Innholdsfortegnelse for 2021-12-21 i Cape Argus

Shingai Darangwa shingai.darangwa@inl.co.za After the dread of 2020, I think it’s safe to say we all hoped that 2021 would bring much-needed respite. While things haven’t quite been smooth sailing on several fronts, we’ve at least been blessed with the emergence of some serious local talent. We look back at the year to uncover five of our favourite breakthrough talents: Uncle Waffles There’s really no other place to start than with Uncle Waffles. In just two short months, she’s risen from being a little known up-and-comer trying to find her feet in the entertainment industry, to one of the most on- demand female DJs on the continent. Since her viral video caught the attention of the entire country and some Canadian rapper named Drake, she’s gained over 300K followers across…

Drew Barrymore is helping Cardi B to realise her "meat-free dreams". The 29-year-old rap star is keen to find a good meat-free replacement, and Drew has offered her some advice over social media. The WAP hitmaker initially asked her Twitter followers: "I want to go vegan but I love meat.. are vegan meat replacements similar to meat in taste or not really? (sic)" And in response, Drew said: "YES @iamcardib I HAVE THE ANSWER TO YOUR MEAT FREE DREAMS. @QuornUS HAS CHANGED MY LIFE! SENDING YOU SOME IMMEDIATELY. PS I LOVE YOU. (sic)" Drew, 46, confessed in a video clip to being "one of (Cardi's) biggest fans ever". The Hollywood star subsequently described herself as a "flex-etarian", meaning she eats "predominantly vegetarian". Cardi was thrilled that Drew reached out to…

Karen Singh karen.singh@inl.co.za An eThekwini Municipality employee who drove a municipal van through Galleria Mall in eManzimtoti last week, has appeared in court on a charge of malicious damage to property. Video footage of last Wednesday’s incident went viral on social media. Police said the arrested suspect, 45, appeared in the eManzimtoti Magistrate’s Court. Galleria Mall said the vehicle was impounded and the municipal worker was arrested when he exited the mall in the parkade. Having no further updates on the internal investigation, eThekwini Municipality referred to its statement issued on the City’s Facebook page. “eThekwini Municipality has confirmed the arrest of the driver. (We) are conducting an internal investigation.” Should the internal investigation reveal possible misconduct, disciplinary steps will be taken, it added. In one of the videos, mall…

Nomalanga Tshuma nomalanga.tshuma@inl.co.za EIGHT people, including two children, were killed in a horrific head-on collision on the notorious N1 death stretch outside Beaufort West. Western Cape Government Health’s (WCGH’s) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the collision involving a light motor vehicle and a minibus taxi 30 km from Beaufort West, in the direction of Cape Town. WCGH’s EMS spokesperson Deanna February said: “WCGH emergency services received a call for assistance which came through to our call centre at about 10.06 am. “The taxi driving to Cape Town collided with a car driving from Cape Town. The car was carrying six passengers including two children, while the taxi had two occupants, a man and a woman. “Eight people were involved in the accident. Unfortunately, they all sustained fatal injuries and…

Rafieka Williams rafieka.williams@inl.co.za MICHAELIS School of Fine Art graduate Toyyiebah Cupido has struggled through mental health issues and adversity to finally obtain her degree from UCT. Cupido, who is from Manenberg, went to Christel House South Africa and has entered a field that is under-represented by people of colour. She says that finances were very difficult during her studies. “I don’t come from a family with money, and art is expensive. It might not be a field that is recognised as much as other careers, but it is very expensive so I had lots of financial troubles, relying on bursaries,” said Cupido. During her studies she was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, which caused her to doubt herself. “There was a lot of trauma that I experienced in my past…

