Innehållsförteckning för 2024-11-26 från Cape Argus

SOUTH African rap sensation Roiii and award-winning musician Boity Thulo are determined to shake up the hip hop industry with their brand-new album, The Extra Mile. Released earlier this month, the duo’s musical offering showcases Roiii’s innovative drill sound and Thulo’s lyrical prowess. Featuring the single Oh My (OMG)!, which they dropped last month, the nine-track album seeks to push boundaries as their collaboration showcases the evolution of the genre and the dynamic potential of cross-genre partnerships. It also features songs such as Bout Luv and Lastag. In an interview, Thulo said the album showed a side of her that her fans had never seen before. “A lot of the time, I have gone a specific route in terms of my raps and in terms of the content of…

After three decades of gracing South African television screens, Basetsana Kumalo, pictured, has decided to step back from the industry. Known for her elegance and leadership, she has been a staple in the local entertainment scene, presenting on some of the country’s biggest TV shows like Utatakho, Date My Family, Becoming and Cheeky Palate, to name a few. Having once held the prestigious title of Miss South Africa, Kumalo transitioned from pageant queen to businesswoman, where her impact in the TV industry flourished. Over the years, she built Connect TV, a company that creates fresh local formats and produces long-form TV and short-form digital content. Under her leadership, Connect TV developed culturally relevant reality shows such as Our Perfect Wedding, Diski Divas, Bootcamp and Please Step In. These productions are…

ALLEGED gang boss, Jerome “Donkie” Booysen, has challenged the admissibility of cellphone calls in the trial of slain “steroid king” Brian Wainstein, saying the interception of his calls were unlawful. This came to light in the Western Cape High Court yesterday, as Booysen and his co-accused returned for the continuation of the underworld trial centred on Wainstein’s murder. He was shot and killed in his Constantia home in August 2017. Booysen, along with slain businessman, Mark Lifman, is charged for allegedly arranging the hit. Booysen’s defence lawyer, Advocate Amanda Nel, yesterday voiced her objection as the State sought to present information obtained by the Hawks during the interception of calls between Lifman, Booysen and Andre Naude. This came amid testimony by a retired Hawks detective, who took the stand…

THE Delft pastor accused of rape will spend the Christmas holiday in custody. Ebrahiem Sardien, 39, was arrested on November 17 after a 15-year-old girl reported the case the previous day. Sardien made his second appearance in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where the case was remanded to January 22 for further investigation. Action Society’s Kaylynn Palm said: “Action Society joined Women Impacting a Nation and members of the Delft community at the Bellville Magistrate’s Court for a rape case of a 15-year-old who was sexually assaulted allegedly by a pastor in Delft. The incident occurred last Saturday. The case has been postponed to January 22, 2025 for further investigation.” A community member said Sardien’s lawyer indicated he wouldn’t apply for bail. “We want to put emphasis on screening of…

The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign is a United Nations campaign which takes place annually from 25 November to 10 December. In South Africa, plagued by reprehensible levels of misogyny and gender-based violence, Government asks us all to play our part: Reject and report abusers – Act and don’t look away! Do not protect abusers, report them! Sign the Pledge Against Gender-Based Violence. Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber, however, is not playing his part. He hasn’t even bothered to respond to multiple requests from the GOOD Party that he reject the visa application of convicted US R&B artist, Chris Brown. Rather than reject this abuser, Schreiber prefers to look away. We know that banning Brown won’t be popular with South Africans, but…

When I first heard about the plans to build the Labour Corps Memorial in Cape Town, I was struck by the profound significance of such a tribute in the city I call home. Cape Town, with its layered history and complex landscape, has always been a place where symbols of power and resistance are deeply intertwined. It was impossible for me not to think about movements like Rhodes Must Fall and Fees Must Fall, both of which challenged us to confront the legacies embedded in our public spaces, and to rethink how we honour and remember history. This memorial, dedicated to the South African men of the Labour Corps who served in World War I, is a reminder of a history that is often left out of textbooks and public…

