Innholdsfortegnelse for 2023-10-24 i Cape Argus

One of the biggest events in celebrating some of the best voices in the gospel music industry will take place next month. Since its inception 16 years ago, the Crown Gospel Music Awards has become the African continent’s premier gospel music awards ceremony. The highly anticipated gospel awards event, founded by Zanele Mbokazi’s World Gospel Powerhouse, recently announced this year’s nominees at a glitzy affair in Sandton. Tebs David leads the pack with six nominations. His single Makabongwe will compete with Butho Vuthela’s Ethembeni Bambelela, Ntokozo Ngongoma’s Izindlela Zakhe, Nathi Sithole’s Baba Mlondolozi and Jumbo Nyangiwe’s Makabongwe Ujesu for Best Gospel Song award. Londiwe Kamasondo Cele, Sindi Ntombela and Londiwe Sphe Nxumalo will go head-to-head in the Best Gospel Female Artist category, while Rofhiwa Manyaga, Jumbo Nyangiwe, Omega Kenou, Zolisa…

Call to keep testing time trouble free Unions, the government and Grade 12 learners have appealed to everyone to ensure that nothing bedevils the matric exams that start today. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has appealed for candidates to be given the opportunity to write their exams without trouble, in light of load shedding, strikes and protests, or acts of violence and intimidation. In the Western Cape, 76 903 candidates will write the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, of which 64 105 are full-time candidates, and 12 798 part time. Practical exams will commence today with Computer Applications Technology (11 731 candidates) and Information Technology (1 000) tomorrow. Written exams will commence on Monday with 66 831 candidates writing English home language, first additional language, or second additional language,…

If you have been wondering whether there has been something in the air that has been affecting your sinuses and allergies, it may well be the case. Dr Dilys Berman of the UCT Lung Institute Allergy and Immunology Clinic spoke about why the city is experiencing high pollen count levels. Berman has been identifying pollen and fungal spore in the ambient air since 1984. She has a doctoral degree in aerobiology and her special interest is regional differences in the airborne pollen and fungal spore aeroallergens in South Africa. Berman said in an interview with CapeTalk that the city’s pollen count is currently very high. When the pollen count is high, this means 90% of pollen allergy sufferers will experience symptoms. Very allergic patients and asthmatics are recommended to limit…

The “wonder woman” headmistress at Sans Souci Girls’ High School, Shirley John-Humphreys, was celebrated with matriculants at the school’s 63rd Annual Valedictory. John-Humphreys, who has been at the school for 16 years, is due to retire this year. On Friday, pupils, parents/guardians and teachers bade farewell to not only to their matriculants but to the headmistress, after what they described as a powerful leadership. John-Humphreys, 60, said she would miss being part of the girls from Sans Souci. “Over the years they have been loving, caring and full of joy,” she said. John-Humphreys is retiring for personal reasons. “I have been a teacher for over 35 years and I loved every minute of it. Every challenge and every ounce of dedication that I had put through in all these years…

Dear Editor, the article ‘Boy, 5, dies after touching a live wire’ (Cape Argus, October 18, refers. Our teams have been on site, and have spoken to the family as much as possible during this time. We offer our sincere condolences to the family. Upon inspection, teams have not been able to locate the vandalised infrastructure that could have caused this, as pointed out by members of the community. At the site pointed out by members of the public where the electrocution is alleged to have happened, an electrocution was not possible, nor any evidence found at the particular infrastructure. The street light cover was intact, the wire insulation was intact and there was no supply to the street light. Investigations continue to get to the facts of the matter.…

It is a shameless and shameful lie to claim that foreigners in South Africa are the cause of our hardships and societal problems. The epitome of this disgraceful behaviour by South Africans and their leaders is a foolish unity in illusion and blame games where the responsibility to find solutions is handed to white academics and consultants. In reality, if governance in our country were strong and effective, foreigners would find it harder than the locals to do as they wish. Remember that one of the major justifications for apartheid was that black people can never be able to govern themselves, let alone “superior” races like whites, except if overseen by the “superior” races. Therefore, black people need some monitoring, as with the homeland leaders, who despite their failures and…

The introduction of herding – centring on keeping herds of mobile domesticated animals – significantly changed Africa’s genetic, economic, social and cultural landscapes the past 10 000 years. Unlike other parts of the world, mobile herding spread throughout the continent thousands of years before farming and did not replace foraging in many places. This gave rise to complex mosaics of foragers and food producers across sub-Saharan Africa. Once herding reached southern Africa during the early first millennium AD, it spread rapidly throughout the region. Since the foragers and herders left similar types of artefacts, it is difficult to pinpoint who was herding in the archaeological record, their dietary choices and how this way of life spread. Traditional archaeological data alone, such as the types of animal bones found at sites,…

