Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-10-23 i Cape Argus

THE Cape Spring Xperience is bringing an electrifying line-up of South Africa’s most celebrated artists to one stage this weekend, offering a musical journey that spans genres and generations. Set to bring an unforgettable explosion of music, culture, and entertainment to the Hollywoodbets Racecourse in Kenilworth on Saturday, the highly anticipated event promises to be the spring celebration of the year, drawing a crowd of over 10 000 eager festivalgoers. In true Cape Town spirit, the Cape Spring Xperience will also shine a spotlight on the city’s local talent, ensuring the day is a vibrant celebration of both established stars and rising artists. The legendary Ringo Madlingozi, queen of the decks DJ Zinhle, the soulful Sjava, and the powerful Big Zulu will set the tone for an unforgettable day.…

VIBRANT and colourful kites flew high at Dolphin Beach in Table View yesterday, as local and international kiters from Tunisia, the US and Canada came out to launch the 30th Cape Town International Kite Festival. A flagship event of non-profit organisation, Cape Mental Health since 1994, the festival is one of Cape Town’s most cherished mental health awareness events. This year’s theme is Hope on A String. Santie Terreblanche, deputy executive officer for Cape Mental Health, said: “The significance of our motto is a string looks insignificant and tiny, but you need to hold on because if you let go, the colourful kite will disappear. But while you hold on, you have hope that that kite will fly and colour the sky. You can look-up and enjoy how that kite…

The Edgar Legoale Foundation extends its best wishes to the matric class of 2024 as they begin their final examinations. This is a significant milestone, and while matric exams are known for their challenges, they also present an opportunity for learners to demonstrate their dedication and hard work over the years. Matric exams are undoubtedly demanding and require focus and determination. We encourage all learners to stay focused, avoid panic, and give their best efforts. As you step into the exam room, remember that this is your moment to shine. The Foundation calls on all learners to uphold integrity and avoid cheating, as dishonesty could lead to severe consequences, including removal from the exam room and the nullification of results. This is a crucial time to safeguard your future, and…

The Reserve Bank of South Africa (SARB) has been criticised recently by many economists for its cautious approach to cutting interest rates. Many of them say that the prevailing high interest rates are one of the main contributing factors behind sluggish economic growth, high unemployment, and persistent poverty because high rates will always suppress economic growth by making borrowing more expensive for the business sector, creating most of the jobs in SA. And they say that high interest rates also force consumers to spend less and slow down growth. In addition, critics argue that SARB should follow the other central banks that adopted more aggressive rate cuts to stimulate their economies. However, the governor of SARB, Mr Lesetja Kganyago has responded to all these criticisms by stating that SARB would…

After years of being excluded from global agreements, representatives of people of African descent see the UN’s biodiversity summit in Colombia as their best chance yet to be recognised for their role in protecting nature. Colombia, the host nation of the UN COP16 summit, wants a reference made to Afro-descendants, who number about 134 million people, or 21% of the population across Latin America and the Caribbean, in any pledges, declarations and agreements reached at the summit. The initiative, spearheaded by Francia Márquez, Colombia’s first black woman vice-president and an environmental activist, has highlighted that UN climate and biodiversity conventions omit references to people of African descent. “Despite the fact that people of African descent live in communities and places that are nature paradises with high levels of biodiversity, they…

A LUTZVILLE police officer accused of violently attacking a 13-year-old suspect with a sjambok has been granted R2 000 bail and ordered to leave the rural town until his case is finalised. Constable Jaco Oktober, 31, made his first appearance in the Lutzville Magistrate’s Court amid an investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) about the attack last week. At the time, community activist, Sarah Bakamela, said they had been informed last Wednesday that the child had been accused of stealing a cellphone and had been held in custody for two days. “He is a foster child and allegedly stole a cellphone and was apprehended by police. “The police took him to Lutzville SAPS and assaulted him with a sjambok and the body was badly beaten. “Even hit in…

