Innehållsförteckning för 2023-10-17 från Cape Argus

Pro tip: If you’re going to see Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, make sure you see it with a packed house of grade-school-aged girls primed to shriek, rush the screen, take selfies and make heart hands through this delirious, dizzying celebration of Swift-mania. Sure, that’s probably redundant. (Is there any other way to see The Eras Tour than with a crowd of screaming girls?) And yes, oldsters will need a couple of Ibuprofen when it’s all over. But to fully appreciate The Eras Tour, a simultaneously intimate and spectacular documentary of Swift’s record-breaking, earth-quaking, career-spanning victory lap of the past year, it’s best simply to surrender to the whole thing: the sparkly cowboy hats, the boots, the friendship bracelets and the screaming (there will be a lot of screaming). Swift…

Offended by PA’s support for Israel Anti-apartheid activist-theologian Dr Allan Boesak withdrew his support for a proposal made by the Patriotic Alliance to rename Louis Botha Avenue in Johannesburg after him following PA leader Gayton McKenzie’s support for Israel. He said the party explained that it felt too many South Africans had contributed to the Struggle but were not given the recognition they deserved. Boesak was approached about a month ago by the PA’s deputy president, Kenny Kunene, about their intention to propose a street name change from Louis Botha Avenue to Dr Allan Boesak Avenue. He said the party explained that it felt there were too many South Africans who had made a contribution to the Struggle but were not given the recognition that they deserved. “I was to…

The three prisoners who escaped from Athlone Magistrate’s Court and were recaptured have made their first appearance in the same court again. Jody Adams, Elroy Geduld and Khumzi Ningo were charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances, three counts of attempted murder, escaping from custody, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition. On October 11, five detainees escaped from the court by jumping over the wall. Three were arrested, but Vuyani Bonkolo and Khaya Supulana are still at large. The accused allegedly armed themselves with a broken glass bottle in the holding cells. According to the State, the prisoners devised a plan in the garage as they were going to the police van. “When the police were busy loading them in the vans they attacked a police official and robbed…

A LITTLE more than 20 days after heavy floods washed it away, the McGregor Bridge access road has been rebuilt and is expected to reopen today. Critical infrastructure at the approach to the McGregor Bridge was destroyed on September 25, when heavy downpours hit the Western Cape. The destroyed infrastructure leading up to the bridge cut off the main access road to the nearest town of Robertson. Premier Alan Winde and Infrastructure MEC Tertuis Simmers visited the McGregor Bridge access road construction site yesterday. This was ahead of the placing the final layer on the bridge approach, 21 days after it was washed away. The road will be fully accessible to traffic at the close of business today. “It is truly inspiring to note the gallant efforts of every individual…

SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila said on Sunday that he had no wish to serve in the government until it was a socialist government. “I said when I accepted the position that I am not going to the government. Please, do not nominate me. You will waste the name of a communist cadre who could contribute differently,” he said. “We will when there is a socialist government,” Mapaila said. He was speaking at the launch of Western Cape Red October Month in Khayelitsha on Sunday. “We work hard to make sure to use positions as a platform to transform the lives of the people,” he said. Mapaila took a swipe at the Moonshot Pact championed by the DA for a coalition after the 2024 elections. He described the Moonshot Pact…

FIREFIGHTING crews were called in once again to respond to a fire aboard a bulk cargo vessel at the Cape Town harbour. Plumes of smoke emanated from the Batavia Express on Sunday, reportedly visible since Saturday. City Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said the service, SMIT Salvage and a fire crew from the Netherlands assisted the company in removing eucalyptus paper bales from the cargo hull. “The damaged products were first extinguished at quay side and then transported to Vissershok landfill site. The salvaged cargo was first inspected and then transported to Paarden Island to a facility for temporary storage,” Carelse said. He said the operation was initiated on Saturday and is expected to be completed on Friday. “At this stage, the incident is under control and assistance…

England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth said yesterday his team will be in with a chance when they play holders and favourites the Springboks in the World Cup semi-finals on Saturday. England are underdogs after failing to impress in their quarter-final win over Fiji and during their group campaign. The Boks have looked even better than they did when they lifted the Webb Ellis Cup four years ago and edged hosts France in the last-eight in a thrilling encounter on Sunday. The winner on Saturday will face either New Zealand or Argentina in next Saturday’s decider. “Why does everyone turn up to watch sport because you don’t know the result beforehand,” Wigglesworth told reporters. “It would be boring if you knew the result. “We’re not here for a holiday, or just…

