Innehållsförteckning för 2025-08-29 från Cape Argus

This week, the spotlight swung from high-profile engagements to concerning matters that had the internet buzzing. From Cyan Boujee’s involvement in a Russian programme to Taylor Swift’s engagement and the upcoming Netflix docuseries Beauty and the Bester, here’s your weekly catch-up of entertainment news: 1 South African influencers spark human trafficking concerns over their involvement in Russia’s Alabuga Start programme Multiple influencers including Cyan Boujee (Honour Zuma), Peachy Sprinkles (Siyamthanda Anita), Ghost Hlubi (Khanya Hlubi), Seemah (Sima Mangolwane) and Zillewizzy (Khathutshelo Netshitomboni), have promoted the Alabuga Start programme. Reports from 2024 by The Associated Press brought to light concerns about the same programme recruiting women from Central and East African countries to assemble drones in a Russian factory for deployment in Ukraine. Meanwhile, some of these influencers have since deleted…

THE postponement of the Madlanga Commission into criminality, political interference and corruption of law enforcement, favours those implicated to interfere with evidence and intimidate witnesses. This is according to experts and political parties, who raised concerns about the impact on the safety of witnesses and whistle-blowers. The Commission on Tuesday announced that its hearings, initially set to begin on September 1, will no longer commence on the set date. It said this was due to delays in the procurement of essential infrastructure by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DJCD). This resulted in DJCD’s Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi suspending the department’s Director-General, Advocate Doc Mashabane, and the Deputy Director-General responsible for ICT in the department, Jabu Hlatshwayo, for their lack of due diligence in ensuring that the commission starts on…

FIVE adventurers from Strandfontein and Pelican Park successfully summited Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain, after a gruelling climb. The group of hiking enthusiasts included Strandfontein couple Stephanie Singh, 55, and Vernon Singh, 55, fellow Strandfontein resident Wendy Brockman, 59, and Pelican Park residents Helene Martin and Andre Kleinschmidt. Together, they formed a small team that set out to conquer the 5 895-metre giant in Tanzania. On July 18, the group stood at Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, after eight days of climbing. For Stephanie and Vernon, who have lived in Strandfontein for 35 years, the adventure was a dream years in the making. “We had about four meetings before we left, researching and preparing for the hike,” said Stephanie. “I was doubtful because I’m anaemic, so I had…

In August, South Africans honour the courage of women in the struggle for freedom, dignity, and equality. The unveiling of Dora Tamana’s tombstone last Saturday, along with the commemoration of the assassination of Ruth First, 43 years ago on the 17th, and the birth of Dulcie September 90 years ago on the 20th, lends significance to the month. Their lives demonstrate the interconnectedness of the struggles of women, workers, and communities, holding lessons for the contemporary trade union movement, which faces significant challenges spanning technological disruption to organisational fragmentation. Dora Tamana understood that the daily struggles of women in the townships were intimately linked to the struggles of workers in factories and on the land. Her activism around food security and her leadership in the Federation of South African Women…

Ground zero. That’s where the Springbok Women’s team will be starting when they face Italy in their crucial Rugby World Cup encounter against Italy on Sunday. The Boks are chasing a historic first-ever spot in the quarterfinals, and victory over the higher-ranked Italians would secure a passage to the playoffs, regardless of the final Pool D encounter against France. Swys de Bruin’s team are brimming with confidence after their 66-6 demolition of South American debutants Brazil in their tournament opener, but are fully aware that the Europeans pose an altogether different challenge. “It was a great start. “It's just a sad thing about our sport, knowing that whatever we have done in the last weekend does not matter this weekend. [We're] reminding ourselves to start back from zero again,” said…

As the countdown begins for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has made a bold inclusion in his final 23-man squad: young and promising Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi. At just 19 years old, Mbokazi is already carving a name for himself and is reportedly viewed by Broos as having the potential to shine on European soil. Having quickly established himself as a central figure in the Pirates’ defence since his promotion in January, Mbokazi has been instrumental in the club’s pursuits this season. In addition to his surge in performance, he has also been appointed one of the deputy captains for the current campaign, leading the team with composure and skill on several occasions. His remarkable journey has seen him traverse the…