STAFF shortages, inclement weather and a taxi-related protest are some of the hurdles faced by candidates who started writing their 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations this week. The portfolio committee on basic education was briefed by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and quality assurance body Umalusi yesterday, for an updated status on the exams. Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube, said weather warnings for KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, and storms in Gqeberha, damaged power lines, and with candidates sitting for Computer Sciences…

TOKAI powerlifter Nicole Coopoosamy has not only shattered the Commonwealth Powerlifting record and brought home gold for Mzansi, but she is also officially the strongest tested woman in South Africa. Coming under 84kg, the 30-year-old displayed unparalleled prowess as she lifted a staggering 538kgs at the recent Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships held earlier this month in Sun City. This means that Coopoosamy, who has been a personal trainer for over 10 years, partaking in the sport for just over three years, can lift six times her bodyweight overall and deadlift almost triple her body weight in one go. Coopoosamy said her journey started during the Covid-19 pandemic, when she needed to lose weight. “I was introduced to the sport and got a friend of mine to coach me. “I didn’t really…

Regarding the offer of a US$75000 “investment” into SA rugby by an American sports company. Besides being an absolute joke it’s an insult to our nation. Firstly the Springbok brand belongs to the people of South Africa and isn’t for sale, not even for 10 times the offer! The Springbok brand and SA rugby helped repair the damage left in the wake of apartheid. SA rugby healed our nation and remains the soul of our country! Here’s the message from the ground… SA RUGBY IS NOT FOR SALE!…

I refer to the letter to the editor from the SAJBD authored by Daniel Bloch (October 16) who seem to be taking it in turns to respond to letters regarding the incident of the 27 September with a Mr Jacobson. I note that both authors of these letters were not present on the day of the incident and have based their version of events on second information and gratuitous fiction derived from a very colourful imagination. The letter illustrates how the Zionist movement readily present inaccurate accounts about their supposed victimhood. Mr Bloch should note that there is sufficient video footage to counter the accusations that he makes and in that respect, we note that the member of the SAJBD who was supposedly assaulted has also published a rather dramatic…

Is communism still relevant? Maybe in countries such as Russia, but not in South Africa. Here we are having capitalists masquerading as communists. I think they love the idea of being communists. No offence. In the past, the communist party used to be referred to as the vanguard of the tripartite alliance (ANC, Cosatu, and SACP). It also had intellectuals such as Chris Hani (late), Joe Slovo (late) and Jeremy Cronin. As a result, the Reds were taken seriously. In addition, the former SACP SGs were powerful and widely respected. However, the current SG, Solly Mapaila, has no impact – and no one takes him seriously. Mapaila is always making noise about many things. Maybe he is trying to be relevant. Members of the party seem to be bankrupt with…

Tshwane Metro has again elected another mayor in Dr Nasiphi Moya, a councillor of ActionSA. The deputy mayor ascended to the seat of a mayor voted out through a vote of no confidence. As the Devoted Citizen NGO movement, we share the aspiration that people will be on the lookout to determine whether the changes would improve the lives of the populace or if the political elite is only changing for their gain. Cilliers Brink, who is a DA councillor, was only in the position since early 2023 when Cope’s Mufunwa Makwarela was forced to quit after a scandal. The DA’s relationship with its splinter group, ActionSA, broke prior to this expulsion. ActionSA accused the DA of allowing the alliance to disintegrate after the 2021 elections because it perceived DA…

Looking at the 34-man squad Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus selected, there will be no time for experimentation when the world champions embark on their three-match UK tour. Erasmus's teams throughout 2024 have been known for mixing the experience with some youthful players in a bid to expand the squad looking at the 2027 World Cup in Australia. But with three crucial November Tests against Scotland (November 10) in Edinburgh, England in London (November 16) and Wales in Cardiff (November 23), Erasmus has largely stuck to the players who've only lost two Test matches this year. Four World Cup winners Damian Willemse (utility back), André Esterhuizen (centre), RG Snyman and Franco Mostert (both locks) return to the squad after recovering from injuries. Should he be selected for one of the…