Soweto-born amapiano star Samukelo Mavuso, aka “Sam Deep”, has risen from underground hero to a mainstream success story, all while staying true to his unique sound. Recently, he announced the release of his second studio album, iMali Ye Ntwana, a musical masterpiece set to redefine the amapiano experience. The multi-platinum-selling DJ and producer, 22, has firmly established himself as a trailblazer in the amapiano landscape, with a string of chart-topping hits and a devoted fan base. iMali Ye Ntwana, a 15-track album, boasts a star-studded line-up of collaborations featuring some of the most influential voices in the amapiano genre, including Daliwonga, De Mthuda, Njelic, Aymos, Sino Msolo, MaWhoo,and Da Muziqal Chef. These artists bring their styles and energies to create tracks bound to resonate with listeners on a profound level.…

The Health Department said it remained open to engage with any affected stakeholders regarding its uniform regulations for staff. Health Minister Joe Phaahla was asked by NFP MP Munzoor Shaik Emam whether he intended to intervene in the saga involving Muslim women being restricted from wearing their headscarves while on duty in health-care facilities. Phaahla said while it was customary for women of the Muslim faith to have their heads covered, not all Muslim women covered their heads. He also said the nursing profession had members of the Muslim faith who currently did not wear headwear. “It is the employer’s responsibility to provide the uniform or give a cash allowance to its employees if the wearing of a uniform is a condition for their work. “This is also aligned to…

Three people, possibly linked to extortion or retaliation, have been shot dead in Nyanga. Detectives are trying to identify the three men whose bodies were found in Ntlangano Crescent, Nyanga, at around 4pm yesterday. Police found one of the victims inside a white Toyota Avanza, the other next to the vehicle and one in a tailoring business operating from a container in the same street. Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Reagen Allen said the level of killings, including this triple murder, require an immediate shift in how policing is conducted. Between the gang and extortion killings, police have to get their ducks in a row and utilise their intelligence more effectively to prevent these continuing murders from happening. “I have written to SAPS provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile…

Seven Nigerian men, believed to be members of a drug syndicate, have been arrested for allegedly plotting to kill police officers in the Northern Cape. The Nigerians reportedly conspired to kill certain police officers in Upington for disrupting their alleged drug trafficking network. Sergeant Omphile Masegela said they were arrested on Sunday by the Upington Border Police assisted by the Northern Cape Tactical Response Team (TRT). “It is alleged that the suspects conspired to kill certain police officials in Upington as they were posing a threat to their drug trafficking business. “The men are allegedly known for drug trafficking in Upington and surrounds. It also came to light that they do not have legal documentation in con- travention of the Immigration Act.” Meanwhile, Northern Cape police said 172 people were…

Cape Town residents and visitors are advised to use alternative routes as Kloof Road between Kloof Nek Road and Round House Road will remain closed for repairs for between 12 and 18 months. The City of Cape Town’s urban mobility directorate confirmed the closure in a statement, saying this section of the road was deemed unsafe for use due to recent extreme storm damage. The level-nine storm event over the Heritage Day long weekend caused major landslides across Cape Town and the recent heavy rains worsened the issue. This caused an uncontrolled surface water runoff, resulting in the instability of the embankment. This instability caused slip failure of the slope along Kloof Road. This basically means the road surface and underlying layers are unstable and the road is not…

FORMER president Thabo Mbeki, in his inimitable, laid-back style, stares into the TV camera, stating, without any embarrassment, that the ANC has not let down South Africa. He has clearly forgotten that the rot set in during his insipid tenure as president, allowing his inner circle and appointed cadres to run amok, within the hallowed halls of the Union Buildings, Luthuli House and all governmental structures, opening up the portal of self-enrichment among the ANC gluttons that were waiting to be unleashed on unsuspecting South Africans, as most of us were anxiously waiting for Mandela’s new dawn of honesty and prosperity. The ANC has eroded Mandela’s dream, and turned it into a toxic hallucination. No, Mr Mbeki, I can understand you stepping forward to save this “has-been” political party, but…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has ample belief that his players will rise to the occasion when they face 2023 Africa Cup of Nations hosts Ivory Coast in an international friendly today. The South Africa played to a lacklustre 0-0 draw with Eswatini at home on Friday as they failed to string together passes or create scoring opportunities. It was a such dull performance that Broos was seething with disappointment in his post-match press conference, saying it was the team’s worst performance since he took over in 2021. Bafana will get a chance to redeem themselves when they face Ivory Coast away in their last preparations for 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda next month. And while that won’t be easy after the Elephants drew 1-1 with Morocco,…

“HOW can a hungry nation commemorate World Food Day?” This was the resounding clarion call directed at the government and the private sector during a protest held outside Parliament in Cape Town yesterday. About 35 people gathered for the protest by the People’s Health Movement (PHM) South Africa, whose placards caught the attention of those passing by, including motorists. Those who joined the protests were from the Gugulethu Health Forum, Manenberg Health Forum, community and health activists, and neighbourhood watch members. World Food Day is commemorated annually on October 16, marking the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN in 1945. The day is used to shed light on global food security issues. The PHM gathered to raise awareness over the increased food insecurity in the country,…

