Innehållsförteckning för 2025-07-31 från Cape Argus

Songwriters, who are often overlooked and underappreciated, are the true heroes of the pop music industry. Thanks to Netflix’s new reality show, Hitmakers, viewers get an inside look at the creatives behind some of the biggest songs on the planet. The series opens with a catchy phase that perfectly encapsulates its premise: “You may not know us, but you definitely know our song.” The show is produced by Done and Done Productions, the same company that gave us Selling Sunset and The Hills. The aim is to shine a light on these talented individuals by showcasing their mastery in crafting songs for some of the biggest names in music, including John Legend, Usher, Shaboozey and Lisa from Blackpink. The show offers plenty of creative chaos, emotional stakes and personal breakthroughs…

THE Western Cape’s Ashley Oosthuizen, who is imprisoned in Thailand after she was found guilty of drug smuggling, then changed to possession, is one of 81 000 inmates who will receive the royal clemency on the King’s birthday, with 12 739 prisoners to be released, and thousands more to have their sentences reduced. Oosthuizen’s mother, Lynn Blignaut, confirmed Oosthuizen would have one year removed for every seven-year sentence. She is currently facing 13.4 years behind bars after the term was reduced from 20 years earlier this year during an appeal. According to news publication, Nation Thailand, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong confirmed the pardon will benefit over 80 000 prisoners. Blignaut said it was the beginning of positive news for her daughter who will have her sentence reduced. “We find grace…

JOHANNESBURG Metro Police has announced the arrest of three people involved in a distressing video, which shows a 3-year-old boy allegedly smoking a mandrax-laced pipe on Tuesday night. A police officer from the SAPS Family, Children and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit could also be in hot water after they allegedly told a complainant they would deal with the complaint “tomorrow”. The video shows the toddler lighting drugs in a bottle neck for his mother, who then allegedly encourages him to smoke while in the presence of other adults. Metro Police spokesperson, Xolani Fihla, said K9 unit officers, while on routine patrol, received a tip-off identifying the suspects seen in the video and their whereabouts. “Officers immediately responded to the given address in Newclare. Upon arrival, officers located the mother, who…

JUDGMENT has been reserved in the Constitutional Court matter between the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and President Cyril Ramaphosa over the suspension of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and the appointment of Firoz Cachalia in an acting position. Central to the case are questions about the limits of presidential power, the legality of acting appointments and whether Ramaphosa acted rationally when he established a judicial commission of inquiry into serious allegations of criminal infiltration of law enforcement agencies. During the proceedings yesterday brought on an urgent basis by the MKP, lawyers representing the party argued that Ramaphosa has no right to appoint more than one minister of police at the same time after Ramaphosa chose to suspend rather than dismiss Mchunu and only rehire him once he has been cleared by…

SOME 5 073 people were helped off the streets in 2024/25, compared to 4 409 the previous financial year, through shelter placements, reunification of families, and other forms of reintegration, the City of Cape Town said. “The City does as much as possible, but we cannot do it alone. Our partners play an integral part in assisting rough sleepers and we can do more, because of their role. I want to thank them for their selfless dedication and commitment to some of the City’s most vulnerable people,” said Community Services and Health mayco member, Francine Higham. Further efforts to get people off the streets included: ◆ 691 people participating in development programmes at City-run Safe Spaces. ◆ 80 Expanded Public Works Programme work placements to help those staying at the…

TEMBA Bavuma is set to complete a year of huge achievement when the Cricket SA Awards will be held at Emperors Palace on Thursday evening. Bavuma had an outstanding year both as leader and player. Although the Proteas’ epic World Test Championship final victory over Australia at Lord’s last month does not fall within the judging period - 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2025 - Bavuma was still a standout performer and is the favourite to be crowned SA Cricketer of the Year, Test Cricketer of the Year and Fan’s Player of the Year. He was splendid during the Proteas’ march to the WTC Final with 609 runs at an average of 60.90, which included two centuries against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Bavuma also boasts a 100% captaincy record…

THE latest report on declaration of financial interests by Members of Parliament shows a number of public representatives are investing for their future in shares in finance companies. This, as some MPs made declarations on several properties and some even receive income from rentals and benefits from royalties. Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi declared shares and financial interests in seven finance companies. Zibi has at least 7 000 shares valued at R1.1 million with Absa, 3 050 shares worth R410 000 with Investec Bank, and 1 300 shares valued at R377 000 with Shoprite, among others. ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip has a pension investment to the tune of R7 million. “I invested my parliamentarian pension when I left Parliament with Glacier, and it is managed by FNB private…

A KNYSNA family is desperately trying save 46-year-old Tanja Badenhorst’s life. She has undergone over 70 surgeries in five years due to a persistent bone infection that has returned despite three amputations. Since suffering a spinal cord injury while working for a security company in 2015, Badenhorst has been unable to work and first developed the infection in her left leg in 2020. In 2021, her leg was amputated above the knee in the hope of stopping the infection from spreading. When that failed, surgeons amputated again, twice, each time with the infection reappearing in the remaining bone. Her wife, Ashleigh Badenhorst, said the ordeal has left the couple physically, emotionally, and financially exhausted. “She has no medical aid. It’s become a matter of life or death now,” Ashleigh said.…

