Indholdsfortegnelse for 2022-04-04 i Cape Argus

Covid-19 has aggravated HIV infection, teenage pregnancy, sexual violence and gender-based violence for adolescent girls and young women. In response to addressing these issues, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) together with five UN agencies – UN Programme on HIV/Aids, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UN Population Fund, UN Children’s Fund and UN Women – launched the Education Plus (EPI) Initiative on Thursday to enable girls to thrive, be safe and empowered. According to the department, the EPI is a high-profile, high-level political advocacy drive to accelerate actions and investments to prevent HIV. It provides an opportunity for the government to reaffirm its commitment to creating an environment in which young girls can reach their full potential, using the education system as an entry point to provide a…

Stellenbosch University student Thembalethu Seyisi decided to use his graduation celebration in support of a good cause. Awarded the Rector’s Award for Excellence in Social Impact last year, the 22-year-old will raise funds for #Action4Inclusion, a crowdfunding campaign aimed at alleviating student debt, when he receives his LLB degree next week. The #Action4Inclusion initiative, launched in 2020, was established by Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Student Representative Council under the patronage of Professor Thuli Madonsela, the Law Faculty Chair in Social Justice. The funds raised via #Action4Inclusion are used to support students who cannot register for the next academic year owing to outstanding fees, as well as graduates who cannot access their academic records upon graduation. Thembalethu is known for his dedication to social justice and tireless efforts to improve the lives…

THE Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness’s Emergency Medical Services (WCDHW EMS) have again condemned attacks on their staff. This after EMS officials were accosted and hijacked at gunpoint in Philippi at the weekend. Detailing the incident, WCDHW spokesperson Deanna February said emergency medical personnel were driving a service vehicle when they were stopped in the middle of the road by four unknown persons who threatened them with a firearm and demanded the car. February said: “One of our female officials was hit on her back with a firearm. The vehicle was stolen and there has been no trace of it. The incident occurred in Eisleben Road, Philippi, and police are investigating the matter. “However, this is not the only incident that took place last week. Just the day…

THE University of SA has been hit with a petition of 6 000 signatures due to a new requirement which has recently imposed an admission requirement for its Grade R Teaching Diploma that is in direct contravention of a national policy gazetted by the Department of Higher Education and Training, in terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act 67 of 2008. The petition started by Lerato Pheko on the online platform Change.org, according to a communication sent by Unisa this month to students who have already been enrolled and are currently undertaking their studies, submission of proof of employment in Grade R is required by tomorrow, or students will face deregistration. Pheko is enrolled for Unisa’s Grade R Teaching Diploma, she is funded through a NSFAS bursary, and faces deregistration…

City Council has approved the City of Cape Town’s allocation of state-subsidised housing opportunities. The changes to the policy will enable a lot more people to become eligible for housing opportunities. Some of the proposed changes include expedited decision-making processes, the need for developers to adhere to the principle of the allocation policy to ensure a fair and standard process when handing houses to qualifying beneficiaries, and there was greater consideration for applicants within the priority group, which includes the elderly and persons with disabilities. Mayoral committee member for human settlements Malusi Booi said: “Given the complex context in which the provision of housing opportunities exists, it is important that when state-subsidised housing is available, our policies ensure that qualifying beneficiaries, who are registered on the City’s housing needs register,…

KALK BAY businessman and owner of the Brass Bell restaurant and pub Tony White has been slammed by residents and social activists over his alleged plans to build a deck over a small public tidal pool. White had not responded to the Cape Argus when contacted for comment. Residents are accusing White of monopolising the community’s natural resources for his gain. Kalk Bay activist Traci Kwaai said that residents, in particular the native fishing community, were unhappy with White’s encroaching behaviour. Kwaai said: “For 50 years, the restaurant has continued to build illegally on land owned by Prasa, extending its footprint to cover the public beach and restricting access to public pools.” Kwaai said she believed the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) was at fault for not underlining…

