Innehållsförteckning för 2023-11-09 från Cape Argus

Elvis Presley might have died almost five decades ago but, to this day, he is renowned as the “King of Rock ’n’ Roll”. It has been 46 years since he died and yet Elvis remains the role model to modern day musicians and is still regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. But while much is known about the singer who revolutionised the music industry, Priscilla, Sofia Coppola’s biopic now in cinemas worldwide, has placed a new figure in the spotlight. The highly-rated movie centres on the “King’s queen”, Priscilla Presley, who met Elvis at just 14 years old at one of his parties and went on to become his bride at 21. The film is based on the 1985 memoir Elvis and Me…

Calls for an independent assessor to step in THERE are unanimous calls for an independent assessor (IA) to be called in to evaluate the validity and partiality of UCT’s independent panel investigation report into governance issues at the university. The parliamentary portfolio committee for higher education, science and innovation was briefed by UCT on the findings and recommendations of the report, actions taken by the university to implement the recommendations in the report, and an update on filling the vice-chancellor’s post, at UCT’s Bremner Building yesterday. UCT’s Council took a decision to establish an independent panel in October 2022, led by Judge Lex Mpati, Judge Azhar Cachalia, Dr Bernadette Johnson and Dr Patricia Hanekom, and whose work commenced in January 2023 covering the period 2018-2022. The panel was to investigate…

THE former girlfriend of the notorious “Boland Killer” claims one of his alleged victims threatened to report him to police as he owed her money. The 29-year-old woman, who may not be named, is the only survivor of Johan Williams, who is accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering three women over a six-year period. Williams made headlines in July 2018 when he was apprehended for the murder of missing Kuils River mom Chantell Mathyssen. The 21-year-old mother’s body was found on Aubon Rue Farm just weeks after she was allegedly lured to Wellington by Williams who had promised her a job. Williams, who was arrested in 2018, faces 20 charges which include rape, kidnapping and murder. Addressing the court yesterday, the mother of four testified about text messages between Maria…

“The buildings have been identified but there hasn’t been adequate movement of really turning more unused state buildings into shelters in the country.” This is according to Dr Dennis Matotoka, acting CEO of the Commission on Gender Equality (CGE), who was briefing the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure on the state of shelters. Portfolio Committee chairperson Nolitha Ntobongwana said: “For several years, especially the 2018/19 financial years, the commission received several complaints about gender-based violence (GBV), with victims often left without places of protection or shelter. “In giving effect to this mandate, the CGE investigated the state of shelters in South Africa. “We have then invited the commission to hear from it how is the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) complying with the investigation, and recommendations…

The Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sports, Arts and Culture received a briefing on the very controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Bill yesterday. The bill intends to help guide with, among others, language preference for schools, conduct of educators, abolishment of corporal punishment in schools, merging of schools and sale of alcohol at schools. The Bela bill was published for public comment on October 13, 2017, where more than 5 000 written submissions were received from stakeholders and the general public. On September 26 the bill was amended and adopted by the committee and finally adopted by the National Assembly and approved for tabling in the National Council of Provinces a month later. The ANC in the Western Cape has welcomed the adoption of the bill. The…

Judgment was reserved yesterday in the Western Cape High Court over the building of Houmoed Avenue Extension 1 adjacent to a wetland in Noordhoek. Residents in the area are opposed to the project, saying the road will lead to the local extinction of Western Leopard Toads (WLT), which are endangered. Advocate Murray Bridgman, representing the Noordhoek Environmental Action Group (NEAG), the organisation that is opposed to the project, said the applicant appealed the granting of environmental authorisation (EA) to the City of Cape Town and was refused by the Western Cape Government, and that they seek to review and set aside both the appeal decision and the granting of the EA. He said that although the case had a fairly long history and had generated controversy and a complicated record,…

The Stormers will be looking to return to their rugby DNA and play a more attacking game in Italy in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash against Benetton in Treviso. Kick-off is at 5pm, SA time. In an uncharacteristic display in Glasgow last week Friday, where the backline hardly saw any ball on attack, the Cape side had their supporters wondering what exactly was wrong in the first match of the tour as the visitors failed to score any tries in a 20-9 defeat at Scotstoun Stadium. Failing to score five-pointers is something that hardly happens to them and, in their first two matches of the new URC season, the former champions racked up a combined 12 touchdowns. But on Friday in Scotland, they just could not get over the whitewash,…

