Indholdsfortegnelse for 2023-06-22 i Cape Argus

ONE OF Cape Town’s most iconic entertainment spots, the Killarney International Raceway, has been recognised for its history and contribution to the city’s rich culture by the Cape Town Heritage Foundation. The foundation recently awarded the international raceway a Blue Plaque, marking the famed raceway’s 76th anniversary since its inception in 1947. The Divisional Council of the Cape Province opened a new road from Cape Town to the Northern Cape at the time. Speaking on its history, Killarney International Raceway spokesperson Dave Abrahams said after the old road to Malmesbury fell into disuse and was closed, the Metropolitan Motorcycle and Car Club, popularly known as the “Mets”, approached authorities with the idea to rent out the strip of tar as a venue for racing. Abrahams said: “The first motorsport event…

I was surprised to read the article in the Cape Argus on June 19, “EFF calls for de-registration of Jewish school as ex-students have joined Israeli army”, as it shows an alarming degree of ignorance and lack of knowledge of the economic realities of life in South Africa. It is surprising that EFF MPL Aisha Cassiem is not aware of the difficulty matriculants have of getting into the South African labour market. This is even harder for white students because of job reservation laws which, no matter the names these go by, are by definition racist. Learners once matriculated often look elsewhere for economic opportunities. It is difficult to get into English-speaking countries because of immigration restriction laws and visa requirements. Israel, however, is different. It has a flourishing economy,…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a term that seems to be on everyone’s lips these days. What is it? Does anyone know what it is? I remember as a teacher going to class to learn computer literacy on Commodore computers in 1980 through the education department. The Commodore 64 and 128 were introduced into some schools in South Africa, and so began the process of computer literacy. Many school communities have closed their libraries to have computers installed. I always believed both systems needed to be in schools. I have tried to find the simplest definition of AI. My understanding of the use of computers is that they make learning easier and students can absorb information at their own pace. There is now talk of establishing bodies in various countries to…

New relationship show XO Goals premières on Mzansi Magic next month. Through intimate conversations, heart-to-heart debriefs, and soul-searching moments, viewers will witness three couples confronting their deepest fears, healing old wounds, and working towards their ultimate relationship goals in pursuit of their happily ever after. We all love a deep, heart-wrenching doccie-style love story now and then and this new 13-part reality series serves that and then some. Brace yourself to get caught up in the realest love stories as couples share some of their darkest secrets and past trials and triumphs. Come July 2, viewers will be introduced to the unexpected twists, raw emotions and the pursuit of the ultimate couple goals. Viewers get to know same-sex couple Simphiwe and Kedibone, who speak of a shared history of unresolved…

China called US President Jo Biden’s suggestion that its leader is a dictator “extremely absurd and irresponsible”, potentially undoing the hard-won efforts to calm tensions between the countries. Biden’s comments came barely a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Xi Jinping in Beijing, forging a tentative way past the tension since a Chinese spy balloon floated across the US in February. Biden referred to Xi as a dictator while explaining how he had been embarrassed by the balloon because he was unaware it had gone off course. “The reason Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two boxcars full of spy equipment in it is he didn’t know it was there. That’s what’s a great embarrassment for dictators; when they…

RECONSTRUCTION of roads and other integral infrastructure severely damaged by rain during several cold fronts that hit the Western Cape has begun. The floods severely affected areas in the West Coast, Overberg and Cape Winelands districts, prompting emergency evacuations and the rush to locate and distribute aid to hardest-affected communities. Yesterday afternoon, parts of the Citrusdal community saw power restored after Eskom technicians with the SANDF arrived via helicopter to repair damaged power poles and lines. The Cederberg Local Municipality, however, said it would be switching the power on to avert the power from tripping again. Reconstruction of the Citrusdal main road has also started. Sharing on Facebook, the project supervisor from the West Coast District Municipality, Maxwin Le Fleur, said the reconstruction project would include repair to the main…

A major fire broke out in central Paris yesterday, causing the partial collapse of a building and injuring 16 people, nine of them seriously, police said. The blaze occurred in the capital’s historical 5th arrondissement, and was preceded by a gas leak, the district’s mayor said on Twitter. BFM TV showed fire services sealing off the fire and trying to hose down a building, and Parisians posted images on Twitter of a huge plume of smoke visible across much of the city. Journalist Olivier Galzi told BFM TV he had seen the facade of a nearby building “completely collapse”. |…

