Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-04-16 i Cape Argus

House music has come a long way since its origins at the renowned Chicago Warehouse in the US back in the 1980s. Over the decades, it has evolved to become one of the most popular and influential genres of electronic dance music. It has spread to clubs and festivals worldwide and incorporates other musical elements. Female artists are taking the lead when it comes to house music, par- ticularly in South Africa, with artists like Azana, Busiswa, Lady Zamar and Msaki constantly dominating the musical charts. Several up-and-coming female house musicians are making their mark in the male-dominated industry and inspiring the youth and other female creatives. Below are some of the female South African house musicians to keep an eye on: Zee Nxumalo Zandile Nxumalo, known as Zee Nxumalo,…

The Ministry of Electricity has confirmed that Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is safe and sound after he was allegedly involved in a car accident on Sunday afternoon. According to the minister’s spokesperson, Tsakane Khambane, Ramokgopa was at the time travelling from the North West to Gauteng. It is not clear if the he was on his official or private assignment. News24 reports that Ramokgopa had been campaigning for the ANC in the province before the elections. “The accident involved the car the minister was being driven in, with two protectors and another vehicle. “All individuals involved received prompt medical attention, and after a thorough examination, the minister has been discharged without hospital admission,” Khambane said. He said the minister is recovering and will be back to work soon. “The minister…

OVER six months have passed since the military attack and the start of the US-backed apartheid Israeli genocide in Gaza. In the devastating path of the six months, every evidence of apartheid Israel’s reasoning for displacing Gaza’s population, extensively bombing the inaccessible enclave, denying and blockading the entire population’s access to basic services and the systematic scene of carnages leading to the deaths of thousands of people, especially of innocent women and children, has been exposed as untruths and falsehood. The axis of terrorism and capitalism in the US, UK, Germany and France have armed, funded and defended apartheid Israel’s genocide in Gaza, making it one of the greatest crimes of the human race in the contemporary world. The genocide in Gaza, a war against humanity and possibly the first…

As election time rolls around again, political promises are in the air. It's a good time for us to revisit the promises made during the last round of elections. During the 2021 municipal elections, homelessness was, of course, the flavour of the month. Covid19 had exposed the fact that the City of Cape Town and NGOs, like the Haven, had been lying about there being enough shelter space when, in fact, there was none. The City had to open several big spaces to house all who were roughing it out on the streets. This quickly revealed that the City had no clue about the number of homeless people. The now-notorious Strandfontein camp had also exposed the City's inhumane treatment of this vulnerable group and shown how it prioritises punishment rather…

There is an increasing phenomenon in the world, a tall order of extraordinary proportions that seeks to reverse the gains and the foundation laid by our forebears in the quest to emancipate women and young girls. Our pervasive enemy is called “sextortion”. The International Association of Women Judges describes sextortion, as “the pervasive, but often ignored, form of sexual exploitation and corruption that occurs when people in positions of authority – whether government officials, judges, educators, law enforcement personnel, or employers – seek to extort sexual favours in exchange for something in their power to grant or withhold”. Women, young girls, and people with disabilities are the most vulnerable to these acts at the hands of people entrusted with the responsibility of providing services or protecting them. During pandemics, wars,…

Israel struck war-battered Gaza overnight, Hamas and witnesses said yesterday, as world leaders urged de-escalation awaiting Israel’s reaction to Iran’s unprecedented attack that heightened fears of wider conflict. World powers have urged restraint after Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel late on Saturday, though the Israeli military has said nearly all were intercepted. Tehran’s first direct assault on Israel, in retaliation for a deadly April 1 strike on its Damascus consulate, followed months of violence across the region involving Iranian proxies and allies who say they act in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with his war cabinet on Sunday, but no decision has been made on how or when Israel could respond to the Iran attack, local…

LAGOS: Nigeria’s creaking grid collapsed for the fifth time this year in the early hours of yesterday, highlighting the country’s inability to provide reliable power after raising tariffs for wealthier consumers by 230% only two weeks ago. Nigeria’s electricity regulator on April 3 approved an increase in tariffs for the 15% of consumers who use the most power, as the government tries to reduce the $2.6 billion (about R49bn)worth of subsidies for the sector. National supply data showed the supply of power via the grid fell to around 50MW yesterday from 4 020MW the previous day. | Reuters…

Once in a generation there comes a trailblazer, a record-breaker and record-setter. Laura Wolvaardt is easily among that selected few talented individuals that push the envelope beyond what many thought was possible. At 24 years, Wolvaardt has the most runs in One Day Internationals for South Africa, surpassing Mignon du Preez’s tally of 3 760 by four runs – and she did so in 48 fewer innings. Wolvaardt does not only have the most ODI centuries for South Africa, but is also the second youngest player to have six, behind Australia’s Meg Lanning. Ongama Gcwabe looks back to Wolvaardt’s Five Memorable ODI Centuries. 105 v Ireland in August 2016 This is the century that got the world to take note of Wolvaardt’s talent and hunger for big scores. Back then,…

