Innehållsförteckning för 2024-08-20 från Cape Argus

Middle-class South Africans face a crisis of soaring living costs for essentials such as groceries, fuel, medicine, education, transport and electricity, while the unrelenting high interest rates mean that home and vehicle loans are drastically more expensive to service. The result is that more consumers are having to turn to credit to purchase essential goods and services, pushing many into deeper financial distress. Tej Desai, the CEO of Alefbet Collections & Recoveries, says that with high interest rates, over-indebted consumers, especially those with a greater proportion of expensive, unsecured credit, will probably become more indebted as their debt-servicing costs remain high, alongside soaring living costs. “The most important step for any indebted consumer who is struggling to make their debt repayments is to proactively engage with their credit providers. Ignoring…

THE teen accused of allegedly stabbing Deveney Nel, 16, to death has been taken to a place of safety after his first court appearance yesterday. The court proceedings were held in camera, due to the 17-year-old suspect being a minor himself. The suspect, who was known to Deveney, and the rest of Hoërskool Overberg in Caledon, was arrested by detectives from the Serious Violent Crime Unit on Friday. This after many interviews were carried out with learners and teachers at the school. Deveney disappeared two weeks ago, when her school hosted a sports day. Her mother reported her missing when she did not arrive for her transport…

THE City Council has approved the new Outdoor Advertising by-law which is set to address new trends and technologies in outdoor advertising. The now promulgated by-law regulates outdoor advertising in a way that facilitates economic opportunities while being sensitive to Cape Town’s natural and cultural environment. Many areas within the city have unique visual, historical and cultural appeal, and this must be taken into account when permitting outdoor advertising, the City said. “The new by-law provides more opportunities for outdoor advertising. “This will be achieved while tightening up on the regulation and enforcement of unauthorised signs. “It strikes a fine balance between outdoor advertising opportunities and its contribution to our local economy, innovation potential and job creation prospects, and the need to conserve the visual, tourist, traffic safety, environmental…

A child has died and one person remains missing after a fire broke out at a residential building on the corner of Tallent and Voortrekker roads in Parow yesterday. The City’s Fire and Rescue Service said it received a call at about 5pm of the building being alight. “The first arriving officer called for additional resources,” said Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse. “There were six pumps and four water tankers on the scene from various fire stations. “The fire was contained at 5.50pm. “Firefighters discovered the body of a minor about 10 minutes later. “At this stage, it appears that several flats have been affected, and numerous persons displaced. “One person remains unaccounted for. “Once the fire is extinguished, the scene will be handed over to the SAPS…

Recent reports of foreign-trained South African medical graduates who remain idle while the Department of Health and our health system founders have to be addressed post-haste. Given the zest with which the government is hurtling toward an NHI system, which in itself poses more problems than solutions, the National Independent Congress of South Africa (Nicsa) would like to raise some concerns that it hopes the responsible minister will address. South African medical graduates who have trained overseas, at enormous cost to their parents and families – not the government – are sitting idle, while the dire need for such personnel rises exponentially. What is the current status or plan to absorb such graduates into our health system so as to alleviate the shortage that is clearly evident? The importation of…

The country experienced an unusually long Thursday morning, last week, anxiously awaiting the media briefing, which was said to announce leadership changes in the EFF. Fuelling the anticipation were unconfirmed reports that the EFF deputy president, regarded as the party’s intellectual powerhouse, had indicated he would not be renewing his membership. Shortly thereafter, the EFF’s deputy president made the anticipated announcement at the party’s headquarters, and revealed that he would be joining former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP). Many found this political move shocking, largely due to the pivotal role Floyd Shivambu has played in the formation and ideological orientation of the EFF. However, for those closely observing the opposition’s reaction to the post-election DA/ANC coalition, dubbed the Government of National Unity (GNU), this appears to be a…

Women’s nurturing instincts often drive them to prioritise the needs of others over their own. This can, and often does, unintentionally hinder their success. A tendency to place others first is particularly evident among single mothers, women caring for elderly parents and those financially supporting their children and grandchildren – this represents a sizable portion of the female population. To achieve success, women need to learn to balance their nurturing nature with pro-active monetary management. They need the right advice from the right person. Wanita Isaacs, Momentum’s head of key accounts, says: “By connecting with financial advisers who understand their uniqueness, more women can take control of their financial futures.” The professionals can tailor advice to every individual’s situation. For women who often juggle multiple responsibilities, having a trusted adviser…

