Innehållsförteckning för 2024-09-26 från Cape Argus

A SPATE of violent crime in Atlantis has left residents feeling like hostages in their own community. In a space of 48 hours, Atlantis police were called out to two separate murder scenes where eight people were shot. In an incident on Sunday, one person was killed and five others wounded, while on Friday, two people were murdered. The shootings in Sherwood Park have, according to Atlantis ward councillor, Anastasia Davids, sparked a fear in residents. “The people feel like they are being held hostage, it doesn’t matter what time of the day it is, they are scared to step outside their homes because these shootings happen in broad daylight and innocent people lose their lives.” Atlantis community activist, Moses Matiso, said an increase in violent crime was observed. “We…

To avoid my response to the article, “Israel stuns Hezbollah with unprecedented attack” (Cape Argus, September 19, 2024), being labelled biased, I turned to ChatGPT to criticise the article in not more than 400 words. ChatGPT’s response: “The article … presents a one-sided narrative that not only glorifies Israel’s military capabilities but also demonises Hezbollah and Iran without offering a balanced perspective on the broader context. This lack of neutrality … simplifies a complex and ongoing geopolitical conflict into a ‘good vs evil’ scenario. “One of the main criticisms of the article is its overtly biased language. Terms like ‘brilliant’, ‘stroke of absolute genius’, and ‘state-of-the-art’ are used to describe Israeli actions, while Hezbollah is referred to as ‘a brutal network of killing machines’ with ‘zero conscience or respect for…

The proliferation of online media platforms is having a devastating effect on the print media. Astronomical operational costs are crippling the industry as well as the lack of support by the buying public who scroll through dozens of online sites looking for news just because it’s free . Tens of thousands of employees, truck drivers, machine operators, editors, journalists etc stand to lose their jobs in the event of the print media shutting their doors. The retail cost of a newspaper has to logically rise in order to keep the machines running and newspapers on the street…. Conversely if sales drop so costs go up. We can all help to keep the print doors open and costs down by dipping into our pockets and handing over a few coins which…

Who was Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan? South Africa’s foremost political activist and government minister died, aged 75, as a victim of cancer that ended his illustrious role in progressive politics. I knew Gordhan as an iconic activist. He had shaped and redefined the anti-apartheid political landscape since the 1970s-80s, often at great personal sacrifices, glory, success and humiliation when he was fired by Jacob Zuma. And 30 years later, his untimely death was greeted by a tsunami of tributes. The grand old man of resistance and democratic politics will be remembered for his courageous legacy. His firebrand activism had attracted a love-hate repertoire: to the nation’s previously disenfranchised black masses, he was a hero. To Durban Indians, he was a consummate cadre, comrade, commander, commissar and captain of government enterprises. To…

THE Springboks will be out to fix what went wrong last weekend when they face Argentina in the Rugby Championship decider in Mbombela on Saturday (5pm kick-off). One player who will be keen to repay the side will be wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, who copped a yellow card in last weekend’s first Test against the Argentinians, which swung the momentum in Santiago del Estero after the Boks led 17-0 in the first quarter, only to lose 29-28 after a missed last-gasp penalty by Manie Libbok. The home side scored two tries in the absence of Arendse and found gaps on the field, with the visitors defending with 14 players. Those two tries were enough for them to kick on and build on the momentum they’d gained to upstage the world champions.…

THE king of all-rounders Jacques Kallis predicted 20 years ago that fully-fledged multi-dimensional cricketers would become as common as dinosaurs roaming the earth’s flatlands. “It’s hard work doing both, especially with the amount of cricket being played these days,” Kallis said at the time. “I think the number of true all-rounders is going to get less and less, simply because of that. You’re going to get guys that will bat well and bowl a little bit, or bowl well and bat a little bit. It’s tough.” The demands of T20 cricket over the past two decades have certainly made Kallis look like Nostradamus, with many players being able to “bat well and bowl a little bit, or bowl well and bat a little bit”, but hardly anyone being able to…

