Innehållsförteckning för 2024-10-15 från Cape Argus

Funeral cover fraud is a growing stain on South Africa’s insurance industry. Dishonest individuals and organisations are exploiting grieving families and the complexities of funeral policies for their gain. This exploitation takes many forms, from falsifying death certificates to issuing policies without the policyholder’s knowledge. Policyholders can protect themselves with the right knowledge. Understanding your policy, choosing reputable funeral providers, and monitoring premiums and cover are crucial steps. Here are some ways you can safeguard yourself and your loved ones: 1. Vet your provider Choose a provider with a solid reputation and history of ethical practices. Seek recommendations from trusted sources. Avoid providers with unclear track records, vague service descriptions, or pushy sales tactics. 2. Understand your policy Read and understand all terms. Don’t hesitate to ask your provider for…

IN A DRAMATIC rescue, 20 seafarers were safely evacuated and brought to shore after a fire broke out on a Sea Harvest trawler off the coast of Gansbaai. The incident on Sunday follows the tragic loss of another Sea Harvest vessel earlier this year, raising concerns about maritime safety and prompting calls for thorough inspections of commercial fishing vessels. The SA Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) reported the trawler, MVF Armana, part of Sea Harvest’s Viking Fishing Division, was about 60 nautical miles off the coast of Gansbaai when it caught alight. SAMSA said: “Initially, it seemed like the vessel was sinking, but later updates from the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre in Cape Town confirmed that the crew had to abandon ship due to the fire. Luckily, all 20 crew members…

ACTIONSA president Herman Mashaba, joined by what has internally been dubbed the party’s “Super Six” MPs, gathered to provide a look at the parliamentary caucus’s performance following 100 days since their swearing in, and a critical review of the months-old National Government of Unity (GNU). The media briefing took place at Parliament yesterday. The party, formed in August 2020 by former Johannesburg mayor Mashaba, obtained six seats at Parliament. Mashaba said the four year old party had 101 public representatives in all three spheres of government. “As much as we were devastated when the results came out, on reflection, a few weeks down the line, we realised, we are only four years old but we are represented in all three spheres of government.” ActionSA parliamentary chief whip, Lerato Ngobeni, described…

HE MADE an oath to bring back gold from his next competition, and he did just that. In a display of extraordinary strength and determination, Haroun Pietersen, the powerlifting sensation from Mitchells Plain, brought home gold from the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships. With each lift, Pietersen said he remembered his oath to his family, community and the country. The competition, held at Sun City over the weekend, saw participants from all over the world, including England, Sri Lanka, Jamaica and New Zealand, show off their muscles. Pietersen, who represented South Africa, said the competition was an extremely tight one, up until the end. However, Pietersen managed to rise above his competitors, beating them by lifting a combined 800kgs. “I actually placed second in the Squat and Bench Press categories, and even…

GORDON’S Bay Beach has received a makeover as 12 young artists created vibrant murals, boosting community spirit and tourism. Ward councillor Sean Stacey’s initiative brought together diverse talents from Helderberg communities, transforming the beachfront into a colourful showcase of creativity and collaboration. The artists, from grades 1-12, supported by residents, gathered to paint and sign their masterpieces at the weekend. Stacey described the colourful project as both challenging and rewarding. “The project not only served to beautify the town, but it created a sense of community spirit and cooperation,” he said. “Tourists were spotted throughout the day taking selfies at the mural site while we painted.” Stacey said each mural tells a distinct story, reflecting the varied backgrounds and viewpoints of the young artists. “This indicates that the project is…

Aiden Markram is the only South African captain to lift the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup trophy above his head. He is also the only Proteas captain to steer the national team to an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final, and the only captain to raise the SA20 championship, after guiding the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to successive championship titles. And yet, all these achievements pale in comparison to him fulfilling his childhood dream: Leading the Proteas’ Test side for the first time, in the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka later this month in the absence of injured regular skipper Temba Bavuma. “It’s a big dream come true, “Markram said, ahead of the team’s departure today. “It’s something I dreamt about as a kid. First to play for South Africa,…

Stellenbosch reigned supreme in the inaugural Carling Knockout competition, and they now face the immediate task of keeping their championship in the Winelands. After having had the MTN8 title slip through their fingers in a controversial 3-1 loss to Orlando Pirates, Stellies will be up against it as all 15 other teams attempt to topple them off the top step of the podium, looking to be the second club to have their names engraved on the trophy. As the competition is set to kick off this weekend, Obakeng Meletse explores the potential key talking points. One to watch out for Kaizer Chiefs' dismal 2023/24 campaign continues to haunt them, as they formed part of the unseeded teams when the draw was conducted, running the risk of an early meeting with…