As the clock ticks down to tonight's Betway Premiership clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, all signs point towards another goal avalanche for Mamelodi Sundowns as they prepare to host the beleaguered Royal AM. After a resounding 5-0 victory against Golden Arrows in the Carling Knockout's first round over the weekend, the defending champions seem poised for yet another triumphant outing. Despite the emphatic scoreline, coach Manqoba Mngqithi expressed dissatisfaction, lamenting that his team failed to capitalise on numerous goal-scoring opportunities. This is disconcerting news for a Royal AM side that recently suffered a three-goal rout at the hands of Cape Town City in the same knockout competition. The stats paint a daunting picture for the visitors as they approach a fixture against a team brimming with confidence and attacking…

PUBLIC Works and Infrastructure Services Minister Dean Macpherson says while the construction industry is facing challenges, including the threats of the construction mafia and inefficiencies in public-sector procurement, it must work with…

The escalation of motor vehicle tyres being spiked, on and off ramps must be addressed with stealth, by making use of new-age technology, such as drones, strategically located cameras, and a ruthless police contingent, who will do “whatever it takes”, to emasculate and destroy this criminal vermin. There is no time to waste... we are all at risk, fearing to go out at night, or working late at the office. Surprisingly, since the newly appointed GNU government has taken office, Minister Mchunu has been worryingly quiet. He needs to come out with the firepower at his disposal, to eliminate this new wave of oppression, by criminals, against law-abiding citizens. I fear that if this trend is not arrested, vigilantes, and desperate citizens, will take the law into their own hands.…

Piri Reis, an Ottoman admiral and cartographer, is renowned for his world map created in 1513, which includes detailed representations of parts of Northern Africa. His work is significant not only for its artistic merit but also for the geographical knowledge it conveys from over 500 years ago. Piri Reis was born around 1470 in the Aegean region of what is now Türkiye. His famous map was produced at a time when European colonialism was rapidly expanding, fuelled by the Age of Discovery. European powers were eager to chart the unknown parts of the world, and Piri Reis’s work reflected a blend of indigenous knowledge, European cartographic traditions, and information from earlier explorers. Having learned seamanship from his uncle Kemal Reis, Piri Reis participated in the transportation of Muslims and…

The digital age has drastically changed consumer expectations, and traditional customer service models are struggling to keep up. Smartbot technology, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), has stepped in to fill this gap, offering businesses the ability to enhance customer service while cutting operational costs. Unlike early chatbots, which were limited to simple, rule-based scripts, modern AI-driven bots are dynamic, capable of human-like conversations that adapt and improve over time. This innovation allows companies to resolve customer queries instantly, leading to higher customer satisfaction and significantly increasing sales leads. Businesses leveraging smartbots see engagement rates of up to 85%, a stark contrast to traditional call centres, where only around 50-60% of calls reach the customer. It’s clear that those who fail to adopt smartbots risk falling behind, wasting resources on outdated…

In recent weeks, South Africa has been flooded with alarming reports on fake and expired foods, compelling attention from several organisations and concerned citizens. Recent reports indicate a worrying trend, especially in townships where many spaza shops, some operated illegally by foreign nationals, remain unregulated by the authorities. Among the most heartbreaking tragedies linked to this issue are the recent deaths of five schoolchildren in Naledi, Soweto, who are believed to have consumed food purchased from a local spaza shop. These incidents have highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of by-laws to prevent the sale of expired and harmful foods, especially in townships, where many spaza shops operate. The National Health Department revealed that the food poisoning was caused by a chemical agent. The department said an army of…

The key to winning any competition is the ability to peak at the right moments, and Western Province opener Daniel Smith certainly feels they are hitting their straps ahead of the CSA T20 Challenge play-off today. Province have endured a topsy-turvy round-robin phase, with Salieg Nackerdien’s team edging through to the knockouts in fourth place. Province will now face third-placed North West in the Eliminator at the Wanderers today. Last season’s CSA 1-Day Cup champions have certainly shown their ability to win virtual knockout matches by beating both the power-packed Lions and Knights in the final two matches when qualification was on the line. “We knew what was at stake on Friday night, and the boys most definitely executed their game plans with both bat and ball. “The way we…