Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-03-01 i Cape Argus

The Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival in Cape Town will mark its 20th anniversary from today through to March 14. To commemorate the milestone occasion, ocean activities will be highlighted while film screenings and the Wavescape Artboard Charity Auction are also set to be held. The organisation was originally known as the Wavescapes Film Festival when it was established back in 2004. It has now evolved into the Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival as the organisation seeks to prioritise community upliftment, ocean conservation and surf culture. As part of the celebrations, this year’s line-up will include Open-air and Deep South film screenings. Events like beach clean-ups, a queer surf session and the Wesgro Ocean Film Symposium are also set to add to the festivities. Another highlight will be the Wavescape…

A REWARD of R2 000 has been offered as the search continued for four rats abducted when their foster home was robbed near Browns Farm, Philippi. Four-month-old dumbo rats Flash, Choco, Milo and Blaze were last seen in their white wire cage on Monday. Purple Moon Rat Rescue, which treats and finds new homes for domestic rats, begged for their safe return as they offered the reward. The organisation’s founder, Jessica West, said while a member was conducting errands and was tasked with taking care of the rats, they were attacked and the thieves fled with all their possessions. “Much was taken, but the thieves insisted on taking our rats as well. “The member pleaded with them to leave the rats and just take the valuables, however, they took off…

THE Cabinet has expressed confidence in the recently tabled 2024 National Budget, saying it would translate into economic gains, although it received criticism from many South Africans. During a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the Cabinet was confident the budget allocations would pave the way for substantial economic growth, contributing to the restoration and enhancement of the country’s economic position. “The Cabinet has welcomed the 2024 National Budget, which demonstrates the resolute commitment by the government to consistently manage the country’s economy and take tough decisions necessary to balance the deficit while promoting economic growth,” said Ntshavheni. She said the Cabinet also welcomed the announced public-private partnership agreement between Sasol and Transnet to improve the reliability of rail transport. “Under a five-year agreement, Transnet Freight…

A GROUP of Grabouw residents have demanded answers after a heavily pregnant woman gave birth outside the Community Day Centre (CDC), after having been seen by staff at the facility. The small group of community members protested outside the clinic on Tuesday, prior to meeting with staff members to discuss the incident. It was still unclear by yesterday, whether the pregnant woman was told to leave the facility or had willingly left, as another meeting was expected to ascertain the details. Community activist, Anthia Mentile, said: “When the lady got to the clinic, they took her to the maternity ward and checked everything that they’re supposed to check. Then they said to she’s far from delivery and must leave and come back when the pains are stronger or phone the…

Mindful to “beware the Ides of March”, Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has cautioned his charges to be at their best ahead of tonight’s game against Chippa United. The Danie Craven Stadium in the Cape Winelands will be the venue for tonight’s DStv Premiership encounter against the visiting Eastern Cape side (7.30pm kick-off). Barker is hoping a victory for Stellenbosch, who are fourth in the league standings with 27 points – behind Mamelodi Sundowns (42), Cape Town City and SuperSport United (both 31) – will set the tone for matches to follow later this month. “The match against Chippa United is extremely important, and the start of a big run of fixtures ahead for us,” head coach Steve Barker said. “Chippa have a good team, so we will have to…

Under coach Shukri Conrad, there has been a measure of improvement, but the Proteas’ Test batting woes have been a source of major concern for a while now. On the evidence of the Cricket SA Four-Day Series final currently on the go at the Wanderers – which showcases the cream of the domestic talent – the reasons for the batting collapses that unfold on a regular basis at Test level become abundantly clear. After the Lions top order that contains three capped Proteas, including skipper Temba Bavuma, were rolled over on the opening day, it was the turn of Western Province to commit the cardinal sins of first-class batting. Province batters Tony de Zorzi (51), Gavin Kaplan (60) and Daniel Smith (60) struck half-centuries, while Eddie Moore (45), Yaseen Vallie…

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag scolded Fulham yesterday for a TikTok video that poked fun at his captain, Bruno Fernandes, suggesting the midfielder feigned injury in their 2-1 loss to the London side at Old Trafford last weekend. “It is not right,” Ten Hag said in his media conference to preview Sunday’s Manchester derby. “It is absolutely not right. It is totally out of order, and they should apologise.” Ten Hag expects Fernandes and Raphael Varane, who both played against Notts Forest in the FA Cup fifth-round win on Wednesday despite injury concerns, will be fit for the clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. “They fought to be part of the game, and they came out of it well, so I think they will be available for…

It’s been a year since the late multi–award-winning rapper AKA’s final studio album, Mass Country was released. Real name, Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, his sudden and tragic death on February 10, 2023 robbed the rapper of the chance of seeing the fruits of his labour on Mass Country. The Forbes family decided to honour AKA’s legacy and chose to continue with the release of the Mass Country’ album on February, 24, 2023, as planned. Mass Country’ features star-studded collaborations – Nasty C, Sjava, Emtee, KIDDO, Khuli Chana, Gyakie, Yanga Chief, Nadia Nakai, Blxckie, Musa Keys and more. A year later, the album has achieved more than 99 million streams, the family shared on his social media platforms: “Mega numbers for the Megacy! Thank you to the Megacy for getting Mass Country…

THE Port of Cape Town (PoCT), along with Mossel Bay and Saldanha, were set to get a facelift as Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) planned to improve infrastructure supporting the region’s booming shipping demand. The PoCT recently faced a string of challenges that caused delays in the logistic sector, with companies, particularly in the fruit industry, complaining that delays were affecting businesses. TNPA said the projects in the pipeline included Phase 2B of the Cape Town Container Terminal expansion. As part of the project, TNPA was finalising a detailed design of the rail infrastructure upgrade—a key deliverable to enable the construction phase. “The design work will be completed by December 2024. “The project scope also includes container stack upgrades as well as a truck staging area and automation. “The expansion…