Over the years, the City of Cape Town has neglected its athletics facilities to the point that Green Point is the only one in the metro that complies with safety requirements. All of Vygieskraal, Parow, Blue Downs, Mandela Park, Westfleur and Bellville athletics tracks are non-Sasrea compliant and falling into disrepair. These are not the kind of things the City mentions when it markets itself as the “City that works for you” and the “best-run City in Africa”. But let’s be clear, the overwhelming majority of Cape Town’s residents remain systematically excluded from equitable access to services. The City makes up for its skewed service provision practises with a combination of lies, alternative facts, fake news and propaganda – which many in the middle class choose to believe. The City’s…

India’s parliament was suspended yesterday after disruption by MPs demanding a discussion of bribery allegations against the Adani Group, while major partner TotalEnergies halted investments into the ports-to-power conglomerate. The Indian business group’s billionaire chairperson, Gautam Adani, and seven other people were charged last week by US authorities with agreeing to pay around $265 million in bribes to Indian government officials. The charges related to alleged payments to obtain contracts that could yield $2 billion in profit over 20 years, as well as to develop India’s largest solar power project. The charges also included making misleading statements to the public despite being made aware of the US investigation in 2023. The Adani Group has said the accusations as well as those levelled by the US Securities and Exchange Commission in…

Avignon: The trial in France of a man charged with enlisting dozens of strangers to rape his heavily sedated wife must fundamentally change relationships between men and women, a prosecutor said yesterday. The prosecution was outlining its demands for the sentencing of the 51 men on trial, including the main accused Dominique Pelicot, the former husband of the victim Gisele Pelicot. The men face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.Prosecutor Jean-Francois Mayet praised the “courage” of Gisele Pelicot, the victim of 200 repeated rapes. | AFP…

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has suffered a hamstring injury, said the Spanish club yesterday, ruling him out of the upcoming Champions League match with Liverpool. “After tests taken today our player Vinicius Junior has been diagnosed by Real Madrid's medical services with a hamstring injury in his left leg,” the club said in a statement. Spanish media reported the Brazilian winger is expected to miss almost a month, which would also keep him out of the Champions League visit to Atalanta on December 10, as well as tomorrow’s visit to Anfield. Vinicius played the full 90 minutes of Madrid's 3-0 win at Leganes in La Liga on Sunday, setting up Kylian Mbappe for the opening goal. The 24-year-old has started the season in superb form, outshining summer arrival Mbappe…

Black Coffee has been named the World’s Best DJ 2024 at the Golden Moon Awards. The musician is showing no signs of slowing down, especially when he continues to receive global recognition after Nightlife International said that South Africa’s very own had been bestowed with the prestigious award. “All hail Black Coffee from South Africa, winner of the Golden Moon award for the World’s Best DJ 2024! Black Coffee has taken the global stage by storm, blending his unique Afro-house sound with deep, soulful grooves that resonate with audiences worldwide,” the post read. “A pioneer, a visionary and a cultural ambassador, Black Coffee continues to inspire millions, pushing boundaries and connecting the world through his music. A truly deserving icon of this prestigious honour.” Meanwhile, the DJ was not the…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa seems to be in for an unpleasant week as he faces two separate court battles that could have significant implications for his second term of his presidency. To fire the first salvo is the EFF which is taking Ramaphosa to the Constitutional Court today over the Phala Phala scandal that has been a thorn in the president’s side for years. The party is seeking to hold Ramaphosa accountable for his actions surrounding the break-in at his Phala Phala game farm in February 2020. Just two days later, on Thursday, Ramaphosa will be back in the same court to face accusations of stalling access to books for the blind and the visually impaired. SECTION27, a public interest law centre, will argue that Ramaphosa’s failure to sign the Copyright…