AS MPOX cases continue to rise across Africa, the Department of Health has called for calm in South Africa, after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a public health emergency of international concern. The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) last week made an appeal for the declaration from the WHO, allowing for the continent to mobilise resources. The Africa CDC said at least 14 African countries, including previously unaffected nations like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, have reported mpox outbreaks. The Department of Health has said it is considering a number of pharmaceutical interventions, which include additional treatment and vaccination, and that the decision will be informed by the epidemiological data. “The total number of positive cases recorded in the country stands at 24, including…

A WINDSOR High School parent in Lansdowne has pleaded with the Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) to assist her child who is being bullied at school, allegedly for outing a learner selling edible gummies (dagga sweets). The mother, 38, says her child was caught eating the edible gummies at school two weeks ago. “My son was suspended for a few days and then returned, but when he got back the threats started. “The other kids blamed him for being a snitch and outing the one who sold the things (gummies). “There was even a WhatsApp group where learners would say he is wanted. “They would wait for him while changing classes and outside after school.” The mom said she approached the school, but was either turned away or told…

Your columnist Halim Gencoglu’s column “The Scale of History” is on the whole a good read and informative. But he never misses an opportunity to bash Israel, using the usual slurs of “genocide” and “terrorists”. So I wasn’t really surprised that in his latest column, which covered the interesting origin of the phrase “let’s talk turkey”; he chose as example: “Let’s talk turkey and admit America supports Israeli terror in Palestine.” Is that honestly the best one he could come up with? Mr Gencoglu, please don’t use the opportunity afforded to you with your column on history to reflect your bias.…

WHEN I heard of “Flawed” Shivambu’s impending exit from the EFF, my first reaction was one of amusement. But at the very least I assumed I would hear the overused political soundbite such as: “I am resigning to pursue business interests.” To my utter bewilderment, the man resigned to join the MK Party. Do these people have no shame? “Flawed” Shivambu has confirmed precisely what I always thought he and all the other EFF’s leadership are, a bunch of self-interested opportunists. If the end game of Shivambu’s resignation was simply to join the MK Party, on what principled basis did he then co-found and establish the EFF (save for self-preservation and the opportunity of a continued pay cheque)? This single act, more than anything anybody in the cult of Julius…

THE DA extends its warmest congratulations to Dricus du Plessis on his monumental victory against Israel Adesanya and defending his UFC middleweight title in Perth, Australia. This triumph is more than just a win in the octagon; it is a shining example of South African excellence on the global stage. Dricus has demonstrated the power of hard work, dedication and an unyielding spirit – qualities that resonate deeply with all South Africans. His victory is a source of immense pride for our nation, showcasing the incredible talent that the powerful people of our nation have to offer. Dricus has not only brought honour to himself, but has also uplifted the spirits of a country that continues to produce world-class athletes. We celebrate his achievement and wish him continued success as…

Floyd Shivambu’s defection from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a party he co-founded with Julius Malema, to the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) led by Jacob Zuma is a political move rich in irony. His departure is especially surprising given the history of hostility with which Shivambu and Malema treated Zuma during his presidency. It was this very animosity that led to Malema’s expulsion from the ANC after numerous clashes with the party’s leadership while he was president of the ANC Youth League. The tension between Malema, Shivambu, and the ANC leadership reached boiling point in 2010 during the ANC’s National General Council in Durban. It was there that Malema and Shivambu famously “stormed the stage”, demanding that the ANC adopt radical policies such as nationalisation and expropriation without compensation. This…

Red Bull KTM rider Brad Binder’s fifth-place finish was a brave effort but the Ducati speed train continued to wreak havoc as the battle for the championship continued to heat up. Binder was in 12th place when the lights went off to begin the Austria leg of the MotoGP at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday. His early inroads in the opening lap earned him a fifth-place finish in the main race and he collected 11 valuable points to back up the three from the sprint race on Saturday after finishing seventh. The 2016 Moto3 world champion ended the weekend on 128 points, three more than his closest rival and teammate for next year, Pedro Acosta as all roads lead to the Gran Premio de Aragon in Spain in a…

