Innehållsförteckning för 2024-02-02 från Cape Argus

This year, South Africa will celebrate its 365th wine harvest. This will mark a significant milestone in the birth and growth of South African wine. The country is reportedly the only country in the world that can accurately pinpoint the exact date of origin of its wine industry, due to a diary entry from February 2, 1659. The history of wine in South Africa can be traced back to when the Dutch East India Company established a supply station at the Cape of Good Hope. Jan van Riebeeck, a Dutch colonial administrator, planted the first vineyard, marking the beginning of wine cultivation in the region. The aim was to provide a source of wine for the sailors, who were passing through The Mother City. To commemorate this momentous occasion, Cape…

“I never killed Colonel Kinnear. The police killed him.” This was the bold statement by alleged underworld kingpin Nafiz Modack in the Western Cape High Court yesterday, as he denied playing any role in the murder plot relating to slain senior Anti-Gang Unit detective Charl Kinnear. Nearly three years after he was busted in Century City in a dramatic arrest after being identified as the mastermind in the murder of the top cop, Modack took to the dock yesterday. Modack, along with former rugby player Zane Killian and several others, faces a slew of charges in the mammoth underworld trial centred on Kinnear’s murder. According to the State’s case, the group of 15 accused are members of the Nafiz Modack Enterprise that now face more than 100 charges including murder,…

AT LEAST 25 000 residents in the metro are needed to voluntarily sign up for the City’s Power Heroes Programme, which will target 60MW in demand-reduction to protect residents against full-stage load shedding. The programme, which was recently approved by the City Council, will be rolled out in phases, and will be achieved by switching off non-essential loads, such as geysers and pool pumps, through the installation of a smart device. Power Heroes forms part of the City’s broader strategy to end load shedding over time through a combination of demand reduction and buying power on the open market. According to the City, customers who choose to participate can choose to have a smart device installed in their home or business free of charge by the City’s appointed service provider.…

THE future of the multi-million rand Swartklip Indoor Sports Centre, once a beacon of hope in the gang-infested area of Tafelsig, is up in the air. The community recreation centre was built in 2010 to the tune of R32 million, but has stood dormant for the past five years owing to vandalism and the building being deemed unsafe due to an unsteady foundation and cracked walls. There is both an indoor and outdoor soccer field as well as netball courts available for recreational use. The City yesterday said options were being explored for the future use of the site. “The City’s Recreation and Parks Department is aware of the current state of the Swartklip indoor centre and can confirm that engagements, including a public participation process, are currently underway on…

The Proteas Women’s team are “looking forward to the challenge” of facing world champions Australia in their three-match ODI series starting in Adelaide tomorrow (5.40am start, SA time) after their positive showing in the recent T20I series, according to coach Hilton Moreeng. Moreeng’s charges were competitive throughout the three T20I encounters, where the visitors claimed a first victory against the Australians in any format before going down in the final over of the series decider in Hobart. It has given the Proteas a much-needed confidence booster, especially as they have previously been on the wrong side of some despairing defeats. Moreeng feels that the change has come about due to highlighting specific areas for the South Africans to improve on. “We’ve had a couple of close games in the past…

Accordion, harmonium, keyboard, guitar player and trumpet player. These were the many talents Tony Cedras possessed. The Cape Town-born musician died earlier this week, aged 72. While his cause of his death was not known, many of his industry peers took to social media to share memories of the talented “giant of a man”. Born in Elsies River, Cedras’ super power was performing and recording on the accordion, but his skills on the trumpet are what got him noticed by the late Hugh Masekela, with whom he eventually shared the stage. Harry Belafonte, Miriam Makeba, Henry Threadgill, Muhal Richard Abrams, Cassandra Wilson and Tony Bird were just a few of the artists Cedras lent his musical talent to. According to Wikipedia, Cedras got his first professional break under the tutorship…

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said a Mitchells Plain school became aware of rumours that some learners may have access to Xanax tablets. This follows a letter that was issued to create awareness and warn parents and learners of the dangers of abusing prescription drugs. Beacon Hill High School circulated the note after the shooting of Firdous Kleinsmidt, 12, at Ieglassi Nieyah School on Tuesday. The document reads: “Please be aware of the following: Kindly refrain from following any voice notes and posts that advocate keeping your child at home. Such actions may lead to children wandering the streets, posing potential risks. “It is crucial to recognise that schools are designed to prioritise and ensure the safety and security of our learners ... There is suspicion that some learners…

Home Affairs has announced it will be extending working hours by at least two hours this weekend in order to accommodate the IEC’s final voter registration drive. Home Affairs has announced an extension of operation times for people needing to collect their identification cards. According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), the second national voter registration programme will take place on February 3 and 4 - Saturday and Sunday. "The second national voter registration weekend is part of the Electoral Commission's effort to ensure that South Africans who were unable to register to vote during the first registration drive in November 2023 have another opportunity to do so," the commission said. IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela added that existing voters will also use the opportunity to update and/or change…

