Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-08-19 i Cape Argus

As we near the end of Women’s Month, the celebrations continue. Comedian Pius Xulu has organised Cape Town’s Queens in Comedy as a special tribute to women. Xulu told IOL Entertainment: “The #QueensInComedy brand aims to expand across the country to even the continent of Africa at large. The aim is to curate comedy shows with amazing comediennes from different provinces and different cities to ultimately be continent wide.” The venue is Wine Arc situated in the winelands of Stellenbosch and together with @SAComedyShares brings a sizzling hot line-up consisting of Saya-Pierce Jones, Mira, Angel Campey and Mel Jones. “I want to showcase more female comedians in the industry as we have a lot that are not exposed enough. “There’s already a lot of interest shown by other provinces for…

About 15 business owners at the Salt River Market say they were not consulted by the City about a planned housing development in the precinct. The City Council last month released two parcels of land in Salt River, including the market, for the commencement of the construction of affordable housing which would yield 700 mixed-development units, including 216 social housing units. During the council sitting last month, human settlements mayoral committee member Malusi Booi said no objections were received to the proposals during the public participation period. The ANC, EFF, PAC, Cape Coloured Congress and Al Jama-ah party voted against the recommendations. However, the owners said the first time they heard of the City’s plans was through media reports. Instead, they said when mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis visited the market last…

As part of its two-day protest action, the Western Cape -hailing Association (WCEA), yesterday delivered its second memorandum to the City, calling for the lifting of the moratorium on e-hailing driving permits. The memorandum, which was directed at mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, listed several grievances the association has been struggling, despite the involvement of several key role-players, including the City’s Urban Mobility Directorate. WCEA chairperson Siyabonga Hlabisa said: “The City requested a detailed data report from tech companies to assess supply and demand of e-hailing services in Cape Town before lifting the moratorium, a request e-hailing platform operators conceded to.” “The City said it wanted to understand whether or not there is demand for our services, and it’s clear there is. We demand the City cut all red tape on lifting…

The inquiry into suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office yesterday held a two-hour in camera session to discuss whether questions about an unproven sexual harassment allegation against former executive manager at the PPSA Lufuno Ndou should be allowed. When they emerged from their deliberations, committee chairperson Qubudile Dyantyi would only say they had discussed the issue of balancing the committee’s need for transparency and taking witnesses’ rights into consideration. They then said the hearings could proceed. The sexual harassment issue had been raised by the inquiry’s evidence leader, advocate Nazreen Bawa SC, after she finished taking Ndou through his testimony on the issue of the Vrede Dairy investigation report. Bawa said during Wednesday’s testimony by PPSA acting corporate services head Gumbi Tyelela it emerged that Ndou had…

After its inauguration last year, the 10-day long Garden Town Stellenbosch festival will be returning this year transforming the streets and surrounding countryside from October 20 to 30 with horticultural tours, flower art and wine tours available for gardeners and lovers of the great outdoors. Stellenbosch Wine Routes manager Elmarie Rabe said Garden Town Stellenbosch was inspired by the world-famous flower festival of Girona, Spain, and would encompass everything from dining to hiking to specialist guest gardens. “DIY vegetable gardening, wine tasting, painting, guided bird walks, wreath crafting, moss education, drawing with thread, honey sampling and much more – it’s all on the programme this year,” Rabe said. This was an initiative of the region’s tourism stakeholders and partners, including the Stellenbosch Municipality and Stellenbosch Wine Routes. “The objective is…

Liquor traders were called on to take the lead in fighting gender-based violence in a dialogue facilitated by the Liquor Traders Association, NGO Act Now and attended by Police Minister Bheki Cele. The Tavern Dialogues are designed to educate and equip men to drive positive change in their communities. The dialogues were rolled out at 20 taverns in four provinces during Women’s Month, including the Western Cape, and yesterday’s discussion took place at Rands in Khayelitsha. National Liquor Traders convener Lucky Mtimane said through the dialogues they were trying to let men, and especially tavern owners, take a lead in the fight against gender-based violence. “We feel that because we have the real estate where we can interact with our customers who are largely men. This is going to be…

