Innehållsförteckning för 2021-11-16 från Cape Argus

SOUTH Africa’s long-held World Cup dream was literally destroyed in one foul swoop on Sunday at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium in Ghana. The hosts Ghana ran out 1-0 winners over SA’s hitherto unbeaten Bafana Bafana after a dubious first-half penalty turned out to be the decider in the final Group G encounter of the 2022 World Cup qualifying. The way Ghana won the match, rather than the eventual result, left a trail of broken hearts in its wake. Central defender Rushine De Reuck who, according to Senegal referee Maguette N’Diaye was the cause of the bizarre penalty, was inconsolable after the final whistle. His face was buried in his hands on the turf and was helped to his feet by sympathetic teammates. There can be no disputing Ghana dominated…

Viwe Ndongeni-Ntlebi viwe.ndongeni@inl.co.za Since the global spread of Covid-19 from early 2020, there is an emerging body of evidence from several countries that shows that a growing number of people experience prolonged symptoms beyond the initial, acute stage of the disease. A 2021 study, “Characterising Long Covid in an International Cohort: 7 Months of Symptoms and Their Impact”, has found that between 10% and 30% of patients who recover from acute Covid-19 become “long haulers”, still experiencing symptoms six months later. In one study of 3 762 patients who had confirmed or suspected Covid-19, most of whom had symptoms lasting longer than 90 days, 45% needed a reduced work schedule compared to before they became ill, and 22% were not working due to their health. A South African woman, Tammy…

Mwangi Githahu mwangi.githahu@inl.co.za THE Women’s Legal Centre (WLC) has applied to be a friend of the court in the case of the same-sex couple whose plan to hold their wedding at the Beloftebos Wedding Venue was rejected in January last year. The owners of the venue in Stanford, near Hermanus, refused to host Sasha-Lee Heekes’s and Megan Watling’s wedding because of their religious conviction that “marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God”. The refusal led Heekes and Watling to complain to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) which undertook to pursue legal action against the venue at the Equality Court of the Western Cape High Court. WLC spokesperson Ru du Toit said human rights actors continue to stand firm…

Mthuthuzeli Ntseku mthuthuzeli.ntseku@inl.co.za A KHAYELITSHA foster mother is incensed with the Department of Social Development for refusing to pay for the burial of a sick child who was left in her care, leaving her with a hefty bill from the undertakers. Bongeka Dakana, from Makhaza, said she’s been struggling to get the money after the toddler, who she has looked after since the child was a week-old and on ARV medication, died last Wednesday. Dakana said she now had to contend with the undertaker’s continual demands for his money after social workers had kept mum. “On Wednesday, when the toddler died in the morning just after 9am, it took the whole day for the department to organise an undertaker, who arrived to collect the body after 6pm. “When the…

Chulumanco Mahamba chulumanco.mahamba@inl.co.za HEALTH Minister Dr Joe Phaahla has urged the unvaccinated to get their jabs so they can enjoy the festive season as he warns that a surge in Covid-19 infections could hit South Africa by mid-December to early January. Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla and his deputy Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, on Friday, convened a virtual media briefing on government efforts in the fight against Covid-19 and the national vaccination roll-out programme. The minister said a surge in Covid-19 infections could hit in mid- December to early January, resulting in a fourth wave. “A resurgence of infections introducing a fourth wave is expected as we see in other countries especially in Europe currently, for example Germany and the Ukraine going through their fourth wave. “Our national team is working…

Kristin Engel kristin.engel@inl.co.za SINCE the near Day Zero experience in Cape Town, groundwater has become a key resource for water security and for bulk water augmentation, and to strengthen local groundwater governance, WWF together with the Danish Embassy launched the Table Mountain Water Source Partnership at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden yesterday. With a growing community of public and private partnerships, the Table Mountain Water Source Partnership ultimately aims to help Cape Town become water secure, even in the face of future droughts brought on by climate change. WWF (the World Wide Fund for Nature), with initial funding from AB InBev, piloted a citizen groundwater monitoring project as the first step towards safeguarding this resource, which was followed by a groundwater stakeholder group to improve water security through monitoring and managing water…

