Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-07-04 i Cape Argus

SOUTH African motorists can breathe a sigh of relief as July’s much-anticipated fuel price decrease came into effect today, following a delay due to the swearing in of ministers yesterday. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announced on Tuesday the fuel price adjustments would take effect from today, and not Wednesday as is the norm. The country’s fuel price is adjusted on the first Wednesday of each month after being signed off by the minister. However, following the recently announced Government of National Unity (GNU) Cabinet on Sunday, the new ministers had not been sworn in in time to sign off on the price changes. Gwede Mantashe was appointed as the new Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister for the 7th administration, and was sworn in yesterday. For this…

A SUSPECT believed to be part of a kidnapping syndicate has been arrested after police in Gauteng rescued the latest victim, a Portuguese businessman, who was snatched from his business premises in Florida on June 24. National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said that over the past six months 12 businessmen and six students who had been kidnapped for ransom had been rescued by a multidisciplinary team led by the police’s Anti-Kidnapping Task Team. Mathe said the Portuguese businessman was rescued on Monday – a week after he was snatched. “The SAPS Anti-Kidnapping Task Team including other law enforcement agencies and private security have been working around the clock to find the businessman, safe and unharmed. “The man was kidnapped from his business premises in Florida. “On Monday evening, July 1,…

The 30% pass rate and school overcrowding are among the issues expected to be discussed as the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of SA (Naptosa) and the National Teachers’ Union (Natu) welcomed the appointment of Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube. This is despite the ANC-aligned SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) expressing dissatisfaction with the appointment of the DA MP. Gwarube succeeded Angie Motshekga, who served as the Minister of Basic Education for more than 15 years. Natu’s general secretary, Doctor Ngema, said they were looking forward to working with Gwarube to advance the agenda of quality education. “Natu hopes that she will hit the ground running and address challenges of shortages of teachers in schools, school safety, renovation of dilapidated school infrastructure, building new schools, and reading for comprehension,” he said.…

When President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke of a new dawn at the beginning of his presidency in 2018, he could never have imagined that he would indeed usher in a new dawn, one far different from what we had known and got accustomed to in the 30 years since the beginning of our democracy – a Government of National Unity. Historically, most African countries that achieved their independence from colonialism long before South Africa did, have failed to achieve the kind of transformation they had hoped to accomplish, with some or most of their citizens giving up on ever having a better life in their own countries and opting to emigrate, looking for greener pastures elsewhere. When things started falling apart in South Africa, with the governing party, the ANC, losing…

As more and more independent trade unions arise and the country faces ongoing retrenchments, the business of trade unions has been under threat. It should be noted that trade unions and their members are specifically granted rights in terms of the Constitution and our labour law. These rights are curtailed through legislation and regulations. First, for a trade union to be effective it must be registered with the Department of Employment and Labour. Second, the trade unions would have to obtain sufficient representativity at the workplace to access certain rights and duties. Third, one issue which has been in dispute, a trade union could only represent its members and those members must be registered within the scope of the trade union constitution. The being said, numerous organisations are desperately trying…

NAIROBI: Activists behind Kenya’s anti-government protests over tax hikes are rethinking their strategy after demonstrations this week were marred by violence and looting that they fear could undermine the movement and its efforts to push President William Ruto to resign. The activists say the violence was the work of “goons” hired by politicians. Some called for a protest today not to go ahead. The Kenyan presidency said yesterday it had ordered a review of salary increases for public servants in an apparent move to defuse tensions after the sometimes deadly anti-government protests. | Reuters…

HAITI: The US called yesterday for international sanctions on Haitians behind the country’s chaos as the UN warned of a bleak picture despite the arrival of Kenyan police. At a UN Security Council session, US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the world must “promote accountability for past atrocities”, even as hopes rise with the start of the UN-blessed, Kenyan-led mission. China said the US was to blame for the flow of illicit weapons into Haiti. Haiti’s security council representative, Maria Isabel Salvador, said that 578 000 people had been internally displaced. | AFP…

HAVING denied hosts Germany a perfect record and eliminated holders Italy, Switzerland are in the right mood to beat England too at Euro 2024, their coach Murat Yakin said yesterday. England have big-name players capable of making a difference in a major tournament, but they should be ready for a battle with a team playing good football and full of spirit, Yakin said ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final in Duesseldorf. “We played against Germany, we were good, we played against Italy, also a big team, and why can’t we beat England?” he said. “We’re in a good mood now. Let’s see, it’s a good challenge and my team is ready to have this big fight against England.” England, among the pre-tournament favourites, have much to prove after a string of below-par…

