Innehållsförteckning för 2021-12-01 från Cape Argus

The global community will gather again today to commemorate World Aids Day. This is one of the times when we also remember all those who have succumbed to the virus as well as those infected and affected by Aids. It is also a pivotal time in which we rededicate ourselves to ending the scourge of Aids as a public health threat. The theme for this year’s World Aids day is “End inequalities, end Aids, end pandemics”, which accurately reflects what we should be focussing on. More notable, however, is that this year marks the second time when we observe World Aids Day while we also confront the Covid-19 pandemic, which has now been exacerbated by the impending 4th wave – fuelled by the Omicron variant. As I write this, we…

Gerry Cupido geraldine.cupido@inl.co.za My Instagram feed has been flooded with all things Gucci. With the release of the most anticipated fashion film of the year, House of Gucci, it’s near impossible to ignore images popping up of all the mega- stars from the movie draped in Gucci attending the premieres of the Ridley Scott film. This features award-winning stars Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons and Jared Leto, as well as Oscar-nominee Lady Gaga and one of the biggest film stars of the moment in Adam Driver, who plays Maurizio Gucci. The movie tells the shocking story based on events surrounding the death of Gucci and offers a glimpse into the Italian’s fashion empire. We’ve seen Lady Gaga, who plays convicted murderer Patrizia Reggiani in the movie, wearing several outfits designed by…

Rafieka Williams rafieka.williams@inl.co.za THE trial of five people accused of killing a man suspected of stealing a car continued in the Western Cape High Court yesterday. Boniwe Lolwana, Luya Lolwana, Bongile Ncweni, Cebo Tisana and Celile Bhobane appeared on charges of murder, kidnapping and robbery. The accused have been charged for killing 21-year-old Athenkosi Mazula in Philippi on June 14, 2018. It is alleged that Boniwe Lolwana gave her vehicle to Tisana and Bhobane for test driving after they had done mechanical work on it. When she wanted to retrieve the vehicle from them, they informed her that Mazula had stolen her vehicle. Bhobane testified that he had informed Boniwe that her vehicle was stolen. He was also told about the whereabouts of the vehicle. Bhobane said he knew the…

Mwangi Githahu mwangi.githahu@inl.co.za THE ANC in the provincial legislature is urging the speaker to take action against a number of MECs and their department heads for the late submission of their annual reports to the respective standing committees. At a virtual news conference yesterday, leader of the provincial opposition Cameron Dugmore urged speaker Masizole Mnqasela to at the very least make a statement in the legislature on the late submissions. Dugmore took issue with the Community Safety Department, which failed to table a report despite spending millions of rand on the province’s flagship safety plan. “At a time when communities across the Western Cape are desperate for signs that the provincial government is serious about their safety, the lead department in combating crime failed to submit its annual report.…

MOHAMED SAEED | Pietermaritzburg “Holidays”, in the mind of children, innocently implies, “play and fun”. With not much structure during the holidays, children whose little minds are very impressionable can become vulnerable to the evil temptations that continuously invite them from all sides. A humble appeal to all parents is to keep children gainfully and productively occupied within healthy boundaries and ethical values. Setting a routine can be useful. In addition to responsibly enjoying the holidays, I urge parents to pay particular attention to their own and their children’s physical and emotional health, stress levels and well-being. Pleasing people, buying gifts, expectations, managing finances or travelling during the holidays, especially during the pandemic, can be physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausting. As we come to the end of the…

Shuaib Appleby | Lansdowne I was in Fish Hoek on Saturday and mentioned to my co-driver “this is the home of David Biggs” and then reflected on how as a teenager I enjoyed reading the Tavern of the Seas. The name David Biggs with the very dignified bearded face reminds one of a salted sailor. A household name. A literary legend. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to a great literary gentleman for his contribution. The column is and will always be a must read. A part of the school curriculum. I wish him a well-deserved rest in the dry Tavern of the Fish Hoek sea. Thank you, Sir David Biggs.…

LAST week marked the beginning of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign and the 30th anniversary of this civil society initiative, which this year is themed: “Orange the world: End violence against women now!” In recognition of the continued violence and abuse of women and children in SA (GBV), Independent Media released episode one of its docu-series Baby Trade – Tracking the Truth yesterday, titled The Crisis. The docu-series deals with the spectre of human trafficking in South Africa. It is an eight-part short form digital series based on the story that made headlines around the world: The Tembisa 10 – the decuplets born to one Gosiame Sithole sometime on the night of June 7, 2021, at a hospital in Gauteng. The story was…

