Innehållsförteckning för 2025-01-07 från Cape Argus

In 2024, Kendrick Lamar certified his status as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. His critically acclaimed sixth studio album GNX, which he dropped in late November and includes viral tracks such as Luther, featuring SZA, and Squabble Up, continues to dominate the charts worldwide. The 37-year-old American hip hop artist’s diss track Not Like Us amid his feud with fellow rapper Drake has been named by several music critics as the song of 2024 with some even going as far as pronouncing the single as arguably the biggest rap song of the decade so far. In addition, K. Dot, as he is affectionately known as, was named as Billboard’s Greatest Pop Star of the Year. This is as he shattered additional records by becoming the first artist…

THE future of a former learner at a secondary school in Temba township, Tshwane, hangs in the balance as the school refuses to release his matric certificate, allegedly over R600 in unpaid fees towards its School Improvement Plan (SIP) that was meant to raise learner academic achievement. The learner, Emmanuel Moiloa, 23, who completed his matric in 2022, was forced to put his future plans on hold as he could not afford the payment. His sister, Violet Moiloa, said the family was dependent solely on social grants and her attempts to explain their financial struggles were met with indifference. “The school officials have refused to listen to me, insisting that they will only hand over the certificate once the outstanding amount is paid,” she said. To make matters worse, she…

THE suspect accused of kidnapping and killing 23-year-old Ayabonga Mjilo told the Durban Magistrate’s Court yesterday that he would abandon his bail application. In court, Mfanafuthi Kunene was granted Legal Aid with Ntando Cele being his designated attorney, and the matter was adjourned to February 26. KwaZulu-Natal’s Premier, Tham- sanqa Ntuli, also attended the court proceedings. Speaking after Kunene’s court appearance, Nontobeko said the Greenwood Park police officers, led by Sergeant Nhlanhla Mhlongo were relentless in their attempt to find her sister. “They did not sleep, day and night, looking for my mother’s child, until they found and returned with her. I’d like to say thank you even though in the end we found her (Ayabonga) dead.” On December 28, 2024, Nontobeko filed a missing person’s report for Ayabonga who…

The abduction of the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Dr Hussam Abu Safiya in Gaza, at the hands of the Israeli army is morally reprehensible and should cause global outrage and condemnation. Dr Abu Safiya is accused of being a member of Hamas, a charge which is ridiculous and utterly false. At the time of writing, Kamal Adwan Hospital has been destroyed by the Israeli army who have concluded their operations at the hospital. Kamal Adwan was the last functioning hospital in North Gaza. Dr Abu Safiya’s unwavering commitment to his patients and the people of Gaza throughout the genocide, despite being severely injured from a missile attack on the hospital, bears testament to his integrity and his dedication to his people and profession. He was beaten prior to his…

CAPE Town will be pulsating with the ANC’s celebratory activity this week, particularly its annual “January 8” celebration. The celebration marks a watershed moment as the party emerges bruised from a historic “below-50” performance in the 2024 national elections. This January 8 statement isn’t going to be just another political ritual – it’s a defining moment for both the ANC and many South Africans, a make-or-break moment. The nation awaits President Ramaphosa’s Khayelitsha speech with bated breath, seeking signals of the party’s posture since its electoral setback. Back in 2015, at a five-day “Alliance” summit, then secretary-general Gwede Mantashe (now national chairperson) diagnosed that “crass displays of wealth and arrogance are among the problems facing the ANC”, noting the “growing social distance between the leadership and the people” they were…

More than 100 shaven-headed men pour out of their Yangon hostel around 6am for a day of weightlifting, karate drills, dancing and Buddhist prayer – drug rehabilitation, Myanmar style. The group of doctors, musicians and street food vendors set off for a jog around a verdant, orchid-dotted compound, watched over by supervisors carrying heavy wooden sticks. Welcome to another day at “Metta Saneain” – the “House of Love” in Burmese – a rehab centre dishing out tough love to break the cycle of drug addiction. Myanmar has long been a narcotics-producing powerhouse, with drugs fuelling and financing decades of internal conflict and authorities turning a blind eye to the billion-dollar industry. The chaos unleashed by the military’s 2021 coup has gutted the legal economy and the country is now the…

The 82nd Golden Globe Awards kicked off the Hollywood award season on Sunday with The Brutalist, Emilia Pérez, Hacks, Shōgun and Baby Reindeer being the biggest winners on the night. The ceremony, which honours some of the best film and television entertainment of the year, was held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, was hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser. Meanwhile, Demi Moore (The Substance), Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), Jeremy Allen White (The Bear), Colin Farrell (The Penguin) and Jodie Foster (True Detective: Night Country) were among the stars who took home the biggest honours. Period drama film The Brutalist led the pack with a whopping seven prizes, including Brady Corbet winning Best Director and Adrien Brody walking away with the win for Male Actor in a…

