Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-04 i Cape Argus

The phrase “truth is stranger than fiction” forms the premise of the new documentary, Trainwreck: P.I. Moms where real-life events were so dramatic, they could easily pass as a telenovela. The Netflix series, which premiered in July, is one of the latest in the streaming giant’s Trainwreck franchise. But this offering stands out for its shock value as it centres around working moms whose noble desire to inspire women across the globe, as the show notes, was “undone the deeds of a few men”. This explosive doccie has also been captivating viewers with its harrowing tale of rampant criminal activities, internal sabotage and police corruption as it delivers of a neatly compressed but highly entertaining roller coaster ride. Directed by Phil Bowman, Trainwreck: P.I. Moms takes viewers back to the…

ELECTRICITY Minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has conceded that the price of electricity is not sustainable and has ordered a review of the electricity tariffs. This comes as scores of electricity payers protested over soaring prices in Tembisa and elsewhere. Ahead of the ANC NEC meeting at various venues in Gauteng, Ramokgopa said South Africa is on the brink of “energy poverty” as the current cost of electricity is unsustainable, adding that South Africans can expect big changes to prices in the coming months. “Electricity is unaffordable. We cannot continue along this tariff path. We are getting into a situation here in the country with new dimensions of energy poverty. There are households there, as I speak to you, that will not be able to afford the cost of electricity. “Poor households…

AS WOMEN'S Month started on Friday, a 53-year-old woman was found dead in her home in Browns Farm, Philippi, following an alleged domestic dispute. The woman was allegedly beaten to death by her husband after a drunken altercation the night before. A resident said: “The husband left for work on Friday morning after assaulting the victim throughout the night. He locked the door and left the key at the neighbour’s house. He told the neighbour to go to the shack and wake his wife. When she got there, she found the victim unresponsive and called the police.” According to the resident, police fetched the suspect from his workplace and arrested him. Police spokesperson,FC van Wyk, confirmed a case of murder was registered at Nyanga police station. “The circumstances surrounding this…

THE Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has requested more time to finalise the designs for the internal fittings of the dome that is used as an alternative venue for the sitting of Parliament. The department and Parliament officials met last month to review the scope and cost of the fittings. “The review includes omission of three committee rooms with their fittings, omission of the suspended ceilings, reduction of dry walling and the raised floor area among other things,” reads the report containing responses prepared for the Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament. The dome, erected earlier this year, has not been in use since May to allow installation of internal fittings that are scheduled to be completed next month. The department has estimated the scope and…

IN YET ANOTHER blow for suspended Road Accident Fund CEO, Collins Letsoalo, the court on Friday refused his application for leave to appeal against his failed bid to be reinstated, which Letsoalo argued is vital as he claimed he was promised a second term to head the fund. His fixed-term contract of employment between himself and the RAF expires on Wednesday. One of the reasons Letsoalo had launched an urgent application for his suspension to be lifted was his belief that he would be reappointed. According to him, the fund’s board promised him a second term – something the then board vehemently denied. Letsoalo had applied for leave to appeal against the judgment issued by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria at the end of June, in which it turned down…

A NEW and exclusive estate development in Stellenbosch has 144 affordable units built in as part of the municipality’s inclusionary zoning policy. “Stellenbosch’s policy isn’t just a local breakthrough; it’s a blueprint for the Western Cape and the country,” said Helen Rourke, programme director at Development Action Group. “In a country where spatial and income divides still define daily life, this is how real spatial transformation takes shape.” The policy requires private developers that are planning to build a new residential or mixed-use development of 20 units or more in Stellenbosch, Klapmuts or Franschhoek to include 20% inclusionary housing. In the catalytic area of the Adam Tas Corridor, a spatial overlay zone provides for developers to unlock development rights if they contribute 30% inclusionary housing. Stellenbosch Municipality is only the…

I HAVE never reviewed a book halfway through reading, but Patriot by Alexei Navalny left a strong impression on me early on. Not because I lost interest, quite the opposite. It challenged me more than I expected and reminded me that sometimes pausing a book is not a sign of failure. It is an act of self-awareness. We rarely talk about the things we do not finish. Whether it is a book, an online course, or even a meaningful conversation, unfinished things are often accompanied by quiet guilt. We associate stopping with a lack of focus, discipline, or drive. Reading Patriot did not feel passive. Navalny does not seek sympathy or dramatise his experiences. He simply tells it like it is, with wit, clarity, and a kind of dry…