TWO teenagers accused of the attempted hijacking and attempted murder of three DA MPs have abandoned their bail application. Lisolethu Klaas, 18, and a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, made their second appearance in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The matter was postponed to September 25 for further investigation. Both remain in custody. The pair were arrested following an attack on August 19 near the intersection of New Eisleben and Govan Mbeki Roads in Philippi. Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson, Ian Cameron, and his colleagues Lisa Schickerling and Nicholas Gotsell were ambushed when bricks were hurled at their vehicle and its windows smashed. Cameron described the ordeal as “horrific”. “They threw bricks at the vehicle. I managed to hit one of them, but they…

THE SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) will introduce compulsory biometric enrolment for new beneficiaries starting in September. The initiative aims to bolster beneficiary verification and combat social grant fraud, as highlighted in a briefing to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development on Wednesday. The National Treasury estimates the project will cost R105 million over the next three years in its 2025 Budget Estimate of National Expenditure. Acting CEO Brenton van Vrede said they began piloting the biometric system at the start of the 2025/26 financial year after challenges with unions were addressed. Van Vrede said some issues were experienced during the pilot phase, but these were ironed out. Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe indicated that Sassa requested the National Treasury to appoint contract workers to fast-track the project and ease…

THE Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) has initiated a new monthly discussion series aimed at fostering gender equality and sustainability within the music and entertainment industry. The inaugural session, held during Women’s Month, focused on “Future-Proofing the Industry for Women: Creating Sustainable Change”. The discussion convened prominent women from various sectors of the arts, including musicians, cultural practitioners, and festival organisers. Participants praising the forum for providing a secure and open environment to share experiences and devise strategies for a more inclusive future. Attendees described the session as “inspiring and long overdue”, with some noting that “having these conversations at the highest level of the industry is the first real step to change”. Shaakirah Adams, Head of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, emphasised the long-term vision of the…

Orlando Pirates will travel to Gqeberha aiming to build on their recent winning momentum when they take on Chippa United in the Betway Premiership at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday (3pm kickoff). This fixture has historically been dominated by the Sea Robbers, who won all three meetings last season, including a 3-1 victory over the Chilli Boys in the Nedbank Cup semi-final hosted at the same venue. Both teams enter this clash in contrasting form. Chippa have again been unsettled by coaching changes, with Sinethemba Badela, who began the season as head coach, lasting only two matches before parting ways with the club with Morgan Mammila taking charge of the side in their latest loss (1-0) against Richards Bay FC on Tuesday. Pirates, on the other hand, have…

The Springboks have arrived in Auckland to face the All Blacks in arguably the best possible psychological state after a sobering series against the Wallabies. The Boks are in second place in the World Rugby standings thanks to losing a Test to Australia in Johannesburg, and face off against the No 1-ranked team, New Zealand, in matches in Auckland (September 6) and Wellington a week later. While few rugby fans will accuse the Springboks of arrogance under “feet-on-the-ground” coach Rassie Erasmus, the reality is that the Boks are chastened by a series recently shared with a Wallabies team that was tipped to be heavily beaten by the Boks in South Africa. The reality is that the Aussies went home with five Rugby Championship points, compared to the four of the…

One suspects that the average South African couldn’t give two hoots about the Kansas City Chiefs. After all, in the world of sport – whether the Americans would like to admit it or not – American football doesn’t really resonate with many outside of the US. For sure, there will be an enthusiast here and there amongst us, but almost exclusively the talk of weekly sporting debates will be soccer, rugby and cricket – in that order – with an odd reference to Akani Simbine or the Proteas senior netball team thrown in for good measure. Perhaps the latest defeat of Dricus du Plessis will also make a talking point. Nonetheless, the recent engagement of tight end (who knows what that is and, to be honest, I couldn't be bothered)…

THE Bo-Kaap Market’s construction is almost finished, despite a brief delay in April when a 150-year-old stone well was unearthed. The discovery needed design adjustments and resubmission of approvals to preserve the significant cultural asset. All market stalls are complete, with only the ablution block and security facility remaining. The City’s mayco member Economic Growth, James Vos, confirmed the progress of the market. “Progress was briefly delayed in April when a historical stone well was uncovered requiring preservation measures in line with Heritage Western Cape recommendations and valuable community input.” Vos previously said the Spolander House, on the corner of Yusuf Drive and Pentz Street, was a national heritage site and the land associated with the house (on which the well was found) was protected as a provincial heritage site.…

