Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-07-17 i Cape Argus

When the British statistician George Box famously exclaimed that “all models are wrong, but some are useful”, he meant to emphasise the importance of a pragmatic approach to solving complex problems. In other words, rather than attempting to find perfect answers that address every possible objection, we should instead attempt to generate practical solutions that can be fruitfully applied to real-world issues. Last week, the Free Market Foundation (FMF) urged political parties to explore the possibility of a “no-alition” confidence-and-supply arrangement as an alternative to a formal coalition. We believe this presents the least risky approach to the government over the next five years, and better reflects the interests and will of voters who chose to elect a Parliament in which no party held a clear majority. Under a “no-alition”…

Facebook Marketplace and social media scams are on the rise and potential buyers should be aware of items, especially vehicles, that are advertised well below market value or claimed to be available for reservation before being auctioned. Scamsters use several variations of a technique that involves posing as a legitimate auctioneering company and using pictures of random vehicles off the internet to lure potential buyers. They then request a large upfront deposit to “reserve” the vehicle barring it from going to auction. “One give-away is they usually ask a set price – but SA law states no asset sold on auction may be sold at a fixed price. Rather, these will be determined by the highest bidder upon the fall of the auctioneer’s hammer,” says SA Institute of Auctioneers…

Award-winning media personality Carol Ofori may just add another feather to her cap later this year at the 2024 African Podcast and Voice Awards (APVA). The seasoned radio and TV presenter has been nominated for The Carol Ofori Podcast, along with some of the best podcasters in Africa in the lifestyle and entertainment category. The APVA Awards recognise outstanding talent across the continent. They highlight and celebrate the achievements of African voice talents while providing a platform for education, motivation, and mentorship. Ofori’s podcast, which is just over a year old, has captured its audience with engaging content, insightful interviews and thought-provoking discussions. It features a dynamic mix of seasoned professionals such as Tol A$$ Mo and his wife MoMe, slain rapper AKA’s parents, Lynn and Tony Forbes, and Olympian…

ASPIRANT Michelin Star chef from Kraaifontein Huwitt Strydom will spend three months in Paris and five months in Massachusetts in the US after impressing judges at the Showcook Reaching for Young Stars competition, winning first prize in the Hot Chefs category. The 22-year-old former student from Bernardino Heights High School is now in his third year of a Professional Cookery course at Capsicum Culinary Studio’s Cape Town campus. The competition saw finalists from various culinary schools tasked with preparing a canapé, a starter and a main course. Strydom impressed the panel of judges with his inventive dishes, which secured him prestigious prizes including a 3-month internship at a top hotel in Paris, five-months’ working experience at Winslow’s Tavern in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and a 3-week internship at the 5-star Cape…

As we celebrate the life of Madiba this month, we think of those who fought in the Struggle and their contributions towards democracy in South Africa. This past Saturday, the life and legacy of Desmond Tutu was commemorated with the Laughs for the Arch gala, auction and dinner – the second annual fundraiser of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation. Capetonians gathered, braving the stormy weather and missing the rugby, to celebrate the legacy of the Archbishop and support the work of the foundation through an evening to raise money with an auction with entertainment by the country’s best comedians, who all had a personal relationship with the Arch. Set at the historic Cape Town City Hall, the Laughs for the Arch gala held greater importance during Mandela month.…

ACTIONSA rejects the proposed budget cuts to the SA Revenue Service (Sars). These will adversely impact its ability to collect revenue and perform its mandate, potentially affecting the fiscal balance sheet. As outlined in the proposed budget, Sars faces substantial cuts, with a nominal reduction of R769 million and a real cut of R1.3 billion. We contend these cuts are unworkable and demand reversal. Owing to the critical role that Sars plays in collecting more than 90% of the government’s revenue, ActionSA believes it is ill-advised to further limit the capacity of the revenue collector. By cutting Sars’s budget, the government is biting the hand that feeds it, which defies all logic. Rather than cutting Sars’s budget, Sars should be further capacitated to increase revenue collections by targeting the political…

There have been several reflections on the journey South Africa’s young people have embarked on in the past 30 years and how they define our constitutional democracy for the future. Young people are a dominant age group in South Africa’s population of 62 million. While they are often regarded as outspoken and leading the way when it comes to developments such as innovation in technology, education equality and changing communities’ lives, according to Statistics South Africa, they remain the most unemployed and disenfranchised. As South Africa enters its seventh administration, many young people are watching the Government of National Unity (GNU) from the sidelines to see what it means for their future and how the decisions of the new administration will affect them. Although several initiatives and social impacts have…

As South Africa’s seventh administration resumed its business in the National Assembly recently, on top of the discussions was a language revolt as MPs proceeded with the business of their day. Unfortunately, matters of languages were not on the agenda, making the sitting of Parliament on the day pointless after MPs started bickering when an MP made a presentation in Afrikaans. Some complained that they could not understand it. One MP asked why was there no translation resource in Parliament when the country had 11 official languages? The 1976 uprising, in which scores of high school learners were mowed down by the then-SA security police, was started by a language issue. With South Africa seen as one of the most democratic countries in the world, our Parliament should not be…

