Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-12-22 i Cape Argus

In a historic move that signals the end of an era for traditional television, the Academy Awards are officially heading to YouTube. On Wednesday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a massive multiyear deal that grants YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars from 2029 through to 2033. This marks a major pivot for Hollywood’s most prestigious night, ending a partnership with ABC that dates all the way back to 1976. For movie lovers around the world, this is incredibly exciting news. The move is designed to meet audiences where they already are: online. By shifting to a platform that boasts over two billion users, the ceremony will now reach a far greater number of viewers than ever before. This isn’t just about moving a broadcast…

A fire that broke out at Laborie Wine Estate on Saturday destroyed Giovanni’s Restaurant and part of the estate’s accommodation facilities, dealing a heavy blow to one of Paarl’s most historically significant wine farms. Laborie, established in 1691, is among the oldest wine estates in South Africa and is deeply tied to the early French Huguenot settlement of the Drakenstein Valley. Its historic werf and manor house form part of a cultural landscape spanning more than three centuries. The blaze started shortly after midday. Drakenstein Municipality confirmed that “two structures – the Cucina Di Giovanni restaurant and the first wing of the accommodation facilities – were destroyed earlier in the incident”. Eight Werf accommodation rooms were affected. All individuals on site were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported. Firefighters…

Missing persons organisations have sent out a stern warning to parents and guardians to be aware of places where children can innocently wander off and hide following the disappearance of a six-year-old boy who was found inside a washing machine in his home. Social media was abuzz with claims that the child’s mother was mentally ill and that he had been found wrapped with a blanket inside the washing machine but this could not be verified. Police have confirmed the discovery of the body of the child at his home in Cafda, Retreat after his father reported him missing on Friday. Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg said: “Steenberg police registered an inquest for investigation following an incident on Friday morning which claimed the life of a six-year-old boy. According to…

The Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has confirmed that an internal inquiry into its suspended first deputy president and parliamentary leader, Dr John Hlophe, is underway and is expected to be finalised by the end of January 2026. The confirmation follows reports last month that the party had suspended Hlophe with immediate effect, pending a full investigation into his conduct. The decision was announced after party president Jacob Zuma returned from a trip to Burkina Faso and convened a meeting with senior MK Party officials, where he was briefed about changes made in the National Assembly without broader consultation. At the time, the party said Zuma had issued a precautionary suspension to Hlophe from both his leadership roles in order to reaffirm the principle of collective leadership across all party…

IT WOULD be stretching it a little to suggest Hugo Broos resembled a kid in a sweetshop as he anticipated the start of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Yet for a coach going into his third tournament, the old man’s excitement was palpable. And that’s a good thing as South Africa seek to win only their second title in three decades. There was no air of ‘been there, done that’ – as would have been the case with some coaches – as the Belgian coach of Bafana Bafana addressed the media ahead of their Group B opener against Angola in Marrakech tonight (7pm kick-off). Instead, there was a glint in the septuagenarian’s eye as he reflected on his previous two experiences which yielded medals. A winner with Cameroon back…

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off in Morocco on Sunday evening, will highlight the depth of talent emanating from African football clubs. As major leagues across the continent take a break for the continental showpiece, it is no surprise to see strong African representation on the tournament roster. Sudanese football powerhouse Al-Hilal leads the charge, contributing an impressive 11 players to the tournament. The renowned South African sides, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, have collectively 17 players who will don the South African national jersey. Pirates have nine players, and Sundowns are fielding eight. Sundowns’ seasoned goalkeeper Denis Onyango will be rallying the Ugandan squad. AFCON 2025 will not exclusively showcase players from Africa; it features talent from across the global football spectrum. However, French Ligue…

Australia captain Pat Cummins is unlikely to feature in the Boxing Day Test against England, scheduled to take place from December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. After a five-and-a-half-month injury break, the Australian captain took six wickets in the third Test and was a key factor in their 82-run win at the Adelaide Oval. Following wins in Perth and Brisbane, the hosts continued their strong performance and clinched the series 3-0, successfully retaining the Ashes. The captain expressed joy over the “amazing” series victory but indicated he will reconsider injury risks for the upcoming matches. “I’m feeling really good, but as for the rest of the series, we’ll wait and see. We had a pretty aggressive build-up knowing that it’s the Ashes there to be won and we thought…