Despite South Africa having the world’s largest anti-retroviral therapy (ART) programme, despite the scientific developments and research, despite the bold commitments and good intentions, one fact is brutally clear. The virus is winning. We have made a mistake in treating HIV as yet another chronic condition, like diabetes, high blood pressure or heart conditions; all major killers in South Africa. The difference is this: HIV travels with a whole lot of excess baggage – guilt and shame in the infected; coupled with judgement and ridicule from the community. No other disease carries this level of burden. No other disease challenges the infected with both external and internal stigma. We have the testing kits. We have the drugs. Stigma is the lingering threat to eradicating HIV infections. The best scientific interventions…

A court in military-ruled Myanmar deferred the first verdicts in the trial of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday to December 6, a source said. Suu Kyi, 76, was ousted in a military coup in February, and has been held incommunicado and on trial since June. The court had been due to rule on charges of incitement and violations of Covid-19 protocols under a natural disasters law, among nearly a dozen cases against Suu Kyi, who has rejected all the charges. Her supporters say the cases against her are politically motivated.…

Covid vaccines began to show promise just months after the novel coronavirus started spreading across the globe. So why have decades of HIV/Aids research yielded so little progress on a jab to prevent a disease that claimed some 680 000 lives last year? As the globe marks World Aids Day today, why is there still no vaccine to protect people from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)? One answer is that the political will and colossal investment that have spurred on Covid vaccine development have largely been missing from Aids vaccine research since HIV was discovered in 1983. But another lies in the complexity of the science behind HIV. “With Covid vaccines, researchers worry about the vaccine being able to fend off a handful of variants that have become particularly worrisome,”…

I still feel that Rassie Erasmus was hard done by following his ban by World Rugby for misconduct relating to the video he made about referee Nic Berry’s performance in the first British & Irish Lions Test in June. But the fact that Erasmus won’t be allowed in the coaching box or on the side of the field as a water carrier for most of the 2022 international season will actually benefit the development of Jacques Nienaber as the Springbok coach. SA Rugby’s director of rugby Erasmus will surely continue to play a part in preparing the Boks for Test matches, starting with next year’s three-match series against Wales in South Africa, which is tentatively pencilled in for July 2022. Erasmus can only rejoin the Boks on match-days after September…

Dineo Faku dineo.faku@inl.co.za ANEL Bosman, who made history to become the first female chief executive at Nedbank’s corporate and investment bank, believes the climate change crisis is a game changer not just for the group – but for humanity. Bosman, the mother of two adolescent boys, said solving the climate change crisis would be the defining battle- ground of our time. “It is a moral imperative that we no longer kick the can down the road and ensure that we hand over a sustainable world to the next generation. Nedbank wants to – and needs to – take one of the leadership roles in funding these solutions. Our ambition is that there is a future state where there isn’t a need to differentiate between policy and sustainable policy and banking…

Karen MacPherson | The Washington Post As a long-time children’s and teen librarian, often I am asked when it’s time for a reader to move up – for instance, from picture books to chapter books or from middle-grade to young-adult books. Lately, I’ve been talking to teens about what seems like an even bigger step: from young-adult to adult books. It turns out (perhaps not surprisingly) that many teens have already made that leap. Recently I asked a group of teens what appealed to them about adult books – in contrast to YA books – and got some intriguing answers. Though many teens said that they liked young-adult books, others felt that by age 14 or so, they had grown out of them. One reader told me that young-adult…

Gerry Cupido geraldine.cupido@inl.co.za OVER the past two years, loungewear has become daywear, nightwear, and can still be seen pretty much everywhere. With nowhere to go and no reason to dress up, the laid-back look – a cross between PJs and leisurewear – has been eagerly embraced by those who in the past were constantly having to worry about what to wear to work every day. Working from home has allowed us the freedom to take a step back from the constant pressure of having to dress in a particular way. Especially for those in the more conservative corporate environment. However, life is starting to return to a very different form of normal. Whether it’s willingly or by force, many people are now heading back to their offices. Dusting off our…