Afghanistan put on a superb batting and bowling display to hand Pakistan a stunning eight-wicket defeat in the Cricket World Cup yesterday. Chasing a 283-run target, Afghanistan were lifted by Ibrahim Zadran (87), Rahmat Shah (77 not out) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65) as they scored 286/2 in 49 overs. Pakistan had made 282/7 in their 50 overs with 74 from skipper Babar Azam and 58 from opener Abdullah Shafique but the total did not prove tough enough for a clinical Afghanistan. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, with a 45-ball 48 not out, hit the winning boundary as Afghanistan improved upon their highest ODI chase of 274 against the UAE in Dubai in 2014. The win is Afghanistan's first-ever over Pakistan in eight ODIs and came eight days after their shock victory over…

One of the functions of the Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, Naledi Pandor, is to engage in diplomacy on the world stage. Her call to Hamas is part of her purview. Winston Churchill stated: “Meeting jaw to jaw is better than war.” Before 1994, the ANC engaged in negotiations with the National Party which was responsible for Vlakplaas, forced removals, political assassinations, detention without trial, and killing of civilians during peaceful protest. The ANC was also labelled as terrorist by the National Party government, but both parties had to engage in negotiations to bring an end to apartheid and usher in a democratic dispensation. Was talking to the National Party government an ANC show of support for the National Party vice versa. It was not. Similarly, talking to Hamas…

The latest Zionist terror campaign inside Gaza reminds me of the National Party that told the world that the ANC were terrorists. Like Zionists, the National Party told the world it was a bastion of democracy and freedom and without it, civilisation would end. The strategy in defence of apartheid and Zionism is similar. Since European liability for the Holocaust hangs as an eternal Damocles sword, allowing Zionist murder of Palestinians will be tolerated by Western nations well into the future. Since Zionists have the best military equipment and Palestinians have home-made paraphernalia, the killing is not a fight between equals. (The Palestinians have no military planes, tanks, warships, etc.) In my opinion, a vital part of the Palestinian solution lies with Jewish minorities outside the Holy Land. Although this…

Exactly three years ago, I wrote my first column for the Cape Argus and its Dignity Project. I remember at the time being a little hesitant and nervous because I was following in the big steps of a physically small man but a man big in stature, my friend in homelessness, Danny Oosthuizen. I wrote the following in that first column: “Our biggest task in changing the current perception of homelessness and homeless people is not in changing these perceptions with the politicians and lawmakers but with society at large. We need to strive for and provide the homeless with dignified opportunities that will allow more and more of us to stand up, achieve our measure of success and proudly be able to proclaim, ‘SO AM I!’” It has not…

The National Student Financial Scheme (Nsfas) was created to make a difference in the lives of youngsters from low-income families, who may never have been given the opportunity to study and lift themselves out of poverty. The scheme was filled with promise until, that is, it became another coffer to loot. The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse’s vigilance and angry students who did not receive their allowances put pressure on the NSFAS. The board appointed Werksmans Attorneys and advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi to investigate the allegations. The probe looked into the irregular awarding of four contracts for the direct payment of allowances to students. NSFAS has now received the preliminary findings, which showed that the now-suspended CEO of the financial scheme, Andile Nongogo, participated in choosing companies to disburse allowances to students…

As the life expectancy of South Africans continues to increase, the number of South Africans over the age of 55 continues to grow, according to the UCT Liberty Institute Forerunners Report. The report says the number of adults over the age of 55 has grown to more than eight million, making it one of the country’s fastest-growing demographic segments, with an aggregate taxable income of more than R600 billion annually. “This segment will continue to grow, and this trajectory is set to continue well into the future,” it said. The 18-month study was conducted through a survey of 1 900 people, with more than 300 interviews conducted by the UCT Liberty Institute, using quantitative and qualitative methodologies. UCT managing consultant and co-author Paul Egan said: “Through our research, we found…