Dead Outlaw David Yazbek, Erik Della Penna, Itamar Moses Performed by a full cast Audile Originals IF YOU’RE in the mood for a unique audio experience, Dead Outlaw offers a compelling mix of humour and poignant reflection that defies musical conventions and expectations. Under the able direction of Tony Award winner David Cromer, this Dead Outlaw marks Audible’s first-ever commissioned musical. I am not a general fan of musicals, but I am glad I pressed play on this one. It is not only a musical masterpiece but also an excellent listening experience that more than meets expectations. Based on an astonishing true tale, Dead Outlaw recounts the life of Elmer McCurdy, an early 20th-century outlaw whose tragic demise led to an even more bizarre afterlife as a travelling corpse. After…

Proteas Test and ODI captain Temba Bavuma says the team aspires to have the same impact as the Springboks, both in South Africa and on the global stage. Following the Proteas’ historic victory at Lord’s in the World Test Championship final, cricket has seen a resurgence in popularity, with fans across the country rallying behind the sport once again. Despite this renewed support, Bavuma and his teammates understand that there’s still a long journey ahead to reach their ultimate goal: achieving the same level of national and international esteem as the Springboks. “I think within rugby, all of us look at the rugby guys – whenever they go to a world event, there’s proper belief that the guys can go all the way. We’ve seen it countless times, so that…

BET Africa this August will be debuting its latest telenovela, Black Gold, which features an all-star ensemble. The series promises a gripping tale of betrayal, legacy, and the fight for power in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal. At the centre of Black Gold is Nomalanga Shozi, who plays the role of Amandla Zungu, a principled daughter of the soil whose life is shattered by betrayal. She is joined by two of South Africa’s most revered performers: Safta-winning actress Dawn Thandeka King as the calculating Florence Zungu, and the legendary Sello Maake kaNcube as Tom Motsepe, a mining magnate with a dangerous past. In an interview with IOL, KaNcube broke down his newest character, Tom Motsepe, who is a mine CEO, married and a father to three children – Zakhele, Andile…

More than 1 100 marimba players from South Africa and Zimbabwe gathered at the GrandWest Grand Arena over the weekend, setting a new Guinness World Record for the Largest Marimba Ensemble in the World. The group of 1 178 not only dethroned Guatemala’s record of 505 players but more than doubled it, putting South Africa firmly on the global stage for a record-breaking celebration of culture, community, and music. For the official record, the players performed a 10-minute medley of Waka Waka and Jerusalema. The world record attempt was a partnership between NPO Marimba Jam, which brought together all the players, and GrandWest, which covered all the costs. The event had international oversight, with an adjudicator flying in from London. Kiara Ramklass was overjoyed at the outcome. She said, “South…

ASHLEY Oosthuizen, the young woman from George who is imprisoned in Thailand after being found guilty of drug-related charges, is not wasting her time behind bars and has been a teacher to inmates for the past two years. The Cape Argus recently reported that Oosthuizen is one of 81 000 inmates who will receive the royal clemency on the king’s birthday, with 12 739 prisoners to be released, and thousands more to have their sentences reduced. Oosthuizen was employed as a kindergarten teacher on Koh Samui island after leaving her home in George in 2018. When Oosthuizen lost her job, Tristan Nettles, her now estranged boyfriend, offered her a position at a restaurant called Hot Biscuit where she designed the branding for the business. In October 2020, Oosthuizen accepted…

FORMER president Thabo Mbeki and ex-justice minister Brigitte Mabandla have accepted the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria judgment on Friday dismissing their application to intervene in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) case. Mbeki and Mabandla approached the high court in a bid to intervene in the application for R167 million in constitutional damages by families of victims of apartheid-era atrocities in their personal capacities. Max Boqwana, chief executive of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, said they agreed with the judgment that the respondents (survivors and victims of apartheid-era atrocities) cannot rely on allegations from collections of books and journalists’ comments and further that they have therefore no direct information to implicate either Mbeki or Mabandla. “The country would have benefited from both the insights of both President Mbeki and Ambassador Mabandla…

