Innehållsförteckning för 2026-01-15 från Cape Argus

The DA-led City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government has become the clearest example of what competent governance looks like in South Africa. In a country plagued by failing municipalities, collapsing infrastructure, and chronic service delivery breakdowns, the Western Cape stands out as an exception. It works. Services are delivered. Infrastructure is maintained. Planning is done with the future in mind. That success has not happened by accident. It is the result of years of consistent, disciplined governance and an institutional culture focused on delivery rather than slogans. Instead of being studied and replicated, however, it has become a political target. Rather than focusing their energy on fixing provinces and municipalities that are in deep crisis, some opposition parties prefer to attack what is already working. The…

As we enter 2026, the greatest crisis facing our societies may not be climate change, war or technological upheaval but a silent, invisible epidemic quietly undermining institutions, communities and the potential of human minds. As systems evolve faster than human well-being, are we truly progressing or merely building faster cages for thought, creativity and connection? Mental health is often framed in terms of individual coping, yet many challenges emerge from the conditions created by the systems we operate within daily. Schools, workplaces, communities, digital platforms and algorithmic designs shape how we think, feel and adapt. These systems often unintentionally encode expectations, strains and subtle stressors into daily life. If strains accumulate, how might we redesign environments to sustain human well-being proactively rather than reactively? Could mental health be recoded, not…

Across Xinjiang’s wind-lashed Gobi Desert and sun-scorched basins, the rotation of the wind turbine blades and the pulse of solar energy feed power into the grid that, in a flash, lights up homes thousands of kilometres away. In just 0.007 seconds, electricity generated in Hami, in north-west China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, races across mountains and rivers to the megacity of Chongqing, located 2 260km away, powering the automotive and electronic assembly lines there and, more critically, fueling air conditioners in the city’s ruthlessly sultry summer. The blitz-like transmission was made possible by ultra-high-voltage (UHV) technology, a technology well-suited for long-distance transmission due to its minimal energy loss. It refers to power transmission technology with exceptionally high voltage levels, typically defined as alternating current (AC) projects at 1000 kV and…

Andre de Jong has wasted little time in outlining his goals at Orlando Pirates, determined to adapt swiftly and make a telling contribution as the club targets a long-awaited league crown. The former Stellenbosch FC midfielder is one of three new arrivals at Pirates during the January transfer window, following the club’s recent acquisitions of Marumo Gallants duo Daniel Msendami and Mpho Chabatsane. The Soweto giants are continuing to strengthen their squad as they enter the business end of the season. De Jong was an influential figure for Stellies, particularly as the Cape side looked to rediscover their best form, and his departure represents a notable loss for the club. However, his arrival is expected to be a significant boost for Pirates and head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, especially given the…

What started as a minor stumble has grown heavier with each passing fixture, leaving an uncharacteristic Stellenbosch FC still searching for the rhythm that once defined them. Nestled along one of the world’s oldest wine routes – a region celebrated for centuries of excellence and innovation – Stellenbosch has yet to mirror that heritage on the pitch. Yet, there is hope that the resumption of the season could signal a turning point. That hope comes not just with the new year and its promise of a fresh start, but also with the arrival of Gavin Hunt as head coach. His energy, tactical knowledge and leadership are seen as vital following Steve Barker’s departure to Tanzanian side Simba SC. There is light at the end of the tunnel for Stellies. Despite…

This month, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) and Van Ryn’s Distillery are turning up the heat on Cape Town’s winelands with a special edition of the Van Ryn’s Jazzy Sundowner Session, featuring acclaimed saxophonist Don Vino. The event is set for January 30. It promises a sunset-soaked evening of smooth jazz and R&B. Don Vino, a fixture on South Africa’s jazz scene for over two decades, has been captivating audiences since picking up his first instrument at 15. From early explorations with the banjo and trumpet to sharing stages with international icons like Dr Jonathan Butler and Kirk Whalum, he’s carved a niche with his signature Saxy Vibes performances. His career has taken him across Europe, Dubai, Australia, and the US, bringing his distinctive sound to audiences worldwide.…

FIVE weeks after the murder four-month pregnant Shanice Rudolph, 23, was found buried in a shallow grave at Klip Road Cemetery in Grassy Park, her family has laid her to rest after DNA tests confirmed her identity. Rudolph’s white coffin remained closed during the ceremony due to the bad state of decomposition. The funeral took place just days before her boyfriend, Ashwin Davids, and his co-accused, Mozaid Gasant, are expected to be back in the dock at the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court next week, January 21, for the continuation of their formal bail application. The state has since contended that it would be opposing the bail application. The men were arrested after Rudolph’s decomposing body was found buried in a shallow grave at Klip Road Cemetery, on top of a female…

