The veteran lock had been one of the most popular stars during his days and was dubbed ‘The Enforcer’.

Surprisingly, many fans have forgotten about him since his retirement in 2014.

When he left the Springboks, he spoke at large about not saying a proper goodbye.

“When I limped off the field during the World Cup in 2011 with an Achilles injury, I knew that I did not leave on my terms and that I didn’t say goodbye to the Bok jersey like I had wanted to,”

SPRINGBOKS LEGEND BAKKIES BOTHA’S AGE REVEALED ON HIS BIRTHDAY
The veteran Springboks lock was born on 22 September 1979 and had been celebrating his forty-third birthday.

Bakkies Botha was born in Newcastle, South Africa, where he developed his love for Rugby.

He played his Provincial Rugby with the Falcons and the Blue Bulls.

He moved to France in 2011 as he started his senior career with Toulon.

The veteran Lock did not spend much time before he joined the Bulls in 2002, where he stayed all his career.

Legendary former Springbok lock Bakkies Botha was in a car accident
Former Springbok lock Bakkies Botha. Image: Gallo Images.
HE IS ONE OF THE MOST DECORATED SPRINGBOKS
Despite retiring at a younger age, 34, the Springboks legend Bakkies Botha remains one of the most decorated ever.

His World Cup win 2007 epitomized his awards cabinet, but he also won a lot at the club and international levels.

Bakkies was nominated and won many individual awards to show his personal qualities.He was voted by the French publication Midi Olympique in 2013 as the best No. 4 lock ever to play the game.

At the time, he was one of only two players in the best XV still playing, the other being Richie McCaw.

He is also the only player in the Rugby union to have won a hat trick of Super Rugby and European rugby titles.

Natalie Becker, a name synonymous with South African talent, hails from the picturesque town of George in the Western Cape province but grew up in the vibrant city of Cape Town.

Her journey into the world of entertainment took an intriguing path, commencing as a radio announcer on Good Hope FM, a regional radio station affiliated with the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

NATALIE BECKER: THE BEGINNING
Born into a time when apartheid laws forbade interracial marriages in South Africa, Natalie Becker’s upbringing was marked by the challenges of a mixed-race family. Despite the isolation she felt during her childhood, Natalie’s tenacity and drive shone through.

She pursued her education, culminating in a degree in Social Sciences from the University of Cape Town in 2004.

SCREEN CAREER
Natalie’s transition from radio to television marked the onset of her ascent to stardom. She graced screens as a presenter on the prestigious show ‘Top Billing,’ capturing audiences’ hearts with her charisma and charm.

This was merely the beginning of her remarkable journey, destined for even greater heights.

Within the realm of cinema, Natalie Becker has left an indelible mark alongside Hollywood’s finest. She shared the screen with luminaries such as Meg Ryan and William H. Macy in ‘The Deal’ and delivered a memorable performance opposite John Malkovich in the film adaptation of J.M. Coetzee’s novel, ‘Disgrace.’

Her talent and versatility were further showcased in ‘Tremors 5: Bloodlines’ in 2015.

RADIO CAREER
Natalie’s accomplishments extend beyond her acting prowess. She returned to the airwaves, hosting radio shows like “Natalie@Nine” on P4 Radio/Heart FM (1998-2006) and ‘Cape Town after Dark’ on Good Hope FM (2006-2009).

Her presence on the radio endeared her to listeners, cementing her status as a media icon.

Whether your guardian is biological or through adoption, having a loving parent is all that matters, and Mashudu can attest to that.

During a recent interview on Podcast and Chill, the amapiano sensation reflected on her adoption journey.”I was raised by Sotho women, but my real parents were Venda,” she revealed.

“It was at a young age. I don’t know how that happened. I know my mom took me from welfare and I was raised by her, and she’s been doing an amazing job. I’m Sotho because this woman did a wonderful job. A great job.”

Mashudu said she had no interest in getting in contact with her biological parents but felt it was necessary for her to know her roots.

“I was at school so I didn’t see the need to meet her at the time. Then I was at varsity and I felt like I had a lot of stress going on and I have a mom.”

