Innehållsförteckning för 2023-07-18 från Cape Argus

South Africa’s music industry is brimming with talent. From diverse genres like amapiano, gqom, hip-hop, and afro-pop, among others, the South African music scene offers a wide range of sounds and styles to suit every taste. These artists are making waves with their fresh sounds and compelling lyrics, representing the best of what the country has to offer musically. Here are a few new home-grown offerings that you should add to your playlist now. Sho Madjozi & Tashinga – Balotelli, featuring Robot Boii, Sneakho, Matthew Otis and CTTBeats Balotelli is a fantastic collaboration that brilliantly showcases the exceptional talents of the artists on the track. This powerful and energetic anthem is proof of the power of musical synergy, bringing together a diverse group of musicians who create a cohesive and…

ANC provincial secretary Neville Delport has accused DA provincial leader and Infrastructure MEC Tertuis Simmers of the “unethical use of state resources” during the by-election campaign for ward 20, Borchards, in George. The DA has rejected the allegations and said the ANC was running scared. The party said in a statement: “We ran a robust and thorough campaign in the months leading up to this week. Our vigour has left opposition parties anxious and scrambling to find fault.” Delport alleged that on Saturday, Simmers drove a vehicle belonging to the George Municipality’s traffic service during a DA campaign motorcade ahead of tomorrow’s three by-elections in the municipality. Delport, who shared a screen grab from a video allegedly of Simmers driving the vehicle, said: “These are resources meant to be used…

I share Len Bennett’s sentiment (“The Nakba was a failed attempt to destroy Israel” (Cape Argus, July 12) that one day my fellow Africans will hopefully start seeing through the radical propaganda from some quarters of Palestinian society about Israel (and the conflict that has raged in and around that country for more than 70 years), and instead will start to see and pursue the potential for, and benefits of, more and closer African-Israeli partnerships and synergies. There is certainly a lot to be gained by Africa through learning about and adopting the agri-business innovations that have seen Israel become a global food tech hub over the last decade and longer, and Israel’s practices and successes as the pre-eminent “start-up nation” have great relevance for realising ambitions on our continent…

The UN Human Rights Council’s adoption of a resolution condemning the burning of the Qur’an in Stockholm refers. The UN resolution urging countries to “address, prevent and prosecute acts and advocacy of religious hatred” is a step in the right direction to stop all forms of religious prejudice including the desecration of the holy Qur’an and insulting revered personalities. It is sad to note that many European countries, including the US, had opposed the motion, arguing it conflicted with laws on free speech. Western countries parade themselves as nations that are bastions of democracy, human rights and economic advancement. Why is the US government uncompromisingly hunting Julian Assange for having published disclosed documents that included possible war crimes committed by the US military? Is this not a full-scale assault on…

During the mid to late 1980s, Mitchells Plain was gripped with fear because of the prevalence of the notorious “station strangler”. Already 22 young boys had become victims of the “station strangler”, and SAPS Mitchells Plain Detective Schilder described the perpetrator as a charismatic, single person, possibly a teacher or pastor. I met Norman “Afzal” Simons at the old Hewat Teacher Training College in Crawford. He was charismatic and single, often officiating as emcee at various events, and always well groomed, and proficient in five languages. I strongly considered him for a position at my in-house Radio Plain at the Mitchells Plain Town Centre. Little did I know that he could possibly be the notorious “station strangler” who had Mitchells Plain struck with fear. As part of his parole after…

Global temperatures headed towards alarming highs and extreme weather proliferated as the world’s two biggest polluters, China and the US, sought yesterday to reignite climate talks. With scientists saying the target of keeping global warming within 1.5°C of pre-industrial levels is moving beyond reach, evidence of the crisis was everywhere. A remote town in China’s arid north-west, Sanbao, registered a national record of 52.2°C. Wildfires in Europe raged ahead of a second heat wave in two weeks that was set to send temperatures as high as 48°C. In the US, a quarter of the population fell under extreme heat advisories, partly due to a heat dome that has settled over western states. “In many parts of the world, today is predicted to be the hottest day on record,”…