AN Olympic year should bring beautiful, nostalgic memories to anyone who has experienced the global sporting showpiece live. It is, after all, the ultimate stage for every aspiring sportsman or woman to showcase their talent – a stage reached only by a few. One of those few is Lebo Phalula. Yet, instead of the Soweto runner getting excited in anticipation of Paris 2024 Games, the event triggers a sense of bitterness in the famous twin. “I got nothing out of going to the Olympics. It was a waste for me,” the accomplished runner said – the tinge of regret palpable in her voice. Phalula remains the only black woman to represent South Africa in the marathon at the Olympics. The 40-year-old was part of Team South Africa for the…

Chippa United co-coach Thabo September says their pre-season planning will go a long way in determining how well they do in the new season. The Chilli Boys had a decent season last campaign as they finished 12th in the DStv Premiership, avoiding the relegation quagmire. However, that wouldn’t have been possible without co-coaches September and Kwanele Kopo, who brought some stability to the club. The duo want to continue where they left off last season, and finish better in the league and domestic cups – having lost to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup semi-final. Speaking after attaining his CAF B coaching licence in Germiston last week, September mapped out how they’ll be able to achieve their targets ahead of the new season. “I think with good planning we can…

British acting icon, DJ and producer, Idris Elba and South African genre-fluid producer and singer-songwriter, Una Rams, have teamed up to release a new single, Go Deeper. Elba is dominating the club scene with a string of releases via the London label, Defected Records, which includes his Together series remix of Fish Go Deep’s iconic club anthem, The Cure + The Cause and La Trumpeta. He continues to lift those he works with, which now includes South African genre-fluid producer and singer-songwriter, Rams. According to a statement: “Ram’s creativity knows no bounds as he brings his global sound to the world stage with Go Deeper.” The song, composed of Afrobeats underpinned by Ram’s rhythmically addictive vocal, is a powerful, collaborative track that is set to make waves. Taking to Instagram,…

MISSING Children SA’s Bianca van Aswegen said they were hopeful that new evidence would come to light so that 5-year-old Lee-Virno van Wyk from Upington did not become another “forgotten” cold case. More than two years have passed since Van Wyk mysteriously disappeared while playing with a group of friends after school. Van Aswegen’s plea comes just days after the mother of missing 6-year-old Joshlin Smith made an appearance in the Vredenberg Magistrate’s Court, together with Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombaard. The group are facing charges of human trafficking for purposes of exploitation. The trial is expected to be heard in the Western Cape High Court soon. But while the search continues for Joshlin, little Van Wyk remains missing. Van Wyk, who…

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has defended the inclusion of Die Stem in the national anthem against calls by the EFF for its removal or its replacement. McKenzie said Die Stem was part of who South Africans were and who they have become. “We must protect the national anthem. We have one of the most beautiful national anthems. Die Stem’s inclusion is such an expression of how far we have come as a nation.” McKenzie said he sang the Afrikaans part of the national anthem just as loud as he did the other vernacular sections. “We will not be ashamed to say we support Die Stem being part of the national anthem. We have moved on. We are in a new South Africa. You can go to the…

The conspiracy theories linking the attempted assassination of Donald Trump to various organisations and institutions are extremely destabilising in a politically charged environment. The shooting gave birth to and spawned a tsunami of conspiracy theories, some bizarre; others mundane. People gravitate towards conspiracy theories that affirm or validate their political view. The scope of the shooting blurs its origins, in a world enveloped in deception, disinformation, misinformation and strategic concealment. Conspiracy theories reinforce a belief that nothing in the world happens through coincidence. This refusal to recognise the role of chance leads many to develop a global view in which sinister and top secret conspiracies permeate all layers of society. Deluged with massive mountains of information, it’s easy to become uncertain about what is true and what is false. Once…

I was in a shop in Chatsworth when a young guy walked in and one of the assistants behind the counter enquired about his pet snake. Excited, he blurted out that his pet python was fine and that it shared the bedroom with him. Some of the customers gasped in surprise. One asked him what if the python tried to swallow him while he was asleep. He retorted that his python would not harm as long as its belly was full. Then I chipped in and told him that it was wrong to keep a python as a pet. It should be in the wild. “You are wrong,” he snapped back. “We humans belong in the wild, not the python!” I saw no point continuing the argument. It’s people like…

Parliament passing the budget of the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) last week is a welcome step towards ensuring that the department is front and centre of the work of the seventh administration. The Government of National Unity will rely heavily on the GCIS to communicate unambiguously about its strategic objectives, spending priorities and implementation of the government’s programme of action. The right to information is enshrined in the Constitution and is key to democracy. As the parliamentary portfolio committee on communications and digital technologies, we welcome all efforts to strengthen government communications as a tool to bridge the gap between the government and the public to ensure that citizens are well-informed about policies, initiatives and progress across our nation. We are keenly aware of the magnitude of such…

Donald Trump began the second day of the 2024 Republican Party convention yesterday with a visual reminder of his recent assassination attempt, a young running mate who shares his hardline populist views and the backing of the world’s richest person. Trump’s rapturous reception at the Republican National Convention on Monday made clear that he enjoys the enthusiastic support of his party – a marked contrast to US President Joe Biden, who has faced a wave of calls from his fellow Democrats to abandon his re-election bid. The Republican former president walked into the Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee to an uproarious response, his ear heavily bandaged from having been grazed by a bullet, hours after he was officially nominated to be the party’s 2024 standard-bearer. “Fight! Fight! Fight!” the crowd…