Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-04-02 i Cape Argus

Cape Town theatregoers are in for a treat as Craig Jackson’s Defending the Caveman will be staged at The Playhouse Theatre this weekend. The production comes to the Mother City after a successful run at Johannesburg’s Theatre on the Square in November. This iconic one-man show, which taps into the differences between men and women, was created by American comedian Rob Becker. He used his experience and his observations to add some flavour to the script for the popular play which has been entertaining theatregoers for over three decades. To date, the Broadway hit has been performed in more than 45 countries and has been translated into more than 30 languages. It has also received several awards over the years, including the prestigious Olivier Award in London. Over the decades,…

TWO siblings from Kalksteenfontein died in a fire on Monday after their mother allegedly locked them up inside the wendy house and left with their baby sibling. Their grandmother is in a critical condition after trying to save them. Janecke Gross, 4 and Nocolia Gross 7, were trapped inside when the fire broke out in Soetkop Street. By the time neighbours noticed, the flames were already uncontrollable. When the Cape Argus sister publication, the Daily Voice arrived at the gutted residence, community members were cleaning the debris. The wendy house which was situated in the front yard was burned to the ground. Neighbour Mauricia Sondagh said the incident happened after 7pm when her son went to call the girls for supper and that was when he noticed the fire. “He…

Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has announced a plan to address the country’s ongoing energy crisis through private sector involvement in transmission infrastructure development. Providing an update on the private sector’s involvement in expanding the country’s power infrastructure during a press briefing yesterday, Ramokgopa explained that the existing transmission network was unable to keep up with the country’s growing renewable energy generation, particularly in areas such as the Northern and Western Cape. “We want to create a dispensation where we are going to accommodate the investments by private sector players on the transmission side,” Ramokgopa said. His announcement comes after Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Dion George, granted eight “limited emissions exemptions” to eight Eskom coal power plants on Monday. George had also previously slammed Eskom for…

Eskom has extended its zero registration fee for residential Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) systems until March 2026. Launched yesterday, the initiative is set to help homeowners adopt solar power by reducing costs and supporting cleaner energy in South Africa. Brought into effect in March 2023, Eskom’s policy exempts homeowners from registration fees and the costs associated with installing a smart meter for systems rated up to 50kVA – with larger installations attracting different fee structures. This means that residential customers not only avoid upfront costs, but can also capitalise on savings of approximately R9 132 due to the ongoing exemption from connection and tariff conversion fees. “Our objective is to help residential owners comply with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) regulations while simultaneously supporting green energy initiatives,”…

BEACHGOERS are urged to exercise caution if they encounter seals or seal carcasses along the coastline following the confirmation of rabies in Cape fur seals. State veterinarian for epidemiology at the Western Cape Agriculture Department, Dr Lesley van Helden confirmed that rabies has now become endemic in the Cape fur seal population in South Africa. She said the infection is maintained within the seal population as the animals pass the disease to each other. “The likelihood of the outbreak ending naturally is very low, which makes rabies a persistent threat among Cape fur seals,” Dr Van Helden said. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) noted that reports of rabies in seals before 2024 were exceedingly rare. However, since May 2024, multiple cases have been confirmed in Cape fur seals…

In the bustling heart of Hilbrow, Johannesburg, a vividly colourful food shop stands out, enticing passers-by with an array of mouth-watering meals. The advertising board invites hungry patrons to step inside for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s a sight designed to charm your senses. Yet, in stark contrast, an undertaker is located right next door – a business venture worlds apart from the lively food establishment serving grilled dishes. How on earth did Joburg town planners permit this bizarre and, some might argue, macabre arrangement? It’s difficult to fathom how such decisions were made, and it raises a whirlwind of questions about city governance and planning. Were both these entirely different businesses granted operational licences? If so, when, how, and most importantly, why? With the City of Gold in a…

