Innehållsförteckning för 2024-12-03 från Cape Argus

Bass guitarist for alternative rock band Fokofpolisiekar, Wynand Myburgh, is thrilled that after 21 years, the group is stronger than ever. Also known as Polisiekar or FPK due to the obscenity in the name, the Cape Town band comprises lead vocalist Francois van Coke, rhythm guitarist Hunter Kennedy, lead guitarist Johnny De Ridder and acoustic drummer Justin Kruger. They have been together since the band formed in 2003, with drummer Jaco Venter joining them in recent years. Myburgh, who is also known as Valkie Van Coke, has described their 21-year journey as “a blast, a blessing and a privilege”. “This is exactly what we all wanted to do and we are doing it,” he added in a recent interview. The band was formed in April 2003, initially as…

THE Border Management Authority (BMA) has intercepted more than 300 “high value” vehicles, which were being illegally taken out of South Africa through different ports. Addressing media yesterday over the readiness of the law enforcement agency ahead of the busy festive season, BMA commissioner, Michael Masiapato, said authorities have adopted a zero-tolerance approach to clamping down on all forms of criminality at ports. “In addressing the scourge of illegal migration, the BMA has managed to intercept and stop about 410 000 individuals attempting to enter the country illegally since the deployment of the first cohorts of the Border Guards on July 15, 2022. “In this regard, the majority were arrested, fingerprinted, declared undesirable for period of five years, and deported,” said Masiapato. “Further, we have been able to detect about…

THE SA Communist Party (SACP) has signalled a significant shift in its political strategy by announcing its decision to contest the upcoming 2026 local government elections as an independent party. The move marks a pivotal moment for the organisation, traditionally aligned with the ANC, as it seeks to redefine its electoral prospects and engagement with the electorate. Speaking at the end of their Central Committee meeting on Sunday, General-Secretary Solly Mapaila said their bilateral talks with the ANC in January will also discuss the matter. “We had indicated to the ANC that we have taken a decision to contest local elections as the SACP. So, officially and formally now this has been communicated to the ANC. “We believe that standing as an independent party will allow us to engage more…

The ANC has read the riot act to some of its members who are said to be working with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP). This is as the party has been navigating turbulent waters as allegations emerge of party members covertly aligning themselves with the MK Party. This revelation comes hot on the heels of the ANC’s disappointing electoral performance in KwaZulu-Natal, where support plummeted from 54% in 2019 to just 17% in the recent elections. During a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held in Boksburg yesterday, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri addressed the allegations, stating that members who no longer wish to be part of the ANC are free to exit the party. “We have been made to believe that we are having people who are said to be working…

ERICA Primary School’s robotics and coding club in Belhar has once again achieved remarkable success, qualifying for the prestigious First Lego League national championships in Johannesburg on December 6 and 7. The achievement follows their impressive performance earlier this year at the national World Robotics Olympiad, where they ranked 5th and 6th out of 30 schools in their respective categories. Coach, Vernon Petersen, who has led the club for two years, expressed his pride in the team. “Our learners have cracked the code and unlocked an incredible opportunity,” he said. However, despite their success, the team of nine learners face a major challenge: raising nearly R90 000 to attend the event. The First Lego League is one of the largest robotics competitions globally, with over 110 countries participating. This year’s…

As of the end of April 2024, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that more than 120 million people worldwide had been forcibly displaced due to human rights violations, conflict, persecution, violence, and major disruptions to public order. In its Global Appeal for 2025, the UNHCR highlighted that of this number, over 60 million people are women and girls, placing them at heightened risk of gender-based violence (GBV). Globally, nearly one in three women experience sexual or physical violence in their lifetime, and forcibly displaced women are 20% more likely to experience intimate partner violence (IPV) compared to non-displaced women. In 2023 alone, conflict-related sexual violence increased by 50%. Displacement can lead to new risks for women and girls, and increase the possibility of violence. These risks…

Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker celebrated a milestone this weekend, as he notched up his 100th win at the helm of the Western Cape side with a significant triumph over the illustrious Orlando Pirates. The match, held at the historic Orlando Stadium, showcased the sheer determination and skill of Barker’s players, culminating in a victory that has propelled Stellies to third place in the Betway Premiership standings. Since taking charge in 2017 when the team was still competing in the second division, Barker has been instrumental in transforming Stellenbosch into a respected contender on South Africa's elite football stage. Under his guidance, the club has not only experienced gradual promotion but also achieved trophy success, as well as participation in continental competition. The milestone 100th win came courtesy of…

Irish singing sensation Darren Kiely is set to perform in South Africa for the first time next year. The Ocean hitmaker is bringing his The Never Been Here Before Tour to Johannesburg and Cape Town. He will perform at The Troyeville in the City of Gold on April 17. Kiely will then travel to the Brass Bell in Kalk Bay on April 20. Supporting acts for both shows are expected to be announced soon. The musician is also set to take to the stage at the Splashy Fen Festival in Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal. Dubbed South Africa’s friendliest music festival, the music extravaganza will take place during the Easter weekend from April 17 to 21. On Friday, the organisers announced that Kiely will be joined by GoodLuck and the Ard Matthews trio,…

POLICE have revealed that at least three of the five men killed in Mfuleni at the weekend had a criminal past. The men were shot inside a shack on Sunday afternoon. Provincial police commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, visited Mfuleni police station yesterday before proceeding to the crime scene at the corner of Polisa and Deputy Streets. He said their investigation so far led them to believe the motive for the attack was extortion related. “According to the information that we have, there were two armed men. One had an automatic rifle and another had a hand gun,” Patekile said. “One of the deceased lived in that shack. It would appear that these were his friends. We suspect that the motive for the murder is extortion related, but our investigation, as it…

ONCE featured in his favourite newspaper and recognised as one of its long-standing readers, Allen Smith celebrated a milestone 90th birthday. He shared what a joyful surprise it was seeing the Cape Argus photographer present to document the tremendous occasion spent with family and friends. Ardent Cape Argus supporter and subscriber, Smith featured in the newspaper on July 18, 2022, recognised as one of its long-standing readers following a special event held at the Taj Hotel in Cape Town. To this day, he remains a dedicated daily reader of the Cape Argus, his “favourite publication” according to his granddaughter, Chloe Smith. She added that her grandfather has been a subscriber for about 20 years and has his daily paper delivered to his door. On December 1 Smith celebrated his…

To add injury to insult, the Stormers lost key players in their dramatic defeat to the Sharks in Durban and must host Toulon on Saturday in Gqeberha without Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Dan du Plessis. The backline pair was injured in the United Rugby Championship (URC) match in Durban, which saw the Sharks engineer a post-hooter great escape and they will be missed when the focus shifts now to the Challenge Cup. In a sense, the news is good for Springbok fans in that it is a concussion that will prevent Feinberg Mngomezulu from running the show at the Nelson Mandela Stadium. When he left the field at the Shark Tank, there was a worry that the leg injury that had removed him from the Boks’ end-of-year tour was more serious…

The Blitzboks will start the Cape Town Sevens on Saturday with challenging fixtures against Ireland at 11.44am and Argentina at 6.41pm. The South Africans were good in stages in Dubai last week but ultimately sunk to a sixth-placed finish and they will be determined to make a good fist of this tournament in front of their home supporters. For Donavan Don, last weekend’s season opener felt like his Springbok Sevens debut all over again, something the Blitzbok flyer is sure will happen again in Cape Town, where the DHL Stadium will play host to the second tournament of the 2025 HSBC SVNS series. Don made his Blitzbok debut as a 21-year-old in Hong Kong in 2023 and played in Singapore a week later for a satisfying start to his sevens…

As retirement approaches, many people reduce their risk profile by shifting their pension investments to more conservative assets like bonds and the money market. However, this traditional strategy, though designed to protect against market volatility, can actually diminish the future growth potential of retirement savings. Especially taking into account that most of the growth in your retirement fund occurs in the last 5 years. Maintaining a higher level of risk may be the smarter choice for a longer, more prosperous retirement, provided that you work with a Certified Financial Planner. Rethink risk with living annuities Retirees have historically reduced their risk profile to safeguard against market downturns. However, with the introduction of living annuities, they now have the option to stay invested in more aggressive portfolios (with higher allocations to…