Cape Town is home, and for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, that matters more than anything else. While rugby teams from across the world were lining up with big offers and promises of lucrative contracts, he chose to stay where it all began. Money and overseas interest couldn’t compete with the connection he feels to the city, the team and the people who support it. Feinberg-Mngomezulu (23) has committed his future to Stormers Rugby until 2029, turning down strong interest from Japan and other major rugby markets. As his form has improved and his profile has grown, so too has the attention. But instead of chasing the biggest deal, he decided to back the environment he knows and believes in. That decision was shared with supporters in memorable fashion on Saturday afternoon at…

US First Lady Melania Trump is opening herself up to the world, giving an inside look into her life before her husband’s second swearing-in in an Amazon documentary. The teaser for Melania, which comes out January 30, shows the famously private Slovenian-American former model fixing the camera with an unflinching gaze and summing up her husband’s comeback in four words: “Here we go again.” Amazon’s licensing deal for the film is reportedly valued at about $40 million. Melania, who served as an executive producer, is set to receive 70% of that amount, a figure that has drawn scrutiny from her critics, according to The Wall Street Journal. Amazon MGM promises “unprecedented access” in the documentary, which chronicles the 20 days leading up to Inauguration Day in January, from transition…

A 29-year-old Kraaifontein musician and mother is preparing to lay formal criminal charges on South African soil after she reported that she was allegedly sexually assaulted and choked by her colleague on the MSC Musica while at sea in Portugal. MSC authorities have confirmed an investigation is underway. She and the colleague, who is South African, performed as a duo aboard the ship. The victim, who cannot be identified, told the Cape Argus this week, upon returning home from the cruise ship, that she is now preparing to formally open a case with the police. In response to the Cape Argus’ queries about allegations, an MSC Cruises spokesperson said: “A serious allegation of sexual assault was reported by one of our female onboard crew against a male crew member. “This…

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the presence of asylum seekers in the country and bona fide refugees has no impact on border security. Schreiber was responding to parliamentary questions by MK Party MP B B Muhammad, who wanted to know the current backlog in the processing of asylum, refugee, and permanent residence applications. Muhammad also enquired about how the backlog impacted border security and service delivery. In his response, Schreiber said there was no backlog in the processing of both asylum applications and the review of asylum seekers’ claims. He said only 13 cases were reflected as not adjudicated on December 1 for asylum applications. However, Schreiber said the Standing Committee on Refugee Affairs (SCRA) has a backlog of about 3 700 cases awaiting outcomes on Section 27 adjudications…

As more schools across South Africa tighten or ban cellphone use during the school day, education authorities say the shift is about managing technology responsibly – not removing it from classrooms altogether. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has emphasised that cellphone use in schools must be handled in an educationally sound manner, while safeguarding learning, wellbeing and safety. WCED spokesperson Unathi Booi said every school should have a clear policy governing the use of cellphones and mobile devices, developed with input from all stakeholders, including school management teams, governing bodies, parents, teachers and learners. “Cellular phones and mobile devices have to be managed in an educationally sound manner and every school should have in place a policy on the use of cellular phones and mobile devices with the input…

SOUTH African cricket in 2025 delivered two contrasting but revealing narratives, with the Proteas Women reaching unprecedented heights on the global stage while the Proteas Men rediscovered their edge in red-ball cricket amid ongoing white-ball questions. The Proteas Women closed out the year having produced one of the most significant seasons in the history of South African women’s cricket. Their first-ever appearance in an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final marked a watershed moment, reinforcing the team’s growing credibility at elite level despite falling short in the title decider. Captain Laura Wolvaardt led the side through a campaign defined by composure and confidence, including in the final where her decision at the toss reflected a team increasingly comfortable with the demands of high-pressure cricket. The World Cup run was widely…

Emerging technologies, such as the internet of things (IoT), big data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) are rapidly evolving, with the potential to transform society and the economy.Africa stands a unique opportunity to reboot its development by leveraging new technologies and reliable tech partnerships for mutually beneficial socio-economic transformation. AI and emerging technologies are projected to contribute around $1.5 trillion to Africa’s GDP by 2030 through rapid tech adoption, accelerated sustainable growth and development. Advances in renewable energy, broadband infrastructure, and digital public services are strengthening resilience and fostering more inclusive tech adoption for development. The African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area(AfCFTA) provide crucial frameworks which could benefit from the growing adoption of new technologies and supportive tech partnerships to leapfrog the continent into…

One or two missed moments ultimately proved costly for the Lions, but head coach Ivan van Rooyen was full of pride in his side after their narrow 34-27 United Rugby Championship (URC) defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday. The Johannesburg outfit pushed their hosts all the way to the final whistle and were still hunting a potential draw in the dying moments of the contest. That late surge was halted deep in Stormers territory when Springbok eighthman Evan Roos produced a crucial turnover under his own posts, stopping the Lions’ momentum and effectively sealing the win for the home side. The visitors had plenty to be encouraged by, particularly after a strong first-half showing in which they enjoyed much of the territory and possession. Their tempo and…