The racist and tendentious letter (“Bagraim’s rant can’t go unchallenged”, Cape Argus, June 20) in response to Michael Bagraim’s constructive and positive letter, should not go unchallenged. What solutions to generations of poverty is Vincent Phillips suggesting? Bitterness won’t solve anything. If the City allocates a large budget to indigent relief, why is this bad? What was budgeted under ANC rule? Does he think the EFF will do better? One should not trash the constructive person without yourself providing your own solution. He obviously can’t.…

THE ongoing poor service experienced by communities in various municipalities across the country has left many people hopeless. The ruling party’s cadre deployment policies have meant that when municipalities employ staff members, they have to focus mainly on those who are either part of the inner circles of the ruling party, or close relatives of those who wield power within the said municipality. In the process of cadre deployment, those with the necessary skills are often overlooked. This practice has affected service delivery to the municipalities, and it continues to erode the least of the municipality infrastructure and government facilities that the residents require. It has been revealed that many of the municipalities hire consultants. The consultants rake in hundreds of thousands of payments for the services rendered, while in…

Jose Mourinho has been suspended for four European matches for insulting referee Anthony Taylor after Roma’s Europa League final defeat by Sevilla, Uefa announced yesterday. The Portuguese confronted Taylor in a car park following Roma’s penalty shoot-out loss after a 1-1 draw in Budapest. Mourinho has been banned from “the next four Uefa club competition matches in which he would otherwise participate, for directing abusive language at a match official,” European football’s governing body said. His team will play in the Europa League group stage next season. Roma have also been fined €50 000 (just over R1 million) and banned from taking away fans to their next European match “for the lighting of fireworks, throwing of objects, acts of damage and crowd disturbances”. The Italian club were also fined €5…

England veteran defender Geva Mentor believes the Netball World Cup taking place in South Africa for the first time next month, will have a great impact on the growth of the sport on the whole African continent. “The African nations are on the rise, we’re seeing the impact they’re having in the top domestic leagues and in turn the performances they’re putting out against other nations,” said Mentor, who will be retiring after appearing in her sixth World Cup at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from July 28 to August 6. “To be able to showcase all the best netballers in the world on African soil is another opportunity to keep growing the sport and we all know the Africans will create a vibrant, loud and entertaining event.” Mentor,…

Michael Leask smashed a brilliant 91 not out to lead Scotland to a dramatic one-wicket victory over Ireland off the final ball at the World Cup Qualifier yesterday. Scotland were reeling at 152/7 in the 34th over, chasing 287 to win in Bulawayo, but Leask struck 91 from 61 balls to clinch a win to start their campaign. Ireland, though, are on the brink of failing to reach a second straight World Cup after suffering a second successive Group B defeat after their opening loss to Oman. Two teams from the 10-nation event in Zimbabwe will qualify for the main tournament to be held in India in October and November. "We've had a few tough games against Ireland, so to get this against them is even more special," said Leask,…

An Eastern Cape woman who was last seen on June 9 has been found dead. Police said the body of Desiree Baartman was recovered on Tuesday night in a storm water drain next to Standford Road near the Jagtersvlakte area. “At about 9pm on Tuesday night SAPS Betheldorp detectives with the assistance of the K9 Search and Rescue and Diving Unit recovered the victim’s body which was thrown down a 3.7 metre storm water drain,” provincial police spokesperson Priscilla Naidu said. “An autopsy will be done to determine the exact cause of death.” Police said Baartman had left her home in Nagel Street, Extention 29, Bethelsdorp at around 10am on June 9 and never returned. She was reported missing on June 14 at the Bethelsdorp SAPS after friends and family…

Amazon tricked consumers into subscribing to its “Prime” service and intentionally complicated the cancellation process, according to a US lawsuit against the retail giant. The Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit against Amazon includes four civil charges against the company over “manipulative, coercive or deceptive user-interface” and seeks a permanent injunction on the conduct, as well as monetary penalties. The Prime service costs shoppers $14.99 (about R275) a month or $139 annually in exchange for perks such as free shipping and access to Amazon entertainment shows and movies. In the complaint, the FTC chronicles how Amazon screen prompts and discount offers route shoppers into the Prime programme without providing “clear and conspicuous disclosures” regarding price and “the fact that it renews automatically unless the consumer affirmatively cancels.” |…