The CSA T20 Challenge is heading into the second half of the tournament, and as the top four teams begin to pull away from the rest of the chasing pack, a few notable performances have emerged since the competition commenced. The Lions have assumed leadership of the table following this past weekend's action, holding a one-point lead over the North West Dragons in their quest to secure a second title in a row. This season has been action-packed, showcasing a wealth of talent on display. The inclusion of Proteas players has injected excitement and anticipation into the tournament. Here, Obakeng Meletse delves into the standout moments thus far. The rise to the top The Dragons have emerged as one of the in-form sides in the tournament, despite suffering a defeat…

As we approach the end of the year, it's time to make important decisions about your healthcare plan. Medical schemes, health insurance providers, and gap product companies are announcing their contributions or premium increases and benefit changes for 2025. This period, from October to December, is crucial for reviewing your healthcare options and adjusting where necessary. Healthcare decisions are rarely straightforward and you may feel overwhelmed by the choice of cover you'll need for yourself and your dependants in the year ahead. It’s essential to understand any changes to your current plan’s benefits and whether they meet your future needs. However, remember that if you're satisfied with your current level of cover, you're not obligated to make any changes. Navigating healthcare costs As the cost of healthcare continues to rise,…

POLICE are investigating the attempted murder of an elderly Chinese man at a popular Pinelands shopping centre on Monday afternoon. According to police, a case of attempted murder has been opened following the shooting at the Howard Centre. Speaking to the Cape Argus, police spokesperson Malcom Pojie said the victim, a 62-year-old man was shot and seriously wounded near the library behind the shopping centre at about 3.15 pm. Pojie said: “Pinelands police opened an attempted murder docket for further investigation following a shooting incident, which occurred at the back of the Howard Centre earlier today. The victim, a 62-year-old Chinese national was shot in the chest. He sustained serious injuries.” “Initial reports of the incident reveal that the male victim was accosted by four unknown suspects who attempted to…

ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile has urged the DA and other GNU parties to use reason. Amid reports of tensions inside the nation’s coalition government, the Government of National Unity (GNU), Mashatile made an appeal for reason and togetherness during a media briefing conducted by the party yesterday outside the ANC headquarters at Luthuli House in Johannesburg. Mashatile addressed the conflict between Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and DA Federal Leader Helen Zille at the ANC’s reflection on the first 100 days of the GNU. He emphasised the significance of settling disputes peacefully. “With Helen Zille and Panyaza, I am sure they will be able to resolve their issues,” Mashatile stated. He added that if the DA chooses to distance itself from a collaborative approach, it should not impede the ANC’s…

THE Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation has unveiled its Oceans Campus programme, bringing together over 400 Cape Town teachers to champion ocean conservation. The Ocean Campus is the next step in the Two Oceans Aquarium’s journey in marine education. It was introduced to teachers, students and sponsors with a full day of activities last week, including free access to the aquarium and a behind-the-scenes tour for over 400 teachers, sponsored by the Two Oceans Aquarium. To date, the aquarium has facilitated curriculum-aligned education programmes for students through various mediums. Currently, its foundation works with over 100 000 students every year across its early childhood development and school programmes, offering a wide range of enrichment courses. Speaking at the launch, Oceans Campus head, Leigh Meinert, said the initiative was also in response…

NOORDHOEK Beach visitors, particularly horseback riders, have been urged to exercise caution due to dangerous sand conditions. This follows an incident on Sunday, where a horse became trapped in quicksand. The Table Mountain National Park advised horse owners to remain vigilant and keep a distance of at least 15-20 metres from the lagoon while enjoying the beach. “Sinking sand or quicksand often occurs on the edge of water bodies rather than where the water is above the soil level due to a combination of factors related to the presence of water, sediment composition, and the interaction between water and sand. “For this reason, in relation to the incident, there are many factors that could have created this phenomenon. “You have saturation at the water’s edge where sand is more…

With immense sadness, the nation was told of the passing of ANC Struggle stalwart, Tito Mboweni, former governor of the Reserve Bank and a former minister of finance. Tito was an iconic symbol of true grit, a hero of the Struggle to obtain equality across the world. His courage and strength made you stand in awe. He was a polished intellectual who never blinked. He gave hope to millions and was instrumental in our Struggle for equality and played a crucial and pivotal role in our emancipation from racism. Stalwarts like him and many others made personal sacrifices that enabled us to shed our chains of enslavement. They thrust upon us the virtues of liberty and freedom. Sadly, we also lost many other stalwarts during the past few years. They…

Bafana Bafana's African Cup of Nations 2025 ambitions face an acid test in Brazzaville this evening as Congo-Brazzaville tries to redeem themselves after a crushing 5-0 defeat in Gqeberha this past Friday. The Congo coach, Isaac Ngata, acknowledged defeat afterwards but said the outcome did not reflect his team's ability. He refused to use the team's chaotic preparations as a reason for the poor showing. After his team trailed 2-0 midway through the first half, he was surprised by the lack of willpower in their ranks. Ngata didn’t make a fuss about Congo fielding a depleted team after missing three regulars, who failed to pitch for the trip to South Africa. Two stalwarts, defender Bryan Passi and midfielder Fred Dembi, have returned from suspension and will likely be in the…

