Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-24 i Cape Argus

Female leaders battling their way through kidnappings, terrorism and blackmail in the political sphere come to extraordinary light in Hostage. The brand-new Netflix political thriller also offers enough twists and turns to keep you glued to your screens from start to finish. The five-part series, starring Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy in the leading roles, is a refreshing women-led entry in a genre that is still dominated by excellent yet largely male-heavy casts. Without objectifying these stellar actresses, the production places their professional and political tact, along with their family lives and personal struggles, at the forefront. And after several unexpected twists, the show poses a powerful question: how much should a female leader have to sacrifice for her country? Hostage introduces viewers to Abigail Dalton (Jones), who, during a…

THE City of Cape Town has refuted claims of plans for 10 000 low-cost housing units in Fish Hoek as “unfounded” and “misleading”. Officials clarified that the draft Masiphumelele Local Spatial Development Framework (LSDF) identifies preferred affordable housing land near Masiphumelele at Lochiel smallholdings, with no development rights yet granted. This response follows statements by Freedom Front Plus councillor Pieter Jansen van Vuuren, who claimed to support residents of Fish Hoek, Bloubergstrand, Big Bay, Sea Point and Green Point allegedly “outraged at the City’s ill-considered plans to force thousands of low-cost housing units into established middle-class areas”. Van Vuuren acknowledged the housing need but attributed the crisis to “uncontrolled influx” into the Western Cape. “Official census data reveal a net influx of more than 646 000 people into the Western…

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) has called for the SAPS to strengthen its internal Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU) to increase its ability to identify and investigate members and other police who are involved in corruption in order to reduce the scourge. This, according to the ISS report titled Tackling police corruption in South Africa, could be strengthened by enhancing the capacity for the SAPS’ detention and investigation. The ACIU was established in 2017 to focus on criminal investigations against police members involved in corruption. This was a response to concerns that existing structures were insufficient. The report, written by David Bruce and Gareth Newham, stated that police corruption is the most widespread form of official corruption in South Africa. Bruce is an independent researcher on policing and a consultant…

In highlighting the urgent need for critical care nursing in South Africa, a professor from the University of Pretoria (UP) pointed out that the country only has 6 246 critical care-trained nurses registered with the South African Nursing Council (SANC). South Africa’s population of 64 million is supported by only 4 719 critical care beds, with around 1 186 in the public sector and 3 533 in the private sector. In an inaugural address at UP, newly appointed Professor Isabel Coetzee-Prinsloo outlined a transformative vision for the future of critical care in South Africa. She presented what she termed the “three pillars of excellence in critical care” – quality education, practice development, and knowledge translation. Her lecture, delivered at a time when healthcare systems worldwide continue to evolve in the…

Natashia de Wet, of Somerset West, has been recognised with a national award for her work in preventing tons of food waste from ending up in Cape Town landfills through an innovative community composting programme. She was named among the Top 3 Inspirational Women of the Year this month, in Pretoria, by a brand that celebrates women driving positive change across South Africa. Out of hundreds of entries, de Wet was selected for the Top 50 by a panel of judges before the public voted for the Top 15 finalists. She ultimately placed in the Top 3. She began the composting programme in 2018 after deciding to put her passion for nature conservation into action. “I wanted to save nature and started researching what ordinary people could do to make…

The 3 000 km-long trip was fast beginning to look futile when substitute Ashley Cupido made it worthwhile for Stellenbosch FC with a last-minute goal that gave them a 1–0 winning start to their CAF Confederation Cup group stage campaign at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The team from the Cape Winelands had to travel nearly the full length of the country for a “home” match far from their base, where all of the Danie Craven, Athlone and DHL Cape Town stadiums were unavailable. The Limpopo soccer faithful were conspicuous by their absence, with fewer than a thousand fans arriving for the afternoon match at the 45 000-seater 2010 Fifa World Cup venue. You would have sworn the stadium was packed, though, when Cupido made a poacher’s run…