The last half an hour of yesterday’s play showed just what a tricky task Bangladesh face in trying to see out the final day, with the tourists believing that only two results are possible on day five of the first Test against the Proteas at Kingsmead. “Either we win or we lose, I don’t think a draw is possible,” said Bangladesh’s team director Khaled Mahmud. The tourists were in deep trouble on 11/3 at stumps on day four, with South Africa’s two spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer blowing away the Tigers’ top order. Bangladesh still need another 263 runs, but with scoring runs difficult on a wearing pitch, the Proteas are favourites to take the lead today in the two-match series. “If we bat well and bat long enough,…

The transition from childhood to adulthood comes with many pressures that may not always be easy for children and young adults to discuss with their parents, family or teachers. Psychiatrist Dr Marshinee Naidoo, who practises at Netcare Akeso Parktown and Netcare Akeso Alberton, said the stigma around mental health could prevent troubled teens from seeking support from those closest to them. “If any person is feeling suicidal, they don’t necessarily spell it out or draw attention to their state of mind directly in words. “There are, however, some potential warning signs that may come across in the person’s behaviour in some instances,” she said: l Changes in sleep. l Changes in appetite, weight. l Worrying and fretting constantly.…

A TOTAL of 1.24 million South Africans are planning, working towards or dream of international studies. This is according to a BrandMapp survey done recently. And 12 000 South Africans are actually studying overseas, according to the International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) in March 2020. The plan to study abroad might also be linked to the desire to leave South Africa. “Although they might not be able to actually do it, we know from BrandMapp that 27% of adults say they would like to emigrate in the next five years”, said director of storytelling at BrandMapp, Brandon de Kock. “But what’s staggering is that that percentage rockets up to 48% of those under 25 years. There’s no doubt that for these youngsters, studying overseas looks like the key…

R16.4 billion plan aimed to end load ECONOMISTS and energy experts have weighed-in on a City draft energy budget of R16.4 billion that aims to achieve greater energy security, reduce load-shedding and implement measures to reduce vandalism. The budget comes after increased electricity interruptions, load-shedding and costly electricity infrastructure damage across Cape Town. “Our multibillion-rand budget is very clearly being directed toward the City and mayor’s commitment to end load shedding over time by bringing on board independent producers, self-generation and developing our small-scale embedded generation market. It is about diversity of supply to enhance the energy security of the people of Cape Town,” Mayco energy member Beverley van Reenen said. She said about R40 million was earmarked to help curb and prevent vandalism, about R22.6 million…

THE GOOD Party has denounced the City for what it says is a ludicrous R200 million investment into the ailing Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The City approved the purchase of 50 000 Class “C” ordinary shares up to R200 million which the CTICC would sell to it during the 2022/23 financial year when, according to the proposed budget document, a cash flow shortage is projected. The CTICC is expecting to raise R53 million in the year from share sales. GOOD councillor Anton Louw said with reports pointing towards cost savings and initiatives by the CTICC, and with the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, there was no need for an extension as the company got by with R51 million. Louw said residents should demand that…

Stormers coach John Dobson praised winger Leolin Zas for his performance against Ospreys in their latest United Rugby Championship (URC) triumph. At the weekend, the Stormers beat the Welsh side 29-13 at Cape Town Stadium for a fifth consecutive win at home. Zas, scored a brace of tries against a fully-loaded Ospreys team. He has consistently been one of the major attacking threats for the Stormers when he has donned the jersey. After the game, Dobson said he was pleased that Zas has shown what he can do with the Cape side. “Ja, he is doing well. He is now one of the top try-scorers in the competition,” said Dobson. “He played well for Western Province and we rewarded him with that game against Zebre and he has just taken…

The Department of Basic Education takes over the function shift of Early Childhood Development centres from the Department of Social Development from April 1. However, according to advocacy group Campaign for Real Reform for ECD, a fundamental shift is required for the ECD sector. Campaign for Real Reform’s Tess Peacock said they are calling on the DBE to recognise that all children have the right to life, to thrive and to develop, and they outline five opportunities that the DBE should focus on in their first 1 000 days on the job. These are the five ways in which the sector can be improved, according to the campaign: Ensure a one-step registration process for ECD providers. Different types of ECD programme providers, including ECD centres, playgroups, toy libraries and home-based…