Manchester City were the big winners of the Premier League weekend as shock defeats for Arsenal and Liverpool put the defending champions on course for history. No side has ever won four consecutive English top-flight titles, but City are closing in on that feat after a 5-1 victory over Luton moved them two points clear of their title rivals with six games to play. Aston Villa’s 2-0 win at Arsenal also had major ramifications in the battle for Champions League football next season as they moved three points clear of Tottenham, who were thrashed 4-0 at Newcastle. Here we look at three talking points from the Premier League weekend. Fortress Anfield crumbles Liverpool had not tasted defeat in any competition at Anfield for 14 months but are now licking their…

AN ATHLONE neighbourhood watch member has landed himself in hot water after he was caught on camera allegedly attempting to run a man over. The incident took place in the early hours of Saturday, when a member of the Athcraw Neighbourhood Watch had an altercation with resident Aqeel Daniels, 23. In the video, seen by the Cape Argus, Daniels attempts to stop the car but the driver speeds up and he lands on the vehicle’s bonnet before being flung onto the road. Daniels was left unconscious for a few moments. He sustained a head injury and multiple bruises to his body. An Athcraw Neighbourhood Watch member Nigel Diedricks said he would reply to a request for comment from the Cape Argus by 5pm yesterday, but he didn’t answer calls or…

Delft residents have pleaded with the authorities to step in after a woman was killed by a gas tank that was flung from a scrapyard and hit her on the head. The body of the unknown woman was found across the road from where people cut scrap metals. The plastic bags she carried were near her body and the tank was a few metres away from her. The woman was walking along the road on Sunday afternoon at about 5pm when the freak accident occurred. Concerned community members stood along Hindle Road and watched as the police guarded the scene until she was taken away by pathologists. Resident Fundiswa Gona said: “The woman was alone when this happened, so we don’t know who she is and where she was going.…

CONTROVERSIAL media outlet the Daily Maverick embarked on an unprecedented 24-hour shutdown yesterday to highlight the financial challenges experienced by journalism at large. The private online and weekly print news publisher, which has faced intense scrutiny over its funding model and donors, shut down its web page at midnight on Sunday night. Visitors to the site found a blacked-out landing page with the following message: “Daily Maverick has shut down for today, 15 April 2024. “Without journalism, our democracy and economy will break down. Journalism helped save South Africa. Now we need your help.” At the bottom of the page were web links where businesses and individuals could donate money to the media company. Daily Maverick had issued a statement at midnight saying: “The decision to do this was not…

IN A VIBRANT display of gaming prowess and community engagement, Birchado’s Arcade in Langa recently hosted the EA Sports FC 24 tournament, attended by over 200 spectators. The video console gaming competition featured six players from Cape Town Spurs, including Captain Chumani Butsaka, showcasing the burgeoning online gaming community in the township. The success of the event not only highlighted the passion for gaming, but also underscored the impact of local entrepreneurs such as Qhamani Xameni, founder of Birchado’s Arcade, in creating opportunities and fostering community engagement. The winner of the video console gaming competition claimed the grand prize of R1 000. The event also featured a thrilling three-a-side soccer tournament with The Bookies FC emerging as the victors, and board games for the youth. Organisations like Recreation ZAR…

THE advent of the internet has brought the world and the whole of humanity closer in many ways, in what has been termed the global village. Yet in many ways it has adversely affected human behaviour and personal interaction that creates a layer of distance that encourages people to shed their inhibitions and act differently than in face-to-face encounters. In many instances, the internet has become a platform where poor social habits are on display because the relaxed rules in cyberspace do not mesh with social expectations in the real world. It has become an instrument where on many occasions, people sound curt, superficial, insensitive or even cruel. Cyberbullying in a global domain has led to digital communication abuses, discarding and demolishing net etiquette (‘netiquette’). Kindness and civility are non-existent…

Your edition Thursday, April 4, 2024 – “Outcry as traffic officer is attacked at Langa taxi rank” refers: It is disastrous to hear about a provincial traffic officer undergoing a nightmare of this nature. One would expect the decent citizens of Langa to come forward and report those who attacked the officer. Attacks like this would render Langa completely ungovernable and akin to the “Wild West”. We can’t have this situation repeating itself. I know many people who live in Langa and who are decent, law-abiding citizens. It is unfair to these residents as the lawlessness exposes them completely to the ruthless minority. Please come forward and report those who undermine the law. Michael Bagraim | Highlands Estate…

South Africa’s Constitutional Court stands out as one of the few government institutions that have protected and advanced the constitutional vision of a participatory democracy and social justice. Many other government institutions that ought to have allied themselves with the court have been weakened or have failed to deliver. The court has consistently championed one of the fundamental values to be found in section 1 of the Constitution, 1996. This requires that the exercise of public power be accountable, responsive and open. Despite this, but also because of it, the court faces challenges from outside and from within. The duty of the apex court in any constitutional democracy is to deliver judgments that provide the final authority on the meaning of any constitutional provision. Thus, the manner and limits of…

SYDNEY: A number of people were wounded in a stabbing incident during a service at a church in a suburb of Sydney yesterday, police said. It was the second reported mass stabbing in just three days in Sydney after six people were killed in a knife attack at a mall in the Bondi area. Officers arrested a man and have taken him to an undisclosed location following the attack in Wakeley, about 30km west of Sydney. Yesterday’s attack happened during a service at a church. Videos of the incident showed a man standing at the alter and speaking to worshippers as another man walks towards him and attacks him. | AFP…