While the Stormers will look to their forwards to lay the foundation, the north-south derby against the Bulls will be the perfect time for their backline to step up. They haven’t been hitting their straps as in previous seasons, but there have been glimpses of the exciting rugby they can play, and Loftus Versfeld will provide another opportunity tomorrow (5.05pm kick-off) to get their attack going. Independent Newspapers looks at where the former United Rugby Championship winners could get the upper hand over the Bulls’ backline. Kicking in the right areas In a derby, territory is everything, and how the Stormers’ kickers attack the Bulls with the ball off the foot could provide with some good field positions to strike from. Whether from the flyhalf, scrumhalf, centre or fullback, the…

Kaizer Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson has pleaded with his players to redeem themselves against Moroka Swallows at the FNB Stadium tomorrow (5.45pm kick-off) after crashing out of the Nedbank Cup last weekend. Sunday’s horrific loss at home to minnows Milford FC in the opening round saw Chiefs go nine seasons without a trophy. They also missed out on the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup, while the DStv Premiership title is out of reach. That calamitous run has left most of their supporters in utter despair, but Johnson and his team can’t throw in the towel yet. There’s still a top-three finish to play for in the league, which will guarantee the Amakhosi a place in either the CAF Champions League or Confederation Cup next season. Chiefs are currently sixth in…

Hope springs eternal for the beleaguered Blitzboks as they travel south from Vancouver to Los Angeles for the fifth tournament of the 2024 World Sevens Series this weekend. The South Africans stuttered to a ninth-place finish in Canada, but coach Sandile Ngcobo believes there is reason for optimism. Ngcobo said they are embracing the tough challenge of Pool A fixtures this weekend against series leaders Argentina, Ireland and Spain. “We finished strongly in Vancouver with good wins over Canada and Australia, and we want that momentum to carry us into the match against Ireland on Friday night,” Ngcobo said yesterday. “We want to use the positive energy in our training session today, and for the players to remain on their toes.” Despite losing 22-10 to Ireland in Vancouver last weekend,…

If CHARLES Dickens was a rugby writer following the Sharks, he might have penned the following after the Lions visited The Tank last month: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” The article could have been headed “A tale of two halves”, and John Plumtree, the Sharks coach, would have nodded in frustrated agreement. Plumtree said: “We played our best rugby since I took over last July in that first half against the Lions, but we played our worst rugby in the second. We went from one extreme to the other.” The Lions seemed out of the game when 15 points adrift, but came back from the dead to win 20-18. In the…

An elederly Crawford resident has been left traumatised after she was hijacked in front of her home while she unloaded her groceries. On Wednesday morning at around 10.30am, the 72-year-old woman was standing at the front passenger side of her parked Hyundai Atos, when the suspect, wearing a black hat and maroon top walked past her. In a minute-long CCTV footage, the man is seen walking slowly past the woman, never taking his eyes off her. He stops for a few seconds, and then approaches the woman carrying a weapon in his hand. A physical altercation ensues, in which the victim can be seen trying to fight off the hijacker who lunges for the car key in her hand. He manages to take the car key and move to the…

FIVE men appeared in court yesterday for the murder of South African rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend, celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane. Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, 30; Lindani Ndimande, 30, Eddie Myeza, 22, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, 36, and Lindokuhle Ndimande, 29, were remanded in custody yesterday following their first appearance in the Durban Magistrate’s Court. AKA and Tibz were shot and killed on February 10 last year outside the Wish Restaurant in Florida Road, Durban. All of the accused entered the dock wearing face masks and scarves yesterday, but the magistrate ordered that they remove them. For a year, police were mum about the investigation, with many speculating it became a “cold case”, only for the police to announce this week that the seven suspects had been arrested. KwaZulu-Natal Police…

Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler was in a foul mood after a potential six-pointer evaporated into the Atlantic Seaboard air and became a one-pointer at the end of their game against SuperSport United on Wednesday night. Apart from surrendering a likely victory, Tinkler was livid with the way referee Skhumbuzo Gasa handled the match, and condemned the general standard of officiating. However, no one could fault Gasa for awarding the free-kick, and Tinkler had a clear view of the flashpoint. Matsatsantsa a Pitori scored the equaliser through a free-kick by Lyle Lakay, which came about after a reckless foul by City rookie Ramazani Tshimanga. Striker Khanyisa Mayo had opened the scoring for the home team early in the second half. “That goal puts me in a foul mood because…

Defence coach Jaque Fourie believes that if the Lions are to overturn a recent slump in form, starting against the Sharks at Ellis Park tomorrow (3pm kick-off), then most certainly the best form of defence will be attack. The Joburgers find themselves on the wrong end of a four-match losing streak, exasperated by recent back-to-back losses to the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship. It sees them dwelling in 11th place in the URC standings after 10 matches, with four victories in hand. Tomorrow’s clash against the Sharks has therefore become extremely important in their ambition to make the top eight. Speaking frankly at training this past week, Fourie argued that the Lions approach in recent matches has been unbalanced, and they were addressing this focal point in the team…

Captain Ruan Nortjé has warned his Bulls team not to make tomorrow’s United Rugby Championship showdown at Loftus Versfeld too big of an occasion. The Pretoria side are desperate to stop a seven-match losing streak against the Capetonians increasing to eight when they run out on their hallowed home turf for the 5.05pm kick-off tomorrow. But sometimes chasing a victory can get in the way of the process to achieve it, which has been evident in many of the Bulls’ defeats to their great rivals. Coach Jake White said this week that his team have yet to play their best rugby against John Dobson’s side, and there isn’t a better time to actually do that than tomorrow. The Bulls have made pleasing progress this season in all aspects of their…