Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-01-16 i Cape Argus

Onetime Baywatch babe, reality star and ’90s sex symbol Pamela Anderson (also: activist, best-selling author and mother) has spent much of her career shoved into boxes beyond her control. But the Pam-aissance she’s undergone in recent years and really her entire 35-year career, has led to her buoyant, wrenching work in director Gia Coppola’s third feature, The Last Showgirl. The actress steps into her first dramatic star turn in years and proves that the chance to defy expectations is well overdue. Anderson, Golden Globe-nominated for the film, brings a bone-deep understanding to Shelly, a bubbly 50-something Las Vegas showgirl who’s poured her life into the once spectacular, now tired and struggling topless revue, Le Razzle Dazzle. As the show’s longest-tenured star, Shelly has sacrificed plenty in service to the kind…

EDUCATION watchdogs have called on the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to be transparent with its budget and the names of security companies employed during holidays, in the wake of vandalism and burglaries at schools. As the new academic year started yesterday, the WCED said they were still tallying the number of schools affected by vandalism and burglary. WCED spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond, said they continued to receive complaints of criminal acts that transpired at schools during the holiday. Stacey Jacobs, Equal Education researcher, said vandalism and burglary at schools negatively impacted children and their learning environment. “Equal Education’s own research into school safety in the Western Cape found that major threats to learner safety included theft of personal property, burglary, and significant vandalism, amongst other threats such as drug abuse,…

THE SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) says the deaths of illegal miners at Stilfontein is reminiscent of the Marikana massacre. The Marikana massacre in 2012 saw 34 mineworkers shot dead by police at Lonmin Platinum Mine near Rustenburg in the North West. A total of 132 illegal miners at Stilfontein have been brought to the surface and arrested for illegal mining, with at least 60 bodies of miners also extracted from the mine shaft. The operation, which started in August last year, saw the cutting of food and water supplies for months in an attempt to force the miners to the surface so they could be arrested. The government has since started using a metal cage to recover the miners and bodies from the shaft in an operation…

IN THE wake of 2 407 teachers being cut, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed that 477 “growth teaching” posts have been allocated, as plans are afoot for new schools and classrooms to be built this year. Education MEC, David Maynier, made the announcement after he and Premier Alan Winde visited Timour Hall Primary School in Plumstead yesterday, which is set to have additional classrooms built. The department said the “growth posts” meant new teaching posts were added to accommodate additional learners in cases where new classrooms were being built. “Through further budget reprioritisation, we are in a position to make up to 477 new growth posts available to schools with a significant increase in learner numbers in 2025, and provide staff for the new schools we have completed,”…

Cape Town City coach Muhsin Ertugral will demand a bounce-back from his side following a daunting week. City will play Premiership relegation strugglers Richards Bay at the Athlone Stadium tomorrow (7.30pm kick-off). The Cape outfit are going in search of a third win in four games, after good back-to-back victories that have eased relegation worries and placed them in the conversation for a possible CAF Confederation Cup slot. City are in seventh on the Premiership standings, six points off third-placed Sekhukhune United. The Cityzens marked the arrival of the Turkish-born coach with two remarkable wins against two of his former clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. Having disposed of the two Soweto giants, Ertugral then oversaw harsh scenes as his side lost 1-0 to a struggling Marumo Gallants outfit in…

Arne Slot insisted Liverpool deserved to beat Nottingham Forest after the “outstanding” Premier League leaders needed Diogo Jota’s equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw against their title rivals. Slot’s side were rocked by Chris Wood’s eighth-minute opener at the raucous City Ground on Tuesday night. But Jota came off the bench to head in fellow substitute Kostas Tsimikas’ corner just 20 seconds after Slot sent on the pair in the 66th minute. Although Liverpool had struggled to cope with Forest’s intensity and rock-solid defending until Jota’s leveller, they laid siege to the Forest goal in the closing stages. It took a series of superb saves from Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels and a goal-line clearance from Ola Aina to ensure Nuno Espirito Santo’s team held on. “Their goalkeeper had to make…