Barcelona host Paris Saint-Germain today hoping their young stars can help them vanquish the ghosts of the past and return the five-time winners to the Champions League elite. The Catalans’ dramatic 3-2 quarter-final first leg victory in Paris is arguably their finest result away from home in the competition in the last decade, sparking big dreams in Catalonia. “I understand the euphoria – it’s better to live with euphoria than with pessimism,” said Barca coach Xavi Hernandez on Saturday. Xavi’s side which snatched victory at the Parc des Princes featured the two youngest players ever to play in the final eight of the Champions League, in 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, and Pau Cubarsi, 17. That fresh blood has brought new life to a team not only struggling this season but which…

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said his unbeaten side was “not done yet” after winning their debut league title on Sunday with a treble still possible this season. Leverkusen’s 5-0 win over Werder Bremen at home on Sunday, including a second-half hat-trick from Florian Wirtz, sealed a first Bundesliga title in their 120-year history. Alonso – who is in his first full season as a coach having joined Leverkusen midway through last season – said after the game that the sky was the limit for his side, who have not lost a match in 43 games this season. Soaking wet with beer after his players surprised him during the press conference, the 42-year-old manager reminded everyone that, “it’s not over yet”. “We'll see how far we can go. I have…

The ANC in the Western Cape has disputed claims that it has no money to put up election posters, as many parties’ banners already lined street lamps across the province ahead of the May 29 elections. With 42 days to go before voters head to the polls, ANC posters are nowhere to be seen, while those of rival political parties including the DA, EFF, GOOD Party, Bosa, Rise Mzansi, and even independent candidates like Zackie Achmat, are all over the city. ANC Western Cape spokesperson Khalid Sayed explained: “Let me dispel the myth. There are no financial challenges facing the ANC in the Western Cape. “Posters are centrally distributed to provinces by the national structure of the ANC, and we are awaiting the arrival of the posters. “Once those posters…

NEARLY 90 gender-based violence (GBV) cases have been struck off court rolls across Cape Town due to police inefficiency. The statistics, released by community safety MEC Reagan Allen, and monitored by the Court Watching Briefs unit, show that a staggering 243 cases monitored at 25 courts, linked to 58 police stations across the province were struck off the court roll due to SAPS inefficiencies. A total of 89 of the 243 cases monitored by the unit were those reported between April and September, 2023. The courts that were monitored are located in Khayelitsha, Athlone, Wynberg, Mitchells Plain, Bellville, Blue Downs, Philippi, Kuilsriver, Atlantis, Paarl, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Thembalethu (George), Laingsburg, Knysna and Beaufort West. The statistics show that of the 89 cases,…

THE catastrophic demise of this country, brought on by pitiful politics, translates to one word ... hunger. Most intersections have now been invaded by human beings who are living their worst lives as they attempt to survive each day. Their possessions are paltry, mainly the clothes they are wearing, together with a rucksack with all their worldly possessions. Winter is upon us, most of them are sleeping on the streets, as they navigate freezing weather and long, cold, dark nights. Looking into the eyes of such a person and witnessing the despondency and naked hunger is a reality check, a wake-up call. Giving a sandwich or a cup of coffee is like an angelic touch for that starving person who is receiving it. The horror that this country has become…

The dry winter season is upon us in most parts of the country. Most of the country normally receives rainfall during summer except the Western Cape, which receives rainfall in winter. As we approach the dry winter season, it is high time we use the available water wisely and sparingly, and prioritise water conservation in everything we do, especially as South Africa is a water-scarce and dry country. As South Africa is one of the 30 driest countries in the world and receives about half the world average in terms of rainfall, we should prioritise the conservative and wise use of precious water and prevent water losses. Let us remember that every drop counts as water has no substitute. We are also faced with the reality of climate change which…

The spectre of a wider war hangs heavily over the Middle East. The war in Ukraine has sent shock waves through the global order, and the recent escalation between Israel, Hamas and Iran pushes us precariously close to a full-blown regional conflict, perhaps even a global one. Hamas’s attack on Israel, followed by Israel’s disproportionate response on Gaza’s civilian population, ignited a tinderbox. Israel’s subsequent bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus was a further escalation, drawing a predictable and devastating Iranian missile barrage on Israel. From reports, Saturday night’s missile barrage that rained down on Israel was carefully co-ordinated, seemingly, by the Iranians to cause little to no civilian casualties. This was perhaps a shot across the bow towards Israel’s warmonger-in-chief who has, for close to 40 years, craved…

Washington: The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has launched a criminal probe targeting the container ship that crashed into a major road bridge in Baltimore last month, collapsing it and killing six people, US media reported yesterday. US officials said the probe will look at whether the crew knew the ship had serious systems problems when it left the port. The FBI confirmed its agents were on the Singapore-flagged container ship, which remains pinned beneath wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge three weeks after the disaster when the ship lost power and drifted into a support column. | AFP…