CAPE Town-based comedians have come together to raise funds for organisations working tirelessly to ensure the rights women and children, and particularly survivors of gender-based violence, are upheld and safeguarded. Yesterday marked the first day of the annual observance of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign. The effort by the comedians forms part of the awareness campaign, with all funds raised to be donated to the Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust and the Women’s Legal Centre. The comedy fundraiser will take place on December 8, at 7pm at Ground Culture Café in Observatory. Performers include Yaaseen Barnes, Eugene Mathews, Arlene Petersen, Kenwyn Davids, Candace Fortune, Khanyisile Ngwenya, Kaashif Stellenboom, Nate Levinrad, and Saya Fierce-Jones. One of the organisers, Saya Pierce-Jones (stage name Fierce-Jones) said the comedians recognise…

Austerity does not have to mean suffering. Cutting public spending has become an increasingly more urgent and necessary measure to curb South Africa’s ballooning debt; cuts need to be made sooner. And the longer we wait, the larger the debt becomes, the larger the interest payments, and then the greater the cuts that will become necessary to recover. There is untold wasteful spending currently baked into the budget that can be cut out. In fact, billions could likely be shaved off the budget without negatively affecting South Africans. In 2023 the Democratic Alliance (DA) identified that African National Congress (ANC) governed departments wasted an estimated R40 billion in the 2022/23 financial year. I suspect that the total wasted spending year-on-year is far greater. This is especially true when we take…

BAGHDAD: Iraq’s population has risen to 45.4 million, according to preliminary results from a national census, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said yesterday. It was Iraq’s first nationwide survey in more than three decades. The last census, conducted in 1997, did not include the Iraqi Kurdistan region, which has been under Kurdish administration since the 1991 Gulf War. It counted 19 million Iraqis, and officials estimated there were another 3 million in the Kurdish north, according to official statistics. | Reuters…

As South Africa observes the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign, Queen Malobane, the Gauteng general Manager at Metropolitan, emphasises the importance of planning ahead to secure your freedom and the financial protection of your loved ones. Malobane shares five financial considerations when preparing to leave an abusive relationship: Create a nest egg A crucial first step in preparing to leave is setting up a separate savings account. This doesn’t require your spouse’s consent. Having an independent financial cushion is particularly empowering, as it allows you to act on your own terms. Take control of your debt A credit report can clarify any shared debts and help you see where you stand financially. Access to your credit profile allows you to start taking steps…

Sean “Diddy” Combs” legal woes continue to mount. The rapper, who is awaiting trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges at a notoriously tough jail in Brooklyn, New York, has been hit with yet another graphic drink-spiking sexual assault allegation. In addition to the slew of cases he is facing from alleged victims, a woman has come forward to claim she was sexually assaulted at one of his notorious “White Parties” and is “definitely” pursuing legal action. LaTroya Grayson said she had been 23 in 2006 when she had a pair of tickets on a radio show to attend a party hosted by Combs in New York. She said she had travelled from Oklahoma to the bash. That night, she had taken photos of herself with several men, including…

A MOMENT of palpable pride, celebration and optimism was expressed through cheers and ululation inside the Sarah Baartman Hall at UCT, as the university installed its 11th vice-chancellor, Professor Mosa Moshabela. The customary installation, co-hosted by UCT Chancellor Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe and UCT Council chair Norman Arendse, took place yesterday. A humorous yet inspiring quip was that less than 30 years ago, Moshabela’s application for study at the university was declined. Now, the esteemed academic, researcher and clinician scientist, was widely described as the “right leader at the right time”. Moshabela officially occupied office on August 1. Moshabela took over from Emeritus Professor Daya Reddy. During his address, Moshabela gave a special acknowledgement to his late grandmother, Elizabeth Ramadimetja Madisha, who made a profound contribution to his life. His mother,…