THE family of the slain armed response officer who was hailed a hero after he rushed inside a residence to save a mother and her children from an intruder during a home invasion in Bergvliet, said he lived up to his oath to serve and protect and was selfless in his act. The Cape Argus spoke with the family of Alexander “Chris” Bottomley, 57, from Pro-Sec Technologies Security Company, who was shot and killed while responding to the panic alarm incident on January 5 in Princess Road just after 4am. According to Bottomley’s daughter, Chantal Abrahams, he had risked life and limb to save the woman and her children because he knew the situation was critical and dangerous for the family inside the residence. She explained that Bottomley, from Lavender…

I RECEIVED an email this weekend which I feel the need to share so that I can use it to highlight how the City’s policy on homelessness (which in effect just displaces people living on the streets from one area to the next) is impacting communities. The lady wrote: “I have been following your posts on social media, in particular on Twitter. Please may I ask for your advice on how to address / approach the following? How can we get the City to re-home a growing number of homeless persons in our street, please? Is there something else we should do to ensure the safety of our children as well as the safety of those sleeping on the streets? We have both The Haven night shelter as well as…

THE passing of Former President Jimmy Carter at 100, has gripped many nations with a deep embrace of sorrow. As we grieve, we thank Almighty God for the memorable years that he gave to this beloved purveyor of justice and humility. His death gives us cause to ponder how he touched our lives. His commitment to social justice and reconciliation, to human rights and the dignity of the human person will be gratefully remembered. The world pays tribute to his immense and unique contribution to peace and justice and his emphasis on the dignity and worth of every individual from conception to the grave. His courage in denouncing international military intervention and his relentless fight against injustices during his political career will be remembered by many generations…

The sister of the Elsies River teen who disappeared in the surf zone at Tsaarsbank Picnic Site, West Coast National Park near Vondeling Island has shared how challenging the whole experience has been for the family. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) continues to search for Neo’s body after the teenager went missing on Friday. Kaylin September, 24, said that the family had gone to the site to braai and that her brother Neo had only wanted to wet his feet. “The water was knee-deep and (then) a wave came over him, then it was up to his neck when the water pulled him in. He wasn’t really that far in and he was in distress. He called for my boyfriend, Aydan to help him.” September said when her boyfriend,…

Zimbabwe hasn’t executed anyone who was sentenced to death since 2005. With the passing of the Death Penalty Abolition Act 2024 on December 31, Zimbabwe has become the 127th country in the world to end the death penalty. This process began with the introduction to parliament of an opposition private member’s bill led by Edwin Mushoriwa, though some amendments were made by the government. Other countries, too, have been moving away from the death penalty. In Africa, only seven of the 55 states in the African Union are “actively retentionist”, meaning that they sentence people to death and have carried out executions in the last decade. These states include Egypt, Somalia and South Sudan. Twenty-six African countries have abolished the death penalty in law. The most recent countries to do…

THE new year has started tragically for a Delft family, after a 16-year-old pregnant Jamie-Lee Martinus was fatally stabbed in the neck by a drunk man allegedly unknown to her. According to friends of Martinus, who said they witnessed the attack, the incident took place after midnight on New Year’s Day. The witnesses claim they were outside shooting fireworks. One witness said: “We went to the shop to buy more (fireworks). Jamie-Lee was standing with someone about a house away from the shop because she was struggling to light her 100-shooters and while they were struggling, a drunk man approached them from behind and grabbed the 100-shooter from her. “She grabbed it back and the 100-shooter probably went against him then he pushed her. She fell on her stomach. She…

LORENZO (The Problem with Privilege) has explained his side of the story in great detail and I agree with many parts of his bitterness. But let me first put relevant facts on the table that will set the scene for objective discussion. I am a whitey (83 years old) and was heavily involved in business and part time assistance to the 89 election (NP) and the 91 referendum. Yes Lorenzo described my life accurately but what he is missing totally is the massive effort that we put in afterwards to help normalise and rectify the situation. That efforts were rebuffed on the basis of – now we can do it and we are going to take it all – we do not need you – the whites. Let me remind…

THE start of 2025 has brought not celebration but sorrow, with the nation grappling with the brutal killings of two women. These murders have once again forced us to confront South Africa’s gender-based violence (GBV)crisis. Koketso Ramahlo’s body was discovered on January 3 near her home after she went missing on New Year’s Day while meeting friends. Her grandmother found her partially burned body, an unimaginable and cruel end for a young life full of potential. Police have arrested three men in connection with the murder, but this cannot undo the deep pain Koketso’s family now carry. In another GBV crime, Tshwane metro police officer Ramaabele Mothapo was killed on Christmas Eve, allegedly by her partner. A police officer who worked to protect others was killed by the person who…

Ruben Amorim said life at Manchester United has become “too comfortable” as he challenged his players to show the mentality that earned a 2-2 draw at Liverpool on Sunday on a more regular basis. Few gave Amorim's men much hope heading to face the runaway Premier League leaders at Anfield after a four-game losing streak. However, the visitors were a side transformed from meek defeats to Bournemouth, Wolves and Newcastle as they scored their first goals away at Liverpool since 2018 and merited a share of the spoils. “I want to see my team play so much better but the key today is the mentality," said Amorim. “I feel that we are, not just the players but everyone at Manchester United, too comfortable. We need sometimes a shock and you…