Thulani Dasa | PSH Demand Creation Co-ordinator Khayelitsha PARTNERS in Sexual Health (PSH) is encouraged that the vaccine continues to offer high levels of protection from severe Covid-19 illness. We are hopeful that the current experience of Covid-19 caused by the Omicron variant – mild disease for the most part – will remain unchanged. Notwithstanding this, we remain concerned that health systems could still come under pressure considering the high rate of spread of Omicron, and consequent high sudden infection burden. PSH research teams will continue to monitor the progression of the fourth wave in this regard, and we will depend on the continued stewardship of the National Department of Health to ensure health systems can cope with the disease burden. The importance of Covid-19 vaccination in…

Shakirah Thebus shakirah.thebus@inl.co.za THE provincial Health Department has revealed that Omicron is the dominant Covid-19 variant in the Western Cape, accounting for most of the infections. The Western Cape reported 40 400 active cases, 572 126 confirmed cases to date and 511 435 recoveries by yesterday. There have been 20 291 Covid-related deaths. Around 9 544 reinfections have occurred. “At present, there is no evidence that Omicron causes less severe disease in unvaccinated people. To date, vaccines appear to still provide strong protection against severe disease from Omicron and remain our best defence,” Health Department spokesperson Marika Champion said. “You may have Covid-19 if you develop a cough, sore throat, loss of your sense of smell or taste, or shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.” On Sunday, the National Institute…

Matthew Paterson One surprise from COP26 – the latest UN climate change conference in Glasgow – was an agreement between world leaders on a new set of rules for regulating carbon markets. This would allow countries to trade the right to emit greenhouse gases. Carbon trading is part of how countries intend to meet their obligations for reducing emissions under the Paris Agreement. Unfortunately, the manner in which countries agreed these rules may hobble the agreement in its goal of averting catastrophic warming. Carbon markets were central to the design of the Paris Agreement’s predecessor, the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which created three different mechanisms for trading carbon. Developing countries had become accustomed to attracting investment via one called the “Clean Development Mechanism” (CDM), which allowed industrialised countries to invest…

Stuart Hess stuart.hess@inl.co.za Cricket South Africa (CSA) suffered another blow yesterday with the decision to postpone the 2022 Mzansi Super League because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The tournament, which was cancelled last season as well because of the pandemic, was scheduled to take place in February next year, but was called off for what CSA described as difficulties in making it a “premium international T20 tournament” because of the increased travel restrictions imposed by a number of countries against South Africa. Those travel bans were imposed after SA scientists identified the Omicron variant of Covid-19. “Restrictions such as stricter travel possibilities, the bio-secure environment frustrations, fear of the new variant, and the weak Rand/US Dollar exchange rate are some of the main reasons why CSA has taken the decision to…

Nomalanga Tshuma nomalanga.tshuma@inl.co.za FONDLY known as the Champs for Kids, volunteer members of the Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust have once again dedicated their time and efforts to cheering on learners at Tygerberg Hospital School. Just in time for Christmas this year, designated Champs teams sourced and collected bagfuls of Christmas presents and toys for learners at Tygerberg Hospital School, who are patients at the paediatric units of the hospital, delivering them at a fun-filled event. Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust spokesperson, Candace Jansen said: “Learners at Tygerberg Hospital School were treated to an early Santa surprise, spearheaded by the Champs. One only needs to look at the pictures to see the absolute joy, delight and excitement the gifts brought to their little faces and hearts. “Every donation and sponsorship played a…

Itumeleng Mafisa itumeleng mafisa@inl.co.za THE DA has been plunged into yet another racial quagmire following the resignation of former Midvaal mayor Bongani Baloyi. Baloyi announced on his Twitter account in the morning that he was quitting, after 14 years as a member, to pursue other opportunities. After resigning, Baloyi said he would not campaign for the DA in the 2024 general elections. His exit from the DA has sparked controversy, with questions being asked about why he left the party and if this was a continuation of disgruntled black leaders leaving the DA. In 2011, Lindiwe Mazibuko became the first black leader for the DA in Parliament before hurriedly leaving the party in 2014. A recent casualty in a long list of black leaders to quit the party was…