Arne Slot was left to count the cost of Liverpool’s chaotic 2-1 win at nine-man Tottenham after Alexander Isak’s rare goal was followed by a potentially damaging injury. Isak fired Liverpool into a second-half lead in north London with a clinical finish, only to limp off moments later after being injured by Micky van de Ven’s failed attempt to stop him scoring. The Sweden striker’s third goal for Liverpool since his British record £125 million move from Newcastle on transfer deadline day had offered hope that he was finally set to live up to his hefty price tag. Instead, Reds boss Slot now faces an anxious wait to determine how long the 26-year-old will be sidelined with his ankle problem. Slot would only say that Isak’s injury was “not a…

AS gang violence continues to spiral out of control on the Cape Flats, the nephew of former Hard livings gang bosses, Rashied and Rashaad Staggie and as the son of an ex-gangster, has taken the bold step to tell his story of how he shaped his destiny into becoming a medical doctor. Dr Niklo Staggie, hopes his story will evoke a spark, a change in the lives of young people and lives by this quote: “Not everyone who works hard is rewarded, however, all of those who succeed have worked hard.” “I am currently a doctor at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital (RMSH) in Kimberley working in the internal medicine department as a medical officer, and where I have been for the past five years. I graduated from the University of…

The EFF has condemned the US government’s latest extension of sanctions against judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling it a “brazen attack on judicial independence” and an effort to shield Israel from accountability. The sanctions, imposed by the Trump administration, target two additional ICC judges who upheld the court’s investigation into alleged war crimes in Gaza, following their rejection of Israel’s legal challenge to halt the probe. This brings the total to eight judges and at least three prosecutors sanctioned under the current US administration. “This is an attempt by a non-state party to the Rome Statute to interfere with an international institution tasked with ending impunity for atrocity crimes,” the EFF said. “The US is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the…

The much awaited fourth edition of the SA20, South Africa’s premier T20 competition, is set to get underway on Friday, and Independent Media’s Ongama Gcwabe selects Six Batters To Watch. Lhuandre-dre Pretorius - Paarl Royals There will be high expectations for the 19-year-old top-order batter, having topped the runs charts with 397 runs, including three half-centuries and a high score of 97 in his debut SA20 season. This year, the youngster returns with a lot more experience having played international cricket across three formats. The Paarl Royals will be looking to the opening batter to get them to a flying start throughout the competition. Heinrich Klaasen - Durban’s Super Giants Klaasen has been by far the best white ball batter in the last three to four years. This year, with…

BAFANA BAFANA against Angola in the group stages of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), is there a more familiar fixture? South Africa’s senior national team begins their campaign at the 35th edition of the biennial, continental showpiece against a foe they’ve met many times before. Monday's clash between the COSAFA nations will be the fifth such since South Africa’s return to international football in 1992. Back in 1996 when Bafana Bafana reigned supreme on the continent, one of the countries we beat en route to that glory was Angola. I remember that match vividly. It was a few days after we had smashed Cameroon 3-0 in the tournament and many of us descended upon the old FNB Stadium anticipating a similar outcome. I was a cadet journalist at The…

It’s already been more than 24 hours since BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia repeated India’s squad for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, where he again called Axar Patel as the side’s vice-captain. That also confirmed that Shubman Gill, India’s Test and ODI captain, was axed from the T20I team with less than 50 days to go for the mega event to begin. Gill’s omission capped weeks of speculation on whether his return unsettled the established opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. Despite making just 291 runs in 15 innings at an average of 24.25 and strike rate of 137.26, many felt Gill’s place in the squad was all but certain until Saturday’s late twist happened. Multiple sources familiar with the matter told IANS yesterday that the call to…

Following South Africa’s penultimate bilateral T20I series before the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, the 1-3 series loss in India, several players have questions marks hanging over their head in terms of making the Proteas squad for the showpiece event. South Africa were poor in some games during the India series, especially the opening game where they were bowled out for 70-odd in Cuttack, their lowest total in T20I cricket. They were also brilliant in some games, with the second match in New Chandigarh where they beat India by 51 runs to level the series being their highlight of the series. Two players stood out, and it’s the vastly experienced fast bowler Lungi Ngidi and wicket-keeper batter Quinton de Kock. Ngidi was not only South Africa’s best bowler but was…