France ended their turgid Autumn Nations Series with a lacklustre 48-33 win over Australia on Saturday, with thoughts moving quickly to the return of captain Antoine Dupont in time for the defence of their Six Nations title. Scrumhalf Dupont has been out since March with a serious knee injury but is expected to be back for club Toulouse within two weeks, well ahead of France’s Six Nations opener against Ireland at the beginning of February. The 29-year old superstar missed the win over the Wallabies as well as a victory over Fiji and the humbling by South Africa during November. Les Bleus failed to live up to expectations as a swashbuckling side capable of challenging the best in the world under head coach Fabien Galthie. “He’s the best player in…

The City of Cape Town is set to welcome over 80 000 attendees for the highly anticipated free open-air concert, the Festive Lights Switch-On at the Grand Parade this coming Sunday. This vibrant event marks the official start of the festive season and will feature an exciting line-up headlined by multi-award-winning music producer DJ Zinhle. Joining her on stage are popular acts such as GoodLuck, Kurt Darren, Tarryn Lamb, Karabo Mogane, Early B & Justin Vega, DJ Masoodah, and Heavenly Quartez, promising an unforgettable celebration for all. Emo Adams, Loukmaan Adams, Alistair Izobell, Jody Abrahams and Fancy Galada, along with the Street Stylers dancers, will come together for a tribute performance that celebrates Cape Town’s rich cultural legacy and its people’s enduring spirit of hope. The open-air concert will kick…

A THIRD escape from police holding cells has raised the question of accountability and action. This after a 17-year-old suspect escaped from Bellville Magistrates’ Court. The teenager who may not be identified, escaped from the courthouse on November 19 and was rearrested in Durbanville on Saturday. Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg said: “Bellville police registered an escape from lawful custody case following the escape of a juvenile on Wednesday, November 19. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. Police are following up all leads in a bid to re-arrest the juvenile. Anyone with any information who can assist with the investigation can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.” Earlier, a sentenced prisoner, Jakon September, convicted of violent sexual offences, who escaped from…

Members of Parliament are heading to the Kgoši Mampuru Correctional Centre in Tshwane this week to hear testimony from Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is currently incarcerated. Matlala’s testimony is part of the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, involving claims of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference in the justice system. The committee, established to investigate the allegations made by Mkhwanazi, is scheduled to hear evidence from three key witnesses in Gauteng this week. The hearings will take place at the Kgoši Mampuru after a resolution by the committee, intended to ensure the safety and security of all parties involved in the investigation. The committee previously heard from Section Manager: Information and Security Risk Management, Rudzani Mpilo, who explained that after visiting Kgoši Mampuru, where…

The Western Cape High Court has ordered cash-strapped textile manufacturer Waltex to repay a debt exceeding R1.6 million to distribution company Laser Logistics, following its failure to make payments since 2017. Acting Judge Ajay Bhoopchand has mandated that Waltex pay R1 651 207.03, which includes interest calculated at the prescribed annual rate. During court proceedings, the textile company admitted that it fell into arrears with its payments, but denied that the balances calculated at the various stages of their engagement since first falling into arrears in January 2017 were correct, arguing that the logistics company had overcharged it. The company had gone into arrears a year after it signed a credit agreement in February 2016. According to the agreement, Laser Logistics would issue monthly invoices payable within 30 days…

CAPE Town’s 2050 long-term plan promises safer streets, cheaper transport, and 50 000 new housing opportunities a year. It also sets out ambitious goals to double the economy and cut the murder rate to 25 per 100 000 people. But the Cape Town Collective Ratepayers’ Association (CTCRA) says these promises may come at a cost residents cannot afford – and that the City has not yet shown the numbers. Residents may also have to wait 25 years to see many of these improvements. Interim chairperson Bas Zuidberg said the association supports the idea of long-term planning. “It is important to have a vision of the future, combined with a rough action plan, if a city is to be successful at achieving it,” he said. He added, however, that the City…