Recalling her first encounter with her biological mother, Mashudu said her mother explained she had to give her up because she was young.

“We talk but it’s not the same. I look exactly like her. It was good, it was awkward. Others are so comfortable about it but, I wasn’t.

“I understood she was young, but it won’t change how I feel about the connection between us. I don’t have a deep void because my mom made sure I had everything.”

Mashudu is among celebrities who revealed they were adopted at a young age.

Shekhinah has been candid about her journey. She was abandoned at birth, but later had her current family adopt her and she has since developed a great relationship with her foster parents.

Holly Rey has displayed the love and affection she has for her adopted eight-year-old sister Mimi and has spoken openly about their journey together and developing a bond.

LIRA GOES ON BLUE TRAIN EXPERIENCE WITH PARENTS
Taking to her Instagram recently, the Feel Good hitmaker shared that she took ker parents on a five-star experience on the Blue Train.

“Took my parents on the Blue Train to celebrate life. This three day trip was from Cape Town to Pretoria. What an experience,” she captioned the In July, Lira spoke publicly for the first time since suffering a stroke in April 2022.

The Hamba singer had a sit-down with her friend and neighbour Relebogile Mabotja on a segment called The Upside of Failure on Radio 702 where she revealed that she was on tour in Frankfurt, Germany, when she had a stroke.

“I had a stroke at about 16:30pm,” Lira said.

“The sensation lasted about 15 minutes. It wasn’t pain. It was an uncomfortable feeling in my head.”

The 44-year-old musician was diagnosed with aphasia six months after suffering a stroke. According to NIDCD, aphasia is a disorder that results from damage to portions of the brain that are responsible for language.

ALSO READ: Lira shares heartwarming health update following stroke: ‘I can still sing’

Lira shared that since having a stroke, she values life a bit more.

“When you have [a] stroke, it calms you from the stress of life. When I’m stressed, I can’t speak, so it is important for me to keep calm and peaceful.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY NOKUTHULA NGCOBO

Generations the legacy soapie Teasers provided by TVSA

Mbali finally works up the courage to tell Lucy what she’s planning. Suspicion grows when the foreman of the mine goes missing…Tau loses his cool at the worst possible time.

 

If you missed any other episodes, find more episodes of Generations episodes to watch here.

NEXT EPISODE ON GENERATIONS: THE LEGACY
A woman questions her decision to make a deal with the devil. A young waitress suspects nothing when a customer uses her phone… It’s only the first night and Mpho is already having doubts.

Catch all Generations – The Legacy live updates here

Read all about what’s happening in Generations: The Legacy in September over here.

WHAT IS GENERATIONS: THE LEGACY ABOUT?
A place where drama, suspense and intrigue are the name of the game when you’re up against enemies you don’t even know you have. A place where people will stop at nothing to get their lovers even if it means resorting to violence, seduction and even murder.

THE CAST OF GENERATIONS: THE LEGACY
Katlego Danke Dineo Tlaole
Thami Mnqolo Senzo Dhlomo
Menzi Ngubane Sibusiso Dlomo
Seputla Sebogodi Kenneth Mashaba
Sophie Ndaba Queen Moroka
Mandla Gaduka Selwyn “Choppa” Maithufi
Maggie Benedict Akhona Griffiths
Winnie Ntshaba Khethiwe Ngcobo
Nambitha Mpumlwana Mawande Memela
Zenande Mfenyana Noluntu Memela
Zolisa Xaluva Jason Malinga
Anga Makhubalo Bandile ‘MJ’ Memela
Zikhona Sodlaka Priska Dlhomo
Slindile Nodangala Ruby Dikobe
Thato Molamu Nicholas Nomvete
Patrick Shai Patrick Tlaole
WHERE CAN I WATCH GENERATIONS: THE LEGACY EPISODES?
Episodes air on SABC1 Mondays to Fridays at 20:00 on DSTV Channel no. 191. If you are unable to catch the latest episode when it airs, we will be publishing full episodes from the SABC. Stick with us, and you will never miss any single episode of this soapie again. Stay tuned