The increase in the use of e-scooters on the Sea Point Promenade has raised concerns among locals, labelling it as an “accident waiting to happen”. Reckless riding, high speeds, and no helmets or safety equipment are among the list of concerns streaming in, causing a stir on social media. Rachel Marsden was visiting the promenade recently, watching over her children, when a scooter came speeding towards them. Fortunately, the rider regained control of the racing scooter, avoiding a crash. “The person was trying to cut somebody off who was busy riding on the paving area, but then shot across the grassed area, and the tyres could not grip, but he controlled it just in time, otherwise he would have crashed into the kids,” she said. “He sped off laughing, but…

The recent reinstatement of Wesley Neumann as principal of Heathfield High School stands as a powerful affirmation of the rule of law in South Africa. After a protracted legal battle with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), the Labour Court ruled that Neumann’s dismissal – arising from his refusal to reopen the school during the Covid-19 pandemic – was substantively unfair. The court substituted the dismissal with a final written warning and ordered his reinstatement, effective retroactively. This judgment is significant not merely because Neumann was vindicated, but because it demonstrates how lawful processes, judicial independence, and proportionality can prevail over bureaucratic overreach. The court carefully weighed the facts, examined the reasonableness of the sanction imposed, and applied established labour law principles. In doing so, it reaffirmed that state power…

As we head for the most crucial Metro elections in our history, it becomes a moral obligation on all of us to cast our vote which will decide the fate of our beleaguered nation. The stench of corruption is so pungent that it has toxified the political atmosphere in the country. Accountability requires that those who have been unmasked must be permanently banned from entering the political arena. The acrid smoke of brazen corruption has enveloped our entire land in a deadly haze, under a fog of deception, that has emasculated our hard-won democracy. The ANC was once vibrant and it made a real contribution to the birth of democracy over 25 years ago. Today, time and circumstances have changed. Any political party, that refuses to adapt, will…

BRUSSELS: The year 2025 is confirmed as the third-warmest year on record, with scientists warning the planet is likely to heat up sooner than previously thought, according to a report released yesterday. In 2025, the global average temperature stood at 14.97C, 0.13C cooler than 2024, the warmest year on record, and just 0.01C cooler than 2023, said the EU-funded Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) in the report. This also marks the first time that global temperatures for the past three years (2023-2025) have averaged more than 1.5C above the pre-industrial level (1850-1900), a critical threshold set by the Paris Agreement, according to C3S. The Paris Agreement seeks to limit global warming to below 2C above the pre-industrial level, with an aspiration to cap it at 1.5C by the end of…

If the Stormers’ confidence took a knock after shipping 61 points in London at the weekend, the return of the steely Ruhan Nel will not only inject calmness but also give John Dobson vital selection options ahead of Saturday’s Champions Cup clash with Leicester Tigers in Cape Town. The coach saw his backline reserves depleted by injury in the first half of the season, and Nel – who was at the helm of the side when impressive victories were notched up overseas – has been sorely missed for his leadership, notably on defence. With Nel back at outside centre, Dobson may well ponder moving Wandisile Simelane to full-back, where Warrick Gelant has been some way off his best. Simelane performed solid duty in the position while Gelant was injured. If…

Everyone who is anyone has had something to say about the Proteas’ T20 World Cup squad – from Kevin Pietersen to the keyboard warriors typing furiously behind pseudonyms on X. The biggest conjecture has surrounded the selection of Tony de Zorzi and Jason Smith in the 15-player squad. De Zorzi, of course, has not played since the India tour, where he tweaked a hamstring in the second ODI, subsequently missing the ongoing Betway SA20. In his absence, Ryan Rickelton has hit the lights out for MI Cape Town once again, becoming the first batter to score multiple centuries in South Africa’s premier domestic T20 competition. With every straight drive or pull through mid-wicket, the cries over Rickelton’s exclusion grew louder. The truth of the matter is that Rickelton competes directly…

Celebrities have come together to support Christall Kay, a star from The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, following allegations of bullying on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa (UGT). After Showmax released the trailer for the latest episode, both celebrities and netizens expressed their outrage over Kay’s treatment by her castmates. Kay was the last member of the cast to arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the show was filmed. After three episodes, the reality TV star decided to leave the vacation villa to protect her mental peace. This decision followed heated disagreements with castmates, including Mariam Timmer from The Real Housewives of Lagos, Princess Jecoco from The Real Housewives of Abuja, and Annie Mthembu and Angel Ndlela from The Real Housewives of Durban. “I have not commented on…

