Innehållsförteckning för 2023-10-12 från Cape Argus

When there’s a documentary out on a famous sports personality, chances are, I’m going to make some popcorn, get comfy on the couch and watch it until the end, uninterrupted! This past weekend, Netflix’s new release, Beckham, had me glued to the TV. Before I knew it, about five hours had passed watching the four episode docu-series, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I grew up in the era where anything and everything centred on football star David Beckham. Just like the doccie reveals, all the boys wanted to look like and be like him, while all the girls crushed hard on the posters of him on their bedroom walls. I was also a Spice Girls fan, so when David and Victoria (née Adams), aka Posh Spice, got together, it was somewhat…

Four out of every five households in South Africa now have access to piped water, while seven out of every 10 households in the country have flushing toilets. This was revealed by Statistics South Africa on Tuesday, from the 2022 Census report. The Census showed that almost six out of every 10 households had piped water inside their dwelling, while another two out of every 10 people had piped water within the yard. The data showed improvements in water access, with only 8.7% of households having no access to piped water, while a further 8.9% had access to piped water at a community stand or outside the yard. The data showed that the Western Cape had the most access to piped water within the home, with 85.5%, followed by Gauteng…

Frustrated parents of learners who attend Trevor Manuel Primary School in Fisantekraal are threatening to shut the gates to the school if their demands are not met. The group of about 15 parents and residents yesterday gathered outside the main gates of the local primary school to protest the removal of representatives of the School Operative Partner (SOP) initiative at the school. According to the group, since the SOP programme was initiated at the school eight years ago there has been no improvement in the running of the school nor the quality of education. Trevor Manuel former School Governing Body (SGB) chairperson Zingisa Mpambani, who served on the school board before resigning in 2021, reportedly because of the maladministration by the group of 11 members, said parents nor the SGB…

RECENT reports on the theft of food meant to feed learners at a Mpumalanga school – by teachers, a member of the school governing body and other school employees – reveal the extent of a crisis in the government’s school feeding scheme. A news clip showing two light vehicles laden with tinned fish and other assortment goods clearly revealed how much food was being swindled out of the mouths of the hungry school learners. Whether that much food was going to be used at those individuals’ homes alone, or was going to be sold, remains a mystery. But one thing is for sure: that much food stolen from one school meant many mouths – of the little ones who depend on the nutritious meals they are supposed to get from…

Kaizer Chiefs coach Molefi Ntseki has backed Bafana Bafana mentor Hugo Broos’s decision to call up midfielder Mduduzi Mdantsane to his latest 23-player squad. The South African team is set to play two international friendlies against Eswatini and the Ivory Coast in the forthcoming days, and Broos has had to make a few last-minute changes to his squad. On top of losing Mamelodi Sundowns duo Khuliso Mudau and Thapelo Maseko to injury, Bafana will also have to make do without the exploits of Al Ahly’s Percy Tau, who withdrew from the team citing personal reasons. Broos, who has also lost Orlando Pirates’ Monnapule Saleng to injury (with Cape Town City’s Khanyisa Mayo called up in his place), has surprisingly chosen to replace Tau with the Chiefs ace. The inclusion of…

Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney was hired as the new manager of Championship club Birmingham yesterday. Rooney has agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract to replace John Eustace at St Andrew’s after leaving Major League Soccer side DC United last week. Eustace, in charge for just 15 months, was sacked despite guiding Birmingham to sixth place in the Championship this season and Rooney will be expected to oversee a push for promotion to the Premier League. “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Birmingham City at such an exciting time. It is very clear that they have a plan and are committed to realising their ambition for the club,” Rooney said. “We are fully aligned on what is expected. I have been building my managerial career, putting myself in challenging environments,…

Captain Rohit Sharma surpassed compatriot Sachin Tendulkar with a record seventh World Cup century to lead India to a crushing eight-wicket win over Afghanistan yesterday. Chasing 273 for victory in New Delhi, the hosts rode on Rohit’s 131 to achieve their target in 35 overs for a second straight win in the 50-over showpiece event. He brought the nearly packed house to its feet with his century off 63 balls to go past Tendulkar’s record of six tons in World Cups. “Special to get a World Cup hundred. Very happy about that. Don’t want to think about records too much, because I know there’s a long way to go,” Rohit said after being named player of the match. “I know it’s my responsibility to give the team a good start…