World 12s in a AN new annual rugby tournament based on cricket’s Indian Premier League (IPL) will be the saviour of South African rugby because rich remuneration will slow the player exodus to the northern hemisphere. This happy revelation is the strong opinion of Jake White, the Bulls and former Springbok coach, who, along with another World Cup-winning coach in Steve Hansen of New Zealand, have aligned themselves with a rugby product that could revolutionise the game. The concept of World 12s was launched in September by its chairman Ian Ritchie, the former England head honcho, and with former chief executives of New Zealand and Wales in Steve Tew and Gareth Davies his lieutenants, the tournament has heavy-weight administration and is clearly no Mickey Mouse event, especially because it has…

The unexpected global Covid-19 pandemic forced people, businesses and institutions alike to quickly adapt to a new and uncertain reality. A new reality that disrupted our usual way of doing things and isolated us from normal life and people. Interestingly, technological innovation stepped up to fill this void. Numerous advances were made in the fields of medicine (e.g. vaccine development using technology such as digital twins), virtual communication, e-learning, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and e-commerce. None of these are totally new technologies, but the accelerated pace of adoption, especially in healthcare and education that are usually quite slow in the adoption of new technologies, was unanticipated. What usually takes years to be adopted, happened in a few months. Digital connectivity suddenly became the focal point of…

Kedibone Modise FROM short story readings, monologues and open mic sessions to the launching of poetry books, “Poetry in McGregor” is all about celebrating the word. Under the theme “Garden of the Beloved”, more than 80 poets from across the country will be showcasing and sharing their works in the charming village of McGregor at the foot of the Riviersonderend mountains in the Western Cape, from November 19 to 21. Some of the poets presenting their works at a handful of venues throughout the weekend include Lara Kirsten, Malika Ndlovu, Danie Marais, Churchil Naudé, Susan Woodward, Diana Ferrus, Christine Coates, Justin Fox, Patricia Schonstein, Dimakatso Sedite, Lynthia Julius, Nondwe Mpuma, Jacques Coetzee and John Maytham. Established in 2013, Poetry in McGregor was the inspiration of Billy Kennedy, a “passionate lover…

Viwe Ndongeni-Ntlebi viwe.ndongeni@inl.co.za Diabetes remains the most common cause of death in women and second for men in South Africa. An estimated 12.9% of the adult population either have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes while a significant number of people might be undiagnosed, according to the International Diabetes Federation. The Federation adds that by 2035, almost 600 million people would be living with diabetes, and the figure would rise to 642 million by 2040. November is observed as Diabetes Awareness Month and organisations and health professionals are raising awareness about the disease and how to prevent it. “In South Africa, the number of adults with diabetes has soared to more than 4.5 million people. It’s a disease that is increasing globally, mostly because of unhealthy eating patterns and…

Mwangi Githahu mwangi.githahu@inl.co.za POLITICAL parties are racing against the clock as they try to meet the November 23 deadline to conclude coalition negotiations in the Western Cape’s hung councils. Western Cape Provincial electoral officer Michael Hendrickse has said all councils must be formed within 14 days of the gazetted list of councillors that was published last Tuesday. Asked whether failing to meet the deadline could lead to by-elections, he said: “No, failing to meet the 14-day deadline does not create by-elections.” So far only two of the 15 – Cederberg and Laingsburg municipalities – have successfully concluded their coalition talks. In the Cederberg settlement, the DA, Freedom Front Plus and Cederberg First Residents Association entered a deal that locked the ANC, which won four seats out of the council’s…

Nomalanga Tshuma nomalanga.tshuma@inl.co.za The Miss South Africa Organisation has chosen to stay mum on whether it will be going ahead with sending Miss SA Lalela Mswane to Israel to compete for the Miss Universe title amid growing calls for it to withdraw. Following the Department of Arts and Culture’s decision to withdraw its support for Mswane, as well as mixed reactions by political organisations and civil society organisations, the Miss SA organisation is standing firm for Mswane to continue with plans to go to Israel. In a brief comment sent to the Cape Argus, the organisation said that it would not comment at this stage on whether or not it would be withdrawing or going ahead and participating in the pageant. Over the weekend, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthetwa…