Arne Slot reiterated Liverpool remain laser-focused on their English Premier League title challenge despite reports that Trent Alexander-Arnold is closing in on a move to Real Madrid. The England defender has long been linked with a free transfer to the Bernabéu, and talks between the 26-year-old and the Spanish giants are understood to be progressing. Alexander-Arnold is one of three marquee players out of contract at the end of the season, along with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. All three have been able to discuss terms with overseas clubs since January. Slot’s side, who are red-hot favourites to win the Premier League, host local rivals Everton on Wednesday following the international break. “His situation is, unfortunately, that he is injured; otherwise, people would probably be talking about him having…

As the trial within a trial continues in the Joshlin Smith matter, a new witness was called to the stand. The trial within a trial stems from Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, claiming they were assaulted and tortured by police during their questioning. The trial within a trial is to find out whether any assault has taken place, and it will be for the conduct of a ruling after the matter has concluded. What is important to note is that this is a separate matter from the main trial. Western Cape head of the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit, Brigadier Leon Hanana, was called to the stand yesterday. Hanana testified he got involved with the case on February 19, 2024, the day Joshlin was reported missing, after there…

Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane has rubbished claims that she earned R700 000 from Eskom contractor Vitrovian, her former employer, through overbilling the power utility for work done by ghosts workers. This comes after Simelane, who has also been implicated in the collapse of now defunct VBS Mutual Bank, is accused of earning more than R700 000 while working for Vitrovian, which was hired to suppress protests at the Kusile power plant. Vitrovian allegedly inflated its charges, overbilling the power utility for work performed by non-existent employees. In response, Simelane expressed dismay, calling them a desperate attempt to involve her in sensationalised controversies. “The office of the Minister can confirm that the minister was an employee of Vitrovian in 2011 as a project director for seven months and was…

For many young Black professionals in South Africa, “Black Tax” has been a defining reality for decades. This term describes the financial assistance that working individuals offer to their families. It usually covers necessities such as household expenses, education, and healthcare. However, the question of whether the Black Tax will become a lighter or heavier burden in 2025 still persists, considering high unemployment, slow economic growth, and rising living expenses. Economic strain Post-pandemic unemployment in South Africa remains above 30%, and with inflation driving up the cost of necessities, it is difficult for the nation’s economy to recover. Stats SA reports that the cost of living has increased by 8% in the last 12 months, putting more pressure on young professionals who support their families. Sindiswa Radebe, a 25-year-old communication…

Imagine coming to the end of a lengthy recruitment process, only to find out the candidate you’ve been dealing with during several rounds of in-depth interviews isn’t real. The person you’ve just hired doesn’t exist. It may sound like something out of a fictional thriller, but unfortunately, AI-based tools and deepfake technology have turned this scenario from fiction into reality, adding to the growing list of security concerns for enterprises of all sizes. Not only can job candidates use AI to accurately answer interview questions, but they can also use deepfake technology to completely alter both their voice and appearance. With more than half of remote workers today remaining fully remote, scammers could potentially cash in on months’ worth of pay cheques before being discovered. In even more sinister cases,…

Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad has emerged as the frontrunner to take over all the South African senior men’s national cricket teams following Rob Walter’s resignation on Tuesday. Walter, who has overseen the ODI and T20 teams for the past two years, was expected to lead the Proteas through to the 2027 World Cup on home soil. However, he has stepped down with two years remaining on his four-year contract. According to Cricket South Africa (CSA), Walter has resigned for “personal reasons,” although pressure had been mounting on the 49-year-old due to his bilateral series record outside major ICC tournaments. The former Titans coach also still resides in New Zealand, with the extensive travel between the two countries placing a strain on his young family. “Coaching the Proteas has been…

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is already planning the Brazilians' next step, arguing that his boys will have to be men next week and that they can’t afford to rest on their laurels when they visit Espérance in Tunisia. Sundowns will head to North Africa high on confidence after beating Espérance 1-0 in the CAF Champions League quarter-final, first leg, On Tuesday. Peter Shalulile chipped in with the all-important goal for the Brazilians in the second half, sending the stadium into a frenzy. However, it was a painful defeat for Espérance and their supporters, some of whom were involved in physical altercations with the Yellow Nation after the game, resulting in ugly scenes. The Brazilians will hope that security will be on high alert to ensure they play under safer…