HANOVER Park residents have once again expressed frustration over the high level of gang violence in the area after heavy gunfire on Saturday resulted in chaos across the community and a car being petrol-bombed. Residents said mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis had been to the area multiple times over the past few months yet authorities such as the City’s law enforcement, police officers and Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (Leap) officers continued to turn a blind eye when it came to real issues of ongoing violence and crime in coloured communities. Hanover Park Residents Association chairperson Denver Andrews gave some insight into the cause behind the violence on Saturday when he said the “Ghettos” gang had apparently encroached on the netball field in Ryberg Road and started shooting randomly at anything that moved,…

A BRAVE shop assistant foiled a robbery and disarmed and arrested a suspected robber in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape police said. Spokesperson Captain André Beetge said the incident occurred on Thursday when two men, one armed with a firearm, entered an electrical business. They demanded cash and vehicle keys. “The brave shop assistant engaged in a struggle with the suspect with the firearm and managed to subdue him and take his firearm. The other suspect grabbed the vehicle keys and fled the scene in a white Ford Icon which he stole from the premises.” He said Ikamvelihle police were contacted, and the suspected robber and his firearm were handed over to the police. “The suspect will appear in the Motherwell Magistrate’s Court on Monday (today).” He said police were searching for…

THREE children died in two separate weather-related incidents in the Harry Gwala District Municipality on Saturday. KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka said disaster management teams responded to weather-related incidents that occurred following severe thunderstorms that struck parts of the province on Saturday afternoon. “In the first incident that took place in the Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Local Municipality, a 10-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl were swept away while trying to cross a local river in ward 12 in an area called Bethlehem,” Hlomuka said. “In the second incident, heavy rains and strong winds led to a structural collapse of a house. In this incident, one fatality was reported and it’s believed to be that of a child.” Hlomuka said local disaster management teams were dispatched…

THE SA National Christian Forum (SANCF) says it is considering mounting legal action to oppose the jail term imposed on Walter Sisulu University student Sibongile Mani. This after she was sentenced to a 5-year jail term by the East London Magistrate’s Court last week for theft of National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) money that had been incorrectly deposited into her account. Mani spent R818 000 of the R14 million that was mistakenly deposited into her student account. She was supposed to get only R1 400. The SANCF said the sentence was a clear demonstration of injustice against poor black students. “SANCF is of the view that the court has failed to apply its legal mind in finding the recipient guilty of theft without the elements of…

A reopened Rietvlei has started buzzing with activity, with the vlei hosting the Milnerton Aquatic Club 24-Hour Endurance Sailing Challenge over the weekend. “It’s been three years since we last hosted this event and it’s amazing to see the turnout. “I was at Rietvlei to watch the challenge and was happy to see Capetonians making optimum use of this natural asset. “People were hiking, jogging, and walking in nature and others were picnicking with friends and family. This is what we want to see at these facilities,” said Eddie Andrews, the deputy mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment. The reserve is home to about 412 plants, 31 mammals, 196 birds, 33 reptiles, nine amphibians, and 14 fish species. Andrews said hosting the free event was a great…

Tottenham Hotspur powered their way up to fourth place in the Premier League with a 5-1 rout of Newcastle United, while West Ham United’s 2-1 victory pushed Everton deeper into relegation trouble yesterday. Antonio Conte’s side staged a stirring comeback to make it five wins from their last six league games. Newcastle struck first through Fabian Schar, but Ben Davies equalised before the break in north London. Matt Doherty, Son Heung-min, Emerson Royal and Steven Bergwijn netted after half-time as Tottenham climbed above bitter rivals Arsenal on goal difference. Arsenal, who have two games in hand on Tottenham, can regain fourth place if they avoid defeat at Crystal Palace today. Regardless of that result, Tottenham are firmly in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League, despite Conte’s claim…