Impeached public protector and advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane has joined the EFF. She said she joined the party because she believed in its seven cardinal pillars and wished to continue to protect South Africans. Yesterday, Mkhwebane was joined by other EFF members to make the announcement. She said the EFF was her first political home and she was never part of the ANC. “I joined the EFF because I could relate to their seven cardinal pillars. Our people are landless, and the EFF is saying they would expropriate land without compensation. I believe the state should be creating and enabling an environment for the poor and marginalised, especially on issues of the economy,” she said. Mkhwebane said she believed the state should own economic structures and education should be free. “I…

“We must act with purpose to harness the potential of the green hydrogen economy.” This was President Cyril Ramaphosa’s driving point when he delivered the keynote address yesterday at the South Africa Green Hydrogen Summit (SAGHS). The event, which concludes today at Century City, aims to highlight South Africa’s potential as a world-class green hydrogen production hub and total value chain investment destination. Green hydrogen and its associated large-scale renewable energy production has the potential to support the expansion of the electricity transmission infrastructure to add additional renewable energy generation capacity and to support the local development of renewable energy. During his speech, Ramaphosa highlighted how the South Africa Investment Strategy, which was approved by Cabinet earlier this year, lists green hydrogen as one of the big frontier strategic sectors…

While Interest Rate, BRICS, and Geopolitics were in competition for the 2023 South African Word of the Year, ultimately it was the word/term “Russia-Ukraine” that was selected as the winner. The decision was announced yesterday in celebration of International Dictionary Day. Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) announced the 2023 South African Word of the Year after a thorough consideration of various words, terms and expressions. A selection process was conducted by PanSALB, which shortlisted candidates based on real language usage, while Focal Point analysed frequency statistics from October 2022 to September, tracking keywords that were prominently used in credible print, broadcast and online media. “Russia-Ukraine” emerged as the most dominant keyword in the media, accounting for 44% of the total clip count and mentions, followed by “BRICS” at 27%.…

Statistics for two-way passengers travelling through the Western Cape reached more than 1.7 million between January and August, exceeding the pre-Covid-19 pandemic. In its monthly tourism report, the Western Cape government’s trade, investment and tourism promotion agency (Wesgro) said air traffic in and out of the province had grown by 64% compared with January and August last year. Commenting on the impressive reports, Western Cape Finance and Economic Opportunities MEC Mireille Wenger said that although the province’s tourism and hospitality sector had experienced difficult times over the past few years, it kept bouncing back. “The August 2023 monthly tourism report gives us yet more reason to celebrate with impressive increases in tourists to the province between January and August this year, compared to last year.” The report by the tourism…

VARIOUS scholars have studied and written extensively about the role of the built environment sector in promoting or hindering mental health. They have noted that people are more likely to perform better if the environment they live in is mentally stimulating and has a sense of character, such as parks, museums, entertainment facilities, etc. Well-maintained, safe and walkable places create a sense of connection. Our homes, the settings in which we grew up, and others, create a sense of belonging, whereas crowded and unsafe places have negative impacts on people and their psychological states, such as stress, anxiety, depression, and violent behaviour. The conditions of modern life place great demands on – and often exhaust – our ability to pay attention. So how do we expect the professionals in built…

Showing respect to the referees even if a decision is wrong has been a big focus point for the Springboks in getting back in the good books of World Rugby and match officials. And not disputing contentious calls on the field, or trying to influence referees by constantly being in their ear, seems to be paying off in a good way for the Boks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup. South Africa qualified for the semi-finals against England on Saturday (kick-off 9pm), after winning a pulsating quarter-final clash against host nation France 29-28 with some mammoth defending in the dying moments on Sunday in Paris. Their discipline during that time, when France attacked and a penalty could've given them a sniff at three points, held firm as a stripped ball…

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa returned figures of 4/47, while Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis hit 50s to help Australia down Sri Lanka by five wickets for their first win at the 50-over World Cup yesterday. Five-time winners Australia bundled out Sri Lanka for 209, a total they overhauled in 35.2 overs at a windswept Ekana Stadium. The drama on the field may have been limited, but that was not the case in the stands. After rain interrupted Sri Lanka’s batting, strong winds brought scaffolding and hoardings crashing down onto the seats below. With only around 3 000 people inside the 50 000-capacity ground, spectators managed to escape injury. However, Australia’s reply was delayed when the umpires felt it unsafe to restart the match with high winds still a danger. Once the…