Khanyisa Chawane believes the Proteas’ fearlessness and togetherness will drive them at the World Cup. The World Cup is set to get underway in Cape Town next Friday when former champions Trinidad and Tobago play the opening match against New Zealand, before hosts South Africa face off against Wales. Wing-defence Chawane has the benefit of having previously reached a World Cup semi-final with the Proteas in 2019. But this being a home World Cup will provide the team with different challenges. “There are so many expectations … but what we need to do is stick together and be fearless stepping on court for us to reach our goal,” shee said. “I tell myself that what I do now counts for what lies ahead! So not focusing on the future, but…

South African award-winning artist Lady Zamar continues to face backlash from social media users for accusing ex Sjava of raping her at the Porche-Villa Hotel and Conference Centre in Thohoyandou in 2017. In November 2020, the charge of rape against Sjava was thrown out by the director of the National Prosecuting Authority. Sjava then released a video which said he was not a rapist. Zamar is still being trolled by social media users who believe she “falsely” accused the Umbayimbayi hitmaker. On Sunday, she seemed to have had enough of the cyberbullying, and took to Twitter to ask tweeps what she must do to move on from this ordeal. She even suggested killing herself or quitting music. “Why do you guys hate me so much? How have I become such…

The mother of the girl who was shot in the head said her daughter was making progress after the bullet was removed from her skull. Briley September, 7, was shot on Thursday morning while standing in the front yard of her Wesbank home. She was playing alone when she was struck by a stray bullet. Her shocked grandmother, Pauline Daniels, found her on the ground with blood oozing from her forehead. She picked up the girl and flagged down a police van which helped transport the child to hospital. “A person came to my house after the shooting and told me that Briley was not the target. I think when she saw people running, she became curious and went to look, but she never got out of the yard; she…

The choir which employed a popular jazz musician, accused of rape and whose rape trial starts in September, says it didn’t know about the court case. A Facebook post was shared by many but it caught the eye of rape survivor and activist June Dolley-Major. The public message by Sameer Behardien said the Ottomans Sporting Club-Malay Choir would like to welcome the 51-year-old who can’t be named as per a court order, as part of its coaching structure. “We hope you enjoy your stay at the club, your vast experience and musical knowledge is a huge benefit to our choir and we are looking forward to working with you.” The former director of a Cape Town music school, was arrested in July 2022 by detectives attached to the Kuils River…

Although concern regarding the non-renewal of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) because of South Africa’s neutral stance towards Russia is of great concern, it cannot be looked at in isolation. The global geopolitical landscape is changing and so is the situation on the Ukrainian battlefront. Twenty countries have reportedly applied to join BRICS, with five new members expected to be inducted during the BRICS summit in August. BRICS is also working on a BRICS currency which will bypass trade in US dollars. Russia and South Africa are members of BRICS, so politically Russia and South Africa are tied, so the expectation that South Africa should align with the US against Russia would be problematic for South Africa. The war in Ukraine is not going well for Ukraine and…

I’m puzzled. I loaded my prepaid meter with 35 units. At 8pm our power went off. When the power came back on I had 33 units. Now I need an explanation as to how can I use or lose 2 units when my electricity was off. CoCT please explain. This is happening repeatedly. Is this normal? The power was off for two hours but my meter sacrificed 2 units. There’s something wrong here. I paid for those two units but don’t get to use them. It amounts to 52 cents. So imagine CoCT grabs 52 cents from 1 million consumers; that’s quite a sizable amount into their coffers. Am I clutching at straws here, or are we being robbed? Somebody, please explain.…

Where is Shamila Batohi? Does anyone know? Is she overwhelmed by the files piling up on her desk, and has she gone to sleep? Or has the crime Mafia that captured the state silenced the head of the NPA? Bheki Cele is more of a public relations officer than a minister of police. All he does is show up at crime scenes wearing his hat and offer his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families. The torching of trucks continues on our national roads. Yet no one has been brought to book for these crimes. Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane got herself into the bad books of the president for daring to probe the Phala Phala scandal, and got the chop. Her successor, Deputy Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka, was more the…

