Andrew Watson: The 'most influential' black footballer for decades lost to history

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  By Andrew Aloia BBC Sport Last updated on 11 October 2021 11 October 2021 . From the section Football Watson was a trailblazer who helped transform how football was played There are two murals of black footballers facing one another across an alleyway in Glasgow. One helped shape football as we know it, the other is Pele. Andrew Watson captained Scotland to a 6-1 win over England on his debut in 1881. He was a pioneer, the world's first black international, but for more than a century the significance of his achievements went unrecognised. Research conducted over the past three decades has left us with some biographical details: a man descended of slaves and of those who enslaved them, born in Guyana, raised to become an English gentleman and famed as one of Scottish football's first icons. And yet today, 100 years on from his death aged 64, Watson remains something of an enigma, the picture built around him a fractured one. His grainy, faded, sepia image evokes many differen...

A look at the new 300m luxury lagoon in Joburg

 

Johannesburg-based lifestyle estate Steyn City has launched its new Clearwater lagoon, the first major development of its kind in the city.

The 900-hectare estate is located between Fourways and Lanseria in Johannesburg and is one of the largest estates in the country in terms of land size.

It was first launched in 2015 by developers Douw Steyn and Giuseppe Plumari, and drew R6.5 billion in investment for infrastructure, which also went to supporting infrastructure for the greater region, including roads, water and sewerage.

The new lagoon measures 300 metres in length and swimming just six lengths is the equivalent of 1.6 kilometres, said GAST Clearwater, the developers of the project.

The lagoon, which is exclusive to residents of the estate, also includes a number of water-based activities, including:

  • Kayaks;
  • Water slides;
  • Beach volleyball;
  • Beach-style sandpits;
  • A zero-depth water feature for toddlers;
  • A Laguna kiosk serving out beach-style treats like gelato ice cream and cocktails.

 

Dr Kevin Gast, chairman of the GAST Group, said the new project is aimed at allowing residents to enjoy the benefits of the coast without driving to the sea.

He adds that the lagoons can be built in and around any property development, adding significant economic and social value to the developer, while breakthrough green technology makes it possible to create facilities of this extraordinary size.

“Without compromising on sustainability, GAST’s clearwater bodies of water are cost-effective, requiring little maintenance and little in the way of chemical and energy requirements too.”

 

The lagoon comes less than a month after Steyn City launched a new helistop service, which it says is a first for residential developments in South Africa.

The dedicated helicopter facility has been built in line with international regulations and will allow full take-off and landing. It also includes a seven-star facility, including a reception and lounge area.

While the facility has been designed for residents of the estate, it is also open to non-residents, who can schedule or charter a flight.


Read: Updated travel restrictions for South Africa

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