but we can be proud of ourselves as a unit, which is a mainly young and less experienced one. But as it has been many times: It doesn’t matter how you start, but how you finish – and a lot of people are going to remember that final: What a special knock from Reeza. We’ve unearthed some special youngsters – and for that I am so proud because it’s not normal that so many less experienced youngsters have stepped up like they have… that’s The Lions Way. We dominated the 4-day season, but never clinched it – but that’s cricket… that’s life. I would like to thank everyone for a positive and consistent language throughout the season – and especially the leadership shown from Magala, Malusi, Dom Hendricks and Bjorn Fortuin for always believing in a team which could promise so much. In addition, I am so appreciative of the support we received outside of the changeroom – we so appreciate the support not only from our fans, but for the back-office staff too. We had a great season where we learnt so much and actually cannot wait for next season. Thank you to our sponsors: We know that lifting that trophy meant as much to you as it did to us.”

Jono Leaf-Wright says that the victory goes beyond the boundary;

“Our players will be the first to acknowledge that this victory is as a result of many wonderful staff members, sponsors, fans, and a very supportive Board as well as a Pipeline system of schools, universities and clubs that help produce players that can win, a truly dedicated Lions Family team on so many levels – so many of whom were present last evening. A big thank you to all our partners who stood with us throughout the season and for their constant support. A special gratitude to all the Lions staff and fans for flying the Pride of Jozi flag high, for singing and celebrating with us. We not only won on the field last night but won off it as well. Our pride consists of genuine, warm, passionate people who go above and beyond in order to ensure that our players are suitably equipped to excel and dream big. What a TEAM effort lifting the trophy last night was and as Lions Cricket we certainly showed that as Team Lions, Together Everyone Achieves More!”

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Nathan Jones has ensured a magical season for the team with the smallest budget in the Championship. Luton are 8 games away from qualifying for the play off, which may secure their seat in the worlds biggest football league. Their next game will be at home to Millwall on Saturday. The faithful will be in attendance and Kenilworth Road will be rocking.

[Submitted by Estea Rademeyer]

The bulls ensured their 4th win in a row by overcoming the Dragons Rugby team at Loftus on a beautiful summers evening.

The 55- 20 scoreline failed to show the exact dominance of a strong Bulls team.
[Submitted by Estea Rademeyer]

With a knack for gritty lyrics and raw real-life stories Streetzalina’s first album, ‘#FukCancer’ delivers in every avenue he is known for. Over crisp production, Streetzalina turns his life into a movie on every track. ‘Snakes & Rats’ boasts an up-tempo beat with booming 808’s, rapid-fire hi-hats, sharp snares, and a nonstop flow. His innovation is felt throughout the entire project ‘Black Family Crack Style Pt.1’ has a beat that borderlines on zany with an off-kilter piano loop and an equally unique flow that perfectly accompanies the beat.

Streetzalina’s idiosyncrasies are on full display as he consistently flips flows and patterns that are well beyond any of his peers. He easily stretches and experiments with his delivery, making every track a unique experience. Along with surviving the streets he recently KO’d cancer and this album is a testament to his resilience. ‘From The Mud Crack Style’ continues his flow over another haunting beat with earthshaking bass and hard-hitting percussion. His mission statement is found on the hook of ‘HUSTLE NIGGA’ a mantra that doubles as a chorus. Every track on ‘#FukCancer’ fully displays Streetzalina’s talent and God-given gift for life, music and hustle.
[Submitted by Sandra Richardson]

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https://www.streetzalina.com/music

https://www.streetzalina.com/music

Another year, another batch of new iPhones hits the Internet to dampened-yet-still-feverish hype in the era of COVID-19. And, as always, some of us are sitting around wondering, “What’s the big deal?”

Of course, if you’re a huge Apple fan, you probably appreciate Cupertino’s iterative approach to product development. After all, why mess up a good thing for no real reason?

Such seems to be the thinking behind the FOUR new iPhone 13 models, ranging from an iPhone 13 Mini to the Pro Max (the latter sounding like a throwback to 1996 product naming conventions but we digress).

Of course, each one is distinguished from the other by the size of both the body itself, screen, and price tag. As you can imagine, the Pro Max will do just that to your available credit card balance yet that model might actually be worth it compared with some of the others that, frankly, have more of a rewarmed iPhone 12 air about them.