KAREL DAMPIES | Wellington I AM very disappointed and shocked about the Piketberg farmer who dismissed workers for not being vaccinated. Farm workers refused, but is it not their human right to do so? I think that farmers should get to know more about the human rights that all people have. There’s a reason we celebrate Human Right Day. I hope the country’s president will see what is happening, as more people may become jobless. How many poor workers do not have food on their table for Christmas, while you will have a feast and celebrate, Mr President?…

IJ Saks | Table view IF RAMAPHOSA wants to stay in power he needs to put his foot down once and for all and crush his opposition otherwise the RET faction with Duduzane Zuma poses a big threat for him at the ANC conference. They will try their utmost to get rid of him and then we will be on the brink of civil war, as we will have another Zim scenario in our country – they will try to take everything away from the whites and we won’t allow this to happen. Secondly, the ANC needs to fix Eskom once and for all as we cannot have growth without electricity. Both socialism and communism are dead and buried and the unions are also to blame for all…

AS SOUTH Africa scrambles to restore stability during the Covid-19 pandemic, industry leaders need to dust off their alcohol-testing equipment to ensure worker safety. Covid-19 precautionary measures shouldn’t overshadow the need to prevent intoxicated persons from posing a risk in the workplace. Although testing should have continued throughout the pandemic, with stringent alcohol restrictions imposed by the government, there was a tendency for businesses to slack off on testing because of alcohol availability limitations. With the sale of alcohol now back to normal, workers must return to a safe and healthy workplace. However, with testing equipment going unused for a couple of months, recalibration will be necessary to ensure that readings are as accurate as possible. In terms of the Occupational Health & Safety Act, an employer cannot allow any…

Gabriel Boric, a tattooed 35-year-old former student leader from the far south of Patagonia, has secured a crushing victory to become Chile’s president-elect. Boric narrowly lost the first round of the vote in November to far-right populist José Antonio Kast but managed to reverse his opponent’s advantage to take 56% of the vote in the runoff, compared with Kast’s 44%. “Thank you to all of the peoples that live in this place we call Chile,” Boric said on a giant stage erected in the centre of the capital, Santiago, to rapturous applause. “The future of Chile needs [all of the candidates] on the people’s side,” he said, thanking each presidential hopeful in turn, including Kast. Kast called Boric on Sunday to concede defeat and congratulated him on his win. He…

Kristin Engel kristin.engel@inl.co.za SAFETY groups have urged people to take extra safety measures over the festive period when there is a spike in home invasions that are likely due to people visiting family and friends and leaving homes vulnerable. Insurance company Auto & General’s head, Ricardo Coetzee, said statistics showed there was a 33% increase in home invasions in the week between Christmas and New Year alone. He said there was also a significant shift in how criminals gained entry (when compared to the month of December in pre-Covid-19 times) with more robbers gaining access through a front or back door, as opposed to through a window. “This could indicate that, with more people opting to stay at home, criminals would rather pounce on doors that are left unsecured…

Mwangi Githahu mwangi.githahu@inl.co.za NEARLY half of all South Africans have been unable to pay their debts or have lost income during the past six months, according to the 2021 SA Reconciliation Barometer (Sarb). The 2021 Sarb is a nationally representative public-opinion survey conducted by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) and aims to provide a degree of clarity on several aspects of public opinion including South Africans’ experience during the Covid-19 pandemic. IJR project leader Mikhail Moosa said: “To better understand the scale of the disruption caused by the national lockdowns, the 2021 Sarb asked respondents a series of questions specifically about Covid-19 and reflecting on their personal well-being and distress.” The survey found that close to 50% of all respondents have been unable to pay their debts…

Sonri Naidoo sonri.naidoo@inl.co.za SIX-year-old Sheronique Alysha Mengie and 10-year-old Cayson Jude Cerfonteyn, who were operated on to repair the holes in their tiny hearts, were released from Busamed Private Hospital in Paardevlei. Their operations were made possible by Pelo Foundation, a non-profit organisation that raises funds for children in serious need of heart treatment and surgeries. Cayson Cerfonteyn’s mother, Janice, said she was very excited her son had finally received the surgery that would change his life. “After coming out from the intensive care unit, he said to me ‘Mommy, I’m happy, I have a heart now!’ and I laughed and told him that he always had a heart. “We discovered that he has a fault in his heart when he was 6 months old; he’s been on the heart…