Residents in high-risk informal settlements in Cape Town and Durban are set to benefit from a fire safety initiative. The project is headed by Astron Energy, in partnership with Western Cape Disaster Management, eThekwini Disaster Management, local municipalities, and fire departments. Astron will be installing over 500 early-warning smoke detectors in high-risk informal settlements. Areas set to benefit include Du Noon, Joe Slovo, and Langa in the Western Cape, as well as Dakota Beach in KwaZulu-Natal. Astron Energy’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Donna Fata, said this initiative is designed to prevent devastating fires and is being rolled out alongside multilingual fire safety training, supported by disaster teams, community forums, and firefighting volunteers. She said local authorities would carry out the training and installations in co-ordination with community stakeholders. Each installation…

RENOVATIONS to the Sea Point Fire Station, to the tune of R7.8 million, are 95% complete. Safety and Security mayco member JP Smith, along with Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, visited the station at the weekend to survey the recent upgrades. The station is one of the oldest in Cape Town and dates back to 1932. Some of the renovations to the main building included painting, roof replacement, tiling, updating electrical infrastructure, new gutters and repairs to cracks along the building facade. During the planning and implementation stage, the conservation of the heritage status and architectural features were top of mind as the fire station is an important landmark in Sea Point. “Our Fire and Rescue Service has a long and proud history in Cape Town and we have the responsibility to…

The engineering sector has historically been a male-dominated field, and to a large extent, it still is. However, this is changing, and the shift is gaining significant momentum as more women begin to take up leadership roles, spearheading innovation and driving inclusive growth. These women are reshaping the industry, driving innovation and change, and Women’s Month is an ideal moment to reflect on how far we have come, while recognising how far we still must go in ensuring equity, diversity and inclusivity. Stepping up to change the industry In recent years, the number of women studying engineering in South Africa has grown significantly across disciplines, including mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering. This shows a promising pipeline of female engineers who will be entering the workforce in the future. Just as…

Langelihle Phili came off the bench to haunt his former club and seal Stellenbosch’s place in the MTN8 semi-finals with a 3-2 extra-time victory over AmaZulu at the DHL Stadium on Sunday. The 20-year-old winger, a product of the Usuthu academy, emerged as the hero deep into extra-time after the tie had finished 2-2 in regulation. With both sides locked in an intense back-and-forth battle, it was Phili’s powerful finish in the 108th minute that proved decisive. AmaZulu, featuring several new faces after a squad overhaul, struck first through debutant Keagan Allen in the 19th minute. The former Moroka Swallows centre-back capitalised on a lapse in concentration from the hosts, staying alert after a set-piece. A clever pass from defensive partner Sandile Mthethwa found Allen unmarked, and he bundled the…

Western Province coach Labeeb Levy is hoping his Currie Cup charges can kick on and become an 80-minute team after they looked like they could cause an upset in the second half of Saturday’s 40-19 away defeat to the Lions, before fading on the Highveld. The Joburgers led 21-12 at half-time at Ellis Park and extended their lead with another try early in the second half. Province stuck to their attacking game plan and came back at the Lions. Their third and final try of the match brought them within nine points of the home side in the 53rd minute, as they threatened to pull off a surprise result. “I was happy at that stage of the game,” Levy said. “It was 28-19 and we were actually on the attack,…

Bobby Blanco has come a long way since his days of being on the celebrity reality show Boity: Own Your Throne. He has gone on to diversify himself into a name that generates income. Blanco, real name Bob Sithole, was born in Hammanskraal and raised in West Rand, is a creative, culinary chef, event curator, DJ and social media personality, making it in the City of Gold. “For someone like me from Hammanskraal to come into Sandton and make a name for himself, let me tell you something; it’s amazing,” he told IOL in an interview. “When you put Bobby Blanco, just put different streams of income. I’m very creative, I’ll think of an idea and I always execute my ideas. I love teaching. I love cooking, everything that I’m…