So what are we getting with the new iPhone 13? The iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 13 will both have Cupertino’s bespoke A15 Bionic Chip, a pair of front cameras, a 6.1 and 5.4 inch Super Retina XDR display, and an adequate 128GB storage. Colors will be “starlight,” “midnight,” blue, pink, and, naturally, (PRODUCT)RED. As for pricing, the lower end of the iPhone 13 totem starts at $799 with a street date of September 24.

The upper echelon of the iPhone 13 family sees an impressive augmentation of the smartphone’s camera system in the form of a bunch of new photo modes. Storage goes up to 1TB and new ultrawide cameras promise better capabilities all around in that department.

“The new pro camera system offers even more pro photography capabilities like improved telephoto zoom, macro photography, Photographic Styles, Cinematic mode, as well as ProRes and Dolby Vision video. The Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion is our best display ever; it intelligently responds to the content on your screen, offers fantastic graphics performance, and is perfect for any viewing experience,” Apple’s Greg Joswiak commented of the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max.

Body colors include graphite, gold, silver, and sierra blue with the Pro and Pro Max pricing at $999 and $1099.

All of these will utilize Apple’s next-gen operating system, iOS 15 which itself promises a host of cool features for content creators and others.

In terms of what models to be excited about, it’s hard to deny that the Pro and Pro Max up the power and capabilities of the iPhone segment without changing too much else. That said, they’re still pretty similar to last-gen and that’s pretty much to be expected at this point (as we alluded to in the introduction).

If you’re looking to upgrade your older iPhone handset for something new and improved it is hard to deny that these are currently the best iPhones on the market.

https://www.lightstalking.com/apple-debuts-2-apple-iphone-13-pros-alongside-an-iphone-13-regular-and-mini-variant/

https://www.techradar.com/news/iphone-13-pro-and-pro-max-have-more-storage-more-zoom-and-more-power

[Submitted by Vince Rubiera]

From the moment of our inception, a troubling trend has emerged—imitation websites attempting to pass themselves off as us. We'd express flattery if the consequences weren't so detrimental! These deceptive websites craft elaborate facades, weaving interconnected webs of "press agencies" peddling counterfeit credentials labeled as "press passes." They showcase so-called "publications" to lend an air of legitimacy, creating the illusion of a "pseudo media conglomerate." However, their true aim is to attract individuals, exploiting their work to create an appearance of activity. This is never the ethos of the US Press Association (The USPA).

At the core of our mission is the commitment to drive visitors, viewers, and listeners to your site or social media profile. Joining our organization isn't about us; it's about bringing out the best in you.

The reality is, these imitators lack expertise and understanding. While they may convince some to purchase their deceptive products and showcase a handful of members on their site, these numbers pale in comparison to the vast member base that has chosen to trust us—the original, the authentic, The US Press Association. These sham sites and their operators are eager to uncover our operational secrets.

Why the curiosity? The answer is simple—our dedication to serving and assisting freelance and professional journalists, spanning close to two decades. In contrast, these pop-up websites have a fleeting existence, with some managing to deceive for only a few years.

The surge in these fake "press agencies" is leaving a lasting mark on the integrity of freelance and professional media organizations. Many of these websites are essentially one large web controlled by a few individuals. They establish a business structure and register an office in a state like Nevada, while operating from locations outside the United States, such as Germany, Russia, and others. While residence in other countries is not an issue, the problem lies in the deceptive web they cast to ensnare unsuspecting individuals.

These fraudulent sites entice people with alluring phrases like "get your backstage pass," falsely suggesting that possessing writing, video, or photo access automatically grants backstage privileges. At the US Press Association, we believe in honesty. We educate our members, especially those starting out, about the expectations when securing press passes for specific places or events.

"We need to take a stance against this type of deceptive practice."

We refuse to engage in luring, lying, or cheating to gain members. Our community is built on solid, informed decisions by individuals who chose an organization aligned with their values. Stand with us, and rest assured—we always have the best interests of our members at heart.

Stand with us. Become a member today.

Example of imaging used to lure and entice prospective members.

Stand with us. Become a member today...