AN EASTERN Cape man has appeared in the Mthatha Regional Court on allegations of speed point machine fraud. Dylan Strydom, 27, was arrested by members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (Hawks) Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on Monday. Provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, Yolisa Mgolodela, said Strydom is alleged to have defrauded a hotel owner. “It is alleged the complainant, a Tsomo hotel owner, was approached by someone who introduced himself as an employee of Yoco Technology (Pty) Ltd. The person is reported to have sold three speed point machines (devices used to process payment cards) for R3 500 to the complainant. “It is further alleged that after a few months of using these speed point machines, the complainant realised the sales money was not going into their business…

THE rand gained in strength yesterday against global currencies, signalling more petrol price cuts for motorists. The ZAR has made some major gains against global currencies since Monday, trading at around R17.24 against the dollar at 9.30am yesterday. When compared to other global currencies, the rand faired well and was trading at around R19.31 against the euro, and around R23.11 against the pound. Andre Cilliers, currency strategist at TreasuryONE, told Reuters that the rand would be below the R18 mark this week. “The rand is likely to remain within a R17.40 to R17.70 range in the short-term as it tracks international moves but we could see…

GIFT of the Givers founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, has been adopted as a son of the soil by the Royal House of AmaXhosa in the Eastern Cape. Sooliman has, according to Chief Phathuxolo Tyhali, been acknowledged under very unique circumstances for his work with traditional leaders in the Eastern Cape, especially in Centane. “Dr Sooliman has been there during difficult times. One was during a bus crash in 2021, where 21 elderly people were killed. “He also recently helped in getting 10 primary schools instant porridge, with children being fed since May; he renovated a hospital, and helped with the backlog. His involvement is great.” Tyhali said that was why Sooliman was recognised among the greats, at the event held in Cebe in the Eastern Cape. “This is the first…

There is a debate about the employment of foreigners in South Africa and, sometimes, negative issues arise. Like the rest of the world, a foreigner requires a work permit should they wish to pick up gainful employment in the country. All of us are well aware of the fact that some of our neighbours in southern Africa suffer from enormous economic hardships. In particular, we have hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans desperately looking for work in South Africa. Many of our neighbours cross our borders illegally and hundreds of thousands have found gainful employment even though they do not have work permits. Many employers exploit the individuals by paying them below the minimum wage and not adhering to the conditions in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. Foreign illegal…

When scientists started warning government leaders and the general public about climate change and global warming, few paid attention. What they spoke about seemed like far-away possibilities and complex theories. Many of us could not understand why such a fuss was being made about our Earth getting slightly warmer by a degree or two. Fast forward 30-plus years to now, the build-up of carbon dioxide in the skies and its greenhouse effects are being felt by millions of people almost daily, as extreme weather disasters pop up across the globe. The natural disasters are becoming more and more frequent and more and more extreme. We were all, understandably, surprised by the power of the snowstorm that devastated KwaZulu-Natal and clogged up the N3 highway, the province’s economic aorta, during an…

At the border with Iran, streams of Afghan refugees return with children in their arms, their entire worldly possessions contained in large bags. Every day up to 3 000 Afghans – some who were born in Iran – arrive back in their home country after a failed attempt at a better life. “Refugees face a lot of physical and mental torture,” Abdul Ghani Qazizada, responsible for registering the arrivals in the border town of Islam Qala, told AFP. Many entered Iran illegally or let their visas expire. Nearly 90% have been deported, with the rest returning voluntarily. The rate of expulsions has increased “in the last six months”, said Qazizada. “They are warned there (in Iran) that they must leave within one week, or anyone above 18 must deposit 100…

Chris Brown has raised excitement levels among his South African fans with his announcement that he would be coming to the country. Taking to Instagram earlier this week, the top charting musician posted on his Stories: “South Africa I’m coming”. The Loyal hitmaker also posted a video with the South African and Brazil flags confirming that he would be coming to both countries. Breezy did not, however, share any dates with his announcement. Scores of fans have since taken to social media to express their excitement. They included @TheRealSiyah, who wrote on X: “CHRIS BROWN IS COMING TO SA. Let me go sell my kidney cause I’d do anything to hear Residuals live!” @kimora_mkhize added: “I’m gonna cry my eyeballs out when he performs Residuals. Like real tears.” The superstar…