AFTER nearly eight years, the wheels of justice have gained momentum as the oldest sex abuse case in the country is expected to start trial in the Wynberg Regional Court next month. As the trial dates near, the sister victims of the “house of horrors” sex abuse case say they have hope and are relieved that there will be “no more hiding” for their perpetrators. Lisa van der Merwe and her sister Claudine Shiels had taken their relatives to court retrospectively in 2018 for sexual acts which had allegedly taken place between 1974 to 1979. The abuse began at their home in Zeekoevlei, which the sisters referred to as a house of horrors, and it had torn apart an already dysfunctional family. The trial, where the perpetrators are expected to…

AN EDUCATION trust founded by PSG founder and Capitec co-founder, Jannie Mouton, has made a R7.2 billion offer to acquire all of Curro Holdings, South Africa’s biggest private education company. The announcement on Wednesday saw the share price rocket 53.68% to R12.31, and the intention is to delist Curro and turn it into a non-profit organisation, a statement said. Curro said its board had received an offer letter from the Jannie Mouton Stigting (Foundation) to acquire all of the issued Curro shares by way of a scheme of arrangement. Curro’s market capitalisation at the close of trade on Tuesday was R4.52bn. The Trust already owns 3.36% of Curro. The offer was R13 a share, of which 6.6% would comprise cash, 79% Capitec shares, and 13.78% PSG Financial Services shares. Curro…

CHIEF Justice Mandisa Maya has referred the finding of gross misconduct against suspended Judge Nana Makhubele to Parliament, paving the way for possible impeachment proceedings. This follows the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) endorsing the decision taken by the Judicial Conduct Tribunal (JCT), which found Makhubele guilty of gross misconduct. Maya notified the National Assembly Speaker, Thoko Didiza, of the findings by the JSC in a letter dated August 1. Makhubele’s troubles stemmed from complaints that were lodged by lobby group, #UniteBehind arising from her appointment as the chairperson of the board of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) in 2017. Her appointment as a judge took effect from January 1, 2018. #UnitedBehind alleged that she undermined the independence of the judiciary by having served in and received remuneration…

Ashwell Prince may have arrived in England with one eye still closed after the long flight from Sydney and the other squarely focused on his trip to Anfield to watch his beloved Liverpool face off against Premiership rivals Arsenal on Sunday, but the Proteas batting coach was pretty clear about the approach he wanted his charges to adopt in the upcoming three-match ODI series. Prince was adamant that his batting unit, which failed to register an individual century in the recent Australian series, would resist any temptation to curtail their attacking instincts. Instead, they would be looking to possibly even go harder when the opportunity arises. “Yes, maybe a little bit disappointing that nobody went on to score 100, but to be honest, the focus is more making an impact,”…

AT times, the excitement of the country when a prodigious youngster makes waves in domestic cricket could spell the end of a senior player’s career. The fans can be quick to forget what the senior player has done for the country in the past and be swallowed by the endless possibilities that a young cricketer brings with their rise. The same happened when the 17-year-old wicket-keeper batter Karabo Meso showcased her talents in provincial cricket. While the youngster was scoring centuries for fun in high school, many were already earmarking Meso to succeed Sinalo Jafta in the Proteas Women’s squad. Following Lizelle Lee’s retirement, Jafta took over as the main wicket-keeper, but lacked the batting pedigree that Lee had during her time. As a result, when Meso showed far better…

Liverpool and Manchester City will both come up against Real Madrid in this season's Champions League, while title-holders Paris Saint-Germain were handed a daunting set of opponents in Thursday’s draw — including Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid will host City at the Santiago Bernabéu and also face Premier League champions Liverpool at Anfield, setting up two of the standout fixtures of the league phase. Arne Slot’s Liverpool, who topped the league phase last season only to be eliminated by PSG in the last 16, will also host Atletico Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, and Qarabag of Azerbaijan at Anfield. Their away matches will be no less challenging, with trips to Inter Milan, Eintracht Frankfurt, Marseille, and Turkish champions Galatasaray on the cards. City, the 2023 Champions League winners, will…