South African “popiano” star Tyla’s career has hit a defining moment but it seems like her fellow brothers and sisters have chosen to throw shade rather than support her. The artist’s recent hit, Water, has gone viral, moving up 45 places to number 48 on the Spotify Weekly Top Global Chart after the release of the music video. The video also clocked three million views in three days, making it the fastest South African music video to reach that mark. The song’s international success over the past month has also seen Tyla, pictured, become the first South African artist to clock 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify. And the dance challenge has been gaining so much traction on TikTok. Social media users should be excited about Tyla’s newfound global…

Two security guards were gunned down while escorting a courier service vehicle in Langa. The two men, from Roosendal in Delft, were driving in a Toyota Starlet yesterday morning. Both front windows were shot out and the scene was littered with 20 spent cartridge cases. A source said: “The pair were apparently escorting a courier guy when this happened; they were unarmed and were not wearing vests. “They worked for a security company in PE (Gqeberha). We’re struggling to find out what company they worked for but we know that they were escorting couriers.” Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said they were investigating a double murder. “Circumstances surrounding a shooting incident yesterday morning at about 7.54am in Libalele Drive, Langa, where two males aged 25 and 31 were shot and…

As THE saga continues in the Thabo Bester prison escape matter, the State shocked the gallery in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court yesterday when it withdrew all charges against three of the accused. Initially, 12 suspects were on the charge sheet, including Bester, his girlfriend, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, former G4S prison warder Senohe Matsoara, Zanda Moyo, Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni, former Integritron Integrated Solutions camera technician Teboho Lipholo, suspended G4S employee Tieho Frans Makhotsa, former G4S guard Buti Masukela, suspended G4S employee Natassja Jansen, and G4S employees Joel Makhetha, Moeketsi Ramolula and Thabang Mier. However, State prosecutor Amanda Bester told the court that charges were being withdrawn against Jansen, Ramolula and Mier. The trio, currently out on bail, were allowed to leave the dock immediately; the relief on their faces was visible.…

StatISTICS SA has confirmed that during the February 2022 Census, every individual in South Africa, including foreign nationals, was accounted for. The recent report indicates a modest rise in the population of individuals born outside of South Africa. The data reveals that the majority of these foreign nationals are young male adults, aged between 20 and 44. A significant portion of them come from five countries: Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Malawi, and the UK. Notably, these countries have retained their rankings since the 2011 Census. Zimbabwe: 1.012 million (45%) Mozambique: 416 564 (18.7%) Lesotho: 227 770 (10.2%) Malawi: 198 807 (8.9%) UK: 61 282 (2.8%) Addressing the complexities of documented versus undocumented immigrants, Calvin Molongoana, the Census project director at Stats SA, emphasised that every individual present in South Africa…

The South African Post Office (Sapo) has fired more than 500 employees involved in fraud, corruption and theft in the past three years. Sapo CEO Nomkhitha Mona told members of the National Assembly’s portfolio committee on communications that Sapo had to fire them because their actions affected the post office. She said SAPS had arrested and charged some employees. Yesterday, Sapo and Postbank were tabling their audited financial statements to the committee. Mona said Sapo last posted a profit in 2006, and had since been struggling The post office is one of the enterprises that relied on bailouts from National Treasury. National Treasury has pumped in hundreds of billions of rand in to bailouts on struggling state-owned enterprises in the past decade. Mona said Sapo had been working closely with…

Humans and four-legged friends are invited to strut their stuff at the sixth Paws on the Promenade – a dog walk fund-raiser by the Mdzananda Animal Clinic, Khayelitsha, in partnership with Vondi’s Holistic Pet Nutrition. After a two-year break due to Covid-19, the event is back by “pawpular” demand. The dog walk will take place on Sunday, October 29 at 9am. Starting at the Mouille Point lighthouse, the 5km route will extend to the Sea Point swimming pool and back. Shorter turnaround points for old, tired and injured pets (or humans) will also be available. “Our 2020 Paws on the Promenade was a great success with an attendance of 352 dogs. On a budget of just R3 500 we raised R48 400. We hope to raise even more…