IT was a memorable night in Sydney in August 2014, as I was able to attend a thrilling Super Rugby final between the Waratahs and the Crusaders. I had won a media competition conducted by tournament sponsors Vodacom, and on the bus to the Olympic Stadium, I was asked by the other winners – who were subscribers – to make a prediction on what was going to happen in the title decider. The Crusaders were obvious favourites, even though the Waratahs had topped the overall log. But it was “Go the Tahs!” from my side, and I even chose to wear their light blue jersey instead of the famous red-and-black outfit for the men from Christchurch. It was a close-run thing in the end, but the Waratahs prevailed 33-32, courtesy…

WITH four points dropped in their opening two league games of the new season, Liverpool’s margin for error in the expected title race against Manchester City already looks seriously depleted as they prepare for their clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday. Mediocre displays in draws with Fulham and Crystal Palace mean Jurgen Klopp’s side are already in the bottom half of the table, and injuries and a three-game suspension for new signing Darwin Nunez add to the sense of unease at Anfield. Incredibly, Liverpool’s early-season problems look trivial compared with those of their arch rivals Manchester United. For the first time since 1992, United are bottom of the Premier League after losing their opening two games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford. Thirty years ago they…

Ratepayers plan to hold City accountable The City’s plans for the urgent densification and intensification of the historic suburb of Wynberg have alarmed members of the Wynberg Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (WRRA), who are worried about what the end product will look like. WRRA members are so concerned about compliance with aesthetic and spatial requirements by developers and the City that they are formulating a blueprint proposal which will be presented to the City in time for the deadline of the public participation exercise, which ends on August 30. Last month, the City hosted a series of public meetings where residents, business owners and all other interested and affected parties asked questions about, and commented on, the eight draft integrated district spatial development frameworks (DSDFs), environmental management frameworks (EMFs) as…

THE sordid allegations of child rape that Moyhdian Pangkaeker is accused of were met with disgust in the Western Cape High Court as the alleged killer of 8-year-old Tazne van Wyk testified under cross-examination. Pangkaeker has been charged with rape, murder, kidnap and mutilating a corpse after he was caught on camera with the little girl at a petrol station in Worcester on the day she went missing, February 7, 2020. Her remains were found almost two weeks later in a storm water drain along the N1. He faces further charges for sustained abuse against a single complainant who said she decided to report him after she saw the news about Tazne’s disappearance and his involvement. The witness, who testified in-camera because she was a minor at the time…

The rain and strong winds, which set in on Wednesday and are forecast until today across the Peninsula and surrounding areas, contributed to several road accidents yesterday. The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre and related City departments, and external role players, were kept busy dealing with road accidents, flooding and other weather-related impacts. Cape Town Traffic Services closed Nelson Mandela Boulevard outbound at Melbourne Road after a taxi overturned after midday yesterday. The right lane on Nelson Mandela Boulevard inbound was also closed. Cape Town Traffic spokesperson Kevin Jacobs said 23 people were injured in the accident. The roadway was reopened at 2pm after all those injured had received help. ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said: “ER24 and other services arrived on the scene at 12.34pm to find the taxi on…

CAPE Town City have been one of the early-season shocks so far this season. City enter tomorrow’s Cape derby against Stellenbosch FC at the bottom of the Premiership standings after having lost three of their four games to date. After finishing second in the league last season, not many would have expected Eric Tinkler’s team to start off the new campaign with such woeful performances. City can, however, still turn things around if they start off by beating Stellenbosch this weekend. A win against their local rivals will also be morale boosting as it will come against an in-form side who are unbeaten in 11 games, dating back to last season. One City player who will be looking to make a quick impact is centre-forward Wayde Lekay. The 25-year-old returned…

