Innehållsförteckning för 2025-02-27 från Cape Argus

THE Western Cape Education Department (WCED) will action various interventions, including searches and drug tests, to combat the violence at Bridgetown High School amid ongoing clashes. This comes just days after a vicious fight broke out on the school grounds. Panic spread across the Cape Flats community on Friday as frantic parents gathered to get their children. At the root of the conflict are claims that male learners have formed two opposing groups split along racial lines for the sale of drugs – namely dagga and cocaine, at the school. The learners are accused of arguing over drug turf. Despite police being called into the school last week, worried parents have raised the alarm over fights just outside the school grounds. Sadu Davids of the Bridgetown Neighbourhood Watch and Community…

SOUTH Africa stands at the edge of a political and economic disaster. The so-called Government of National Unity (GNU), led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is proving to be a catastrophic failure. Barely eight months in power, the GNU has delivered nothing but deadlock, division, and economic decline. Instead of stability, this uneasy marriage has brought infighting, conflicting policies, and paralysis at the highest levels. Under the GNU, the South African economy is spiralling downward at an alarming rate Rand instability: The currency has been on a rollercoaster, rattling investors. Budget crisis: The postponement of the national budget, due to internal GNU squabbles, has damaged South Africa’s financial credibility. International backlash: The Expropriation Act of 2024 triggered a storm of controversy. Donald Trump condemned South Africa for “confiscating land and treating…

Hats off to the speech-writers, advisers, consultants, all and sundry for the message that President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered at the meeting of G20 Finance Ministers in Cape Town on Wednesday morning. One of the aspects of Ramaphosa’s speech touched on the crisp issue of how the world has become more prone to dealing with disasters, and he tactfully reminded the more monied nations about lending a helping hand to those in need. The timing and setting for speech couldn’t have been more appropriate. Fires are raging around Table Mountain with the Newlands and the Redhill areas being the most affected places. Damage to property, infrastructure and the possible loss of lives was the obvious concern for authorities, going into Wednesday morning, as they had all available resources deployed for duty.…

South Korea’s birthrate, the lowest in the world, rose in 2024 for the first time in nine years, as more couples tied the knot after pandemic delays, and as policy efforts to incentivise companies and Koreans to embrace parenthood start to pay off. Nam Hyun-jin, 35, who had her second daughter last August, said she had seen a social shift, driven largely by the government’s broadened policy support and more companies joining the efforts. “The society as a whole is encouraging childbirth more than five years ago when we had our first child,” Nam said. And, more importantly, “it’s the company culture of encouraging childbirth that is providing huge help”. said Nam, whose employer, Booyoung, started to give out 100 million (R1.2m) won ($70 000) from last year to its…

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani this week and the two discussed Iranian influence in the region, the need for Iraq to be energy independent, and US business investments, the State Department said. “The two agreed on the need for Iraq to become energy independent, to quickly reopen the Iraq-Turkiye Pipeline, and to honour contractual terms for US companies working in Iraq to attract additional investment,” the State Department said. | Reuters…

Mzansi’s beloved soapie Skeem Saam faced a frightening setback after a fire reportedly broke out on set at Sasani Studios, leaving one crew member hospitalised. Entertainment commentator Phil Mphela broke the news on Monday via his verified X account. According to the post, the fire erupted while an episode was being filmed and one crew member found themselves trapped in the studio, sustaining injuries before being rushed to hospital. Mphela shared: “Skeem Saam set goes up in flames – crew member hospitalised. (The) fire broke out during shooting on the set of Skeem Saam at Sasani Studios. Sadly, one crew member got stuck in the studio and sustained injuries. The individual was taken to hospital.” While the extent of the damage to the set remains unknown, it is unclear whether…

ANABELA Rungo, mother of former Miss SA participant Chidemma Adetshina, has been granted R10 000 bail by the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court. Rungo has been classified as a prohibited person in South Africa as she does not hold official documents. Yesterday afternoon, Magistrate Sadiqah Guendouz issued strict bail conditions to Rungo, who is to remain under house arrest for the duration of her bail and is only allowed to leave her residence in Summer Greens for court appearances and for consulting with a lawyer. She is also allowed to attend the Home Affairs offices if it is required of her to do so but is barred from making any applications for any documents and is not allowed to attend the embassy or send anybody on her behalf. The matter was…

