Innehållsförteckning för 2025-01-30 från Cape Argus

The third season The Sex Lives of College Girls, which is currently streaming on Showmax, returns to Essex College for sophomore year. It sees Bela (Amrit Kaur), Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet), Leighton (Reneé Rapp) and Whitney (Alyah Chanelle Scott) facing major changes in their lives after the turbulent season finale. Rapp is focusing on her music career, so viewers will be seeing less of her character this season but the rest of the group is all back. Created by six-time Emmy nominee Mindy Kaling (Never Have I Ever and The Office) and Brooklyn Nine-Nine writer Justin Noble, the 18SNL-rated series has been nominated for two GLAAD Media Awards, a Casting Society of America award and the MTV TV Awards’ Here for the Hookup prize. As Collider says: “While ‘sex lives’ may…

SCORES of investors, including widows and pensioners, have accused a Durban-based public property investment company of allegedly short-changing them. Investors allege that Amaanat Investment Holdings (AIH), which was created to ensure financial security for members of the Muslim community, refused to buy back their shares after they wanted to sever ties. They want out of the company because it allegedly short-changed them on their investment returns, allegedly breaching Sharia Law and invested their funds in companies they claim to be sloppy behind their backs and without their consent. The investors claimed they were promised 17% monthly returns when they joined as minority shareholders but that dropped to six percent and now they are only getting two percent. Their appeal to withdraw their investments has fallen on deaf ears, they claimed.…

WITH Tug-of-War winning big at the 2024 Provincial Sport Awards, it is clear the sport is making a name for itself, and with the World Championships set to take place in Mossel Bay in 2026, it is only going from strength to strength. The winners were announced at a ceremony in Paarl on January 18, at an event hosted by the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport. During the latter half of 2024, six regional award ceremonies were held across the province. The winners of those awards were nominated for the overall provincial ceremony. The provincial winners will now go on to be nominated for the National Sport Awards. However, the big winners of the night appeared to be Tug-of-War: School Team of the Year went to Oakdale’s…

Thalente Mbatha is living the dream at Orlando Pirates and reaping the fruits of his hard labour following a turbulent spell at former club SuperSport United. Mbatha is one of the best midfielders in the country. He doesn’t only boss the engine room – bringing stability – but he also has a knack for goal. He has scored important goals for both club and country, Pirates and Bafana Bafana, contributing to the CAF Champions League and Afcon qualifiers campaigns. His resurgence has set tongues wagging given that he wasn’t playing at former club SuperSport United in his last few months, before surprisingly surfacing at Pirates last January. The tough spells at SuperSport under coach Gavin Hunt could have easily broken him had Pirates not come calling during the summer transfer…

The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently named their Test Team of the Year. There was not a single South African in the XI, despite the Proteas topping the ICC World Test Championship table and being the first team to qualify for the final at Lord’s later this year. While the Proteas’ march to the ‘Home of Cricket’ has been built on the collective rather than the individual, the omission of Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada left me flabbergasted. The judging process involves an independent global voting panel – which incidentally I am a part of – and fans from around the world. My feeling is that the minimal Test cricket which the Proteas play, which of course is none of the players’ fault, has once again played a pivotal role…

While only nine points separate positions three to 12 on the United Rugby Championship log, the Stormers (12th) and Lions (13th) will venture into dangerous territory if they can’t pick up any wins in their local derbies over the next two months. Currently, the Bulls (third) and Sharks (fourth) are cruising in home playoff spots, but the other two South African franchises’ hopes are dwindling after recent losses. And things are only going to get tougher as the desperation fuels them when they get their campaigns back under way. The only teams in action next weekend will be the Stormers and the Jake White-coached Bulls, who will complete their Round 1 duel after a postponement due to the Currie Cup final overlapping with the URC start. It is the perfect…