A COMMUNITY search led to the discovery of the body of 9-year-old Mbongi Hilton Esau from Macassar, who disappeared after heading to the swamp opposite his home to swim with a friend after school on Thursday. His mother, Nadine Esau, said she had no idea where Hilton had gone, and she looked for him everywhere in the area that afternoon. On Friday, Esau reported Hilton missing to the police, and shortly afterwards his friend said they had been swimming in the swamp, and Hilton had fallen into the water. His clothes were found lying on the grass next to the place where he was presumed to have drowned. During the weekend, residents, with the assistance of police divers, searched the area. They also used a drone. On Sunday evening,…

Although Nigeria has one of the largest economies in Africa, most people there live below the poverty line. Over the half-century history of oil production by Western countries in Nigeria, international corporations have not only failed to improve the quality of locals’ lives, but have managed to turn the picturesque landscapes of the Niger Delta into a gloomy, extremely polluted place. Even though Nigeria demands that major oil companies operating in the country clean up the consequences of regular spills and compensate for the damage caused by their activity, the environmental situation is getting worse day by day. Frequent breakdowns occur due to the poor quality of pipelines, which indicates the West’s lax attitude to its petroleum industry in Africa. Due to wear and tear and faulty installation of oil…

On October 7, Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1 200 civilians and taking many hostages. Did they really expect Israel, a sovereign nation, not to take this barbaric and unprovoked attack without responding. The Palestinians are helpless against Hamas. Their lives are in danger because of a brutal regime imposed on them by Hamas. If they are dying because of Israeli attacks, the blame lies entirely on Hamas. Hamas, like Isis, is a terrorist regime, and good people are paying the price for their evil deeds. The world must pray for peace and the perpetrators must be severely punished. Americans, Brazilians, Canadians, and British citizens have lost their lives; innocent travellers enjoying a holiday in the Holy Land.…

Israel pounded hundreds of targets in Gaza from the air yesterday while its soldiers also fought Hamas militants during raids into the besieged Palestinian enclave where deaths are soaring and civilians are trapped in harrowing conditions. Gaza’s health ministry said 436 people had been killed in bombardments over the past 24 hours, most of them in the south of the narrow, densely populated territory. The Israeli military said it had struck more than 320 targets in Gaza over 24 hours, including a tunnel housing Hamas fighters, dozens of command and lookout posts, and mortar and anti-tank missile launcher positions. With the territory’s 2.3 million people running short of basics, European leaders looked set to follow the UN and Arab nations in calling for a “humanitarian pause” in hostilities so aid…

Temba Bavuma’s condition is “improving”, but the Proteas captain’s availability for their crunch 50-over World Cup clash against Bangladesh in Mumbai today remains uncertain. Bavuma was ruled out of Saturday’s crushing 229-run victory over England at the same venue due to illness shortly before the toss, with Reeza Hendricks being rushed into action. Bavuma’s condition was so severe that he left the Wankhede Stadium and watched the remainder of the game from the comfort of his hotel room. Hendricks was a dutiful substitute though, with the classy right-hander setting up the Proteas’ victory over the reigning champions with a polished 85 upfront and would slot comfortably back in alongside Quinton de Kock at the top of the order again. But stand-in skipper Aiden Markram claimed the Proteas will give Bavuma…

The Cricket South Africa 1-Day Cup will come full circle when Western Province host North West Dragons in the showpiece final at Newlands on Saturday. Province, who beat the Dragons in the opening game of the season at the JB Marks Oval, completed the league phase of the competition unbeaten to top the log with 30 points after defeating neighbours Boland Rocks in their last game by five wickets at Newlands on Sunday. The home team chased down the Rocks’ 255 all out in under 33 overs with David Bedingham smashing an unbeaten 108 off just 80 balls. Captain Kyle Verreynne (36) and Jonathan Bird (31) also made worthwhile contributions. The Rocks were pinned back in their innings through some canny medium-pace bowling from youngster Abdullah Bayoumy, who returned career-best…

Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs parted ways with head coach Molefi Ntseki yesterday, three months into the 2023/24 season. The 51-year-old was attacked by fans for the fourth time in just 13 games following their exit from the Carling Knockout over the weekend after a 1-0 loss to AmaZulu. Following a tumultuous spell in the hot seat where losses against TS Galaxy, Mamelodi Sundowns, and SuperSport United also incited supporters to throw missiles at Ntseki, the recent defeat to AmaZulu was the last straw. It appears the supporters' cries have been heeded by the club as the Naturena-based outfit revealed their decision to relieve Ntseki of his duties in a club statement late yesterday afternoon. “Molefi Ntseki’s tenure as head coach of Kaizer Chiefs has ended amicably by mutual consent,” read…