COSATU yesterday said the more than 2 000 jobs cut by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) have affected poor working-class communities across the province. The trade federation, together with the SACP and other civil society organisations, picketed in Beaufort West ahead of the State of the Province Address by Premier Alan Winde. Cosatu had called for a teacher stayaway yesterday, saying unemployed teachers are joining the ranks of organised crime, and overcrowded classrooms are compromising quality education. SACP Western Cape secretary, Benson Ngqentsu, said the Western Cape provincial government, led by the DA, must commit to industrialising the Central Karoo district as a basis to address poverty and unemployment. “The Democratic Alliance-led government must not use the 2018 wage agreement as a convenient excuse to cut teacher posts in…

THE Milnerton Ridge Ratepayers Association (MRRA) has called on the City of Cape Town to investigate claims that a plan for two separate residential properties were approved without engagement from neighbours who may be affected by changes to privacy, noise, air pollution from an open braai area, and security concerns. Ané Janse van Rensburg, chairperson of the MRRA, told the Cape Argus that five households were affected and raised their grievances with the City. Building plans and photographs were shared with the Cape Argus and may not be printed due to the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). The properties located in the greater Milnerton Ridge community are owned by a distribution company and numerous emails were sent to its main contractor this week, who has yet to respond to…

THE International defence exhibition and conference (Idex) show held in the UAE, showcased man’s progress in aviation over a 100 year period. Airborne powered flight enhanced our power of movement and gave us the awesome vision to observe the earth from high altitudes. Space flights became a reality as a result of the aeroplane invention over 114 years ago, since then over 550 people have rocketed themselves into the realm of the vast and never ending Cosmos. Today, as a result of powered flight, we have the technology to peer into deep space. We record and store data on many galaxies dating back to over 200 million years after the Big Bang. Today’s space telescopes have unearthed the most distant galaxies ever seen. Supersonic commercial travel will most certainly become…

For the Bakgatla tribe, anchored on the Platinum Belt of the North West Province, the question isn't whether prosperity is possible – it’s how we seize it with both hands. And this isn’t just empty rhetoric, either: South Africa is host to 88% of the world’s platinum market share, and much of that is to be found in the Platinum Belt. Armed with that powerful statistic, our tribe stands at the intersection of opportunity and ambition, with the potential to redefine what it means to be a rural economic powerhouse. Mining has long been the backbone of the South African economy, but for too long, the potential benefits of this industry – and other, downstream industries – have eluded tribal communities upon which these activities take place. The Bakgatla, however,…

South Africa’s history testifies to the resilience of its black majority, who endured centuries of colonial oppression and apartheid. Yet, despite political freedom achieved in 1994, the legacy of racial inequality and economic exclusion persists. While democracy brought political rights, economic liberation remains elusive for most black South Africans, highlighting the urgent need for raised consciousness and unity. The Challenge of Fragmented Consciousness The lack of unified consciousness among black South Africans has profound consequences. It perpetuates divisions, hinders collective action, and allows systemic inequalities to persist. This consciousness isn’t merely intellectual awareness; it’s about understanding one’s history, identity, and the structural forces shaping current realities. One of the most damaging manifestations is the internalised inferiority complex that persists in many black communities. Centuries of colonialism and apartheid weren’t just…

PORT-AU-PRINCE: Armed gangs launched a fresh attack on Haiti’s capital before dawn on Tuesday, killing residents in the Delmas 30 neighborhood and causing more to flee as gangs continue to operate unchecked in the Caribbean nation. More than 1 million Haitians – close to 10% of the Caribbean’s most populous country – have been internally displaced due to a years-long conflict in which well-funded and broadly allied armed gangs have expanded and cemented their control over much of the capital and surrounding areas. A former policeman leads the Viv Ansanm gang coalition that is looking to become a political party. | Reuters…

There’s no shortage of talent both on and off the Proteas bench in Pakistan at the ICC Champions Trophy but then again, have we ever been short of cricketing talent in South Africa? Over the last three decades, talent has never been a problem, getting over the final hurdle has been. The last time the Proteas won anything of importance was 1998, which was the ICC Champions Trophy. They’re now in another promising seat to bring some ICC silverware back home to South Africa and silence the critics once and for all about their uncanny ability to “choke” in big games. Their bout with Australia in Rawalpindi washed out on Tuesday, earning both teams one point, while the Proteas stayed on top of Group B with three points, thanks to…

It is still somewhat puzzling to see a true-blue Western Province and Stormers man like Cobus Wiese playing for the Bulls — but the man himself is having the time of his life in Pretoria. Although born and raised in Upington, Wiese moved to the Cape after school and quickly rose through the ranks into the Stormers team, establishing himself as a dynamic blindside flanker. He was also part of a top-class squad featuring Springboks such as Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit, but when Covid turned everything upside down, Wiese moved north to join Sale Sharks in Manchester. After enjoying four fruitful seasons at the English club, the 27-year-old wanted to come home — and, surprisingly, chose Pretoria and the Bulls. “I never thought I would adapt in Pretoria.…