PITSO Mosimane admits he is enjoying some well-earned rest, but that the itch to get back onto the pitch and into the dugout, will need to be scratched at some point in the future. Whether that is near or far, remains a mystery as the former Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns coach focuses on personal projects close to his heart. Mosimane, who earlier this year quit his position as head coach of Egyptians giants Al Ahly, is back in the country to develop his football foundation. On Thursday, he was invited to Safa House at FNB Stadium as the association officially recognised his accomplishment of being one of the first African coaches to receive a CAF Pro Licence. “We always have offers,” said Jingles matter-of-factly. “I needed a break. It…

IF past experiences are anything to go by, then the Springboks have to get their loose-trio selection just right if they want to finally beat the Wallabies in Australia. The world champions left South Africa yesterday for their two-match Rugby Championship trip Down Under, and are determined to produce their first win in the country since 2013. Wallaby coach Dave Rennie is a cagey coach who will be remembered in SA for guiding the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013, and after missing out on the All Black job, he has thrown in his lot across the Tasman Sea. Rennie will be disappointed by the Australians’ 48-17 capitulation to Michael Cheika’s Argentina in San Juan last weekend, after they triumphed 41-26 in Mendoza a week earlier,…

SAFA have handed over the reins of Banyana Banyana to national Under-17 women’s coach Simphiwe Dludlu for the upcoming Cosafa women’s Cup in Port Elizabeth. It was much the same scenario for the national men's team at the recent Coasafa men's tournament. Assistant coach Helman Mkhalele took over from Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos. The outcome was disappointing, but several players from the lower-tier ranks were exposed to continental competition and Mkhalele had a chance to perform the head coach's duties. According to Safa, coach Desiree Ellis and her Women’s Africa Cup of Nations squad have other commitments and are not available for the tournament, which starts in two weeks. As a result, Dludlu will work with an untried combination, but she has called up several former Banyana players who…

To ADD to their anguish and trauma, the family of kidnapped 6-year-old Mohammad Shanawaaz Asghar have had to deal with people making false claims, pretending to have the boy, and fake news of ransom demands. This as the search for the child continues. In this regard, the Kensington Community Policing Forum (CPF) said progress had been made in the matter. CPF chairperson Cheslyn Steenberg said police activated a 72-hour plan and urged the public to share verified information only. “Misinformation can lead to secondary trauma for the family of Shanawaaz. Lastly, I see posts about a ransom being asked for. That type of reporting is irresponsible as it places the life of Shanawaaz at risk. Let us remain prayerful for his safe return,” he said. Hidayatul Islam Primary School’s governing…

The abusive nature of Phillip April’s relationship with Allison Plaatjies was detailed in court as another witness testified that the teacher was “belittled” before she was killed. April is charged with two counts of murder and theft after he partially decapitated Plaatjies inside her home on October 26, 2019 and fled the scene in her car. The State yesterday closed its case after several witnesses testified about the events that led up to her slaughter, trying to prove the murder was premeditated. Merelizia Booysen, 27, an arts and culture coach at Sederberg Primary School – where Plaatjies taught – said as soon as she heard of the teacher’s death, the first thing that came to her mind was April. “So much went through my mind at that time, I just…

A warrant of arrest has been issued for ANC MPL Danville Smith after he failed to appear at the Bellville Commercial Crimes Court. However, yesterday evening, Smith told the Cape Argus that he had been in court in Vredendal on a different matter and that he was unaware of the warrant of arrest. He said he would clear up what he called “the confusion”. Approached for comment about the arrest warrant for Smith, ANC provincial Chief Whip Pat Lekker said: “I’m sure the political leadership will shed some light; this is outside my jurisdiction.” ANC’s Interim Provincial Working Committee (IPWC) convenor Lerumo Kalako had no comment. At the same time, a warrant of arrest for Smith’s co-accused in the matter, Peter Blankenberg, was held over as he had a medical…

A debate in the legislature about the status of the Western Cape’s municipalities nearly descended into a farce with members on both sides of the chamber heckling and interrupting speakers in the debate. Deputy speaker Beverley Schäfer (DA) had a tough time keeping order with the ANC disrupting their own colleague, MPL Lulama Mvimbi, as he responded to the DA’s provincial local government spokesperson Derrick America. At one point, Schäfer even questioned Premier Alan Winde about a comment he made about the noise from some members in the chamber that prevented other members from listening to the debate. The debate had been led by America, who said the ANC needed to learn from the DA with regards to the management of municipalities that boast of clean audits and well- maintained…