A 19-year-old teenager was fatally shot in Valhalla Park while sitting with his brothers outside a shop on Tuesday evening, leaving the community in shock. It is alleged that Lincoln Schuller, 19, was shot dead by a former friend of his. According to the Cape Argus’ sister Daily Voice’s source, the former friend, who shot Schuller in Angela Street, is an alleged Rude Boys gang member. The insider explained: “He (Schuller) was sitting on the corner at the shop, then the two young guys came by and they went into the store. “Two of Lincoln’s broetjies (brothers) were sitting with him, then they came out of the store and they pressed the gun to his shoulder. “The two brothers asked them, ‘What’s going on, leave him alone, he’s my…

Donald Trump’s latest statement, “I don’t need international law”, should send shivers down everyone’s spine . Trump is stating that he is above the law. If that doesn’t scare you then you are made of stone. He goes further to state that he governs by “his own morality”. The salient point here is that Trump has no moral compass and his so-called “morality” is simply his own opinion . The truth is that Trump is a modern-day warlord, sidestepping Congress and doing what he likes without restraint . Until the world sees the back of Trump in 2028 when he returns to the golf course it remains the duty of Congress to keep him in check, even if it means putting him in chains. History will judge…

Over the years I have been extremely complimentary of the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration) and its efforts to enhance labour peace and job creation in South Africa. I recall attending at the CCMA in Cape Town on the second day that it opened. In those early days under the leadership of Commissioner Sarah Christie, the CCMA was trying to develop rules and protocols and indeed structures for its service to the employees and employers of South Africa. Those heady days were exciting and innovative. I recall all of this in order to salute Christie, who passed away this year. The CCMA grew from strength to strength and took its rightful place in the dispute resolution arena in South Africa. Much of its success is…

In recent years, South Africa has become a focal point for immigration debates, particularly concerning public education. The growing presence of “illegal” immigrants in South African schools has prompted a wave of emotions from concerned citizens, particularly when they see their own children sidelined in the education system. For many South Africans, the issue isn’t merely a matter of statistics or policy. It’s deeply personal. Parents, aunts, and uncles often reflect on the heartbreaking reality of watching their children, nieces, and nephews remain at home, unable to attend school simply due to administrative hurdles while children of undocumented immigrants gain access to education via affidavits. The sentiment echoes the frustrations of many South African families who feel that they have been overlooked. Families argue that the right to education should…

WASHINGTON: The US carried out more air and drone strikes abroad in the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term than during former President Joe Biden’s entire four-year term, said a survey published this week. From January 20, 2025, to January 5, 2026, the US conducted 573 air and drone strikes, and 658 when operations with coalition partners are included, compared with 494 strikes and 694 coalition operations during Biden’s four-year term, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The nonprofit conflict watchdog said the US was involved in 1 008 foreign military events in at least nine countries over the past 12 months, resulting in an estimated 1 093 fatalities, compared with 1 518 deaths from 1 648 events under Biden’s entire term.…

Springbok prop Ox Nche has credited Sharks coach JP Pietersen with transforming the squad’s mindset since taking over from John Plumtree. While the Sharks have recorded two wins and two losses since Pietersen assumed the coaching reins in December, they have displayed a newfound fighting spirit. Last week, while the Stormers and Bulls each conceded 61 points in the Champions Cup, a youthful Sharks side emerged from their 26–10 defeat to Sale Sharks in Manchester with their heads held high. This week, they return to Durban to host Clermont in a must-win Champions Cup fixture at Kings Park. “JP tells us the key is our mental state because we have the ability,” said Nche, a 47-Test veteran. “We have guys with amazing ability, but the big thing JP has been…

Antoine Semenyo believes he is in the perfect place to thrive after scoring in each of his first two games for Manchester City. The Ghana international has made an instant impact since his £65 million (about R1.43 billion) move from Bournemouth last week and netted the opening goal in City’s 2-0 League Cup semi-final, first leg win at Newcastle on Tuesday. Semenyo, who scored in a 10-1 thrashing of Exeter in the FA Cup on Saturday, also had a second goal controversially ruled out by a lengthy VAR review at St. James’ Park. “The whole environment here is perfect. Everyone is confident and wanting to achieve the best. I have come into that and they helped with my confidence and made me feel welcome,” said Semenyo, who now has 12…