Last year, South Africa’s creativity was showcased at six of the country’s biggest arts festivals. The kykNET Fiëstas, which honours the exceptional work presented at arts festivals like KKNK, Suidoosterfees, Innibos, Vrystaat Kunstefees, Klein-Karoo Klassique, Momentum Beleggings Aardklop and Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees, has released the list of nominations for the annual awards. Among the 14 categories, which include Best Actor and Best Actress, Best Director, Best Musical Production and Best Festival Production among others, are a host of familiar names. The winners will be announced on February 27 at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town. The awards will be attended by nominees and other role players and will not be televised but inserts for various programmes will be recorded. Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen leads the nominees list…

THE Cabinet lekgotla has convened in Pretoria, bringing together ministers from the Government of National Unity (GNU) to discuss priorities and plans for the year, ahead of the State of the Nation Address (Sona) next month. The two-day meeting, which started yesterday, comes amid rising tensions among GNU partners over several Bills enacted by President Cyril Ramaphosa recently. The G20 meeting, job creation, sustainable energy, reviving the economy, and the recent killing of SANDF members in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are expected to top the agenda. The meeting’s outcomes will shape the Sona scheduled for next month. Contentious issues such as the National Health Insurance (NHI), Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, and the recently signed Expropriation Act will also play centre-stage. Speaking on national television, Wits University’s…

VISITORS to the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) experienced a safer festive season after robberies dropped by 40% in November, December and this month. This, as 60 crime incidents were reported over the same period, compared to 64 the previous year, while 12 counter-poaching incidents were attended to. SANParks managing executive, Property Mokoena, previously said the park recorded 177 crime incidents in 2023. SANParks said the majority of incidents for the 2024/25 festive period were due to robbery, attempted robbery, theft from persons or from motor vehicles, while interventions were focused on poachers during the West Coast Lobster season. JP Louw, SANParks spokesperson, said: “TMNP recorded a successful festive season, with visitor numbers, crime incidents and fires presenting an overall encouraging picture. There was a nearly 10% increase in visitor…

A CAPE Town school operating from an RDP house without registration has sparked controversy, with activists demanding its closure. Champion Student Private School in Fukuze Street, Wallacedene, Kraaifontein, has six classrooms with more than 30 learners. Each child is charged R200 to R250 per month for tuition. ANC MPL, Benson Ngqentsu, said they found out about the school during an oversight visit in the area and informed the Western Cape Education Department (WCED). He described the condition of the schools as “horrible”. “The small classrooms are overcrowded and have about 30 learners. “What about the ablution facilities, are they compliant with the law of this country? And how do they get to Grade 10? They have to be shut down with immediate effect.” Founder and principal, Trust Mafara, 38, said…

After coming from behind to register a 2-1 victory against a Motsepe Foundation Championship side Kruger United in the Nedbank Cup last 32, the question that became apparent is: are Stellenbosch FC coping with competing on multiple fronts? The Stellies v Kruger clash was one of three matches that took place on Tuesday night. In the other two encounters, SuperSport United defeated Magesi FC 2-0, and AmaZulu FC smacked Mighty Eagles 5-1 in Umlazi. Even though the Cape Town side won 2-1, advancing to the last 16 round, they struggled on the night at the Danie Craven Stadium. Kruger opened the scoring with a goal from Onyedikachi Ononogbu in the 54th minute. The Maroons, buoyant after their 5-0 thrashing of AmaZulu last week, had to dig deep on Tuesday –…

Joburg Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming believes his team’s quest to reach a SA20 playoff spot has now become a “mental” challenge. The Super Kings were primed to book a spot in the knockout stages prior to meeting a revamped Pretoria Capitals side at Centurion on Tuesday evening. A victory would have ensured JSK’s qualification, but instead, the Capitals reversed the result with a bonus-point win that kept the highveld rivals very much in the reckoning for the next round. The Super Kings don’t have any time to over analyse the blow-out which saw them reach just 99/9 in their allotted 20 overs, with league leaders Paarl Royals waiting in the wings for the next encounter this evening at the Wanderers (5.30pm start). With such a short turnaround, Fleming and…