The Government of National Unity (GNU) has now settled into the political landscape and is no longer an experiment but a lived reality. Its existence invites a deeper reflection on what it reveals about the state of our democracy and the enduring instinct for survival. Far from signalling a rupture, the ANC’s participation in the GNU may represent a familiar trend in our political history, one in which power yields just enough to preserve itself. What began as an act of accommodation has become a study in continuity and shows how institutions adapt to new conditions without transforming their essence. The question that remains is whether the GNU serves as a bridge to renewal or as a careful continuation of the same political logic that has long defined the South…

It would have taken a monumental effort for Senuran Muthusamy to work his way back to international cricket after being outplayed by India in his maiden Test tour six years ago. Muthusamy was completely dominated by the India Test players back then, and looked a class below the opposition in terms of skill and ability as the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin made him look like an amateur. It was not only Muthusamy who was outplayed, but the entire Faf du Plessis-led Proteas Test team of 2019, as they lost the series 3-0. After that series, the all-rounder returned to domestic cricket at the Dolphins, with his future in Test cricket looking grim. He changed teams and went to the North West Dragons in…

It might not be one of the best leagues in the world, but Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s reported move to the Chicago Fire in MLS still augurs well for his career. Mbokazi has carved out a reputation as one of the most rock-solid defenders in the PSL top flight. This is due to his maturity, composure on and off the ball, timeless tackles, and accurate passing. His exploits haven’t gone unnoticed. He has even caught the eye of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, who believes Mbokazi is one of the best defenders he has ever coached — and simply too good for the local league. Broos has stressed that it will be important for the teenager to move overseas next season, as that will elevate his career to greater heights. Christmas seems…

Formula One world champion Max Verstappen produced a masterful drive to win the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday, with his title hopes boosted further after the McLarens of championship leader Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were both disqualified. Norris had finished second on the track, with Piastri fourth, but the skid blocks on both cars were found after the race to be below the minimum depth. The disqualifications mean that with two race weekends remaining, four-time defending champion Verstappen is now level on points with Piastri in the title race, just 24 points behind Norris. However, Verstappen's chances of a fifth successive title will depend on another slip-up from Norris or his McLaren team. With a maximum of 58 points available in the final two GPs, the Briton needs…

Malcolm Marx must have approached Saturday’s clash – his 87th Test for South Africa – against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin with plenty of thoughts running through his mind. This was, after all, the same Irish team that split a series with the Springboks on South African soil last year — winning in Durban after losing in Pretoria. It was also the same opponent against whom Marx suffered one of the worst injuries of his career: a fractured tibia caused by a dangerous croc-roll clearout at the breakdown. The culprits then were No 8 Caelan Doris and lock James Ryan, with Ryan executing the illegal cleanout while Doris took the yellow card. So, when Marx delivered a powerhouse performance in the Boks’ 24–13 victory in Dublin this weekend,…

When Maureen Witten, 70, agreed to join her daughter at a women’s shutdown protest in Observatory on Friday, she wanted to stand against gender-based violence. Instead, she was knocked down by an impatient driver who tore through the group. Witten, who had never attended a protest before, had joined the demonstration with her daughter, 45-year-old Roslynne Richman, to honour women and children victims of GBV. Minutes later, she was lying on the ground, bruised and crying from pain, after being clipped by a car that refused to stop. “We are just very thankful that my mother is alive,” Richman said. “She is in a lot of pain, and she could have so easily gone under that car.” The incident, which was captured on video, occurred on Main Road at about…

President Cyril Ramaphosa officially closed the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg yesterday with an appeal to world leaders to confront global challenges “together” and to ensure that “no one is left behind” as the world works towards shared prosperity. Delivering his final remarks, Ramaphosa said the first G20 summit hosted on African soil had placed urgent global priorities at the centre of discussions. He said: “Together, we must accelerate progress towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the Pact for the Future. “We have laid the foundation of solidarity; now we must build the walls of justice and the roof of prosperity. Let us move forward together… “Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind.” Ramaphosa thanked G20 members, invited nations and international organisations “for the steadfast support…