THE City of Cape Town is to put additional security measures in place at Salt River Town Hall after numerous break-ins and vandalism there led to the suspension of activities. Vandalism at the facility includes damage to access doors, windows, ceiling, plumbing (taps and pipe work), the microwave, cleaning materials and the kitchen stove. Ward 57 councillor Yusuf Mohamed expressed regret having to suspend all activities and bookings at the hall. He said they had now placed security guards at the building to deter any further vandalism. “If you have any information that can lead to the arrest of those responsible, please contact 021 480 7700 or my office directly,” dsaid Yusuf. “We will endeavour to do the necessary repairs and hope to have this facility available to…

There’s always the urge to learn more for Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani, and he is never content – even if he constantly consumes knowledge in the rugby environment. That is why he decided to extend his stay in Europe, after a recent Champions Cup victory in France, to experience the inner workings of three English Premier League football sides – Arsenal, Chelsea and Fulham – where he looked to gain some intellectual capacity to possibly implement at the inaugural United Rugby Championship winners. The Stormers beat Stade Francais in Paris just over a week ago in a nail-biter to secure a home play-off, after which Hlungwani requested a couple of days off from head coach John Dobson to stay behind for the experience in England. He was fortunate enough…

Liverpool remain on course to send Jurgen Klopp off as a Premier League winner after Chelsea were thrashed 4-1 at Anfield on Wednesday night. Conor Bradley was the star of the show as the 20-year-old right back scored and teed up goals for Diogo Jota and Dominik Szoboszlai. Christopher Nkunku reduced Chelsea’s arrears, but Luis Diaz rounded off the scoring and a thrilling Liverpool performance. Indeed, the scoreline flattered the visitors as Darwin Nunez hit the woodwork four times, including from the penalty spot in the first half. “We could have scored and should have scored more goals. You cannot score five, six goals against Chelsea if you are not outstanding,” said Klopp. Victory restores a five-point lead at the top of the table for Klopp’s men over Manchester City,…

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has confirmed that the impeachment hearings for suspended Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe and retired Gauteng Judge Nkola Motata would continue on February 21. Mapisa-Nqakula said that despite February 21 being the day of the Budget, members of the National Assembly would meet to vote on the removal of the two judges after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana had delivered his speech. Parliament requires a two-thirds majority to remove a judge from office. The National Assembly’s portfolio committee on justice finalised its report last year after it found both judges guilty of gross misconduct. Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) MP Narend Singh said they were concerned that voting would happen on Budget day. However, Mapisa-Nqakula told the programming committee yesterday that the matter was not raised…

A Dunoon man who was already convicted and doing life in prison for raping, attempting to murder and infecting a 7-year-old relative with HIV, has been sentenced for the same crimes against another minor relative. The 43-year-old man, who may not be named to protect the victims, was sentenced in the Cape Town Regional Court to life imprisonment. On October 25 the same court convicted him for raping, attempting to murder and infecting a 7-year-old minor relative with HIV and another STD. At the time, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape and 10 years direct imprisonment for the attempted murder. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said that the court ordered the sentences imposed to run concurrently. He said: “The court ordered his name to…

AS WILDFIRES continued to rage through parts of the Overstrand and Cape Winelands Municipality yesterday, destroying thousands of hectares of vegetation, the Western Cape government approached the National Disaster Management Centre for Disaster Classification. “A provincial disaster classification will empower the premier and the minister of finance to move funding as and when we need it to sustain our firefighting efforts,” said local government MEC, Anton Bredell. According to Bredell, the hot and windy weather conditions, combined with several wildfires burning in the Cape Winelands and Overstrand districts, necessitated a large and co-ordinated firefighting effort. “We have the necessary resources available to address the wildfires, but the disaster declaration will give us the ability to co-ordinate optimally. We are doing everything to protect lives and property,” he said. Since Monday,…

Julian Alvarez celebrated his 24th birthday in style as the Manchester City striker scored twice to inspire a 3-1 win against Burnley on Wednesday night. Alvarez bagged his brace in the first half to ensure City had no problems brushing aside outclassed Burnley at the Etihad Stadium. The Argentine’s double took his goal tally for the season to 15 in all competitions, including seven in his last seven appearances. Rodri netted City’s third goal after the interval as the Premier League champions made it eight successive wins in all competitions. Ameen Al Dakhil’s stoppage-time goal was no consolation for Burnley, who sit second-bottom of the table. Second-placed City – who are next in action on Monday night away to Brentford – remain hot on the heels of leaders Liverpool, who…

The Sunrisers Eastern Cape are viewed as the beacon of the youthful energy that drives South African cricket. The defending champions are the envy of the five other SA20 franchises due to them boasting the likes of Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen and Jordan Hermann. But over the last couple of matches, it is the seasoned veterans that have powered the Sunrisers to a play-off spot with two matches still remaining. English seamer Dan Worrall has been excellent throughout the campaign with his 13 wickets, which included another three-fer against the Joburg Super Kings at the Wanderers in midweek, propelling the 32-year-old to the top of the wicket takers’ list. Worrall, playing in his first SA20 season, believes it’s his experience that has played a major role in his success. “I…