Sinazo Alungile Novukela | Lugangeni Location Mount Frere ALTHOUGH the successful passing of the amendment of section 25 of the Constitution is a work in progress, the amendment was going to be a breakthrough for ordinary South Africans to be able to access land, especially those wanting to practise agriculture. While the completion of the process was perceived as a beacon of hope for many, the amendment of this section was to address the skewed and unequal ownership of land in the country and also redress the injustices of land dispossession, dating as far as 1913. With the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development spearheading the process of redressing the injustices of land dispossession by putting in place policies that enable farmers to access land, the…

Colin Bosman | Newlands With the Firearms Amendment Control bill in the trash can where it belongs, gun owners, gun enthusiasts, the firearm industry and those committed to the freedom of choice will be breathing a sigh of relief as sanity returns to the issue of gun ownership. It now remains for SAPS to fast track the re-licensing and return to their rightful owners the thousands of guns that were handed in during the last amnesty for re-licensing. Given past complicity by corrupt officials, these firearms which are held at stations all over the country need to be returned to their owners as a matter of urgency. It also remains an urgent matter to address the issue of the many thousands of expired firearm licences for guns held…

Nomalanga Tshuma nomalanga.tshuma@inl.co.za FORMER Cape Argus journalist Henri du Plessis has died after a battle with cancer. He was 60. “A few weeks ago my dad began experiencing sudden onset pain and other strange symptoms. We took him to the hospital to get checked out. From then he was admitted and diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. “After a few days of intense chemotherapy, his body just couldn’t cope anymore. He passed away in the early hours of Sunday, December 12. He was an inquisitive person, always keen to learn all he could about something,” his son Jean-Pierre Du Plessis said. Du Plessis was enjoying his retirement restoring old vehicles, gardening and entertaining his Border Collies at his home in Durbanville. “If a topic interested him, he would do all he…

The situation in South Africa is a microcosm of what is prevailing in the rest of Africa. The marginalised majority have continued, over these three decades, to live in hope. On July 7, former president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma turned himself over to prison authorities to begin a 15-month jail sentence handed down by the Constitutional Court for failing to obey an order of court to appear before an official inquiry investigating corruption allegations. His incarceration set off an unprecedented wave of protests, looting, and rioting unseen in South Africa for the entire period of its young democracy established in 1994. Major highways were barricaded, a large number of long-haul trucks were burnt along the main arterial road from Durban to the economic heartland of Johannesburg in an attempt…

A Sudanese protester was shot dead during a “savage” crackdown on mass pro-democracy rallies on Sunday, medics said, and 125 others were injured according to the health ministry. Security forces fired tear gas canisters, and live rounds into the air, as hundreds of thousands marched, three years since the start of mass demonstrations that led to the ouster of veteran strongman Omar al-Bashir. Yesterday, the independent Doctors’ Committee said 28-year-old Majzoub Mohammad Ahmad was shot and killed with “a bullet in the chest”. Nationwide, at least 46 people have been killed and scores wounded in the past two months, according to the committee. The health ministry said late Sunday that “123 people were injured in Khartoum and two in Kassala”, a city in the east of Sudan. Many of the…

HERMAN GIBBS Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler has appealed to his players to show a will to win ahead of tomorrow’s Premiership clash away to SuperSport United at Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe Stadium. Tinkler was thrilled by his players’ determination to press for victory after they were a goal down and forced to play with 10 men for the entire second half against Swallows FC on Saturday. They won 2-1 after tactical changes worked to City’s advantage in the second half. “They showed the will to win, but I would like to see them do it in every game,” said Tinkler. “The team, although a man down, were forced to adapt and those tactical changes worked well for us in the second half. “The spaces in between our lines…