The pressure to deliver can be the key to turning Manchester United’s season around, coach Ruben Amorim said yesterday as his team look to end a four-match winless run in the Premier League when they face bottom side Southampton tonight. Two months into Amorim’s tenure, United sit 14th in the league, and despite flashes of brilliance in a 2-1 win at Manchester City, a 2-2 draw with Liverpool and Sunday’s FA Cup penalty shootout win over Arsenal with 10 men, a lack of consistency has the coach worried. “Yeah, I’m always concerned because we didn’t have, during these games, the consistency in performances, in results. So, always worried,” Amorim told reporters yesterday. “This next game will teach me more about my players than the last two... fans will expect more…

FOR a club returning to continental football’s top table for the first time in a long while, you’d think Orlando Pirates would be content with making it to the knockout stages. After all, just about everyone in Jose Riveiro’s team – the coach included – is a rookie in CAF Champions League football. Making it to the knockout stages should, therefore, be an achievement to be proud of. These group of Buccaneers, though, are an ambitious lot – accustomed as they are perhaps to winning silverware – albeit on the domestic front. Winning, so the saying goes, is a habit, and Pirates just want to keep at it. Guaranteed a spot in the quarter-final alongside record champions Al Ahly, Pirates are now looking to finish top Group C over the…

Movie buffs can look forward to a stellar line-up of blockbusters scheduled for release this year. From high-stakes action to beloved family narratives, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting one for audiences around the world. Here’s a look at five of the most highly anticipated films that are poised to captivate audiences. ACTION Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning Ethan Hunt is back and, this time, it's for the final showdown. The high-octane The Final Reckoning is a thrilling conclusion to the adventures of Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), with the spectacular stunts and twists that fans have come to expect from the franchise. The trailer showcases stunning visuals, including the much-anticipated biplane chase. We also see more submarine action, along with ominous discussions of sacrifice and farewells. * Mission…

THE suspects accused of killing Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane have been denied bail by the Durban Magistrate’s Court. Mziwethemba Gwabeni and Lindokuhle Ndimande applied for bail for the third time based on new facts. As the accused stepped into the dock yesterday, Gwabeni looked tired and defeated, and kept looking down. Once the proceedings started, Ndimande listened attentively. However, Magistrate Vincent Hlatshwayo said the applicants (accused) should not be permitted to file bail numerous times. He said that in May last year, the duo’s bail application was denied, and they appealed it to the high court where it was also denied. “For the court to see that this is new evidence, it has to look at the initial bail application,” he said. Hlatshwayo said the…

A DIPLOMATIC spat is brewing between the DA and China, after the Chinese Consulate General in Durban took the unprecedented step of barring DA federal chairperson, Ivan Meyer, from entering that country. The ban extends to Meyer’s family, prohibiting them from visiting or engaging in business with China-based firms. The diplomatic dispute stems from Meyer’s recent visit to Taiwan, which Chinese authorities see as provocative. Meyer, who also serves as the MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development, and Tourism in the Western Cape, has been at the heart of the escalating tension, drawing condemnation from Beijing. On Monday, the Chinese Consulate issued a scathing public statement regarding Meyer’s visit, accusing him of “blatantly violating the one-China principle” and “grossly interfering in China’s internal affairs”. The statement detailed that because of his…

PRIMARY school learners in Ceres who live less than five kilometres from their school are now compelled to walk, following changes to transport policies. The situation has raised significant concerns about the safety, accessibility, and well-being of the children, especially given the risks posed by road safety, weather conditions and other potential hazards along their route. Previously, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) provided free transportation for the children. However, parents were informed last year that the free rides would no longer be available. Yesterday morning, approximately 50 children, accompanied by their parents, marched in protest from Vredebes to Morrisdale Primary School. Community activist, Naoma Betana, expressed her frustration. “The children had been transported by the department since 2019. Last August, we were told the transport would no longer be…

