Innehållsförteckning för 2025-03-24 från Cape Argus

Picture This, the new Amazon Prime Video romantic comedy, is a wonderful addition to the genre. The British movie, which is directed by Prarthana Mohan and is based on the 2024 Australian film Five Blind Dates, features a captivating cast, an enthralling storyline and unique infusions of quirky humour. Set in London, it draws parallels to the 2002 hit movie Bend It Like Beckham as it also centres around a British-Indian family as they tackle themes of culture, tradition and the power of dreams. Picture This stars Simone Ashley as Pia, a photographer who runs a struggling studio with her bestie Jay (Luke Fetherston). She is driven by her passion for the arts and even refuses to take ID pictures, considering it to be too impersonal a project. Pia also…

TRIBUTES have poured in for seasoned and respected South African test pilot James O’ Connell, who died in a crash while performing a routine display at Saldanha Airfield at the West Coast Airshow on Saturday. In a statement widely shared, West Coast Airshow Accident Report said it was believed O’Connell, who had more than 36 years of aviation experience under his belt, had lost altitude of the Impala Mark 1 aircraft, but the cause of the crash is now part of a formal investigation. “Eyewitness accounts report that the aircraft appeared to be under control during most of the display. However, during one of the final maneuvers, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude and entered a steep dive before making contact with the ground,” they said. Airshow…

STAGGERING statistics surrounding the confiscation of drugs and weapons in Western Cape prisons have sparked concerns about collusion between criminals and prison officials. A report submitted to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has shown that nearly 200kg of drugs and over 3 000 weapons were confiscated over a 12-month period. The report is in response to parliamentary questions posed by DA MP Nicholas Gotsell, who is a member of the Security and Justice portfolio committee. According to the report, 175kg of dagga, 1.4kg of tik and 18 315 mandrax tablets were confiscated in prisons across the Western Cape. This led to 95 inmates being investigated and 33 internal investigations into DCS staff. Of this total, six DCS staff have been dismissed,…

FORMER DA leader Tony Leon and former ANC MP Lindiwe Sisulu have informally entered the fray to become South Africa’s next ambassadors to the US following the recent expulsion of former ANC member, Ebrahim Rasool, who returned home yesterday. DA federal chairperson, Hellen Zille, at the weekend tipped Leon to become the next US ambassador, while on Saturday, the Activists and Citizens Forum through its spokesperson, Dennis Bloem, nominated Sisulu as Rasool’s replacement. Early this month, Rasool was declared persona non grata by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio after he accused American President Donald Trump, and his administration of supremacism. Dennis Bloem, speaking on behalf of the forum, suggested that the country needs a firm and strong leader in the form of Sisulu who will represent South Africa well…

RESIDENTS and business groups in Gugulethu have been interdicted from any disruption and protests at Gugulethu Mall after they could not show the Western Cape High Court that they posed no threat in engaging in such activity. This comes after several years of contention around the development of the shopping centre, where residents and business interest groups have demanded that they be given preference to work or operate their businesses there. During 2023 and early 2024, Gugulethu Mall owner, Vukile Property Fund Ltd, received demands from what appeared to be various community associations going by different names. They demanded, among others, the employment of a greater proportion of local Gugulethu residents at the mall, which spurred engagement between the owner’s representatives and community representatives. This was thought to be a…

The Western Cape continues to lead a growing trend in South Africa’s property market, with investment buyers significantly boosting demand in the region. According to the latest data from Ooba, “34% of all bond applications received in the Western Cape during the fourth quarter of 2024 were for investment properties. This represents a significant increase from 29% in the same period the previous year.” The increase in investment properties in the Western Cape aligns with national trends, indicating that real estate has become the “second most popular asset class in South Africa.” The South African Investor and Banking Report also revealed that “national demand for investment or buy-to-rent properties reached 13.9% of total applications in the fourth quarter of 2024, up from 11.8% in the same period in 2023.” Claude…