Novak Djokovic was still trying to digest the loss of his Wimbledon crown to Carlos Alcaraz when one reporter asked him whether Sunday’s clash was the start of a great rivalry. The irony was not lost on Djokovic, who, despite still operating at his peak, is 36 and in sight of the end of his record-shredding career. “I would hope so, for my sake,” the Serb said. “He’s going to be on the tour for quite some time. I don’t know how long I’ll be around.” Djokovic’s rivalries with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, not to mention Andy Murray, have captivated the sport for close to two decades, but time is against him forming another one with Alcaraz, so Sunday’s five-set duel should be savoured. He played Federer 50 times,…

Former Personal Finance editor Bruce Cameron and former Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa’s (FPI) Financial Planner of the Year, Wouter Fourie, have released the third edition of their book: The Ultimate Guide to Retirement in South Africa. This book is a valuable resource for people seeking credible and understandable financial information to navigate their retirement journey. When combined with suitable financial planning and advice, this book serves as a trusted companion throughout their financial journey. The book was sponsored by Alexforbes. Dawie de Villiers, CEO of Alexforbes, said the sponsorship of this third edition highlighted Alexforbes’scommitment to increasing access for individuals to trustworthy financial information. The book’s content, developed by renowned authors who are leaders in the field of financial planning, has been continuously refined based on industry changes…

The City has once again been voted the Greatest City on Earth in the 2023 Telegraph Travel Awards, just days after South Africa was named the best travel destination by readers of the UK’s The Telegraph newspaper. Cape Town came before cities such as Dubrovnik, Kyoto, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Florence and Rome. In announcing the winner, Cape Town is described by The Telegraph as “a remarkable city, gleaming at a continent’s edge. Unfailingly beautiful in the hard ridge of Table Mountain, the gentle curve (and luxury resorts) of Camps Bay, the scenic promise of the Cape Peninsula, dangling south. That Cape Town is a gateway to the wineries of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek helps make its case”. Commenting on the announcement, economic growth Mayco member James Vos said the win…

The article “Municipal Valuations under fire” (July 12, 2023) refers. The framing of the story and headline is unfortunate. The City has approximately 900 000 properties on the valuation roll. During the objection process, when the valuation roll was open for objections, some 14 500 objections were received. It is clear to the reasonable reader that the number of objections are small compared with the total number of properties. Importantly, the City has given unprecedented levels of rates relief this year while still ensuring sufficient income for service delivery. Among others, the first R450 000 for residential properties valued at R5 million or less do not attract property rates. The City also has extensive rates and services relief options available to residents who are struggling and unable to pay. Legislation…

Today, we celebrate Mandela Day. The official theme for this year’s event is “Climate, Food and Solidarity”. Nelson Mandela would have turned 105 on July 18, 2023, and the Nelson Mandela Foundation says it is more important than ever that we address climate change, persisting and rising levels of poverty, and inequality. I have decided to honour this theme by addressing the rising levels of poverty and inequality and the impact that this has on the crisis we currently face in the City of Cape Town: homelessness. We are witnessing a drastic increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness, and although the reasons for people becoming homeless may vary, they all point to one thing – that as a society and as a City, we are constantly becoming more…

CITIZENS around the world will come together today to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, rolling up their sleeves and giving back to those in need. July 18 marks the former statesman and Noble Peace Prize winner’s birthday. South Africans are called to reflect on Mandela’s values and principles, and to make a positive impact in their own communities. The call to action celebrates the idea that everyone has the power to transform the world and the ability to make a difference. Yes, our country faces many challenges. It is easier to shrug and bemoan the inertia to change than reform a corrupt government. State capture has blown a hole through the government's coffers and put a spotlight on kleptocracy. High crime continues unabated, with women and children…

The first 32-team Women’s World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand on Thursday with the USA favourites to claim an unprecedented third consecutive title in a landmark month for women’s football. It has been a rapid expansion for a tournament that started in 1991 and featured only 16 teams as recently as 2011, then 24 in France four years ago when the US retained the trophy. That reflects a dramatic rise in interest in women’s football over the last decade beyond its traditional heartland of the US and a swarm of European sides will be aiming to snatch their title. Australia, led by prolific Chelsea forward Sam Kerr, will hope to make the most of home advantage and go all the way to the final in Sydney on…