When one’s financial responsibilities can feel overwhelming, it may be tempting to cut corners and skimp on expenses where possible. One area where people often consider cutting their costs is short-term insurance. After all, insurance is something intangible, something you pay for but never directly benefit from unless a claim arises. However, overlooking the value of insurance can have far-reaching consequences, potentially leading to significant financial losses in the future. Karen Rimmer, the head of distribution at PSG Insure, says: “The reality is that life is unpredictable, and accidents or unforeseen events can happen when we least expect them. Short-term insurance serves as a safety net, providing protection and peace of mind in the face of unexpected emergencies. “While it may seem like an unnecessary expense in the present…

One of South Africa’s most sought-after comedians, David Kau, is willing to do “whatever it takes” to score a meeting with Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie. Kau, who has been in the entertainment industry for over two decades, recently took to X in a bid to grab McKenzie’s attention by sarcastically stating that he is willing to go on a “run, walk or even spin cars” with the minister, just to have the opportunity to meet and talk about hard-pressing issues in the comedy sector. “Do we have to be in the Olympics or die before we stand-up comedians can meet you @GaytonMcK? We know we’re not recognised or there’s no category for us although we have employed hundreds of people without any government assistance, but would appreciate…

THE Western Cape E-Hailing Association (WCEA) has apologised in advance for the inconvenience it may cause during their series of monthly protests. The association said their actions would take place from this month to December. Secretary-general Omar Parker said the protests were in response to ongoing grievances with e-hailing platforms operating in South Africa, including but not limited to Uber, Bolt and Indrive. This morning, the plan is for the drivers to be offline, with the next dates being September 17, October 22, November 19 and December 24. “On these dates, e-hailing services across the Western Cape may experience significant disruptions as drivers unite in protest. We urge all riders to make alternative transportation arrangements on these days and we call on all our members and supporters to conduct…

On Thursday, Karen Milner, the current national chairperson of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, published an article accusing myself and my colleagues of anti-Semitism for daring to stage a protest about an ongoing genocide outside of a genocide centre. Karen’s logic appears to both begin and end with the fact that this centre places a particular emphasis on the Holocaust, which was a genocide committed against Jewish people, and thus surely the mere act of any person protesting near to it is inherently anti-Jewish. But what could be more Jewish than opposing genocide? What lesson could better be learnt from the Holocaust than never again? Had Karen read the statement we released regarding this protest, she might have understood that the motivation behind it was to highlight the…

In 2022, 31 000 women were raped in India. The rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata has ignited fury across the whole of India. The UN-led 16 Days of no violence against women and children has fallen on deaf years, as the slaughter of our women and children continues unabated. The umbrage felt by the nation is staggering. During 2017, 87 000 women globally were murdered. In South Africa a woman is murdered every three hours and many are assaulted and raped before their death. These mindless acts have taken the toll on society. Our recent history is replete with brutal violence on women. Many perpetrators have been able to get away with their crimes without legal sanction to punish them and to serve as deterrence.…

“I wish someone, or something, could’ve just warned me what was coming, and I would never have watched the opening ceremony,” lamented a neighbour as everyday conversations turned to reviews of the games as the Paris Olympics ended. By all accounts the event was a magnificent success, but for the unfortunate uproar following what many read as a blasphemous portrayal of the Last Supper. The statement resonated with many, especially families in local communities. They complained bitterly that some form of warning of what was coming would’ve helped to prevent younger children from witnessing the offending scenes. It meant parents now had no choice but to discuss complex issues with their kids they may have wanted to leave for later. These sentiments are not new or strange, but increasingly commonplace…

Top US diplomat Antony Blinken yesterday urged Israel and Hamas not to derail negotiations that he said may be a “last opportunity” to secure a Gaza truce and hostage release deal. Blinken, on his ninth regional tour since Hamas’s October 7 attack triggered the war, said he was back in Israel “to get this agreement to the line and ultimately over the line”. “This is a decisive moment – probably the best, maybe the last, opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a ceasefire and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security,” Blinken said as he met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv. The US secretary of state later met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, and was due to travel to…