THE Two Oceans is not only ‘the world’s most beautiful marathon’ but also ‘Africa’s biggest event’ thanks to its massive contribution to the Western Cape’s revenue. This much was confirmed by a study from 2017, and the organisers of this year’s edition of the 56km ultra, its half-marathon, as well as the trail runs, plus the Cape Town International Friendship Run, believe that the impact will be even bigger. The Two Oceans Marathon organisers say they have record highs of international entries for this year’s races, taking place over the weekend of April 5 in the Mother City. The race will have an incredible 98 countries represented in the different events. Expectedly, South Africans will form the bulk of the participants, with 29 684 representatives. Neighbours Namibia and Zimbabwe will…

POLICE are investigating two separate incidents where EMS crew were robbed and in one incident, two staffers and a patient were assaulted on Human Rights Day. EMS officials have since pleaded for the attacks on their staff to come to an end. At the first scene in Extension 4, Mfuleni, four suspects attacked the crew and wounded the patient. Police spokesperson, Joseph Swartbooi, said the suspects dragged the driver of the ambulance out of the vehicle before turning on her colleague and the patient, robbing them of their belongings. The trio were rushed to hospital for medical treatment. “The circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation,” Swartbooi said. “Reports suggest that crew members of the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services attended to a person in need of medical assistance…

OPPOSITION parties in the Overstrand Municipality have given a mixed response to the resignation of Mayor Annelie Rabie. While some see it as an opportunity for change, others have raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding her departure. DA Western Cape Leader Tertuis Simmers last week acknowledged Rabie’s decision to step down after serving as Overstrand Mayor since November 2021. “Under the stewardship of Mayor Rabie and the collective efforts of the municipal team, the Overstrand Municipality has continued to lead the way in demonstrating that service delivery and ethical governance go hand in hand. “Just last year, Overstrand Municipality achieved a clean audit for the 2024 financial year – the 12th consecutive clean audit for the DA-run municipality,” Simmers said. Rabie reflected on her tenure, saying: “In the beginning, it…

A 34-year-old Filipino seaman who suffered a life-threatening onboard fall is recovering in hospital after an extensive rescue operation attended to by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI). According to NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, the patient is recovering well in the care of doctors and nurses, and is expected to make a full recovery after the urgent medical evacuation in Gqeberha. Lambinon said the ship’s captain informed the NSRI that he requested urgent medical assistance. “The ship’s medical crew were fighting to save the life of their fellow crewman who had sustained injuries in a fall onboard the ship, suffering critical life-threatening injuries, and who was not breathing.” NSRI Gqeberha station commander, Ian Gray, said on Wednesday, the duty crew was activated to attend to the emergency on a 300-metre…

Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) is embarking on an ambitious development programme that includes procuring new equipment and expanding capacity at the Cape Town Container Terminal in a bid to enhance operation efficiency. This was revealed at an engagement between TPT and the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) on Thursday. Oscar Borchards, managing executive for Western Cape Terminals, said that TPT was working around the clock to improve efficiency. “We also need the support of the entire supply chain, whether it be importers or exporters. We from Transnet work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There’s no rest; we have a four-shift system, and the teams are working flat out,” he said. Borchards added that they wanted to work together in collaboration with the private sector…

PRESIDENT Ramaphosa is currently staring at politics like a deer caught in headlights. Lacking the bravery of a Mandela or a Zelenskiy, he is once again, in typical fashion, trying to win favour without winning any ground in the war on democracy. His African diplomatic sojourn to Ukraine and Russia ended in his embarrassing verbal defeat. His attempts to dress up a delinquent Johannesburg nicely for his foreign visitors are embarrassing. His Bela and Expropriation Bill signing was a political power play that became a PR disaster and caused great harm to the country and economy. He still has been unable to go on any charm offensive to explain himself and defuse debate on the two issues. His call for “people to refrain from partaking or engaging in action that…