A SUSPENDED banker and his co-accused who are believed to be “first receivers” for international drug cartels had their bail denied on Friday. Raed Cupido, 40, and co-accused Christopher Carlese, 36, returned to the dock at the Cape Town Magistrate's Court for arguments and judgment in their bid for bail. The court heard that Cupido’s legal team of advocate Reuben Liddell and attorney Bruce Hendricks withdrew due to "a lack of financial instructions and ethical reasons". Cupido is now being represented by attorney Junaid Jumat, who also represents Carelse in the matter. Cupido was arrested on June 10, allegedly with 15 bricks of cocaine worth an estimated street value of R18 million, an AK-103 Rifle, Uzi Pro Rifle, five semi-automatic firearms and 130 rounds of ammunition inside a storage unit…

G20 member states have reaffirmed their commitment to reducing the gender gap in labour force participation by 25% by 2030 under the newly launched Brisbane–eThekwini Goal, following a two-day Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting (LEMM) hosted at Fancourt Hotel and Country Estate in George. Speaking at the closing session, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala, said the renewed goal seeks not only numerical parity but also addresses the quality and conditions of women’s employment. “In 2014, under Australia’s G20 Presidency, Leaders adopted the Brisbane Goal, committing to reduce the gender gap in labour force participation by 25% by 2025. Today, we acknowledge that progress has been uneven. While nearly all G20 countries have narrowed the gap since 2012, only about half are on track to meet…

IT WAS A special day for Wilmiena Johanna Koeries who celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family at a grand gathering in Observatory on Saturday. Koeries, affectionately known as Ouma Miena, was born on July 31, 1925, and is originally from Garden Village in Maitland. At 100, Koeries is still in good health, well spoken and with the memory of an elephant. She said making it to a century comes as a surprise to her. “I am amazed at myself for being 100 years old. I cannot believe that I reached that age. I think it is because I don’t live a stressful life. I don’t smoke or drink.” Koeries had six children, two of whom have died. She enjoys her 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She recalls being…

THE Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) has made changes to its fare structure in response to objections from trade unions, commuter groups, and civil society organisations, just before the planned fare increase. It follows days of escalating pressure, with the United Commuters Voice (UCV) announcing that the new fares will offer more affordable rates for working-class commuters, ensuring better access to public transport. The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) was among those who voiced concern ahead of the increase. “While Cosatu welcomes the huge improvements Prasa has made to its infrastructure, as well as the roll-out of the new trains, the federation believes the proposed ticket price hike is high and will be burdensome to commuters who are already battling to cope,” said Tony Ehrenreich, Cosatu deputy parliamentary…

Orlando Pirates’ new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is relishing the pressure that comes with the expectations of challenging for all the trophies up for grabs this season. Ouaddou ushered in a new era at Pirates on Saturday afternoon, following the departure of his predecessor Jose Rivero. And that got off to a flying start as his side beat Polokwane City 2-0 in the MTN8 quarter-final and reached a fourth successive semi-final in the competition. It was a crucial win that saw them take a step closer to winning a record-extending fourth Wafa Wafa crown, following three successive triumphs under Riveiro. Winning cup competitions is expected to be a standard for Ouaddou, after Riveiro’s strides, which is why bagging the league is the ultimate target for the Moroccan. The last time Pirates…

Pieter Coetzé equalled Roland Schoeman’s record for claiming three medals at a long-course world championship, wrapping up his World Aquatics Championships campaign in Singapore with a surprise 50m silver on Sunday, to go with his earlier 100m gold and 200m silver. The achievement was made more remarkable by the fact that Coetzé does not specifically train for the 50m race. The 21-year-old became the only man to reach the podium in all three backstroke events at the championships, heralding his arrival as an Olympic medal hopeful in multiple events. His performances will only fan expectations of a return to glory for South African swimmers at the LA Games — something that had seemed unlikely in the build-up to the showpiece. Coetzé lined up for the 50m final as the third-fastest…

Lando Norris trimmed McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri’s lead in the drivers’ world championship to just nine points on Sunday when he switched tactics to lead him home by just 0.698 seconds in a thrilling finish to the Hungarian Grand Prix. The 25-year-old Briton, who moved from a two-stop strategy to one, held off series leader Piastri — on fresher tyres — over the closing laps of a strategic contest to claim McLaren’s 200th victory and a record 13th win in Hungary. It was Norris’s first win at the Hungaroring in the event’s 40th edition, avenging his 'team orders' defeat in 2024 when Piastri claimed his maiden success. It was Norris’s fifth victory of the season and the ninth of his career. The dominant McLaren pair finished 22 seconds clear of…