GOOD Party councillor Katriena Robyn was yesterday elected as mayor of Witzenberg Municipality – a day after she lodged a complaint of bribery against the now former-DA mayor Hennie Smit for allegedly attempting to buy her vote during a council meeting a week ago. Smit was forced to step down after the police opened a case on the matter. GOOD Party was part of the DA-led coalition in Witzenberg where the party supported the DA mayor and GOOD’s Felicity Klazen took the post of deputy mayor. However, following Klazen’s expulsion from GOOD after an internal disciplinary process, and Klazen’s subsequent defection to the DA, Robyn took her place in the council. Meanwhile, Smit unilaterally broke up the coalition and wanted a councillor from the Witzenberg Aksie Party to replace GOOD…

THE EDUCATION Labour Relations Council (ELRC) has found that the dismissal of former Heathfield High Principal Wesley Neumann by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) was “procedurally and substantively fair” and that Neumann was not entitled to any relief. The arbitration award involving Neumann and the WCED was delivered on June 19, with proceedings held throughout February, April and May. Neumann was charged with misconduct on September 16, 2020 after refusing to reopen the school during the Covid-19 pandemic, going against directives from the head of department at the time, Brian Schreuder. An email by Schreuder had instructed that every Grade 12 pupil be physically at school every day of the week from August 3, 2020, until the commencement of their National Senior Certificate exams. Neumann refused to do this,…

Last week, we celebrated legislation against child labour. Although we have this legislation, there is still a major problem. Children across the world are forced into sweatshops, farms and destructive employment. It is worth noting this reality, and it is certainly important for everyone to fully understand the legislation structured around child labour. It is incumbent upon every single employer to read Chapter 6 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act No 75 of 1997 (as amended). We note that a person must not require or permit a child to work if the child is under 15 years of age or is under the minimum school-leaving age in terms of any law. Furthermore, a person must not permit or require a child to perform any work or provide any services…

I found the letter “Christian churches must wake up to the woke culture threat” (Cape Argus, June 15) by Yagyah Adams most interesting since the militant and aggressive nature of the “attack” on Christians and Christianity by “wokeness” is very real. There is an agenda. Perhaps some misconceptions in the article need to be addressed so as not to misrepresent the Christian faith. There is no question about Christian monotheism which does not entertain a pluralism of “gods”, the Trinity was not determined by a “vote” at a council even if the term was not found in the Bible. What happened was that these church fathers were thinking very deeply about how to conceptualise Yahweh based on what had been revealed by Him in Scripture. His triune nature can…

The Pumas had to get to the Currie Cup final through the back door, with gritty away victories over Griquas and the Sharks in the last fortnight, but coach Jimmy Stonehouse says they are saving the best for last. The defending champions are best described as “workmanlike” in how they go about their business but the veteran coach believes something extra will be needed to beat the Cheetahs in Saturday’s final. “We are working on a few things,” the wily old campaigner said. “You have to bring a little something new to a final. Every guy has something up their sleeve …” But before any new tricks can be sprung on the Free Staters, the basics have to be done and the Pumas were exposed by the Sharks in the…

Percy Tau’s terrific form for Al Ahly has prompted the Egyptian giants to present the South African with a new improved contract. Although Al Ahly are yet to make an announcement, the well-known Egyptian football journalist Mohamed Shabana shared the information during a Cairo TV broadcast on Monday night. Tau’s contract expires at the end of next season and the club are keen to add another year’s extension. Tau has proved to be one of Al Ahly’s most valuable players. Now that he has shaken off injuries he is on top of his game. He played a massive role in guiding Al Ahly to the Caf Champions League title, scoring five goals and providing five assists in 12 games. After two seasons with the Red Devils, Tau’s honours list includes…

The Proteas Women’s team’s calendar is set to be action-packed this coming season with New Zealand set to tour South Africa in late September. This is fresh off the announcement of the Proteas’ historic tour to Pakistan just prior to New Zealand arriving in SA. The Proteas are also due to head Down Under to face all-format world champions Australia early next year. The home series against the White Ferns will consist of three one-day internationals and five T20s, to be played across five cities from September 24 to October 15. “We are thrilled to welcome New Zealand for this highly-anticipated tour, and we extend our warmest wishes to both teams,” said Cricket SA chief executive Pholetsi Moseki. “We eagerly look forward to witnessing some exhilarating cricket and wish them…

South Africa A endured a tough day at the office as they let slip any advantage they may have held in the second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A in Colombo yesterday. The tourists began the third day just three runs in arrears of Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 290 with four wickets still remaining. Proteas Test batter Kyle Verreynne was the overnight batter and he would have hoped for some support from the lower order to build a healthy lead. But it did not go according to plan for coach Shukri Conrad’s team as SA A only managed to add a further seven runs for the loss of their remaining wickets to be bundled out for 294. Verreynne was left stranded on 38 not out. Tristan Stubbs had…