AS THOUSANDS of learners returned to school yesterday, parents in Bishop Lavis staged a protest over critical issues such as teacher shortages, overcrowding, and the lack of science subjects in schools. The demonstration, led by the Bishop Lavis Action Community (BLAC), highlighted their frustration with education cutbacks. The protest was supported by various organisations, including the Special Action Committee on Education (SAC), the Western Cape Education Crisis Committee, and several political parties. BLAC spokesperson, Amanda Davids, outlined their demands: Immediate end to teacher layoffs and the hiring of additional educators. Reallocation of funds to prioritise education and health. Introduction of pure mathematics, physical sciences, sports and sports sciences, robotics, and coding to Grade 12s. Investment in innovative programmes to encourage working-class children to excel in the sciences. An end to…

Young sports stars who excel at school level are often touted for greatness one day, but it doesn’t always work out that way. In South African rugby, there are countless examples of high-school super-kids who look world-class in rugby and cricket in particular, but battled to even make their senior provincial teams once they became seniors. There are many reasons for that, which includes physical development, playing opportunities, provincial contracts and the like. But then you get those extra special specimens who graduate almost seamlessly from school to the international ranks, and become world-class athletes in every respect. Some of the recent examples of such prowess are Herschelle Gibbs and Conrad Jantjes. Gibbs, who was equally good at rugby, cricket, soccer and athletics, could’ve become a professional in all four…

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola blamed the fact that he is missing key players for his side’s late capitulation against Brentford in the Premier League on Tuesday as the Bees came from 2-0 down to grab a 2-2 draw. Visitors City had gone 2-0 up thanks to a pair of goals from Phil Foden, but Yoane Wissa pulled one back for the hosts in the 82nd minute and Christian Norgaard headed the equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time as City’s defence wilted. City are currently missing defenders Ruben Dias and John Stones, and influential midfielder Rodri, all of whom are injured. Guardiola said that with several key players missing through injury, City didn’t have the personnel to defend the type of balls they faced against Brentford. “We have…

A week into the third season of the SA20 league, and some of the world’s most gifted talent has enthralled fans and put up numbers to boot. Before yesterday’s fixture at Boland Park between Paarl Royals and MI Cape Town, the six-team league is led by MI Cape Town after three matches a piece, with the exception of Paarl Royals and Joburg Super Kings. Cape Town have played three, won two and lost one. The Mother City’s Delano Potgieter is firing on all cylinders after week one, currently one of the hottest bowlers and batsman after week one. From most wickets to the best batting average and third in the amount of runs scored, Potgieter’s name frequently pops up on player standings. The all-rounder’s best performance so far was against…

CAPE Town has secured the top spot as Time Out’s Best City in the World for 2025, moving up from its second-place position last year after losing to New York. The accolade is the result of a comprehensive global survey involving over 18 500 participants. The city faced fierce competition from the likes of Bangkok – ranked number 2, New York, coming in third, Melbourne fourth and London taking fifth place. The evaluation encompassed 44 criteria, including dining, nightlife, cultural richness, affordability, happiness, and overall atmosphere. Cape Town excelled across the board, reaffirming its reputation as a world-class destination. Announcing the results yesterday, Time Out highlighted Cape Town’s exceptional natural beauty, vibrant food scene, and overall sense of ease for travellers. The Mother City was applauded for its remarkable blend…

A MAN lost his life in a freak accident yesterday morning when a container fell off a truck, crushing his vehicle. The incident occurred around 7.30am on the N2 near Macassar at the Kramat Bridge. An eyewitness described the harrowing scene, explaining that the truck carrying the container had been swerving moments before the accident. “I noticed the truck with the huge container as I was driving behind it in the slow lane. When it reached the bridge, the container hit it, then fell onto the fast lane, and crushed a mini truck and a red VW Polo before rolling off the road,” he said. The witness, who stopped to help, recounted his traumatic experience. “I got out of my car with other motorists, and we ran to assist. We…