Kristin Engel kristin.engel@inl.co.za HEATHFIELD resident Jodie Currie is preparing to assist the homeless in the area and surrounding areas for the fifth year running by handing out hygiene care packages on Christmas Eve, and is appealing to the public for assistance. After making packs for a home in Elsies River in 2016, Currie had the idea to start making and distributing care packs to the homeless in her local community as she realised there were many people who did not have the basic necessities. “Every year the homeless community looks forward to me coming around as they already know I am there to help them,” Currie said. Currie and her team, made up of her daughter and partner, require products such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, facecloths, deodorants, and sweet…

MOTORCYCLING legend Valentino Rossi, who completed his final MotoGP after 26 years in the saddle on Sunday, thinks retirement will be difficult, “especially in March when the season starts again”. The 42-year-old Rossi, a nine-time world champion across all categories, finished 10th on his Yamaha in his final outing in Valencia, which was his 432nd GP since starting his career back in 1996. “I was motivated and focused as if I was fighting for the championship because the last race is the last race, it’s very important,” said The Doctor after crossing the finish line where he was feted by fans and fellow riders alike. “It was not easy because there was a lot of pressure but I was able to get into the top 10, so that means I’m…

Wynona Louw wynona.louw@inl.co.za DESPITE outstanding individual performances in a team that has shone in 2021, not a single Springbok player has made the World Rugby Player of the Year nominees’ list announced yesterday. The Boks, currently top of the world rankings, beat the British & Irish Lions 2-1 in their series in July. They also pulled off a stunning victory over the All Blacks in their 101st Test against their arch rivals, while they have also won their first two end-of-year internationals against Wales – a historic one which marked their first win in Cardiff since 2013 – and Scotland. New Zealand, who lost to Ireland at the weekend, are also absent from the list. This is the first time since the awards were introduced in 2001 that no South…

SOUTH Africans are spending more on snacks, sending snack buying to the highest level since Ipsos began tracking this in January last year. The latest Ipsos Consumption and Shopper tracking study shows the value of snack sales increased by 43 percent compared with the previous year, with cheaper brands gaining traction in various categories. However, the study shows a decline in purchase frequency as consumers spent more than before on snacks when they purchased them. Due to changing lifestyles and an increase in consumer sophistication and product awareness, this was probably no surprise, the study said. Nibbles were more than just treats for consumers; they were also big business for manufacturers and retailers, with snacking becoming a daily occurrence for the modern consumer. This value growth for snacks was largely…

Kedibone Modise The Playhouse Company is hosting the much anticipated Days of Culture Without Borders special concert, produced for Russian online streaming TV, and set to take place on November 20. Directed by Aubrey Sekhabi, the show serves as a celebration of local talent and unity. Hosted by Tony Kgoroge and Leanne Manas, the concert features Thandiswa Mazwai, the Sivuyile Nonzame Xhosa Traditional Dancers, Lonaka Lo Kae Cultural Group, Mbuso Khoza & Afrikan Heritage Ensemble, Thee Legacy and the mighty KZN Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Chad Hendricks. As part of the Christmas celebrations, the Playhouse also presents the latest edition of Bigly Yuge. Adapted from a script by the late Clinton Marius, Bigly Yuge is a blend of comedy, drama, song and dance theatre. Directed by Kgoroge, the star-studded show…

Nomalanga Tshuma nomalanga.tshuma@inl.co.za IN THE lead-up to the internationally observed 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign, a local Cape Town activist is on a mission to direct much-needed support services to communities in rural parts of the province. Driven by the motive to uplift and assist disadvantaged communities and victims with little to no support, known community activist Deon Carelse is actively laying the groundwork for relevant government departments to direct support services to areas battling with socio-economic issues that result in disastrous episodes of gender-based violence (GBV) and alcohol/drug abuse. Carelse, who is at present in Laaiplek, on the West Coast to assist residents who are victims of GBV, reiterated the importance of active and undiluted citizenry in the fight against GBV…