A community-driven campaign calling for improved safety and maintenance in Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) has gained momentum, with 10 958 signatures on a petition as of last Thursday. The #SaveTableMountain coalition says the growing support reflects widespread concern over trail conditions, security visibility, and deteriorating facilities across the park. In the petition, activists say that hikers, tourists and even staff face increasing risks due to what they describe as stretched security resources and inadequate upkeep. They point to a drop in safety personnel since 2021 and have criticised SANParks’ handling of the K9 programme, following the reassignment of four volunteer-funded dogs. According to the report, it calls for a 24/7 control centre, cameras at trailheads, expanded ranger presence and a strengthened K9 unit. The coalition has also raised alarms…

CAPE Town homeowners are watching a major shift unfold. The City has signed a historic Memorandum of Agreement with Urban Think Tank Empowerment (UTTE) to roll out a large-scale, community-led upgrade of informal settlements. The first pilot will focus on BTT Section and Vukani in Site C, Khayelitsha. It’s the start of a three-phase programme expected to improve living conditions for more than 5 000 households. “What is happening here is really special, and the pilot project in BTT Section and Vukani informal settlements in Site C Khayelitsha is just the beginning, as we plan to tackle the upgrading of identified informal settlements in other metro areas at scale. Spread over three phases, this innovative community-led upgrade programme is foreseen to improve the lives of more than 5 000 households,”…

Relief was the pervading emotion in the Springbok team on Saturday night after they broke their 13-year winning drought in Dublin with a 24-13 win. The score flattered Ireland, who were dominated from the first whistle to the last, but doggedly hung in to prevent a rout. To crown the Boks’ fourth consecutive win on their November tour, hooker Malcolm Marx was handed the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year award in the change room straight after the match. The Boks led 19-7 at half-time and went on to win the match by 11 points, despite the clash being marred by a red and yellow card. “It was a great win against a team that have dominated us since we’ve been together as a group,” said Erasmus, who…

Morgan Rogers produced two excellent finishes to inspire an Aston Villa comeback, beating Leeds 2–1 at Elland Road yesterday and moving into the English Premier League’s top four. Rogers has often been preferred this season by England manager Thomas Tuchel over Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham but had scored just once this season prior to his second-half double. After failing to win any of their first five games, Villa have now won six of their last seven Premier League matches, climbing into UEFA Champions League positions. Defeat leaves Leeds inside the relegation zone, and they were left to rue not building on a fast start. Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez pleaded in vain for a foul as he was challenged for a high ball by Anton Stach in the eighth minute. Ezri…

A stunned England woke on Sunday to savage criticism after their meek capitulation in the first Ashes Test, branded “brainless” and “damaged” by former greats after their cavalier approach backfired. Ben Stokes’s men lost the opening battle in Perth by eight wickets inside two days on the back of batting collapses and Travis Head slamming a sensational sixty-nine-ball century. Since last claiming an Ashes series in Australia 15-years ago, they have now lost 14 Tests, drawn two and won none Down Under. England had a perfect opportunity to snap the dire streak and earn a psychological advantage heading into the day-night second Test in Brisbane on December 4. But after reaching 160/5, the tourists lost five wickets for 12 runs to be bowled out for 172 on day one, before…

As the United Rugby Championship (URC) resumes this weekend, South African fans are gearing up for a series of high-stakes clashes, with the Jukskei Derby at Loftus standing out as the headline fixture. The Bulls are hoping to bounce back from their away defeat against the Glasgow Warriors before the international break, while neighbours the Lions will be buoyed after two successive wins erased memories of a nightmare European tour. The Bulls, last year’s beaten finalists, started the season brightly with two home wins, but endured a mixed tour, with a narrow win against Connacht sandwiched between losses to Ulster and the Warriors. They have often struggled to balance new coach Johan Ackerman’s expansive approach with the physical dominance and forward power game that served them so well in the…