RHINO poaching is not just a conservation crisis, it is a national emergency that strikes at the heart of South Africa’s identity, economy, and global reputation. Every rhino slaughtered is not only a brutal reminder of the greed driving illicit wildlife trafficking, but a symbol of how close we are to losing one of the most iconic species that define us as a nation. South Africa is globally recognised as one of the 17 mega-diverse countries in the world, a prestigious title reserved for nations that harbour the majority of Earth’s species and are exceptionally rich in biodiversity. Our legacy in conservation is a proud one. The remarkable story of the southern white rhino, brought back from the brink of extinction by the unwavering commitment of Dr Ian Player and…

Former Springboks scrumhalf Rudy Paige says Junior Springboks star Haashim Pead has all the attributes to become a star for the Springboks following his incredible performances at the World Rugby Under-20 World Championships. Pead won the Player of the Tournament award after the Junior Boks beat their New Zealand counterparts in the final to lift the trophy for the first time since 2012. The speedy No 9 scored six tries and assisted four during the tournament. He also surpassed France star Antoine Dupont’s record for running metres by a scrumhalf at the tournament, racking up 232m from 15 carries during the pool stages. “When I met him, I really liked how he sees the game and his hunger to evolve as a player and go to bigger heights,” Paige said,…

When the Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs come calling, there are few players who can deny the temptation. So, when Fawaaz Basadien finally completed his move to Mamelodi Sundowns, as per Independent Media’s exclusive earlier in the week, over the past weekend it would have hurt the traditional big guns of South African football. But the reality was that the biggest competitor to Sundowns for Basadien’s signature had actually hailed from North Africa, according to the Bafana Bafana wing-back’s agent Basia Michaels of QT Sports. Furthermore, Basadien was keen to explore the prospect of moving abroad. Having interviewed Basadien regularly over the past 12 months, he spoke openly about how much he enjoyed Stellenbosch FC’s Caf Confederation Cup adventures last season, particularly the trip to Cairo when Stellies…

HOPE landed literally in Manenberg this week when a SAPS helicopter touched down at Phoenix High School for the Manenberg career expo. The event, hosted by Manenberg SAPS, the Western Cape Education Department and Safe Schools, gave learners a taste of careers beyond the streets, showing them that there’s more to life than gangs and guns. SAPS members showed off exciting career paths, including forensics, the Anti-Gang Unit, crime scene experts, the diving unit and the metro police equestrian team. Station Commander, Brigadier Jayce Naidoo, told the learners: “Join SAPS, not gangs. We want to change how the world sees Manenberg.” Colleges and training institutions were also there, helping the youth to dream big and plan beyond matric. Naidoo said police officials believe in the youth of today and want…

THE DA is demanding the dismissal of a convicted Lentegeur police station officer, arguing he should not be paid by taxpayers or wear a police badge. Western Cape SAPS has in the meantime asked for the internal disciplinary process to be finalised before they confirm its outcome. DA MP and member on Security and Justice, Nicholas Gotsell, said the officer, whose name is known to the Cape Argus, was convicted of multiple charges relating to fraud and was also found guilty during two internal processes. Gotsell said the party has asked provincial police commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, why the officer was not dismissed yet. “A Warrant Officer at Lentegeur SAPS remains on duty after being convicted of multiple counts of fraud, and being found guilty in two internal disciplinary processes,…

CAPE Town residents and businesses are facing the challenges posed by new water and sanitation tariffs that took effect from July 1. According to the City of Cape Town, the revised fees are aimed at funding essential services and supporting infrastructure investment across communities. The City says the new tariffs will ensure long-term water security for all. The overall increase for water and sanitation is 6.8%. Most miscellaneous and consumptive tariffs include 15% VAT, in line with the Value-Added Tax Act. The metro’s water tariffs for residential users operate on a tier-based system. This means that the price per kilolitre (kl), where 1 kl equals 1 000 litres, rises depending on how much is used and as household consumption increases. For the 2025/26 period, Step 1 (0–6kl) is priced at…

The continued youth unemployment in South Africa is becoming a crisis and the government has not been adequately proactive in implementing measures to curb these ratios. 2024 statistics have been bordering close to under 50% and this has been the trend in the last few years. In the first quarter of 2025, the ratio recorded was over 60%. Between the years of 2014 and 2024, youth unemployment increased from 39% to approximately over 60%. The need to educate our youth with appropriate skills and knowledge has become an urgent economic measure, yet there have been 21 SETAS put in place to address this need. The SETAS were established in the year 2000 and 25 years later we still struggle with the same challenges that we had at the outset. Initially,…

England captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the fifth and deciding Test against India with a shoulder injury in a devastating blow for the home side. The England and Wales Cricket Board said vice-captain Ollie Pope would lead the team in the match at the Oval starting today, with England 2-1 up in the series. All-rounder Stokes has struggled with various fitness issues in the four Tests against India so far, during which he has sent down 140 overs - the most he has bowled in any series. The 34-year-old, who is the leading wicket-taker on either side with 17 scalps, has injured his right shoulder, his bowling arm, and it is understood he could need up to 10 weeks to recover. “I am obviously disappointed to not…

Many of the best footballers South Africa has produced hail from underprivileged communities. With natural ability found on almost every street corner, it’s often not a shortage of talent that holds the country back — but rather the absence of systems to support and develop that talent. Often, it only takes seeing an idol on TV or in a nearby stadium to spark the dream. But even when potential is obvious, limited access to opportunity, financial strain, and a lack of development pathways mean many careers never get the chance to begin. In the small town of Fochville, west of Johannesburg, football remains the most popular sport among the youth. However, despite the passion, many young players don’t see a realistic route to professionalism. That disconnect often results in players…