A couple nearly lost their house – because Standard Bank lied. Essentially this is what happened in early August this year, when Standard Bank claimed that the couple had arrears of R93 606 and was calling in their outstanding loan of R382 000 so that they could sell the property via a sheriff’s auction. It’s no secret that banks have been selling off properties for a fraction of their market value for many years now. There are documented instances where homes were repossessed by banks for as little as R10 and then on-sold at auction for a huge profit. These auctions have also become hang-outs for syndicates who rig the prices, pick up the homes for next to nothing – and then resell them for massive profits. Due to these…

Independent Media’s fifth-floor conference room hosted a language group of a different kind yesterday, with 23 young people ready to give of their best to impress the judges in the 4th China Daily Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition. The preliminary competition was co-hosted at Newspaper House by Independent Media and China Daily with the topic “As Time Goes By, All Things Are Revealed”. The participants were learners from South Peninsula High School; Cape Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology; and students from UCT and UWC. Competition facilitator Iris Wu said China Daily had reached out to her to assist in partnering with a media house in Cape Town, which led to the involvement of Independent Media. The competition began in 2019, with China Daily the main organiser and…

The City is set to receive technical assistance from international development institutions to explore two awarded projects that would help develop its climate change adaptation projects into bankable investment proposals and reach carbon neutrality by 2050. This was being implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the C40 City Finance Facility (CFF). The first project supported its Liveable Urban Waterway and Green Infrastructure programmes (valued at R10 million), and the second project supported its energy efficiency and renewable energy generation programmes (particularly its solar photovoltaic/PC projects) to help Cape Town achieve carbon neutrality. The technical assistance for both projects allowed the City appoint senior project advisors to oversee and help the respective projects reach their individual goals. Water and sanitation Mayco member Zahid Badroodien added that this partnership…

TOKOLLO “Magesh” Tshabalala, who died on Monday, was an influential kwaito lyrical genius who was never afraid to take the game in his own direction, with a catchy, stop-start chanting/rapping/call-and-response style underpinned by street lingo and a cadence which made him an epitome of “street-cool”. As both an individual artist and the de-facto leader of the sensational TKZee trio, the 45-year-old was worth his weight in gold as a superstar. A super-confident, razor-sharp wordsmith and potent composer, his music was always multi-layered and laced with top-notch “pantsula” sensibilities, catapulting his allure to stratospheric levels, thrilling multitudes in a career spanning well over two decades. In the unwritten encyclopaedia of South African street knowledge and wisdom, one of the best-kept secrets is the fact that it is thanks to Tokollo’s lyrical…

THE last thing Arthur Zwane and Kaizer Chiefs needed was the kind of distraction their former coach Stuart Baxter brought about with his interview on SABC this week. Looking to recover from their 4-0 hammering by Mamelodi Sundowns, Amakhosi were hard at work preparing for tomorrow’s Premiership tie against surprise table toppers Richards Bay (8pm kick-off). But Baxter went and threw a spanner in the works, accusing the club and his successor Zwane and his assistant Dillon Sheppard of back-stabbing him. “There were agendas within the club. Those agendas were going to be satisfied whether I liked it or not,” Baxter told SABC Sport. “We did talk about some of the players who would come in, we did speak about the young players. I read an article where the chairman…

THE Springbok Women are enjoying a positive build-up to the imminent World Cup in New Zealand and they can give their momentum another boost by beating Spain in Potchefstroom today in the second match of the series (3pm kick-off). The South Africa women were exceptional in beating Spain in last week’s curtain-raiser to the Springboks v All Blacks match at Ellis Park and they are determined to put in a similar effort in the re-match. “We would want to play as well as we did in the first Test, but we know each game is a new game,” said coach Stanley Raubenheimer. “We enjoyed last week but we have to start afresh, so the big focus is on what we have to do and to not look at Spain. They…