KykNet’s fliekNET pop-up channel is making a grand return this festive season. Known for its selection of Afrikaans feature films, short films and documentaries, fliekNET has become a staple for movie lovers during the holidays. Since launching in 2014, the channel has been a celebration of Afrikaans storytelling, offering everything from nostalgic classics to award-winning contemporary gems. Over the years, fliekNET has treated viewers to films that have become firm favourites among families. Think of As Jy Sing, a feel-good musical comedy that lifts the spirits, or Pad Na Jou Hart, a romantic road movie that tugs at the heart while delivering a good laugh. Then there’s Vir Altyd, a touching drama about rekindling lost love, and Liefling, Die Movie, South Africa’s first Afrikaans musical, which had audiences singing along…

THE three suspects accused of robbing unsuspecting gay men using the Grindr online dating platform will spend the December holidays behind bars. Mlungisi Vincent Mbutu, Bongani Zulu and Zwelakhe Ngwenya appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where they were expected to apply for bail. They indicated they wanted to apply for bail, but the process was halted due to their facing of similar charges in Gauteng. The trio is accused of kidnapping, extortion, robbery with aggravating circumstances and cyber crimes. They were arrested in Woodstock at a rental home on June 14, with a hostage tied up. They were traced when the Hawks noted strange transactions in the victim’s bank account. After their arrest, more victims came forward, alleging the trio also lured them using the Grindr dating…

DISCOVERY Bank’s SpendTrend 2024 research found that e-commerce sites were more popular than in-store retailers on Black Friday. The report looked at the spending behaviour of its clients during one of the busiest days for retailers and found that most of its customers were not interested in dealing with the huge lines and the pandemonium that ensues on Black Friday. It further showed that Discovery Bank customers used Takealot as its most preferred e-commerce store during Black Friday. The SpendTrend data noted the average online card transaction value during Black Friday this year was R935. South Africans only spent on average R513 on purchases in-store, according to the data. The largest single transaction was R400 200 by a Discovery Bank customer. The research indicated that South Africans between the age…

THERE’S good news for spinning enthusiasts in Cape Town as a cooperative agreement between non-profit organisation Kaapstad 021 SPIN and the City’s Recreation and Parks Department will see a section of the Lentegeur Sports Ground being made available for practice purposes. The agreement will allow for a portion of the sports ground to be used, with support from the Lentegeur Municipal Facility Management Committee. It is the first agreement of its kind and will also act as a pilot to consider additional sites around the metropole, where members of the spin community have indicated high interest. Spinning is a motorsport that involves driving cars at speed in circles. Jonathan Schaffers, chairperson of SPIN (Supporting People In Need) in Mitchell’s Plain, expressed his excitement and said it was a long journey…

In a decisive show of force, Liverpool left no doubts about their title aspirations following a convincing 2-0 victory over Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday. Goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah graced the scoresheet, but the result belied the total domination displayed by the Reds, who sent the crisis-hit champions reeling to their sixth defeat in seven matches. The win places Liverpool in a commanding position as they advance in the Premier League title race, now nine points ahead of second-placed Arsenal and Chelsea, with City lagging a worrying 11 points behind. The champions, who have ruled English football with an iron fist under Pep Guardiola — securing an unparalleled four consecutive titles and six in seven seasons — appear on the brink of relinquishing their grip on…

Max Verstappen added gloss to his status and reputation but left a trail of argument, chaos, and tension behind him in the wake of his commanding triumph at the Lusail International Circuit. As the Formula One circus decamps 600km for this week's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, after an exhausting run-in to an unprecedented 24-race season, it was clear that Verstappen's fall-out with George Russell was just one of many issues that surfaced. Here, we look at three things we learned from Sunday's Qatar GP. Verstappen motivated by sense of injustice The newly-crowned, four-time world champion is a supreme competitor who needs no provocation but revealed in his driving and post-race revelations that when riled by a sense of injustice, he is a formidable force. His ninth win of the…