Mwangi Githahu mwangi.githahu@inl.co.za DUE to the loss in the continuity of learning caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, many learners were now up to a year behind in their education Education MEC Debbie Schäfer said yesterday. Speaking during the annual report of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) for the 2020/2021 financial year, Schäfer told the standing committee on education that this would affect learners as well as the economy for many years. “At the very start of the 2020/21 financial year, our decision-making was made dramatically more difficult as the Covid-19 pandemic arrived in the Western Cape. “The hard lockdown announced in March brought teaching and learning to an abrupt halt, and what was initially planned to be a one-month closure turned out to be a long-term disruption,” she said.…

Jehran Naidoo Jehran.Naidoo@africannewsagency.com South African President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday urged potential investors looking to grow their financial roots in the country and across Africa to be sensitive to the continent’s state of affairs, particularly its development goals, employment and capacity building for entrepreneurs. With several African heads of state and business leaders from across the continent present at the Intra-Africa Trade Fair (IATF) in Durban, Ramaphosa said the country was ready to work with African nations to create more balanced, equitable and fair trade relations. The president was delivering a keynote address at the event, held in the Inkhosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. He was joined by Premier Sihle Zikalala, as well as Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Zambian President…

EBRAHIM ESSA I Durban THE death of iconic writer Wilbur Smith is sad but his brief story in Independent Media yesterday at least serves to make a point for reading and writing. I tutor young primary schoolchildren and find that there is an alarming resistance to reading, especially aloud. The most possible reasons besides the usual, resigned rolling of eyes to high heavens and exclaiming “whatever” under one's breath, is partly laziness, but mostly to avoid the embarrassment of not recognising many words and not being able to pronounce them correctly. This leads to a dislike for reading. If one does not read, one does not write. This in turn leads to rote learning and the regurgitation of the same words that really carry little meaning. There was a…

Sisonke Mlamla sisonke.mlamla@inl.co.za SHOPPERS, crippled by unemployment and salary cuts brought on by the coronavirus pandemic coupled with rising electricity and petrol prices, might not be storming the doors of retailers this Black Friday next week. V&A Waterfront spokesperson Donald Kau said they are not expecting massive queues. “Our shopping centre does not have large white goods retailers like Dion Wired or Game or a big discount grocer like Checkers where they usually have bigger crowd control challenges,” said Kau. He said they would have retailers offering specials and were confident of managing the numbers of visitors. “It’s also worth noting that with Covid-19 regulations still in place shopping centres and retailers are limited in trading hours within the regulations of the lockdown,” he said. Cape Chamber of Commerce and…

Eshlin Vedan eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za THE South African Football Association (Safa) will be taking action and launching a complaint to Fifa and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) regarding the “poor officiating” in Bafana Bafana’s 1-0 World Cup qualification loss to Ghana at Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Sunday. This was stated in a voice note released by Safa on their social media accounts, and confirmed by chief executive Tebogo Motlanthe “The association has decided to lodge a formal complaint so that the conduct of the match officials is closely investigated by both Fifa and Caf,” said Motlanthe in the post. “But we will be having a press conference that will be telling the nation what will happen going forward.” Bafana coach Hugo Broos was also critical of the refereeing by Maguette…

Wynona Louw wynona.louw@inl.co.za SPRINGBOK forwards coach Deon Davids says they need to use the momentum they’ve built so far to beat England in their final Test of the season at Twickenham on Saturday. The Boks have won three matches in a row. In their first match of their end-of-year tour, they beat Wales 23-18 to secure their first win in Cardiff in eight years. They followed that up with a 30-15 victory over Scotland. Prior to that, they also pulled off a stunning victory against the All Blacks in their 101st meeting with their rivals. “England are a quality side. Eddie is a good coach and they’re making some good plans, they’ve got exciting players coming in. We know it’s going to be tough, as any Test match is at…