Even a single loss, by a single point, in the last minute of any of their two matches against Ireland in the coming weeks will probably not be enough to sate the ravenous hunger of the Springboks supporters. Indeed, it will most likely be regarded as a massive defeat for the world champions, and a huge triumph for the visitors if they lose one of the Tests. Those are the fine margins that Bok coach Rassie Erasmus and his Irish counterpart Andy Farrell will consider over the next two weekends in Pretoria and Durban, respectively. From that point of view, Doc Erasmus and Co certainly have much more to lose than gain, and the pressure to succeed will hang thick around them. It seems strange to admit that beating Ireland…

THE Stormers will have to contend with one of their ex-players Hacjivah Dayimani this coming season after being drawn with Racing 92 in the European Champions Cup. Although no fixtures are out yet, he is destined to clash with his former side, with whom he achieved great heights, either in the Cape Town Stadium or Paris, and if it ends up beeing in the Mother City, he will definitely receive a warm, but tough welcome back just like Steven Kitshoff did when he played in Cape Town for Ulster last season. Racing announced the acquisition of the versatile loose forward on Tuesday after the Cape side released him a year early from his contract that was set to expire in 2025. He will join another former Stormers loose forward, Springbok…

A LAVENDER Hill field, notoriously known as a “battlefield” due to gang-related violence and bloodshed, is seeing its reclamation by residents. Every Tuesday, community worker Mark Anthony Nicholson, 54, assisted by a team comprising family members and residents, gathers more than 30 senior residents on the field, situated along Blode Street, for fitness exercises followed by board games at Nicholson’s home nearby, all while reminiscing about the good times past. “I feel very good about it because at home we don’t exercise so when we come here, we do it and we enjoy what we’re doing at the club,” one of the senior participants, Phyllis Edwards, said. “At home, we’re mostly indoors and we don’t go out or anything but when we come here, we talk to each other. We’re…

A nine-metre-long juvenile southern right whale entangled in fishing line was spotted frolicking towards Gansbaai on Tuesday, following a successful rescue mission by the SA Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN). The whale was first spotted offshore in Walker Bay, Hermanus, with local whale charter Miroscha monitoring it from a safe distance on Friday. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said it launched a Hermanus rescue craft, accompanied by trained SAWDN NSRI crew, carrying specialised cutting equipment. “We found the juvenile southern right whale, 8m to 9m in length, with a large amount of tuna monofilament long line entangled around its tail, flukes and caudal peduncle. “It was evident that line had embedded into the flesh and the cutting free of the line was urgent. “It is unclear, at present, if the…

After decades I continue to marvel at the failure of people to learn and behave within reason, etc. In 1994, after centuries of suffering, God gave black people nearly 75% of the vote and white people 25%. After 30 years of corruption, murder, job losses, a lack of housing, clean, safe and affordable water and energy, etc, black people rejected their former saviour, the ANC. Oddly, black people maintained 75% of the overall vote. Since they cannot work together as is evident across Africa, the ANC to maintain power made a deal with the white minority. This is not a judgement on white people’s ability to dominate but a reflection on the inability of blacks to work together for their collective own benefit. This irony is not unique. In the…

THE line from William Shakespeare’s play As You Like It, “An ill-favoured thing sir, but mine own”, might very well have been President Cyril Ramaphosa’s thoughts as he announced his administration and the seventh Cabinet of the Republic of South Africa. The line means that it might not be good but it’s the best I can offer, for it is true that “you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs”. The ministers emanate from political parties that had some fundamental and ideological differences in how they perceive governance to occur. But for the time being, all is forgiven. What must be clearly understood is that it will not be party time any longer – serious governance has to happen and the new orchestra will have to sing in concert because…

Cape Town faces a critical juncture as the City’s actions force the poor into its hinterlands, transforming areas like Salt River, Woodstock, and the CBD into exclusive enclaves for the wealthy. A decade ago, these areas housed a vibrant mix of residents, but gentrification has displaced many to peripheral areas such as Delft and, worse, Wolverivier. This trend not only erodes the city’s cultural diversity but exacerbates the plight of its most vulnerable citizens. Recent events in Salt River exemplify this issue. Several families, who have lived in Shelley Road for most of their lives, received notices from the City of Cape Town indicating the possible termination of their leases due to the City’s intention to sell the properties. These residents, many of whom are pensioners, have been thrown into…

London: UK’s Labour Party is set to win the 2024 general election today, grabbing 484 out of a total 650 seats in the Parliament, a pre-poll company Survation projected. The survey says Labour Party leader Keir Starmer is projected to win a mandate against UK Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak. The Conservatives, in power for past for last 14 years, are projected to win 64 seats while the Democrats are likely to bag 61 seats. The Reform Party is projected to win seven seats. The Labour Party is set to displace the Scottish National Party as the largest party in Scotland, it said. | IANS…