Prudence Sekgodiso etched her name in the annals of South African athletics by becoming the first SA-born woman to clinch a gold medal in the 800m at the 2025 World Indoor Championships. The 23-year-old middle-distance star produced a masterclass in strategy and speed to secure the gold in a thrilling final in Nanjing, China. Sekgodiso became the second South African to win a medal at the Indoor Championships, following Akani Simbine's bronze in the men’s 60m. With the world watching, Sekgodiso capped off a masterful performance on the third and final day of the championships, finishing the race in an impressive time of 1:58.40 seconds. Her journey to victory was punctuated by an exceptional sprint in the last 200m, where she surged ahead of Ethiopia’s Nigist Getachew, who had been…

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen euphemistically described a refereeing failure to award his team a match-winning try against Cardiff as “interesting” and a “non-decision” but he admitted his team should have won the game long before. The match ended with a series of Lions attacks from close quarters on the Cardiff line and replacement flank Sibabalo Qoma looked very much like he had grounded the ball but the referee and the TMO didn’t seem brave enough to make a call. The match ended 20-17 to Cardiff and the Lions travel to Glasgow knowing that their one log points should have been four. The match was played in wet, blustery conditions and the visitors did not look comfortable so far removed from the Highveld, but their forwards won more than enough…

“Lessons” are seemingly at the heart of the calamity that is Kaizer Chiefs – once a powerhouse in South African football but still the country's most popular club by a country mile. Kaizer Chiefs' marketing director, Jessica Motaung, recently shared her thoughts on why the club grapples with poor results as the team struggles to find their footing in the domestic football arena. The club is well known for its passionate supporters, who are dealing with another season of upheaval and uncertainty. The club has been trophyless for almost a decade now, and there are faint hopes that Chiefs will change that by winning the 2025 Nedbank Cup. They have reached the semi-finals and will play the winner of the Mamelodi Sundowns versus Sekhukhune United quarter-final, who meet on Friday.…

After years of building her lifestyle empire, Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow is stepping back into the spotlight. But this time it’s not for a clean beauty launch or a candle that smells like something we probably shouldn’t talk about. No, Paltrow is here to turn on the sex tap in Marty Supreme, a ping pong drama that promises more than just fast serves and smashes. Paltrow is stars as the wife of a rival professional player caught up in a steamy affair with Timothée Chalamet, who plays the film’s rising ping pong star. Paltrow and Chalamet, the pairing no one saw coming, will bring the passion in ways you wouldn’t expect in a sports drama. Marty Supreme explores the dynamics of power and attraction in a relationship where the age…

TOURISTS and visitors to Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard have been warned of fraudsters claiming they must pay for a permit to enter a street or public area and then using credit card cloning devices to scam them. The alarm was raised last week when a German tourist was targeted in Green Point. But thanks to quick-thinking members of the Green Point Ratepayers and Residents Association, he was spared from being conned. According to resident Peter Flentov, the group of suspects pretended to be officials and instructed him to pay for a permit to enter the area while trying to scam him with a credit card device. “Shortly after 8:30am, Jody Botha and James Johnson, two members of the Green Point Ratepayers and Residents Association’s CUT SafeStreet Collective gardening and cleaning…

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) councillor who rose to the top in the Saldanha Bay by-election has hit the ground running. Mzwandile Simon Biko expressed his eagerness to serve the community of Middelpos. The MKP took more than 36% in the election held last week, with 1 197 votes, beating the ANC by 338. The Patriotic Alliance (PA) received 654 votes. The newly formed People Movement for Change led by Marius Fransman, former ANC provincial leader, only received 12 votes. The by-election took place as a result of the death of ANC councillor Siyabulela Liwani in December. South African Communist Party Western Cape Provincial Secretary, Benson Ngqentsu, said the ANC’s loss in Saldanha Bay should be a wake-up call to the ANC leaders in the region and province. “The ANC…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa needs to name the country’s next deputy chief justice (DCJ), as it has been eight months since Justice Mandisa Maya has been appointed as Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court while the acting deputy’s term ends in July. Judge Maya was appointed in July last year, which left the position of DCJ vacant. Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga has been acting as DCJ of the apex court, but online group Judges Matter, which advocates for transparency and accountability within the judiciary, said it was time for a permanent deputy. It said since the appointment of Justice Maya, the president has been silent on who her deputy will be. “Faced with challenges such as a record shortage of judges, unprecedented caseloads, and budget cuts, the judiciary needs strong leadership at…