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has announced new members of the Transnet National Ports Authority Board. The appointment of the board followed the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2021 that it would become an independent subsidiary with its own board. He said at the time that this was to make state entities efficient and profitable. Ramaphosa said the ports’ authority could generate money and refurbish its infrastructure. On Tuesday, Gordhan announced: “Our objective as government is very clear. We want our ports to be world-class so we can sustain our economic development and create opportunities for further investment to make our economy more competitive, resilient, and dynamic.” The members are businesswoman Zodwa Mlangeni; former Transnet senior manager and infrastructure expert Sue Lund; former senior executive at Transnet Port Terminals,…

The Ekana International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow has undergone a facelift – or should that rather be a tummy tuck, with the surface being relaid for its first ever World Cup match today (10.30am start). But like with any cosmetic surgery that has taken place, the final outcome is somewhat of a mystery, which has caused a genuine sense of uncertainty in both the Proteas and Australian camps. The sample size before the pitch was dug up after the IPL this year was not substantial either. Only four one-day internationals had previously been played here, with three in 2019 and one in October last year. Seldom has there been so much uncertainty about the 22 yards of parched earth out in the middle ahead of a major World Cup clash.…

Rafa Nadal will return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open in January, tournament director Craig Tiley announced yesterday, though the 22-time major champion’s representative later said no timeline has been set for his comeback. The 37-year-old former World No 1 has been sidelined since hurting his hip flexor in a second-round loss to Mackenzie McDonald at the Melbourne Park major earlier this year. The Spaniard was initially expected to miss eight weeks but underwent surgery on a hip muscle in June. Tiley told Nine Network’s ‘The Today Show’ that Nadal had confirmed his participation in the Grand Slam. “We can reveal exclusively here that Rafa will be back,” Tiley said. “He’s been off for most of the year and in talking to him over the last few days,…

Grigor Dimitrov fought back to beat top seed Carlos Alcaraz in three sets and reach the quarter-finals yesterday in the latest upset at the Shanghai Masters. The 18th seed won 5-7 6-2 6-4 against an out-of-sorts Alcaraz as the Bulgarian steps up his pursuit of a first ATP title since 2017. He will next face the 22nd-seeded Nicolas Jarry, after the Chilean defeated wild card Diego Schwartzman 6-3 5-7 6-3. The first Shanghai Masters since the Covid-19 pandemic has opened up for Dimitrov after the early exits of Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Holger Rune. World No 1 Novak Djokovic is not in China. “I’m still here, I’m not going anywhere,” the 32-year-old Dimitrov said afterwards. Spain’s Alcaraz, the World No 2, was chasing a seventh tour-level title of the…

The blood-letting on the Cape Flats continues, with two more murders in Crossroads. Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said circumstances surrounding a shooting at Chris Hani Crescent in Unathi, Crossroads are under investigation. Nyanga police responded to the incident involving two men, aged 29 and 31, at about 2.15pm on Tuesday. On arrival they discovered one body with multiple gunshot wounds lying in the street, covered with a blanket. When conducting further investigation, officers discovered another body inside a yard, also with gunshot wounds to the upper body. Both victims were declared deceased at the scene by medical personnel. Nyanga community police forum (CPF) chairperson Dumisani Qwebe said the two were suspected to be part of a gang of five but the other three managed to escape. “Not only was…

A manhunt is under way as six awaiting-trial prisoners escaped from Athlone Magistrate’s Court yesterday, one of whom was recaptured. Police said the escaped men overpowered an official and disarmed him before fleeing from the holding cells. When the Cape Argus arrived outside the court, a small army of the Anti-Gang Unit, Tactical Response Team and provincial detectives stood around as they discussed the escape. Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said: “The Anti-Gang Unit is spearheading a search for six awaiting trial prisoners who escaped from the Athlone Magistrate’s Court holding cells yesterday afternoon at about 1.45pm as they were about to be transported to a correctional holding facility following their respective court appearances earlier yesterday. “Preliminary investigation suggests that the detainees overpowered one of the police officials and disarmed him.…