With the first school holidays of the year currently underway, it is the perfect time for youngsters to unwind while watching some top children's movies. From streaming their favourite movies to revisiting classic films that may even spark a bit of nostalgia, there’s something for everyone. Here is a list of movies to keep your children entertained these holidays: Tiddler Tiddler on Showmax tells the story of a little fish with a big imagination who gets lost in the deep, wide ocean – until he is saved by his own storytelling. It is the work of the BBC and multi-Oscar-nominated producers, Magic Light Pictures. The film is co-directed by South African Alex Bain and it is narrated by Emmy winner Hannah Waddingham. Tiddler was the ninth most-watched title on BBC…

A 50-year-old Bloemfontein man has been arrested and will remain in custody after he allegedly threw a two-year-old girl against a wall and slapped her during an altercation with her mother, leaving the child with facial injuries and bleeding from the nose. The suspect, who is the boyfriend of the child’s mother, appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday, and was due back in court yesterday. Police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli said the incident occurred shortly after midnight on Saturday, March 29, at the suspect’s residence in Glen Location. The 29-year-old mother had left her two children in his care while she briefly stepped out to borrow a cellphone from a neighbour to access her banking app. During her absence, everything seemed normal. However, a heated argument erupted upon…

Former Member of Parliament (MP) and African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) member Lindiwe Sisulu has lamented the neglect of heroes’ graves across South Africa. During the commemoration of Robert Sobukwe’s 100 years of legacy in Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, at the weekend, Sisulu urged municipalities to take greater responsibility for the resting places of those who fought valiantly against apartheid, saying she was left saddened by the state of disrepair of Sobukwe’s gravesite. “I was not happy with the grave that we went to this morning. This is a towering man, an intellectual. “A man who has trailblazed most of the path that we have travelled. I would have expected that when we got there, something in the grave would show that we care, we love, and we…

The Western Cape High Court has ruled against a woman who wanted to live in her late boyfriend’s house with her children and also have access to his cars. Ruansa van Eeden brought an urgent application in the high court after the family of her late boyfriend, Wilfred Heathcoate Craythorne, refused to hand her back the keys of his house. Craythorne passed away in November 2024 and the two were living in separate homes, but Van Eeden had two house keys to her boyfriend’s house. She gave away the keys during his funeral to allow his family to stay in the house during the duration of the funeral as they lived overseas. However, Craythorne’s mother, Aletha Catherina Oosthuizen, who was the first respondent in the case, lives in Cape Town.…

Africa, the cradle of humanity, is once again shaping the future, this time as the cradle of skills. The continent is home to the youngest population in the world, a demographic trend that stands in stark contrast to the aging and shrinking workforces in regions such as Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. By 2050, Africa’s workforce could become one of the most powerful economic forces globally, bridging labour gaps in ageing populations economies. However, to maximise this advantage, Africa must urgently invest in education, skills development, and strategic workforce planning to ensure its talent is valued globally. This must happen in a world where innovation is accelerating, redefining industries and economies, yet disruption – both technological and political – threatens stability. Without coordinated efforts, the continent…

Aston Villa’s Marcus Rashford scored his first goals since his successful loan spell from Manchester United, however, he is not the only Red Devils' attacking 'discard' thriving away from the club. Big money signing Antony, who endured an equally frustrating spell at United, is also enjoying his time at Real Betis in La Liga. Rashford, who scored a brace against Preston in the FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday, said that he was enjoying football at the club. The forward joined Unai Emery's team on loan during the January transfer window after falling out of favour at Old Trafford where head coach Ruben Amorim repeatedly questioned the England forward's effort in training. The coach famously alluded to the fact that that he would rather have the club's goalkeeper coach on…

When Japan won the rights to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup, I wasn’t too excited. The decision was made in July 2009, with England chosen for the 2015 edition and Japan four years later. While Japan had competed in previous tournaments, they were far from a ‘real’ rugby nation at that stage. Yet, they broke all sorts of records in every respect of the event as they staged arguably the most successful RWC of all time. Of course, it held special significance for South Africans as Siya Kolisi went on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019. And it was especially memorable personally, as I was at the Yokohama Stadium on that unforgettable night, having been honoured to be part of the Rugby News Service team for the…