As South Africans commemorated Human Rights Day, parliamentarians took to the greens for the annual golf day, uniting in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). The event, sponsored by several organisations, including the Sekunjalo Group, was held at the Kuils River Golf Club on Friday morning. Parliament Golf Club secretary, Peter Daniels, said the club was originally established before 1994 and was primarily for members of Parliament, as well as ministers and deputy ministers. “They were members at Milnerton Golf Club, where they played regularly. In 1994, Andrew Mlangeni continued the golf club’s legacy, and it was then opened to all parliamentary staff. Later, we extended our membership to include members of the provincial legislature and local government. “We are affiliated with the South African Golf Association and the Western…

Marked annually on March 22, World Water Day highlights the importance of water in all its forms – from oceans and glaciers to river systems and wetlands. As the lifeblood of our planet, water sustains ecosystems, economies, and communities. This day also sheds light on the crucial ecological services provided by wetlands and their increasingly threatened conservation status. Just as importantly, it serves as a call to action, reminding us of the vital role South African landowners play in safeguarding these fragile habitats through active and sustained environmental stewardship. South Africa’s wetlands are biodiversity-rich ecosystems that support a diverse array of plant and animal life, including endemic and threatened species. By acting as natural water filters, wetlands improve water quality while regulating hydrological cycles, thus helping to prevent incidents of…

There will be some changes to the Stormers’ starting lineup for their final tour match against Ulster on Friday evening in Belfast. Frans Malherbe will be sent home for some rest after an excellent scrummaging display this past weekend with Neethling Fouche flying to Ireland after the birth of his second child. Utility back Suleiman Hartzenberg, who recovered from a broken hand, could find himself part of the starting lineup, but utility forward Deon Fourie suffered a concussion and is unavailable. The Cape side’s United Rugby Championship (URC) playoff hunt is firmly on track after beating Scarlets 29-17 in Llanelli. They find themselves eighth on the log. After the bonus point win in Wales, the inaugural URC champions want to back their performance up with a consecutive win in Europe.…

The Bulls may have edged out Leinster with a post-hooter David Kriel penalty, but Jake White knows that his team are far from the finished product heading into the business end of the season. There is a campaign-defining next month coming up, where the Bulls will have to juggle their resources across the United Rugby Championship and Challenge Cup. They are clearly prioritising the URC, judging from their selections and the importance of winning their ‘league’, as opposed to a virtual knock-out competition like the Challenge Cup. The Pretoria side are also virtually assured of Champions Cup rugby next season by finishing in the top eight, as they are currently third on the URC log with 45 points – one ahead of the Sharks, four behind Glasgow and 13 off…

Scarlets’ South African hooker Marnus van der Merwe showed with an incredible performance against the Stormers why he is in the Springbok plans. Van der Merwe is one of 26 players, mostly foreign-based, who will join Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus and his assistants during a virtual alignment camp this coming week. It’s the first time the overseas players, plus a couple of local youngsters, will touch base with the Springbok coaches following the first in-person camp last week. The 28-year-old Van der Merwe, who joined Scarlets at the start of the United Rugby Championship (URC) from the Cheetahs, played a crucial role in keeping his team in the running against the Cape side. Although the Stormers eventually won 29-17, the game was in the balance until the 75th minute.…