A GERMAN tourist was left wounded in a mugging, allegedly by four suspects, while hiking in Kalk Bay near the Echo Valley area last week. SANParks spokesperson, JP Louw, said they were aware of the incident involving two German tourists, and safety measures have been put in place. “Table Mountain National Park rangers and the SAPS responded immediately and assisted the victims. “One of the victims was treated at the scene by paramedics and returned to their accommodation. The SAPS is investigating the matter further. “The safety and security of our visitors remains a top priority and we have started putting in place measures that are generally showing positive results in the push against criminal activities,” Louw said. However, police spokesperson, Anelisiwe Manyana, said Muizenberg and Fish Hoek police stations…

The shopping event of the season, Black Friday, is set to take place this week with consumers around the country looking for the best deals from retailers ahead of the festive season. One of South Africa’s biggest banks, First National Bank (FNB) said it is anticipating its customers to spend over R3 billion. FNB yesterday said that the improved economic landscape and sustained recovery in consumer income will likely boost sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday compared to last year. The bank stated that with the increase seen in retailers offering extended specials over the course of the month or week leading up to Black Friday, FNB expects spend to exceed R3 billion over the Black Friday weekend as well as a significant shift towards digital payments. CEO of…

AN INDEPENDENT report by an organisation monitoring court cases involving children has revealed that only 4% of over 5 000 child abuse cases resulted in convictions between 2019 and 2024, with more than 5 000 withdrawn due to a lack of evidence or witnesses. The shocking statistics were made available by the Teddy Bear Foundation, via its Court Preparation Programme. The programme aims to support victims of child abuse through the criminal justice system. The data has been made available as the country observes 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from November 25 - December 10. The report detailed that many children continue to suffer abuse despite legislative reforms intended to protect children, including the Children’s Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act. “Few cases lead to…

An entire gallery housing some of South Africa’s exquisite works has been imploded by indifference and preserving our heritage is an heirloom to be passed on to future generations. But then again, what can one say, as the post-1994 South Africa introduced civilised citizens to a body of people who simply do not care enough that living in squalor is okay, that fully functioning infrastructure is just a way of life. This then is our post-1994 apocalypse... and some of us thought that Mandela’s vision would translate into something wonderful. Allegedly there is a Department of Arts and Culture somewhere within the dingy halls of government. Who then is running that department? “Could not care less”... an apt description? Ja nee ou boet... the die was cast in 1994.…

Political observers have been intrigued about why after his expulsion from the ANC and losing his appeal, former president Jacob Zuma has insisted that the issue was not over. His supporters have confirmed that they want to continue to contest his expulsion. Curiously Zuma is also mulling going the legal route, which is unlikely to succeed. In a recent media interview, he said his plan was to retain his credentials and legitimacy in the ANC as a member so that he could take it over. How does he envisage doing this? Zuma aims to unite what he terms “black parties” as one under the MK Party and, eventually, do the same to the ANC. What does this mean for the MKP members who are behind the party as they…

With sunny days and balmy nights occurring more frequently, many people are heading to the coast again for day outings or evening picnics. However, drownings are also an all too common occurrence in summer. Rip currents are a dreaded force of nature that have cost the lives of many – locals and tourists alike. Rip currents are powerful channels of fast-moving water that extend from the shoreline into deeper waters and can pose a treacherous threat at beaches with breaking waves. Swimmers are encouraged not to fight the force of the water. Instead, they are advised to stay calm and allow the ocean to spew them back out on the shore. It is, however, a tough ask in the face of calamity. These rip currents move at speeds of up…

WINDHOEK: Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba has hailed Swapo presidential candidate and Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as “a morally upright leader” who he says is more experienced than other presidential candidates. If Nandi-Ndaitwah wins tomorrow’s elections, she will be the country’s first female president. Mbumba said she had conducted meetings with students, farmers, businesspeople, churches and traditional leaders to hear their concerns. High unemployment, corruption and inequality have eroded Swapo’s support, which fell to 56% in the 2019 election from 87% in 2014. | Sputnik and Reuters…