ESKOM’S intention to implement a staggering 36.15% increase in tariffs for next year has sparked alarm among South Africans. For Eskom’s direct customers, the proposed price hikes average 36.15% from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026, followed by 11.81% from April 1, 2026 to March 23, 2027, and 9.10% from April 1, 2027 to March 31, 2028. Cape Town Mayco member for energy Xanthea Limberg said the price increases would further deteriorate living conditions for many residents. “It is unthinkable that an increase of such a magnitude is even proposed. The City is already bearing the brunt of Eskom’s rising tariffs. “Some 75% of the City’s income received from electricity sales goes directly to Eskom. So any big Eskom increase has a profound impact on the City,” Limberg said.…

A SPRINGBOK woman convicted of human trafficking has turned on her estranged husband, as she begged for a lighter sentence in the Western Cape High Court. In a dramatic address before Judge Alma de Wet, Leandre Williams blasted her husband, Edward Ayuk, saying she too was a victim of the abuse, which State witnesses told the court they were subjected to. The couple, alongside Edward’s cousin, Yannick, were accused of running a brothel in Brooklyn. They went on trial in November 2021 in what was dubbed “the biggest human trafficking case before a local court”. The trio were slapped with more than 40 charges including rape, kidnapping, assault and various other offences. During the mammoth trial, several of the women were transported from their home towns to take the stand.…

WHILE several little children play carefree under the supervision of staff and volunteers at the Christine Revell Children’s Home in Athlone, a donation of essential items by the Cape Town Chinese Women’s Association and Survé Philanthropies added extra joy. Yesterday, the donation was handed over and welcomed by the home’s staff. Christine Revell Children’s Home provides full-time care for up to 50 babies and young children from birth to 5 years of age, with the children placed by social workers. General manager at the home, Anneline Scholtz said: “The children that are placed here are placed with a court order and the children that are here are abandoned, abused and neglected. They do have parents, but due to circumstances at home, children are not safe at home.” Some of the…

FROM living in a shack to becoming an Influential Woman of the Year, Parow ward councillor, Franchesca Walker, opens up about her journey. The Influential Women & Artes Awards recognises and embraces empowerment and creativity in a night of distinction and inspiration. Walker, who sparkled in a beautiful silver dress, walked onto Baxter theatre stage on Saturday with her head held high to collect her award, dedicating it to a life of hardship. Walker, 52, grew up in a one-bedroom house in the Vrygrond informal settlement with her siblings and mom. “My journey as councillor did not start in 2016, but 30 years ago when I realised how inspirational a person from an underprivileged area can be. “Look at me, from Vrygrond, in a one bedroom and a makeshift kitchen…

IT WAS all about Pravin Gordhan last week. His death dominated the news. Both the television and print media were full of praise for the ANC Struggle stalwart. Dozens of letters praising the man for his outstanding work as Sars commissioner and finance minister appeared in the papers. Television, too, devoted many hours to Gordhan. It gave full coverage to the ANC memorial service held in his honour in Johannesburg and to his funeral in Durban. The special state funeral was held at Durban’s famous International Convention Centre. And they were all there to bid farewell to their comrade: the president, cabinet ministers, religious, civic and union leaders, friends and relatives. Even retired Chief Justice Zondo was there to see that the funeral was not captured by his critics…

Recent media reports have highlighted several incidents of learner and teacher misconduct at public and private schools in South Africa. The descriptions of misconduct are many but are predominantly associated with violence. The continual media reports of unsafe, violent and non-conforming behaviour of teachers and learners at private, public and Model C schools indicate to the world that our youth and future leaders have adopted violent behavioural attitudes as normative practices. Post-apartheid, this should not be the case. Historically, during the apartheid era, violence was used as a means to communicate grievances and take a stand against the unequal regime that perpetuated divisions in race and class. Today, post-democracy, we, as a society, remain ridden with violent tendencies that originated in our past. Violence has become synonymous with struggling democracies…