Formula One fans were given another dose of anticipation after Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc teased the internet with some pre-season updates. Ferrari’s latest signing, seven-time world champion Hamilton, looked studious in the Maranello lab, taking notes as he acquainted himself with the Prancing Horse. Hamilton and Leclerc were in Barcelona on Wednesday, testing the Ferrari SF-23. Scuderia shared an image of Hamilton at a desk with other Ferrari members with the caption: “Since Formula Renault, I take notes every single weekend. Every time I drive the car, I’m making notes, because you’re not going to remember it all, there’s too much going on.” Leclerc posted images on X showing off his new season helmet. “New 2025 helmet babyyyyyy. I’m sure it will be a fast one.” Both…

The Brasse Vannie Kaap documentary, written and directed by Lauren Scholtz, brings to life the essence of the iconic hip hop group that took the Cape Flats by storm in the 1990s. The group originally composed of Deon “DJ Ready D” Daniels, Roger “Hamma” Heunis, Enver “DJ E20” Pietersen and Ashley “Mr Fat” Titus, who died in 2007. Breakdancers Cheeze, Baby-L and Levi also joined in recent years. DJ E20 left the band soon after the formation of BVK and was first replaced with DJ Big Dre, whose appearance in the group was short-lived as he was replaced by DJ Azuhl (real name Ricardo Nunes). BVK, who are renowned for hits like Jy Smaak My and Kaap Van Storms, remain one of the most successful hip hop bands in the…

DEFENCE and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga has denied claims that SANDF troops deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) ran out of food and ammunition during their UN peace mission. The conflict in the region has resulted in the deaths of 13 SANDF soldiers who were caught in a battle between M23 rebels and DRC soldiers. Speaking on the sidelines of a Cabinet Lekgotla in Pretoria yesterday, Motshekga said: “I went to our logistics centre and there was no stage where they said: ‘Minister, we have no food’.” Motshekga’s comments come amid growing concerns over the safety and well-being of SANDF troops deployed in the DRC. President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday said he was concerned about the speculation about the state of SANDF troops and the battle conditions. Rwanda…

THE refurbishment of the Muizenberg beachfront will start next week, with the contractor establishing the site and work areas on Monday. The City said the project entails major upgrades to public amenities and replacing the aged seawalls. It will be done in phases over a two-year period with the first work to start on the western side of Surfer’s Corner, next to the railway line, and shortly after on the small eastern parking area at the Muizenberg Civic Centre. The surf and beach itself will remain open and accessible at all times, however, work areas will be cordoned off as needed in the interest of public safety General work will take place from Monday to Saturday, from 7am to 5pm. Some work may happen after hours, depending on the…

It wasn’t just Lance Klusener who noticed that his Durban’s Super Giants team lacked a killer instinct in Season 3 of the SA20. Pretoria Capitals’ newly appointed captain Kyle Verreynne is of the same view about his own team. Verreynne was reflecting on their win against Joburg Super Kings on Tuesday night, and wished they did things differently earlier in the tournament, which could have perched them up in a better position leading up to the playoffs. The Capitals thrashed Joburg by six wickets at SuperSport Park in Centurion with the help of some lethal wicket-takers on their roster. Joburg could only reach 99/9 in 20 overs, with Migael Pretorius claiming 3/22, while Senuran Muthusamy and Gideon Peters both bagged 2/15. Marques Ackerman then scored 39 off 22 balls as…

Proteas coach Jenny van Dyk feels that the challenging recent Test series in Jamaica could mark a turning point in the careers of her players. The Proteas lost 3-0 in the Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series against third-ranked Jamaica in Kingston last week, but the South African coach could not be more proud of the fight her charges showed. Van Dyk feels the lessons they learnt in the Caribbean will serve them well in the Vitality Netball Nations Cup in England that tips off this weekend, and beyond. “The series was definitely a worthwhile effort. We travelled for 34 hours, we were put out of our comfort zone, we played at a venue and with a home crowd that you just cannot explain to people,” Van Dyk told Independent Media Sport…