Glenn Maxwell said his entire body was in pain and that he almost retired during an epic match-winning double century for Australia at the 50-over World Cup, hailed yesterday as the greatest one-day knock of all time. The mercurial Australian smacked a remarkable 201 not out as his team successfully chased 292 for victory over Afghanistan in Mumbai on Tuesday. It was only the third double hundred in World Cup history and the first in a run chase. But it came at a price, with Maxwell riddled with severe cramps. He collapsed in agony at one stage, barely able to walk as he limped between the wickets. Maxwell admitted discussing with Australian physiotherapist Nick Jones whether he should retire after his body gave up and he sank to the ground…

In a shocking turn of events, crime fighter Xolani Khumalo, pictured, will not be returning as the presenter of the popular show Sizok’thola on Moja Love. The channel released a statement last week confirming that Khumalo will not be returning as the show’s presenter. The statement read: “Moja Love TV Channels has terminated its relationship with Mr Xolani Khumalo, presenter of one of the channel’s leading shows, Sizok’thola. The channel will not be commenting on any matters relating to Mr Khumalo at this stage.” Khumalo is facing a murder charge in connection with an incident during the show’s taping. It occurred in July when the show’s crew confronted an alleged drug dealer, who died. This led to concerns about contamination of crime scenes, failed prosecutions of known drug lords and…

A Mitchells Plain family is mourning the loss of their 7-year-old son who was shot and killed when gunmen opened fire on a group of children on Tuesday night. The heartbroken parents of Zubair Jacobs said his death comes just months after three of his older brothers were shot while sitting in a parked car in Kameel Street, Eastridge. Shocked residents gathered at the crime scene as they consoled the parents of the Grade 1 pupil from Littlewood Primary School. Dad Junaid said he was making his way home when he received the call. “It happened just after 6pm and I was on my way home from work when they told me Zubair was shot. There was also another person shot and we cannot say it was a stray bullet…

The restoration of the Rhodes Memorial Estate, which was gutted by fire in April 2021, will now finally get under way, South African National Parks (SANParks) announced. Park manager for Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), Megan Taplin, said this announcement comes after a rigorous process for an appointment of a suitable architectural service provider with a deep knowledge in Heritage building structures. “This establishment, which forms an integral part of the TMNP, will receive a new lease of life following the appointment Gabriel Fagan Architects.” The appointed company’s scope of work includes the drawing of plans for the tea room and associated ablutions, and to consult with Heritage Western Cape on compliance measures. Taplin said it is important to consider the extent of damage that was caused by the fire…

If you’re in the city and wondering why there are random bursts of visual art surrounding you, it’s not a prank – you’re caught in a capsule of outdoor theatre on a mission to reclaim the streets through Infecting The City (ITC). South Africa’s pioneering public art festival of music, dance, video, visual art, and more aims to make theatre available at no cost to the public. The ITC 2023 edition was officially launched on Tuesday after a hiatus caused by the pandemic. In collaboration with UCT’s Institute for the Creative Arts (ICA) and venues around city, artists across Cape Town showcase their finest talent through creating free spaces and platforms to showcase the arts. Artists in the two-week festival line-up include Angelinah Maponya, Moving Stories Theatre Organisation, Auriol Hays,…

Ministers Naledi Pandor and Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, have come out with bazookas blazing, condemning Israel for its ruthlessness in dealing with Hamas. The hypocrisy of the duo is noteworthy, as they lament the loss of Palestinian life, after the callous and ruthless attack on innocent Israelis by the diabolical Islamist forces of Hamas on October 7. Why is the world crying foul, including our esteemed ministers, as they pour out their grief at the loss of innocent lives? Is it any different to the loss of innocent lives perpetrated by the ANC before 1994, as it planted bombs in Wimpy bars and a variety of other soft targets? Death, pain and destruction, the ANC’s aim, just like Hamas’s. I wonder what Minister Pandor would do if a hostile neighbour came into…

Eric Simons joked that he wasn’t tall enough to put his arm around Marco Jansen’s shoulder after the mauling the young fast bowler suffered against the might of India in his last outing. While Jansen’s chastening experience of conceding 94 runs in 9.4 overs was no joke – especially when Indian captain Rohit Sharma was having his way with the 2.06m tall fast bowler in the opening powerplay – Simons wanted to show that it was also not the end of the world. The 61-year-old bowling coach has seen many youngsters overawed by the occasion, and playing in front of 70 000 passionate Indian supporters at one of the most eminent sporting theatres in the world – Eden Gardens in Kolkata – certainly was a pressure-filled affair, but he has…

A victory for Orlando Pirates against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday could very well launch the first chapter of the story that coach Jose Riveiro wants to write in the league. Riveiro had a debut season to remember at Pirates as he guided the team to the MTN8, Nedbank Cup and a second-place finish in the DStv Premiership. But while that appeased The Ghost, the team’s back-to-back losses to Chiefs in the Soweto derby took the gloss off the Spaniard’s start to life at Pirates. Not all is lost, though. Pirates will have a chance to avenge themselves in this season’s first edition of the biggest sporting event in the country at the FNB Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off is at 3.30pm. This is a match that both teams will…