FAROUK ARAIE | Gauteng The year 2021 draws to a close and in it’s wake caused political seismic shocks as violent and destructive behaviour in July almost destroyed our nation in the midst of a serious pandemic. We are sadly now in the cross-hairs of a new variant of the Covid-19 variant virus codenamed “Omicron”. On a daily basis death knocks on our doorsteps, snatching away our loved ones under the shadow of a deadly pandemic and violent crime. Our sense of remoteness is intensified by a pall of unease we cannot define. We empathise with all families because we all share that fear of losing someone we love. We know how dreadful it is to even imagine such loss, and how we go through our loved lives…

Shakirah Thebus shakirah.thebus@inl.co.za THE double burden of an imminent Covid-19 fourth wave and 40% of the nation still to get vaccinated was discussed at a webinar hosted by the National Health Department yesterday. Moderator and Vooma Vaccination champ, Dr Fundile Nyathi, said the webinar aimed to call on ordinary, vaccinated individuals to volunteer to encourage family, friends, colleagues and community members to get the jab. Vooma Vaccination champs aimed to better inform people about vaccines in general, its benefits and to encourage its uptake to achieve the country’s 70% target set for December. DG Murray Trust CEO and National Lead of the Demand Acceleration Vooma vaccination initiative, Dr David Harrison, said there was a “dramatic decline” in people taking the first dose of the vaccine since November 1. In…

Shakirah Thebus shakirah.thebus@inl.co.za AS THE world continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, it was only apt that the City’s annual Festive Lights Switch-On concert, drawing thousands of people annually, be cancelled. However, the lights were switched on, providing a glimmer of hope for residents. The free concert, which has for a second year been cancelled, is usually part of the City’s signature annual Festive Lights Switch-on. The event has signalled the arrival of the festive season, providing entertainment for locals and tourists. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, who attended the switching on of the lights in Adderley Street last night, said this year’s theme was “Cape Town: City of Opportunities.” “I remember my mom bringing me to Adderley Street as a young boy to see the lights being switched on…

The heirs of Italian fashion house Gucci have threatened to take legal action over Ridley Scott’s new film House of Gucci for depicting members of the family as “hooligans”. The movie, which is picking up an Oscar buzz, stars Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani, who was convicted of having heir Maurizio Gucci assassinated in the 1990s. “The Gucci family reserve the right to take every initiative to protect their name and image, and those of their loved ones,” stated a letter signed by founder Aldo Gucci’s heirs, published by Italy’s ANSA news agency.…

Sexual harassment and bullying are widespread in Australia’s parliament, affecting politicians and staff, a high-profile inquiry into the institution’s “sexist culture” has found. After a seven-month investigation, a government-backed report released yesterday said one in three people currently working at parliament “have experienced some form of sexual harassment while working there”. That included 63% of the country’s female parliamentarians. “Aspiring male politicians who thought nothing of, in one case, picking you up, kissing you on the lips, lifting you up, touching you, pats on the bottom, comments about appearance, you know, the usual ... the culture allowed it,” said one of the report’s 1 700 interviewees. The report made 28 recommendations, including a formal statement of acknowledgement by political leaders, targets to increase gender diversity and “a proactive focus on…

Herman Gibbs IN the aftermath of the much-publicised Fifa disciplinary committee meeting in Zurich last Tuesday, the South African Football Association (Safa) have been ignored, amid veiled signs that the world footbell governing body might be dealing with more than just a complaint about a dubious referee. Two weeks ago, Safa lodged a protest with Fifa following the controversial handling of Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualifier against Ghana in Cape Coast by Senegalese referee Maguette Ndiaye. Ever since, Safa and the South African football fraternity have been on tenterhooks, as there has been nothing but stony silence from Fifa. Speculation is that the silent treatment could be a thought-provoking sign that Fifa are dealing with more than just a formal complaint about a biased referee. It has come to…

Sihle Mavuso sihle.mavuso@inl.co.za THE corruption, money-laundering and racketeering case involving former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede and 21 others, including former city manager, Sipho Nzuza, has stalled again. The trial, which has 55 State witnesses, started in early May 2019 when the Hawks pounced on Gumede and later the others but has had endless problems. Gumede and the others are accused of pocketing millions in bribes in the awarding of a R320 million waste tender in 2016, In March this year, lawyers for the accused pressed the State to formulate clear charges or have the matter struck off the roll. The State was able to thwart that bid. In June the matter was allocated yesterday’s date with the hope that the loose ends would be tied up and the trial…