The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow after the consistent rain in Rawalpindi that washed out the Proteas’ ICC Champions Trophy clash against Australia is that Heinrich Klaasen has been passed fit for the remainder of the competition. Klaasen missed the opening game against Afghanistan with an elbow injury and had to undergo a fitness test on the eve of the match against Australia. There was still uncertainty whether Klaasen would have taken his place against the Aussies, but captain Temba Bavuma confirmed that the powerful middle-order batter is now available for selection again. “Yeah, everyone is good – Henrich Klassen, he’s recovered from a fitness point of view - that obviously adds a lot of value towards our team. Spirits are good within the team,” Bavuma…

THE co-accused of alleged underworld kingpin, Nafiz Modack, have accused him of being a liar, saying they disagree with parts of his testimony. Modack returned to the Western Cape High Court yesterday as he faced cross-examination by a host of legal representatives. Modack, who has made a slew of allegations against high-ranking police officials and notorious underworld figures, is facing over 100 charges including the murder of Anti-Gang Unit detective Charl Kinnear, conspiracy to commit murder, the illegal interception of cellphones, money laundering and other charges. He was dealt a blow when former Sergeant Ashley Tabisher, who is defending himself, questioned him about the allegations that they had a corrupt relationship. According to the State’s case Modack allegedly paid Amaal Jantjies to corrupt the cop so Modack could obtain information…

THE Western Cape has attracted 296 Foreign Direct Investment projects, injecting more than R171 billion into the economy with Cape Town and Stellenbosch ranked among the top 20 South African cities for inward initiatives. This is according to Premier Alan Winde, who yesterday said during his State of the Province Address (Sopa) that between 2021 and 2023, the Western Cape recorded 35 direct investment projects from European Union member states alone, totalling R7.37bn. “One of South Africa’s biggest cement companies is constructing a new R3bn plant here. Our Red Tape Reduction Unit has so far achieved a saving of over R2.4bn for businesses. We have over 300 000 small, micro, and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) in this province – these are the drivers of our economy and jobs,” said Winde. He…

THANK you for affording the City the opportunity to respond to the article ‘High Court rules on Belhar housing eviction’ (February 25, Cape Argus). The Appeal was set aside, and is null and void, by the High Court: Western Cape Division. The City is pleased with this outcome. We have been standing up for the families, who are the legitimate beneficiaries of this project and who were denied state funded housing by the unlawful occupants who hijacked completed homes on the eve of the handover to lawful beneficiaries. Furthermore, it transpired that the attorney representing the applicants is not in good standing with the Legal Practice Council, the professional body governing attorneys and advocates alike. Meaning that when he took instructions from the applicants and further filed a leave to…

As a pensioner and a person who pays their electricity account timeously, I demand under the Freedom of Information Act to have a list published (name and shame) of all the government employees/officials, private-sector property owners (landlords), tenants and wealthy individuals who are not paying for electricity or have tampered with their meter. In most instances the culprits are assisted by unscrupulous eThekwini Municipality electricity department employees or subcontractors. It is bad enough having the poor with illegal connections, we now have the rich seemingly just not having to pay legally. There is an increasing number of households that have bypassed their meters. The issue with stealing electricity is that someone has to pay – normally it is through the eThekwini electricity department increasing prices higher than they should be,…

The core of developing a healthy and functional citizenship lies in South Africa’s capacity to educate their people appropriately. As we approached 2025, with a new hope as we entered the 31st year of being a democracy, we are still faced with circumstances which continue to highlight the inequalities that persist in South Africa. It is devastating that at this point, schools in KwaZulu-Natal still lack the necessary basic resources despite education supposedly being prioritised and deemed as the primary way to alleviate poverty and develop economic equity amongst our people. We are grappling with two challenges, one is that some schools have gone without water and electricity in some provinces for years on end and continue to exist, whereas others continually experience inconsistent and problematic supply to water. There…

MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s lower house of Congress approved a constitutional reform to ban the planting of genetically modified (GM) corn, a move that could lead to more tension with the US after the resolution of a trade dispute, analysts said. The initiative by President Claudia Sheinbaum comes after a trade-dispute panel ruled in December that Mexico’s restrictions on GM corn violate the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). As a result of the USMCA panel ruling, Mexico repealed its import restrictions on GM corn for human, livestock and industrial uses. | Reuters…