THE ice that pumps through Handre Pollard’s veins – so impressively displayed on numerous occasions at the World Cup last year – was nowhere to be detected yesterday, as he declared with a smile that there will be no need to motivate anyone within the Springboks regarding their duties this weekend. A massive clash against Ireland awaits on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld (kick-off 5.05pm) and coach Rassie Erasmus has selected 30-year-old Pollard in the crucial flyhalf channel. With back-to-back World Cup medals to his name, Pollard – along with the majority of his teammates for the two-match series against Ireland – could be forgiven if they were to just go through the motions. This, however, will certainly not be the case as Pollard and Co look to build on their…

MAMELODI Sundowns yesterday confirmed the shock decision to release head coach Rhulani Mokwena, who realised his worst fears that the team’s most recent failures would come back to haunt him. Mokwena’s tenure over the past few weeks became increasingly fractious because he could no longer see eye-to-eye with the club’s highly qualified sporting director Flemming Berg, who joined the club after being head of elite football development at the Danish Football Association for seven years. Berg was responsible for the entire operation at Sundowns and after a while, Mokwena became unhappy with some of his decisions. Since Mokwena was close to chairman Thlopie Motsepe, he would go over Berg’s head to discuss matters. Motsepe put a stop to that. Berg was looking to assemble a squad with a CAF Champions…

HEALTH unions have welcomed the reappointment of Dr Aaron Motsoaledi as Minister of Health, saying he was familiar with the challenges facing the ministry and hands-on when it came to problem solving. Lerato Mthunzi, general secretary of the Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union (HAITU), said during his previous tenure, Motsoaledi had turned around the ministry. “Dr Motsoaledi is no stranger to the health portfolio and when he was minister, conditions in public hospitals and clinics, were far better than now. “The minister was instrumental in the architect of the NHI Bill and we look forward to the roll out of NHI in all facilities, as soon as possible. He has an opportunity to cement his legacy as a champion of health-care rights and equal access for all,…

Israel is the only country that ever restricted itself in combat, endangering its own troops, to reduce collateral damage. Hamas obscures the distinction between civilians and combatants. Its schools, mosques and hospitals are military facilities. Israel warns civilians to move to safe areas. It fights street by street and house by house, rather than flatten enemy areas, as anyone else would do. Israel established tent cities for Gazans along the coast as it entered Rafah. Hamas and Islamic Jihad undoubtedly took advantage of the “civilian” migration. Why have Arab states not formulated a plan to house Gazans temporarily in Sinai or elsewhere? Why have the UN and Red Cross tolerated Hamas holding hostages. Why do so many castigate Israel rather than the Palestinians who attacked Israel on October 7, 2023?…

Last week, I flew to Istanbul via Turkish Airlines and, on my way to Türkiye, read the fascinating story of two exceptional Syrian friends. Muhammad and Samir from 1889 Damascus serve as a poignant illustration of Ottoman welfare in the 19th century, showcasing a unique bond of human solidarity and support. Despite their challenges – Muhammad being blind and Samir being a paralysed Christian dwarf – they formed a partnership that allowed them to navigate daily life together. The Ottoman Empire was known for its millet (court of law) system, which allowed various religious communities to govern themselves under their laws while coexisting under the broader Ottoman legal framework. The friendship between Muhammad, a Muslim, and Samir, a Christian, highlights the possibility of interfaith solidarity and co-operation, even during a…

US Vice-President Kamala Harris is the top alternative to replace US President Joe Biden if he decides not to continue his re-election campaign, according to seven senior sources at the Biden campaign, the White House and the Democratic National Committee with knowledge of current discussions on the topic. Biden’s fumbling, sometimes-incoherent and widely panned first-debate performance against Republican rival Donald Trump last week set off a wave of panic within the Democratic Party over concerns that he may not be fit enough to serve a second term, and prompted calls for top aides to resign. Some influential Democrats have floated alternatives to Biden besides Harris, including popular cabinet members and Democratic governors like Gavin Newsom from California, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. But trying to sidestep…

ASTANA: China’s President Xi Jinping said he supported Kazakhstan joining the BRICS bloc, Chinese state media reported yesterday, as the group of developing nations mulls further expansion to rival a Western-dominated world order it sees as outdated. Speaking alongside Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev after a meeting in the Central Asian state’s capital, Xi encouraged Kazakhstan to “play the role of a middle power on the international stage and make its due contribution to global governance,” while endorsing Astana’s accession. China and Russia are pushing for the expansion of BRICS. | Reuters…