Anita Nkonki anita.nkonki@inl.co.za ALL eyes were on Jo Judnick-Wilson, who is fondly known as Jozi Mom, this past weekend after being crowned Mrs South Africa 2021. The prestigious event took place at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni with the media personality Pearl Modiadie as the host. The 40-year-old faced off with her fellow Top 3 contestants, Roxy van Bruwaene and Michelle Forsyth, for the top price. In a showcase of beauty and talent, the newly crowned queen understood that winning the title goes beyond the Mrs SA platform. The new reigning queen had to undergo a journey of self-development, becoming a voice of change within her community and showing up as the strong and influential woman that she is. The entrepreneur also took part in a programme…

Cllr Carolynne Franklin | Kirstenhof Herewith a reply to Bea McCabe’s letter of November 26 (Stop Shell in its tracks, Mr Steenhuisen). I wish to assure Ms McCabe that the DA is using all possible pathways to robustly push back against the outright abuse of animals (both onshore and offshore) that is about to occur along the Wild Coast. The wholesale damage and destruction that will ensue due to the seismic blasting approved by Minister Creecy from DEFF cannot be allowed to proceed. Dave Bryant, the DA shadow minister of environment, forestry and fisheries, has written to the minister urging her to intervene. Five months of intensive seismic blasting from Morgan’s Bay to Port St Johns in the height of whale calving season is completely unacceptable to…

Mwangi Githahu mwangi.githahu@inl.co.za WINE grape producers have so far experienced a relatively favourable and healthy season in the run-up to the 2022 wine grape harvest, however farmers fear that cold and wet temperatures during flowering could have negative effects. Vinpro consultation services manager Conrad Schutte said after a later than normal autumn, following good cold conditions and the accumulation of rainfall during winter, and spring being cooler than normal, the flowering was relatively even in most regions. He said the season was also about one to two weeks later than normal and that varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon may have been affected by the recent rain. “Cold winter conditions coupled with decent rainfall laid a foundation for even budding, uniform shoot growth, and sufficient water in the soil profiles to…

Anita Nkonki anita.nkonki@inl.co.za THEO Baloyi, founder of local sneakers brand Bathu, was honoured with an award as the Business Leader of the Year 2021 at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards. Baloyi has been reaping the fruits of his hard work as a businessman as this award comes shortly after he won the CEO of the Year award at the Future HR Awards 2021. The GQ Awards recognises pioneers who shape cultural landscape and continue to push the boundaries. “ A few years ago I was a little boy with dreams watching the GQ awards on Selimathunzi. This past Saturday I was honoured with the prestigious GQ business Leader of the year award,” said Baloyi.…

The local government elections are behind us. During that period, there were many public debates about the performance of municipalities and the people that have been elected and appointed to lead them. Often, reference was made to the audit reports issued by the office of the auditor- general. Of importance is that political leaders, the media and citizens have taken our audit reports seriously and have integrated them into their analysis of the performance of municipalities as public institutions that exist to serve citizens. While the election debates that included perspectives on the audit outcomes were welcome, they may have left the citizens none the wiser about the public audit and why it matters in a democracy. In two weeks’ time, we will be releasing the audit results that indicate…

A hold-up in the vote count for Sunday’s Honduran presidential election kept the Central American country in suspense yesterday just as it seemed that Leftist candidate Xiomara Castro, pictured, had secured a victory. She racked up an almost 20 percentage point lead over her nearest rival with more than half the vote tallied. If confirmed as the winner, Castro would be the country’s first woman president, and return the Left to power after a 12-year hiatus that followed the ousting of her husband, former president Manuel Zelaya, in a coup in 2009.…

Pakistan has offered to host a summit of foreign ministers from the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation this month to address the looming humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said. This as the World Bank was meeting yesterday to finalise a proposal to deliver up to $500 million (about R8 billion) from a frozen Afghanistan aid fund to humanitarian agencies, but it leaves out tens of thousands of public sector workers and remains complicated by US sanctions. The UN has repeatedly warned that Afghanistan is on the brink of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, and Qureshi said the OIC “must step in to help our Afghan brethren”. “We should step up our collective efforts to alleviate the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people,” he said. The Pakistan offer…