TAXPAYERS have paid a whopping R118 008 977 for the salaries of 498 civil servants who were on precautionary suspensions over the past five years. The officials were suspended for a combined 63 688 days, and at least 291 have had their disciplinary cases finalised, with 207 not completed during the period. This was revealed by Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi, when he was responding to parliamentary questions from DA MP, Leah Potgieter. Buthelezi’s written response showed that a total of 345 civil servants were suspended by national government departments and 153 others by provincial departments. Breakdown of suspensions: National department suspended 498 officials and paid R55 029 942. Eastern Cape suspended 30 at a cost of R10 510 887. Gauteng suspended eight and paid R5 406 497…

A TOTAL of nine spaza shops have been shut in Cape Town in line with a City Health prohibition order, while over 6 500 shops have successfully been registered in the Cape Metropole. President Cyril Ramaphosa called for spaza shops in the country to be registered by December 6, 2024, following the deaths of six children in Naledi in the North West due to contaminated food. The country is believed to have around 100 000 informal traders in the R178 billion small business industry. The registration deadline has since been moved to February 28, while political parties in Cape Town said not enough was being done to speed-up the process. Mayco member for Community Services and Health, Patricia van der Ross, told the Cape Argus the latest figure for registrations…

Everything about Imran Tahir reminds you of Peter Pan – the youthful innocence and free spirit of a man simply refusing to get older. And in the SA20 competition at Kingsmead on Tuesday night, the 45-year-old even flew through the air like the mythical figure from London’s Kensington Gardens to claim a wonderful catch to dismiss Wiaan Mulder for the Joburg Super Kings against Durban’s Super Giants. The celebration, of course, matched the fielding effort, with Tahir setting off in trademark fashion, like he’s just scored a goal to win the Fifa World Cup. “It was purely for my son. He is a big (Cristiano) Ronaldo fan in the world. It was for him... that’s why I did it (the Ronaldo celebration),” Tahir said. “I was just happy because I…

Novak Djokovic created a slice of Grand Slam history on his way into the Australian Open third round yesterday, but last year’s women’s finalist, Zheng Qinwen, was knocked out in the biggest shock so far. Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, in-form Coco Gauff, two-time Melbourne winner Naomi Osaka and a rampant Carlos Alcaraz were all victors on a rainy day four. But Norway’s Casper Ruud lost, going down in four sets to Czech teenager Jakub Mensik to become the highest men’s seed to fall at six. World No 2 Alexander Zverev kept his title charge on track yesterday with a straight-sets victory over Spain’s Pedro Martinez. The German proved too hot to handle for his fellow 27-year-old, sweeping into round three with a 6-1 6-4 6-1 win in under two hours.…

From the coaching staff to the players, there is an abundance of talented women in the Proteas Under-19 camp, capable of winning a T20 World Cup this year. Both staff and players are eager to etch their name in history. But whether or not the Under-19 side can get over the 2023 World Cup campaign, where they fell short of making the play-offs, will rest on their shoulders alone. The first match will commence on Saturday against New Zealand in Malaysia (2.30pm SA time start), and conclude on February 2. The 17-year-old Karabo Meso, who is considered a major talent, ironically is one of the more experienced players in the side, given her international bouts with the senior team. Meso is one of seven South African players who are returning…

IQRAAM Rayners has urged Mamelodi Sundowns fans to come to Loftus Versfeld in their numbers on Sunday (6pm kick-off) to help spur the team on to a result that will see them topping their group in the CAF Champions League. The South African champions host AS FAR Rabat in the concluding match of the round-robin phase needing to avoid defeat if they are to progress to the quarter-final – and the striker says they will do so on the backing of a passionate and vociferous Masandawana. “I just want to tell you to come out in your numbers, be behind the boys and we will make you proud. Please make Loftus yellow,” Rayners urged. It is a genuine plea, Rayners and Co often playing in a sparsely- populated Loftus for…