At LEAST 25 learners from Ikaya Primary School had to be rushed to Stellenbosch Hospital’s emergency centre for gastrointestinal symptoms after they allegedly ate chips bought from nearby street vendors. It is believed that the learners bought the chips from women who buy their stocks of the snacks from foreign-owned shops and sell them during lunch time. Kayamandi ward councillor Ayanda Tomose said that following this incident, they called a meeting with the forum of Somali shop owners to explain to them and the community what happened. “This has shocked us as the community, and we need to address this as soon as possible as it puts the lives of our children at risk,” said Tomose. “There’s no confirmation at this stage that the chips came directly from the foreign…

It APPEARS that the holiday season will not be a hive of activity for rapper and television host Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye, whose court case was yesterday postponed to December despite a request to reschedule it to a different date. Maarohanye appeared briefly in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on charges of rape, attempted murder, and assault. His bail was extended until his next appearance on December 11. Magistrate Betty Khumalo said a warrant for his arrest would be issued if he failed to attend the next hearing. The NPA’s Phindi Mjonondwane said in July that there were four complainants associated with the matter dating from 2006 to 2010. Maarohanye was ordered to hand his travel documents to the investigating officer and he is also not permitted to make contact with…

The Green Point Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association has expressed its support for a 300-bed safe space which will accommodate homeless people. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the safe space would operate on a portion of municipal depot land on Ebenezer Road, Green Point, with operations set to begin early in the new year. “Safe spaces offer dignified transitional shelter coupled with care interventions to help people find sustainable pathways off the streets, including referrals for addiction or psychiatric treatment, personal development planning, employment opportunities, ID and social grant access, and family reunifications.” He said the shelter brought the total CBD safe space beds to around 780. Hill-Lewis said the City would spend R230 million over three years to operate safe spaces and expand these transitional shelters beyond the CBD and…

Let’s look to Boks’ winning ways The Springboks brought the Web Ellis Rugby World Cup trophy home. A day later, load shedding resumed. This is the South African reality. That’s why we vacillate between hopeful optimism and peak pessimism. South Africa is in a crisis. Our post-apartheid history is littered with failures. The bankrupt state-owned enterprises, many dysfunctional municipalities, load shedding, high unemployment, and pervasive crime, are some of the outcomes of a government that squandered “Madiba magic” and the “democracy dividends”, and plunged the country into its deepest crisis since 1994. Many experience daily hardship, in particular our youth who face an uncertain and diminishing future with fewer employment prospects, a moribund economy, and high levels of crime. The Medium-Term Budget Speech by Finance Minister Enoch Gondongwana on November…

The curtain has closed on an incredible Test career for Springbok strongman Duane Vermeulen, and what a way to finish his stint of 76 matches, by winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup. At 37, Vermeulen had one last hurrah with the Boks as they defended their title successfully in France, with the veteran becoming one of a select few men’s rugby players to boast back-to-back gold medals at the tournament. Plenty of pundits did not expect the former Pumas, Cheetahs, Stormers, Western Province, Toulon, Kubota Spears, Bulls and Ulster player to make it to the tournament, especially after missing out on some international action last year. But Vermeulen turned back the clock and proved them wrong as he played an influential role in the Boks’ triumph in France. Yesterday, SA…

Manchester City powered into the Champions League knockout stages as Erling Haaland banished fears over his fitness with a double in Tuesday’s 3-0 win against Swiss side Young Boys. Pep Guardiola’s team have won all four of their Group G matches, ensuring their progress to the last 16 with two games to spare. Haaland was fit to start at the Etihad Stadium after hurting his ankle in the first half of City’s 6-1 win against Bournemouth on Saturday. And the Norway striker showed there was no lingering injury issue as he took his Champions League goal tally to a remarkable 39 in 34 matches. He put City ahead with a first-half penalty, and netted again with a brilliant long-range effort after Phil Foden’s eye-catching strike doubled the holders’ lead. Young…

Kaizer Chiefs interim head coach Cavin Johnson may have been presented with an opportunity to seal his job on a permanent basis in the forthcoming Soweto derby. The highly regarded clash against Orlando Pirates on Saturday at the FNB Stadium (3.30pm kick-off) has, for many years, been deemed the one match with the ability to make or break a player’s career on the South African football scene. In this regard, the 64-year-old Johnson could emerge as Chiefs’ saviour, and pioneer of an Amakhosi revival, or end up on the list of eight coaches fired in the past five years at the club. The Glamour Boys are focused on their meeting against their fiercest rivals this Saturday as they look to continue their league dominance in the fixture. Chiefs have not…