Municipalities have been urged to adhere to the provisions of the Municipal Systems Amendment Act when recruiting personnel. Chairperson of co-operative governance and traditional affairs portfolio, Fikile Xasa, said the Act provides that a municipal employee dismissed for financial misconduct may not be re-employed in any municipality for 10 years. Xasa said the committee has noted media reports about law enforcement agencies making arrests of municipal officials suspected of fraud and corruption. “The Hawks recently arrested three municipal officials in Sekhukhune District Municipality in Limpopo and are looking for more suspects who siphoned R5.4 million from the municipality. “The committee is aware of reports of Amathole District Municipality that has appointed an employee who is facing criminal charges. “There are a number of cases in the North West province, too,…

THE SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids) has challenged the decision by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) over South Africa’s non-compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code 2021, which could prevent the country from proudly flying its national flag or playing the national anthem at major sporting events and ceremonies. Wada had taken a decision to endorse the recommendation by its independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) and alleged that the National Anti-Doping Organisation (Nado) of South Africa was not compliant with the code. According to the Wada website, every effort is made to support the achievement of compliance, and declaring a signatory non-compliant is a measure of last resort. “By definition, an allegation of non-compliance means that the situation has been robustly and thoroughly reviewed and that the recommendation from the…

The Department of Employment and Labour calls on Mitchells Plain residents to attend an engagement session and service delivery campaign. Minister Thulas Nxesi is expected to engage with the residents. The session will take place on Friday from 8.30am until 4pm at the Portlands Indoor Centre, corner of Merrydale and Hazeldene streets. Topics include the amended EEA, workplace equity and affirmative action. The session forms part of a roadshow The department will render services on the day, including registration of unemployed work seekers under the Public Employment Services; Unemployment Insurance Fund claims and enquiries/complaints; Compensation Fund claims and enquiries/complaints; and Labour complaints related to the national minimum wage and other basic conditions of employment. | Shakirah Thebus…

For thousands of years, medicines have been developed from natural sources, mostly plants. In recent decades, though, drug hunters have been looking at the immense diversity of marine organisms as potential sources of new medicines. Marine sponges have garnered particular attention. They are considered champion producers of molecules (known as “natural products”). They produce these because they use toxic compounds to deter predators, communicate with their neighbours or prevent algae and bacteria from growing on them. Marine sponges are a remarkably diverse group of animals, with more than 9 000 species. They come in a wide array of shapes, sizes and colours. They look like a sedentary blob of porous tissue on the sea floor, which gives them their name. As some of the most primitive animals on the planet,…

France will need to increase their intensity to match the physical challenge posed by South Africa in Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final, No 8 Gregory Alldritt said yesterday. The hosts expect a bruising examination in the clash at the Stade de France but have a good idea of what awaits them after beating the touring Springboks 30-26 in a tough encounter in Marseille in November last year. “We know how they’re going to play. Their DNA, their rugby, is based on physicality. It’s up to us to put in more intensity than usual for 80 minutes,” Alldritt told a media conference. “As we saw in Marseille last year, they’re a team that stays in the game for 80 minutes. We’ve been warned.” One of the key battles in the game…

History tells us that ICC World Cup contests between the Proteas and Australia are usually decided by the smallest of margins. There are often mini individual battles that have a major bearing on the outcome. We look at five head-to-battles that could potentially swing the game in their team’s favour in Lucknow today (10.30am SA time start)... Quinton de Kock v Josh Hazlewood Hazlewood is easily the most improved white-ball bowler in the world the last couple of years, culminating in his World No 1 ranking. He hasn’t deviated too much from his hard Test-match lengths but has added a bit more variety to his arsenal. With De Kock not playing first-class cricket any longer, Hazlewood’s probing lines outside the off-stump will be a real examination for the Proteas opener.…