The Proteas Women’s team will be fully behind England when the former champions meet West Indies in the final ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group B clash in Dubai today. Laura Wolvaadt’s team completed their round-robin play on Saturday with a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh, leaving them with three wins from four matches and in second place in Group B. However, the West Indies, who are in third place, could eliminate the Proteas by virtue of a superior net run-rate, should they beat England. The Windies have a net run-rate of 1.708 compared to the Proteas’ 1.382. England currently boast a NRR of 1.716. England are favourites to beat the West Indies having won 19 of their 27 T20I clashes, including the last 13 matches on the bounce. West Indies,…

In recent years, high inflation and soaring interest rates have made financial management a tightrope walk for many South Africans. These challenging economic conditions can understandably make people a little careful of applying for credit. However, a well-chosen and responsibly managed credit card can be a strong financial ally, especially during difficult times. Beyond its role as a payment method, the right credit card can be a powerful tool for personal cash flow management and expense tracking and even a source of valuable rewards. When used wisely, a credit card can help you navigate turbulent economic times more effectively and make the most of your finances. Here are some tips to harness your card's full potential: Make sure your card delivers the best possible rewards. Choose a credit card that…

Buku Abi has alleged that she was abused by R Kelly. The 26-year-old singer is the daughter of the I Believe I Can Fly hitmaker. She said she had been too scared to speak out about the way he had allegedly treated her as a child. Kelly is behind bars after he was convicted on multiple charges involving child sexual abuse. Speaking in the new documentary Karma: A Daughter’s Journey, which premiered on Friday, Abi said: “He was my everything. For a long time, I didn’t even want to believe that it happened. “I didn’t know that even if he was a bad person that he would do something to me. “I was too scared to tell anybody. I was too scared to tell my mom. “I really feel like…

AN ELDERLY coloured couple say they were called the k-word by a white teenager whom they stopped from smoking dagga in front of their house. Charles Kawalie, 73, said he was working on his garden near the park across the street from Albow Gardens in Milnerton on Friday, when the 17-year-old tried to light up a zol. He said he stopped the teen, who then became aggressive and threw a coffee mug at him. “He called me a k****r; I chased him and when he went around my flat, I saw him push my wife and spit on her and then ran to his home. “I went to look for him and dragged him and told my wife to beat him up for what he did. He then threw a…

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has paid more than R15 million to motorists after their vehicles were damaged by the pothole-riddled national roads over the past two years, highlighting the dire state of roads in the country. Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy disclosed this while responding to a Parliamentary question asked by Rise Mzansi MP, Makashule Gana. Gana wanted to know the total number of claims filed against her department in the past three financial years, including the total monetary value of the specialised claims and total amount that has been paid to motorists who suffered the damages. In response to the question, Creecy said over R15 million was paid by Sanral for a total of 116 claims for pothole damage on the country’s national roads. Creecy…

FORMER president Jacob Zuma and current leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has launched a scathing attack on the African National Congress (ANC), saying it had “reversed” the gains made since 1994. His remarks came during the memorial lecture of ANC veteran Johannes Phungula in uMlazi, south of Durban, on Sunday evening. “Comrades, I have been listening to you talk about this hero (Phungula). He was a brave comrade. He would not tolerate what is happening in the ANC now because they have reversed all the work done since 1994,” he remarked, reflecting on Phungula's commitment to the struggle for freedom. “The people who built the ANC, like comrade Phungula, would not have allowed what is happening in the ANC to continue unabated. He was not a coward. We…

THE Muslim Judicial Council (MJC-SA) has announced the opening of its second satellite office, located at the Siddique Masjid in Elsies River. MJC-SA president Shaykh Riad Fataar said the satellite office was established there, based on the statistics of people that had come from the area, to the MJC offices seeking its services. Fataar called on the community to make use of the counselling services, which will now be available from the site. “It is mainly our social development department’s services which deals with counselling, it deals with applications for faskh (annulment of marriage) and talaq (divorce/ dissolution of marriage) and we’re hoping to extend our Sharia court there, so that when people come into the Sharia court, they will have it there. And in sha Allah, it will save…

The bottom of the United Rugby Championship (URC) log was not where the Stormers envisioned themselves after their three-week European tour. However, this is precisely where the inaugural champions find themselves, with their next two matches against former champions Munster and current holders Glasgow Warriors in Cape Town. That's why it will be important for them to recover as soon as possible after going down 38-7 to Edinburgh, to find a way to get back on the horse, otherwise their season could be over before it even begins What will make Saturday’s encounter against the Irish club more tough, is that the Stormers have never beaten them in the competition and they seem to be the bogey team of the Capetonians. In their four encounters so far – two of…